2015 was a crazy year, not because of the wild amount of fantastic games, but because of the different genres attached to them. With a handful of cool toys-to-life games as well as the epic-ness of “Super Mario Maker,†2015 will go down as one of the most multi-faceted gaming years of all time.
Check out this list of the games, gadgets and peripherals that belong under your tree.
Disney Infinity 3.0: “Disney Infinity 3.0†is the biggest and most ambitious game Disney Interactive has ever produced. Powered by a wonderful story and the ability to use a ton of your favorite Star Wars characters, 3.0 and the “Twilight of the Republic†play set are a deep and engaging experience that never lets up.
Anki Overdrive: So much more than your old-school race car set, Anki OverDrive uses the iOS and Android to take the “toy†to the next level. With plenty of expansions available as well, the starter set is just the beginning of the fun.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a ten-year-old who just wants to collect the figures, or an adult gamer who loves the Star Wars series, you’ll get something out of “Disney Infinity 3.0.†Thanks to a deeper than ever Toy Box as well, there’s no limit to the creativity or the playability. You can get dozens of hours of gameplay out of this title without even accessing the main game. How many other series can do that?
Yo-Kai Watch: “Yo Kai Watch†is an immersive, hard to put down RPG with tons to do that will more than fill up the time until the next real Pokemon game. Although the fetch quest-filled gameplay and mediocre map take away some of the fun, it’s still a tough game to put down and the best new Nintendo 3DS series in North America of 2015. In the end, “Yo-Kai Watch†is not “Pokemon,†but it’s just as cool, in its own unique way.
Disney Playmation Repulser Set: A combination of laser-tag and a micro “Disney Infinity,†“Playmation†has a simple, but cool gameplay structure. Whether it’s through sparring with the computer or playing through the story mode, “Playmation†has the gamer play through missions, attacking enemies, which are the power bases which enemies and allies attach to. With the starter pack, gamers put on Iron Man’s laser glove hand cannon and with the green laser sight, can easily attack the power bases, or the enemies on them, from across the room. Essentially able to fit anyone (this reviewer can palm an NBA basketball and the device adjusted to my wrist perfectly), all you have to do is sync it and learn the buttons and you’re good to go.
Turtle Beach Star Wars Battlefront Stormtrooper Headset: Comfortable, affordable and awesomely designed, Turtle Beach’s headset homage to Star Wars is worthy addition to your peripheral list, especially if you’re a fan of the license. However, with top-notch sound quality and a cool look, it’s a cool splurge choice if your old headset goes on the fritz or you have the hunkering for something new.
Super Mario Maker: With over a million copies sold and a ton of content, “Super Mario Maker†might be the game of 2015. Regardless of your age or gaming experience, it’s a game that must be played.
Guitar Hero Live: “Guitar Hero Live†is polarizing. If you’ve never experienced the game before, you’ll quickly want to run back and play all of the old games in the series. However, for many hardcore fans unwilling to embrace change, “Guitar Hero Live†feels like something completely foreign. Regardless, it’s still one of the deepest games in the series and one, thanks to the immersive new “Guitar Hero TV†gameplay mode, changes things completely, in the best way possible.
WWE 2K16: Thanks to refreshed modes, enhanced visuals and the list of additional features that fans of the series begged for last year, “WWE 2K16†is a deep experience full of things to do and experience. And while the overall atmosphere isn’t a perfect one, with silly gameplay bugs here and there, “WWE 2K16†is a step in the right direction and one that can and will keep the WWE Universe busy for hundreds of hours.Fallout 4: After years of waiting, Bethesda has delivered an in-depth and immersive RPG that never lets up. Hardcore fans will enjoy this trip out of the vault almost as much as the classic “Fallout 3,†while new gamers will finally understand what all the fuss is about.
Skylanders Superchargers: Disney Infinity stepped it up big time this year with the inclusion of Star Wars characters, but Activision’s addition of vehicles in Skylanders is an awesome upgrade as well. Think about it this way- the combat has always been fun, but with so many new combinations of vehicles and an awesome new story and great-looking new figures, “Skylanders Superchargers” is better than ever. With Donkey Kong and Bowser in the Wii U version, it’s a great gift for the entire family.
Marvel Puzzle Quest: Dark Reign: When mixed together, the Marvel Comics universe and the “Puzzle Quest†engine are like chocolate and milk- you just can’t mess it up.
With tons of characters awesome abilities and easily over a hundred levels, this is simply one of the best takes on the “Puzzle Quest†formula yet. The comic book-inspired story of bevy of cool characters and abilities to make the match three puzzle game more than the sum of its parts. Although the game could have benefitted with voice-overs and a few more bells and whistles, it’s an amazing puzzle game that works great in single-player and is just as fun with a pair of players.
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