Yes, yes, it's that time again. The X-mas season, time to run out and spend tons of money for lots of people, for no real reason at all. But if you have a gamer in your life, I'm here to help. Here is my list of the 13 things to buy for that special gamer in your life. They are in no particular order, they are all good and will be appreciated more than socks or a fruit cake.

 

1.	Batman: Arkham Asylum (Available for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC) To any one who reads the Batman comic books, this is the game you've been waiting for. The Joker has trapped you inside Arkham Asylum in his newest diabolical scheme. To me, at the present, Arkham is the pinnacle of the stealth action genre. It is the perfect blend of story, action, and survival. And with the voice acting done by the actors from the original Batman: The Animated Series (a show near to my heart) this game is gold. Batman fans, like myself, will love Arkham Asylum because this game is a solid pick for any gamer.
2.	Assassin's Creed 2 (Available for Xbox 360 and PS3) The sequel to the 2007 smash hit Assassin's Creed, puts you in the shoes (and blades) of Ezio Auditore da Firenze. This time around you are in a new time period and location, Italy during the late 15th century renaissance. There is a bigger world, more assassinations, and more of a free form style of game play in Assassin's Creed 2. The first Assassin's Creed was an amazing game in its own right. But Assassin's Creed 2 takes the same style of game play to a whole new level.
3.	Left 4 Dead and Left 4 Dead 2 (Available for Xbox 360 and PC) Who doesn't wanna shoot zombies for fun? The Left 4 Dead series has simplistic game play, and fast paced action. The game shines in co-op where you and up to 3 friends can thin the zombie horde together. Anyone who enjoys a good co-op focused game will enjoy either of the Left 4 Dead games.
4.	New Super Mario Brothers Wii (Available for Wii) Its all back to where gaming started... Mario. The newest incarnation of the Super Mario series has a very old school feel to it. It's a side scroll platformer just like in the days of NES and SNES, but this time around you can play 4 players at the same time. You can help each other reach new areas. Or if you're twisted like me and my friends, you can just relentlessly knock others into pits and enemies just to fuck with them. It's seriously fun, like the days of old.
5.	Dragon Age: Origins (Available for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC) Of the new games I've played this year, I think this is my pick for a personal favorite. Dragon Age is the newest release from Bioware. This is a dark fantasy based RPG that has a very open ended game play. The game has 6 different "origins" stories to pick from, and each is different. For the RPG player, this game is a must for the holidays.
6.	Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (Available for PS3) If Indiana Jones and Laura Croft had a baby, when he grew up, you would have the star of the Uncharted series, Nathan Drake. The first Uncharted was a good game, but somewhat overlooked, not this game. Uncharted 2 is THE reason the buy a Playstation 3. Action, puzzle solving, a great story, and this time around they added multi-player. Uncharted 2 is a must have for the PS3 owner.
7.	Fallout 3 "Game of the Year Edition" (Available for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC) Fallout 3 is one of the best games of the new console generation. Just recently Bethesda studios released this "Game of the Year Edition" which includes all 5 pieces of downloadable content (which would normally run you $10 or 800 Microsoft Points each). This version of Fallout 3 is a steal, so if you haven't picked it up yet, now is the time. Get off your ass and go buy it.
8.	Borderlands (Available for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC) The first ever RPS, role playing shooter. This unique blend of a game lets you team with up to 4 friends. The player gains experience to use on different abilities much like a RPG, but its a first person shooter. But the best part is, there are "87 Bazillion guns", literally.
9.	Brutal Legend (Available for Xbox 360 and PS3) Heavy Metal meets a "hack and slash" action game. Why didn't someone do this before now? Brutal Legend is for that metal head in all of us. And it even has its own heavy metal sound track, with voice acting by Ozzy, Lemmy, Jack Black, Rob Halford, and Tim Curry. If you have to ask who these people are, this game isn't for you.
10.	Ghostbusters (Available for Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, Wii, PC, Nintendo DS and PSP) Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters! And you as well. Nobody hates the Ghostbusters and in this game you get to play as the rookie recruit for them. Need I say more? I think not.
11.	Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (Xbox 360, PS3 and PC) I'm well aware that this game will be on everyones holiday wish list. Except mine. The Call of Duty series is a runaway train with no sign of stopping. This is a sure bet for almost any gamer out there. Just don't buy it for me and we will be good. Cause I don't care. I can only run in circles and shoot my friends before I'm bored.
12.	4000 Microsoft Point Card With so many good Xbox live arcade games out this year a 4000 Microsoft Card is a good idea. Several great games out this year on Xbox live include, Shadow Complex, Trials HD, Marvel vs. Capcom 2, and Turtles in Time HD. If those don't interest you there is always old classics like Sonic The Hedgehog 1 & 2, Puzzle Quest, 1942: Joint Strike, Wolf of the Battlefield, and Uno. And let's also not forget all that swanky avatar gear.
13.	Pre-order for advance goodies Many games from the 2009 season got pushed back to 2010 for various reasons. Just a few examples are Mass Effect 2, Final Fantasy XIII, Alan Wake, Alpha Protocol, Heavy Rain, and Bioshock 2. These all are coming out within the first 5 Months of 2010. If none of the above games interests your gamer, head to your local Gamestop and put down a reserve on one of these. Many games in this day and age also include a pre-order exclusive. So get it early and benefit.