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Black Friday 2014 Video Game Buying Guide: What We Recommend For Every Console





If you're looking to buy games or accessories for yourself or a loved one this holiday season, here are our strongest recommendations for each console.



So, You Own A PS3? Popular Game We Recommend: South Park: The Stick of Truth

Stick of Truth is everything South Park fans could've hoped for. It's every bit as funny as the TV show but about 8-10 hours longer than a normal episode. Players can explore a virtual version of the town loaded with characters from throughout the show's many, many seasons. What else can you ask for?



Under The Radar Game We Recommend: BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma

Fighting games have a reputation for inaccessibility, driving off potential new players through complicated mechanics or steep difficulty. BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma is an exception, giving players abundant training and then allowing them to ease into the game with the simplified "Stylish Mode." The game also offers a wealth of challenging activities and modes for players who have mastered the basics. BlazBlue might not have the same name recognition as Street Fighter or Mortal Kombat but both franchises could learn a lot from Arc System Works' upstart franchise.



Accessory We Recommend: Gold Wireless Stereo Headset

Many headsets can be uncomfortable after extended use but the Gold Wireless set produced by Sony isn't one of them. It allows you to listen to your games in surround sound and communicate with teammates without wearing you out. This headset is also compatible with PC, PS4 and Vita so you won't have to retire it if you get rid of your PS3 someday. Black Friday is a pain. The lines are long, the weather sucks, and you'd probably rather spend your day off somewhere else. On top of all that, there are way too many things to spend your money on.If you're looking to buy games or accessories for yourself or a loved one this holiday season, here are our strongest recommendations for each console.is everythingfans could've hoped for. It's every bit as funny as the TV show but about 8-10 hours longer than a normal episode. Players can explore a virtual version of the town loaded with characters from throughout the show's many, many seasons. What else can you ask for?Fighting games have a reputation for inaccessibility, driving off potential new players through complicated mechanics or steep difficulty.is an exception, giving players abundant training and then allowing them to ease into the game with the simplified "Stylish Mode." The game also offers a wealth of challenging activities and modes for players who have mastered the basics.might not have the same name recognition asorbut both franchises could learn a lot from Arc System Works' upstart franchise.Many headsets can be uncomfortable after extended use but the Gold Wireless set produced by Sony isn't one of them. It allows you to listen to your games in surround sound and communicate with teammates without wearing you out. This headset is also compatible with PC, PS4 and Vita so you won't have to retire it if you get rid of your PS3 someday.

So, You Own An Xbox 360? Popular Game We Recommend: Gears of War 3

Sometimes considered to be the penultimate of the Xbox 360's first-party offerings next to Halo 4, you can't really go wrong with Epic Games' AAA, third-person blockbuster. It features a massive cache of content, lots of playable characters, plenty of multiplayer modes and a decent conclusion to the original Gears of War trilogy.



Under The Radar Game We Recommend: Viva Pinata

A criminally underrated bit of fun this game is. Rareware's Viva Pinata is a unique little gem with a popping art-style and family-friendly content through and through. A collection of mini-games, a bit of strategy and a whole lot of bright colors from a splashy palette makes Viva Pinata a game worth owning if you haven't already picked it up.



Accessory We Recommend: KontrolFreek Analog Extender

I refuse to use an Xbox 360 controller without a KontrolFreek extender. Why? Because it's impossible to match the same level of precision with a bare controller as you would with the FPS Freek from KontrolFreek. You attach one of these bad boys and you'll readily see your precision increase by 40%... and that's really no joke. Sometimes considered to be the penultimate of the Xbox 360's first-party offerings next to, you can't really go wrong with Epic Games' AAA, third-person blockbuster. It features a massive cache of content, lots of playable characters, plenty of multiplayer modes and a decent conclusion to the originaltrilogy.A criminally underrated bit of fun this game is. Rareware'sis a unique little gem with a popping art-style and family-friendly content through and through. A collection of mini-games, a bit of strategy and a whole lot of bright colors from a splashy palette makesa game worth owning if you haven't already picked it up.I refuse to use an Xbox 360 controller without a KontrolFreek extender. Why? Because it's impossible to match the same level of precision with a bare controller as you would with the FPS Freek from KontrolFreek. You attach one of these bad boys and you'll readily see your precision increase by 40%... and that's really no joke.

So, You Own An Xbox One? Popular Game We Recommend: Halo: The Master Chief Collection

The biggest game to release on the Xbox One so far has been Halo: The Master Chief Collection. If you opted for an Xbox One over an Xbox 360, don't worry. You still gain access to the exclusive Halo titles from the OG Xbox and the Xbox 360. This collection contains more than 100 multiplayer maps and four full campaigns from each of the Halo titles starring Master Chief.



Under The Radar Game We Recommend: Wolfenstein: The New Order

This has to be one of the most praised, fun and underrated titles to come out for the Xbox One. It's another first-person shooter, sure, but it packs a wallop by going all-in 60fps and wall-to-wall action. That's not to mention that this is one of the rare games that actually launched in working order without requiring several weeks' worth of patches.



