The Best Holiday Gifts for the Video Gamer

This holiday season will be an expensive one for those trying to satisfy the gamer in their lives. This guide will attempt to break down the top gifts to get YOUR video gamer for the holidays.

1. The hottest selling system available now is the Xbox 360 by Microsoft. There are two different versions available. There is the core system which retails for $299.99 and there is the Pro Edition which retails for $399.99. The core system includes the actual Xbox 360 console, a wired controller, standard audio/visual cable, a white faceplate and a membership to the Xbox Live Silver Service. The more expensive Pro Edition is a bit different. It includes the Xbox 360 console, a 20 GB hard drive, a wireless controller, HD AV cable, an ethernet network cable, a wired Xbox Live headset, a white faceplate and a membership to the Xbox Live Silver Service. These two packages have been available for about a year and have been selling very well, making it a top choice for the video gamer who doesn't own a next-gen system.

2. The Playstation 3 by Sony will be available for the first time this holiday season (11/17/06). The Playstation 3, like the Xbox 360, will be available in two different versions. The first version is the 20 GB version which will retail for $499.99. The second version is the 60 GB version which will retail for $599.99. The differences here are about 40 GB in a hard drive, as well as the 60 GB version being WiFi capable and having Memory Stick/SD/Flash Slots. Sony hit it big with the original Playstation and the Playstation 2 so expect big things from the Playstation 3.

3. The Wiimade by Nintendo is the other new system hitting the shelves this holiday season (11/19/06). At this time we only know about a core system that will retail for $249.99. The Nintendo Wii is revolutionary in that the controller is motion sensored so that the controller can be swung like a baseball bat or tennis racket, or even aimed like a gun. The Nintendo Wii sounds like it will be a thorn in the sides of the other two next-gen systems with it's low price and new technology.

4. Madden NFL 2007 made by Electronic Arts for the PS3 is looking more incredible every day. It already exists on the Xbox 360 but the PS3 version's graphics just looker cleaner and more vibrant. As a launch title, I would expect this game to fly off the shelves quick. Madden NFL 2007 will be available on 11/14/06 and will retail for $59.99.

5. Gears Of War made by Epic Studios for the Xbox 360 is due to hit the shelves on 11/07/06. This is the first game made by Epic exclusively for Microsoft Game Studios. This game is about the best looking game for the Xbox 360 and took everyone's breath away at E3. There are two versions available. For $59.99 you get the regular game. For $69.99 you get the collector's edition which also includes a hardbound art book and a bonus special DVD.

6. WWE Smackdown Vs. Raw 2007 by THQ for the Xbox 360 should provide all the wrestling fans with their fix of wrestling gaming. Featuring the likes of World Wrestling Entertainment stars such as John Cena, Triple H, The Undertaker and more, this game is the first WWE game to appear on a next-gen system. There is a standard version that retails for $59.99 and a Special Edition that comes in a tin packaging and includes a trivia book and a DVD.

These are the biggest things a gamer could possible want this holiday season so be sure to either pre-order these items or be prepared to wait on very long lines to grab them. Enjoy your holidays!