Video Games for Christmas 2010: The Top 5 New Releases

With the final quarter of the year offering a vast array of video games for Christmas 2010, sorting through the popular titles for the top 5 new release can be a daunting task. Below are five recommendations, spanning a variety of operating systems and console choices, all released in November or December of 2010-just in time for the holidays!

Video Games for Christmas: Super Mario All-Stars (Wii)

Help celebrate the 25^th anniversary of the infamous Mario, one of the most enduring video game characters of all time. Due to release on December 12^th, 2010, "Super Mario All-Stars" is the latest nostalgic trek back into the world of vintage video games from the folks at Nintendo. This video game will feature the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) version of the original video games, playable on the Wii console. This includes: "Super Mario Bros.," "Super Mario Bros: The Lost Levels," "Super Mario Bros. 2" and the legendary "Super Mario Bros. 3." For more information, visit the official website; act fast, this new release video game is listed as for a "limited time" only!

Video Games for Christmas: World of Warcraft: Cataclysm (PC, Mac)

Scheduled to release December 7^th, 2010, the latest "World of Warcraft" expansion promises two new playable races, an increased level cap of 85, and tons of additional content. The original areas of the world have been revisited and upgraded, and players will finally gain access to a sunken kingdom. Few new releases from 2010 have generated as much hype as "World of Warcraft: Cataclysm" and it is a sure bet as an appreciated gift for any WoW player on your shopping list. Visit the official website for the expansion here.

Video Games for Christmas:Call of Duty: Black Ops (PS3, Wii, DS, Xbox 360, PC)

Released on November 9^th, 2010, "Call of Duty: Black Ops" quickly went from being one of the most highly anticipated video games of 2010 to a must-have new release for Christmas 2010. Rated an impressive 9.0 on Gamespot, this First-Person Shooter combines multiplayer options, a clever storyline and outstanding graphics. Rated Mature by the ESRB, this new release video game isn't for gamers under 18, but it is a quick, go-to favorite for any adult video game patrons on your shopping list! Read more about "Call of Duty: Black Ops" on the official website.

Video Games for Christmas: Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare Collection (PS3, Xbox 360)

This expansion pack for the original "Red Dead Redemption" blockbuster combines two popular video game elements: zombies, and the Wild West. It released on November 22^nd, 2010, and has since been an immediate hit with both "Red Dead Redemption" die-hard fans, and those who gave it a try simply because it offered zombie slaying. Being an expansion, the original version of "Red Dead Redemption" is required to activate this additional content. Read more about the "Undead Nightmare Collection" on the Xbox 360's official marketplace.

Video Games for Christmas: Donkey Kong Country Returns (Wii)

This highly anticipated remake of the vintage "Donkey Kong" video games released on November 20^th, 2010, and has already generated a ton of hype. The game developers kept the 2D side-scrolling style pioneered in the original titles, but added plenty of graphic upgrades, 3D effects and surprisingly difficult challenges to entertain a whole new generation of "Donkey Kong" fans. You can read more about this new release video game on the official website, or read my full review here on the Yahoo! Contributor Network.

Sources:
Nintendo, "25 Years of Super Mario Bros."
Blizzard Entertainment, "World of Warcraft: Cataclysm"
Activision Publishing, Inc. "Call of Duty: Black Ops"
Xbox Marketplace, "Undead Nightmare Collection"
Nintendo, "Donkey Kong Country Returns"