Assassin's Creed:

I have yet to play the game but I did see some of the end of it when CigDangle was finishing it up. The graphics look really good and from what I saw the controls seem to be almost spot on. With an interesting story spanning centuries and the open-ended final chapter you can be assured that the success of this game will spawn some sequels. So get your gamer started on the path of the assassins so they're ready to defend themselves when the sequel hits. Additionally Kirsten Bell, of Heroes bad girl fame, has a role in the game and while all of the voice-acting isn't superb overall it's pretty good.

Platform: Xbox 360, PS3

Super Mario Galaxy:

The latest in the long line of Super Mario titles is a hit with, well, almost everyone. OK, everyone who is a Mario and Nintendo fan is more appropriate I guess. Consumers have been gobbling up stock on the game and I even managed to play a little of it myself. While the upside down gameplay bothered me at times the game is still good fun and I was happy to be making some progress through the game without any major impediments. The game inspires nostalgic feelings of Mario 64 when we were first treated to seeing the moustachio'd plumber in full on 3D. From what I have been hearing the entire game delivers not just parts of it like some of the other Mario games in the past. The controls are good and don't fully utilize the Wiimote which is just fine because there are enough things going on in the game to keep you busy and learning a completely new control scheme would probably be frustrating.

Platform: Nintendo Wii

Rock Band:

I wanna ROCK and I have been. I have probably put more time into Rock Band than I have into visiting my family in the last several days. Sure I can handle listening to good music and trying to fix my rhythmically-challenged self far more than I can handle my family so that might have something to do with it. The game is easy to pick up, jam and put down. Well ok so I can't always seem to put it down. But with the four player local or online multiplayer you can jam with your friends at home and abroad. The wireless guitar feels better than its competitor and he drums (complete with CigDangle's mod) are nicely sized so to not take up too much space or be too small to target easily. If the gamer on your list likes music, they'll love this game. Period.

Platform: Xbox 360, PS3, PS2

The Orange Box:

Just speaking from the Portal perspective, this game is great. I haven't even dug into the others as of yet. But I did manage to beat Portal in 2.5 hours, the second time through. My father was curious about the game and so I sat down and played through it again. Then I had a genius idea. Portal multiplayer deathmatch! Everyone has a portal gun and you run around trying to trick the other players into falling through a portal to their doom. Later this weekend I'll move on to the other games in the pack I'm sure.

Platform: Xbox, PC, Xbox 360, PS3

BioShock:

Game of the Year? It might be. Greatest Game Ever? Doubtful. But that doesn't mean you should overlook this one for the gamer on your shopping list this year. This Xbox 360 and PC title is a sure win. From well written storyline to interesting gameplay and creepy villains this game has it all. Your task is to figure out exactly what IT is and why it has it. So get your diving suit on and prepare for an underwater adventure that rivals the likes of Sealab 2020.