Top 5 Christmas Games and Gadgets for Family Fun
2009 Holiday Gifts that All Ages Can Enjoy Together
Oct 9, 2009
The holiday shopping season is here. This year, instead of trying to buy something for each person in the family, consider buying a whole family gift. One big gift that everyone in the family will have fun using. Do the research and if it's a must have item, get it now.
Gift Choices for Family Entertainment
Mindflex From Mattel: Mindflex challenges players to test their mind-over-matter skills by levitating a soft foam ball in order to move it through an obstacle course, using only the power of their mind. Kids strap on the included headset that contains sensors for the forehead and earlobes to measure their brainwave activity.
With deep concentration, the ball rises on a stream of air, and when the mind relaxes the ball begins to descend. Players must master these mental maneuvers to guide the ball through an obstacle course. Up to three friends can challenge each other with five unique game modes. 4 "C" batteries and 3 "AAA" batteries required (not included). Ages 8 years and up. The average retail price is $80
Guitar Hero 5: This is a game that keeps growing in popularity. It's a computer software game designed to be played either on the Wii, Xbox 360, Play Station 2 or Nintendo DS.Players pretend to be rock stars and take complete control as Guitar Hero 5 allows gamers to customize how they experience music by being able to play with any in-game instrument combination -- multiple vocalists, guitarists, bassists and drummers, in any game mode.
The game features the widest variety of today's rock hits and classic tunes from some of the biggest names in music. The game includes 85 songs from 83 different artists. It's rated for teens and up, but even the younger ones age 8 and up have fun with this. The average retail price is currently $99 for the complete bundle package.
Wii Sports Resort Motion Plus
A few years ago, a campaign was begun to create games and toys that would generate more physical activity among children and families in an effort to stop the epidemic of Obesity. The Wii systems have become the most popular option in physical activity gaming systems, This year, the newest game is the Wii Sports Resort Motion Plus. Players take a virtual vacation to a tropical island and play games on that vacation that require the player to get up and move in a variety of ways.
This game is rated for everyone in the family ages 6 and up. The average price is currently $49. Some additional options and add-ons will cost extra.
Xbox 360 120GB Console Game System
Every year, computer software companies compete with each other to create the best gaming system. Microsoft is a leader in this competition. For the older generation, Xbox can be described as the arcade to end all arcades, but it goes beyond games. The Xbox can also play DVD movies.
The Xbox 360 has a massive hard drive and a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) port. The console is equipped with three powerful core processors, 16:9 cinematic aspect ratio, anti-aliasing for smooth textures, full surround sound. The 120GB detachable hard drive can save games and store television shows, movies, music and pictures.
The basic Xbox 360 game console retails at around $300 and can be used by everyone in the family. There are numerous game choices from toddler and preschool learning games to adult role play and adventure games. Games retail on average from $30-$50 each.
Nintendo DS Lite
The Nintendo DS is so popular, families may want to get at least two to allow family members to play against each other and to avoid sibling fights. The new Nintendo DS Lite has built-in Wi-Fi. Players can compete against players in another room – or another country. The backlit touchscreen makes the DS Lite easy to use. Players can navigate games with the touch of a finger (or with the included stylus).
Like the non-portable game versions, Nintendo has a variety of games to choose from. Also, movies, music and TV shows can be downloaded from the family computer and watched or listened to on the DS. Family members as young as 5 and up can enjoy the Nintendo DS. Individual games can start as low as $5 each or cost as much as $60.
Buying for the Family Compare the Cost
Choosing gifts that will bring happiness and enjoyment throughout the year is the goal of most families on a budget. Even though some of these gift options may seem too expensive. Compare the price of buying each family member a gift individually or buying one or two big ticket items that can be enjoyed by all family members for years to come.
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