Jason Savio

When it comes to shopping for games it can be daunting, especially during the holidays when the market is flooded with new releases all trying to get you to hand over your hard-earned cash. There are always the staple titles that are released annually, as well as a new title or two that could be worth the jump. What are the games you should keep an eye out for this holiday season? Here is a list of holiday gifts that would be perfect for the video gamer in your life.

Luigi’s Mansion 3
It almost wouldn’t feel right if there wasn’t some sort of Mario-themed game on the shelves this time of year. This time around it’s the green hat-wearing sidekick Luigi who is getting the spotlight in Luigi’s Mansion 3. This is a continuation of the haunted house adventures that began for Luigi in 2001 on the GameCube system. This time around on Nintendo Switch, you have your pick of different multiplayer options, including 8-player or two-player co-op. In the latter, one person gets to play as Gooigi, Luigi’s green goo helper. It’s family friendly, even if it deals with ghosts and people made of goo.

Jedi Fallen Order
Speaking of games that fit the season, Jedi Fallen Order will be available just in time for the inevitable hoopla over “The Rise of Skywaker” film. Jedi Fallen Order, however, doesn’t take place during the same time period as the new films. In fact, it takes place much earlier in the Star Wars timeline between Episodes III and IV, exploring a stretch of years that see the Empire in full power and hunting the remaining Jedi after Order 66. Jedi Fallen Order introduces new Jedi padawan Cal Kestis as he tries to revive the Jedi Order while avoiding the Empire’s Inquisitors. This third-person Star Wars game shows lots of promise and will be a sure winner for any fan of the movies, animated shows or comics.

Death Stranding
Shaking up the gaming landscape is this new sci-fi, end-of-the-world extravaganza directed by Metal Gear creator Hideo Kojima. Supernatural forces have mankind on the brink of extinction and it’s looking pretty bleak. Okay, so you say you’ve had enough of end-of-the-world shenanigans? Well, this time around you’ll be playing as a familiar face: Norman Reedus. That’s right, the Walking Dead star has lent his likeness—and his voice—to Death Stranding main character Sam Bridges, making this a unique and interesting pick.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
The Call of Duty series continues with this sixteenth installment in the franchise. Advertised as having the “largest technical leap” in the game’s history, according to the game’s website, Modern Warfare will still likely be more of the same. But, if you have someone on your list who enjoys these games, they’ll likely want to play this one too.

DOOM 64
The classic demon-shooting fever dream that is 1997’s DOOM 64 will be getting re-released on Nintendo Switch in honor of the games’ 25th anniversary. This is the perfect gift for old-school gamers or those who want a history lesson on why DOOM is regarded as one of the best shooter games of all time.