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Domestic | Feature

Feature: The best holiday games you never heard of

Feature by Blake Snow | 11/21/2007 | 11:47:58 AM PST

Looking for something new to play? These low-profile games are worth a look.

We're betting you already have an ample supply of choice games to play this Christmas given the recent glut of releases. But that doesn't mean the following titles aren't deserving of your attention. Afflicted by a lack of advertising, an unfamiliar name, or just taking a back seat to Halo and Mario, these unsung holiday games should be on your radar -- if not your game shelf.

For more gift ideas, also check out the GamePro Family Gift Guide, the 2007 GamePro Holiday Guide, omgNintendo's So You Want to Buy a Wii Guide, and GameGirl's Holiday Shopping Tips! Happy Shopping!

Xbox 360


FlatOut: Ultimate Carnage ($50, out now)
FlatOut: Ultimate Carnage is an enhanced remake of 2006's FlatOut 2 for PS2. Released a week after Halo 3, the arcade racer's comedic tone, gorgeous graphics, and surprisingly fun mini games largely went unnoticed. Several new single- and mulit-player modes are present, in addition to a greater number of on screen vehicles to add to the the demolition mayhem. Despite its limitless replayability, Ultimate Carnage is still $10 cheaper than standard 360 games. Sweet budget goodness for a premium playing game.



Scene It: Lights, Camera, Action ($60, out now)
Don't let the below commercial's lameness or the recent belittlement of casual games detract you; Scene It for Xbox 360 is a blast. For a cool 60 smackers, you get a compelling movie trivia game featuring 1,800 questions and four wireless big button controllers. The game even tracks the questions that have already been asked to minimize pesky repeats. The lack of online play and downloadable content is a bit of a bummer, but Scene It is still a great value. Who says Wii has all the party fun?



Burnout Paradise ($60, Jan 22; also on PS3)
Now here's a game to get excited for -- Burnout Paradise. Labeled as a "complete reinvention" of the Burnout series, Paradise promises zero loading times and no online lobbies or traditional game menus. It also looks about as convincing as they come. When you're through hitting the 19 square miles of free-roaming jumps and speedways, pull up to any of the game's 120 street lights to begin a competitive race. It would be a shame to overlook this one in January as you finish up other year-end games. Mark it on your calendar.


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