Accessory We Recommend: Dreamgear Dual Charging Kit

One of the biggest drawbacks of the Xbox One is the lack of an included charge kit for the controllers. The best way to remedy the problem (instead of constantly buying rechargeable batteries) is to grab a cheap charging station for the controllers. While some people might say the Kinect should have been in this spot, I think it's more important to actually be able to play your games with a working controller, and you won't be able to do that for very long with AA Duracell batteries. The biggest game to release on the Xbox One so far has been. If you opted for an Xbox One over an Xbox 360, don't worry. You still gain access to the exclusivetitles from the OG Xbox and the Xbox 360. This collection contains more than 100 multiplayer maps and four full campaigns from each of thetitles starring Master Chief.This has to be one of the most praised, fun and underrated titles to come out for the Xbox One. It's another first-person shooter, sure, but it packs a wallop by going all-in 60fps and wall-to-wall action. That's not to mention that this is one of the rare games that actually launched in working order without requiring several weeks' worth of patches.One of the biggest drawbacks of the Xbox One is the lack of an included charge kit for the controllers. The best way to remedy the problem (instead of constantly buying rechargeable batteries) is to grab a cheap charging station for the controllers. While some people might say the Kinect should have been in this spot, I think it's more important to actually be able to play your games with a working controller, and you won't be able to do that for very long with AA Duracell batteries.

So, You Own A Wii? Popular Game We Recommend: Super Mario Galaxy 2

One of the highest rated games of all time, Super Mario Galaxy 2 is a worthwhile purchase for any Wii owner. If you're looking to give someone something worth owning this holiday season (if they own a Wii or Wii U) Super Mario Galaxy 2 is a prime example of a top-tier platforming game that really pushes the system to its absolute limits.



Under The Radar Game We Recommend: Monster Hunter Tri

An underrated gem full of countless hours of replayability. Montser Hunter Tri ushered in critically acclaimed gameplay with an online mode, tons of new weapons, monsters and locations to visit, and plenty of customizable options for your hunter. The only drawback to this game is that it didn't garner enough recognition for being as fun as it was.



Accessory We Recommend: Wii-Mote Plus

There were so many accessories for the Wii that it's tough to pick just one. However, the most useful accessory for any gamer would obviously be the Wii-Mote Plus. This handy tool increased the Wii-Mote's precision aiming and readability, making the gameplay experience so much more enjoyable and responsive. One of the highest rated games of all time,is a worthwhile purchase for any Wii owner. If you're looking to give someone something worth owning this holiday season (if they own a Wii or Wii U)is a prime example of a top-tier platforming game that really pushes the system to its absolute limits.An underrated gem full of countless hours of replayability.ushered in critically acclaimed gameplay with an online mode, tons of new weapons, monsters and locations to visit, and plenty of customizable options for your hunter. The only drawback to this game is that it didn't garner enough recognition for being as fun as it was.There were so many accessories for the Wii that it's tough to pick just one. However, the most useful accessory for any gamer would obviously be the Wii-Mote Plus. This handy tool increased the Wii-Mote's precision aiming and readability, making the gameplay experience so much more enjoyable and responsive.

So, You Own A Wii U? Popular Game We Recommend: Super Smash Bros.

It's new, it's fresh and it contains all your favorite Nintendo characters (along with a few guest stars) and tons of features, such as a brand new 8-player battle arena mode, online modes and the Smash Tour, which is a little like Mario Party meets Smash Bros. The game has received massive critical praise and is already hailed as one of the must-buy games for the Wii U this holiday season.



Under The Radar Game We Recommend: Nintendo Land There was a toss-up between Nintendo Land and Monster Hunter Ultimate, but it's really hard to pass up the truly original and uniquely designed Nintendo Land. The game really just brings together a ton of unique mini-games for up to four-players in ways that keeps the fun fresh, exciting and very creative.



Accessory We Recommend: Wii U Pro Controller

Not everyone is a fan of the Gamepad, and it's understandable. Nevertheless, there's a solution for those who would prefer to play their Wii U titles with something a bit closer to the Xbox One and PS4 offerings, and it's called a Wii U Pro Controller. The design is similar to the Xbox 360 controller, but captures all the necessary button functions required for Wii U games. It's new, it's fresh and it contains all your favorite Nintendo characters (along with a few guest stars) and tons of features, such as a brand new 8-player battle arena mode, online modes and the Smash Tour, which is a little likemeetsThe game has received massive critical praise and is already hailed as one of the must-buy games for the Wii U this holiday season.There was a toss-up betweenand, but it's really hard to pass up the truly original and uniquely designed. The game really just brings together a ton of unique mini-games for up to four-players in ways that keeps the fun fresh, exciting and very creative.Not everyone is a fan of the Gamepad, and it's understandable. Nevertheless, there's a solution for those who would prefer to play their Wii U titles with something a bit closer to the Xbox One and PS4 offerings, and it's called a Wii U Pro Controller. The design is similar to the Xbox 360 controller, but captures all the necessary button functions required for Wii U games.