Holiday Gift Guide: Top 8 Gifts for the XBox 360 Gamer

Does the XBox 360 rule the life of someone you know? Do they yell at the TV as they're ensconced in a virtual battle with two or three buddies who live across the country? Then you have an XBox addict on your hands, and what better way to touch their hearts this holiday season than by giving them a game guaranteed to blow them away? 2006 brought us many decent games for the XBox 360, but here are the top eight:

1. Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Double Agent (shooter)
The latest in a series of Splinter Cellgames, agent Sam Fisher goes behind enemy lines as a double agent. Infiltrate a group of terrorists that have found their way into America using spy tactics that double agents utilize in real life. Stealth and subterfuge are the names of the game, along with the ability to act swiftly when necessary. The XBox version also features exclusive single-player missions.

2. Lord Of The Rings: The Battle for Middle Earth II (Strategy/RPG)
The game features a real-time environment as you command the armies straight out of the Lord Of The Rings trilogy. You can choose to champion for the cause of good, or join Sauron and battle on the side of evil. Movie quality graphics help bring this game to life.

3. Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Legend (action)
Lara Croft is back in another adventure, this time confronting her own past as she searches for a South American relic. The XBox 360 does this game justice, with stunning graphics and realistic detail. The interaction between Lara and objects in the game has greatly improved as well, allowing for more improvisation than in the past.

4. Tiger Wood PGA Tour 07 (sports)
XBox 360's new and improved Universal Capture technology makes pro golfer Tiger Woods come to life on your screen. With the game's "Practice Facility" you can work on your swing, or go straight to "Career Mode" and compete on the World Tour. Five multiplayer modes and the option of online tournaments are also available.

5. Phantasy Star Universe (RPG)
This game is the latest in a series that started in 1988. When an enemy called "The Seed" attacks the Guardian colony, Ethan embarks on a mission to rescue his sister. Driven by character and action alike, it features over two hundred weapons and combat variations. Play the single player mission or go online for a co-op experience.

6. The Godfather: The Game (shooter)
The famous movie trilogy comes to life with the latest gaming technology. Start from the bottom of the criminal underworld and work your way up the ranks against the backdrop of New York in the 1940's. With original theme music and characters from the movie, this game is sure to please any Godfather fan. WARNING: Mature rating.

7. Top Spin 2 (sports)
Tennis enthusiasts will love the new advances found in the newest addition of this game. Customize your own player and go online to compete with others. You can also play against (or as) top tennis players like Venus Williams, Andy Roddick and more. Enjoy the game of tennis like never before.

8. Chromehounds( shooter)
In the future, war is fought by machines known as Hounds. Part action, part strategy, this game features multiple campaigns and vast war zones. Customize your own Hound, choosing its weapons. accessories and more. Going online offers a multiplayer experience on a massive war zone. Fans of strategy and futuristic war games will have a hard time putting this one down.