Ditched are the traditional presents of an apple and orange, replaced by an Apple iPod on the Orange network. It's the digital revolutions answer to an age-old tradition. Aside from the usual gifts of pants and socks, Christmas is a great time to exchange games as gifts. But with the world of video game releases exploding over the last few months, choosing the right one can be a minefield.

It's because of this wide plethora of gaming beauties, that we present you with our Christmas buyer’s guide. Hopefully with this, you can avoid the turkeys and bag yourselves some gaming angels.

 

Kids - and Big Kids

 

Super Mario 3D Land

3DS - £29.89 from Play.com

It's Super Mario in 3D, looking and playing as stunning as ever. When it comes to innovative platform games, Nintendo have a knack of striking gold and coming up with something as beautiful and colourful as it is creative. Their sheer genius doesn't wane at all with this latest adventure of our favourite hairy-lipped plumber.

 

Mario Kart 7

3DS - £29.79 from ChoicesUK.com

We've invested some serious time into this bad boy, striving for perfection and stuffing people online. With brand-new and retro tracks, plus a bunch of new weapons there's something for both newcomers and veterans alike. It's fun, it's fast, it's furious - it's Mario Kart 7.

 

Sonic Generations

PC - £12.95 from TheHut.com | Xbox 360 - £16.99 from Base.com | PS3 - £16.99 from the Base.com | 3DS - £22.99 from Game.co.uk

Sonic Generations is a glory to behold; a beautiful blend of both old and new Sonic levels with a generous coating of sparkly new paint. The music is a nostalgic nod to the past whilst the speed of play is as quick as ever. Sonic fans will love this.

 

Adults

 

Saints Row: The Third

PC - £22.85 from ShopTo.net | Xbox 360 - £34.85 from ShopTo.net | PS3 - £19.99 from GameStation.co.uk

Without a doubt the craziest sandbox game to date. What's not to love about attacking people with farts in jars and rubber replicas of naughty body parts? It's crazy, over-the-top action with a brilliant level of variation and an awesome soundtrack.

 

Dead Island

PC - £16.85 from ShopTo.net | Xbox 360 - £19.99 from Game.co.uk | PS3 - £24.00 from Asda.com

Not everybody's cup of tea, but it didn't stop me loving every blood-curdling second of it. The eerie atmosphere never stopped, nor did the novelty value of beating of zombies with anything I could salvage. If you have the stomach, Dead Island's got the thrills.

 

Assassin's Creed: Revelations

PC - £14.99 from SimplyGames.com | Xbox 360 - £27.99 from Play.com | PS3 - £27.99 from Play.com

Christmas just wouldn't be complete without turkey, gift-wrap or Slade. But for the past couple of years, my Christmases have been all about completely finishing the latest Assassin's Creed. This latest open-world romp is the last adventure for Ezio and Altaire and is by far the most refined and substantial game in the series.

 

Hardcore Gamers

 

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

PC - £19.99 from Amazon.co.uk | Xbox 360 - £22.49 from Amazon.co.uk |PS3 - £22.49 from Amazon.co.uk

Before delving into the huge and amazing world of Tamriel, remember to say goodbye to family and friends. This living and breathing world is designed to consume lives and envelope people in its unparalleled visuals and depth. A true stunner, and a must have for every gamer.

 

RAGE

PC - £10.49 from GameStation.co.uk | Xbox 360 - £17.99 from Amazon.co.uk | PS3 £11.99 from GameStation.co.uk

You won't regret venturing into this huge open-world of post-apocalyptic devastation and depravity. With some superb first-person shooting and vehicle sections that equal the quality of stand-alone racers, RAGE is more than just a game - it's two in one.

 

Dark Souls

Xbox 360 - £31.79 from Argos | PS3 29.95 from TheHut.com

Probably one the hardest yet most addictive games ever. It's about trial and error, and the ability to learn by mistakes. You will die - lots. But there's little as satisfying as those air punching moments when you beat an enemy whose killed you a billion times.

 

Sports Fans

 

NHL 12

Xbox 360 - £24.95 from TheHut.com | PS3 - £35.85 from SimplyGames.com

Last year saw a dramatic hike in quality for the NHL series, and this year improved upon that. It may not be one of the most popular sports here in the UK, but that doesn't stop this bone-crunching, slap-shooting experience from being one of the best sports games to date. Technical but fun once mastered, NHL

 

FIFA 12

PC - £19.99 from Gameplay.com | Xbox 360 - £31.85 from ShopTo.net | PS3 - £34.85 from SimplyGames.com | Wii - £28.99 from Amazon.co.uk | PSP - £22.49 from Coolshop.co.uk | 3DS - £22.99 from Amazon.co.uk | PS2 - £14.95 from TheHut.com

We recommend it almost every year, but like a fine wine - it really does get better with each that passes. Improved mechanics and fancy flourishes makes FIFA 12 the best FIFA game to date, and the best football game in general.

 

Forza Motorsport 4

Xbox 360 - £25.85 from SimplyGames.com

The size is just immense. It's sometimes a little overwhelming to spend the entire day playing, only to complete a meagre couple of per cent. If anybody is looking for something to keep them racing well into 2012 with plenty of

 

Action Enthusiasts

 

Uncharted 3

PS3 - £27.85

If there's ever been a reason why everybody should have a PlayStation 3, it's the Uncharted series. The absolute creme-de-le-creme of gaming storytelling and action set-pieces - it's really like no other. Now with a fleshed out multiplayer and a cop-op mode, the Uncharted series is at the very peak of top-flight gaming.

 

Battlefield 3

PC - £27.85 from ShopTo.net | Xbox 360 - £24.99 from Game.co.uk | PS3 - £24.99

Not the finest moment as far as single-player campaigns go, but a revelation for online multiplayer. With a decent ranking system, some crazy vehicular warfare and some rock of the most rock solid mechanics gaming has ever seen - this is not one to be missed.

 

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

PC - £19.99 from GameStation.co.uk | Xbox 360 - £37.99 from Amazon.co.uk | PS3 - £37.99 from Amazon.co.uk | Wii - £27.99 from Game.co.uk

We loved the campaign and the gritty feeling of modern-day war it delivered. With a huge variation of locale and some explosive set-pieces - it's the best Call of Duty campaign yet. Multiplayer is what we came to expect and more. The rank system on the survival mode is a brilliant addition and has helped to keep us hooked.

 

Gamers on the Go

 

Shadowgun

Android - £3.49 from the Market | iOS - £2.99 from the App Store

I've never seen anything like it on an Android or iOS system. The graphics are great and the gun-shooting action is brutal. It may take a while to get used to the controls and the covering system, but it will click after a while. Not much variation in terms of locale or general scenery, but still a good 6-hour long campaign.

 

Infinity Blade II

iOS - £4.99 from the App Store

We loved the time we spent with Infinity Blade 2; the control system blew us away. Ditching the often-cumbersome idea of a virtual stick and opting for a more scripted approach, players interact by touching pathways and slashing at the screen to control their sword. With some stupendous visuals and a great control system every compatible iOS

 

Grand Theft Auto III

Android - £3.23 from the Market | iOS - £2.99 from the App Store

It's where the modern day sandbox games started, and now owners of select Android and iOS systems can revisit the old Liberty City and reprise their roll as Claude. You may have a smartphone, but it's never smart to have it without GTA III.