Games Gift Guide

Super Mario Galaxy

Nintendo
$49.99

Gifting a Wii is a struggle again this year, and with a game this good, it's not surprising. Nintendo definitely has another classic on its hands.

Once again in search of the princess, Mario this time finds himself in outer space. But instead of flat game levels, each area consists of objects floating in space. The gameplay is simple and straightforward, but gravity is used in creative ways to push, pull, and bounce Mario around. You might collect coins on the surface of a giant doughnut in one level, while on the next, you're running from a monster while on an itty-bitty ball of a planet. You never know what weird twist the next level holds. Amazingly, the camera always manages to be in the right place to make even the most brain-bending actions intuitive.

The Wii doesn't have the graphical punch of an Xbox 360 or PlayStation3, but the wonderfully cartoonish graphics show that a fun game doesn't require a supercomputer. The sounds and music are reminiscent of earlier games but also give a calming, whimsical feel that newcomers will enjoy.

There are plenty of side tasks to keep hardcore players busy, but anyone can pick up a controller and have a blast. This title is a must-own for anyone with a Wii and a game that will surely be imitated.