Last-Minute Video Game Gifts

With two weeks until Christmas, the cornucopia of video games is bursting, with something for virtually everyone. Here are the top choices from games released in the past six months or so.

For those looking at taking the video game plunge this year – but not sure where to start – here are three games to whet your appetite.

The first is The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3). This dragons and dungeons offering is epic in scale and will provide many hours of entertainment for the questor. Traveling about in Tamriel offers almost endless opportunities to seek adventure.

The second is The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. This latest adventure of Link and Zelda shows off the Wii’s strengths, while continuing one of the most venerable series in video game history .

The final one was released earlier this year, but deserves a look by anybody who enjoys puzzles and sharp wit – Portal 2. This warping puzzler is funny and challenging and exudes what is fun about video games.

For the hard-core gamer on your list, their cup runneth over.

For the shooter fan, you pretty much can’t miss with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, Battlefield 3 or Resistance 3. The first two are available for both 360 and PS3, with Resistance 3 a PS3 exclusive.

Looking for adventure? Try Deus Ex: Human Revolution, The ICO & Shadow of the Colossus Collection, Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception, Batman: Arkham City, Dead Space 2, Assassin’s Creed: Revelations, Saints Row: The Third and Dark Souls. The Ico and Colossus compilation (originally released in 2001 and 2005) offers two games that are as close to art than any others in the video game world.

For casual gamers – or those who are young at heart – there are also a lot of choices. From platformers like Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One, LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean, Medieval Moves: Deadmund’s Quest, Little Big Planet 2: Special Edition, LEGO Harry Potter, Rayman Origins to kid-centric offerings like The Sims 3: Pets, Disney Universe and Just Dance 3 to pure racing fun in Need for Speed: The Run, the selection is plentiful.

Whatever your interests, there is probably a video game that can meet that need.