Don’t let the Xbox One adopters have all the fun during the holidays! The Xbox 360 is still kicking, and we’re willing to bet there are plenty of lucky gamers on your list who still need to catch up on the numerous awesome Xbox 360 releases throughout the year. We’ve rounded up gifts for every type of 360 gamer on your list, from little brothers and sisters to hardcore gamer friends who need some extra additions to their collections, so no matter who you still have left to buy for, rest assured you’ll be handing out some choice content.
Xbox 360 E Console Holiday Bundle
We're not quite sure how difficult it is going to be to find an Xbox One. Even if you do find one, it'll cost upwards of $500, and that's before you get any games. A cheaper, easier alternative is to buy the new, redesigned Xbox 360 E. Microsoft gave the Xbox 360 a quieter, sleeker redesign, and there's two bundles available for it.
The first bundle comes in at $249.99. This bundle includes the Xbox 360 E console with a 250 GB hard drive, so you have plenty of space to download games, movies and more. Speaking of games, the bundle comes with two great ones: Halo 4 and Tomb Raider. It also comes with a Kinect, wireless controller, headset, and one month of Xbox Live Gold membership, which you'll need to play games online. [GameStop] [Amazon]
The other holiday bundle is a little pricier at $319.99. This also comes with one month of Xbox Live Gold, a wireless controller, headset, and the Xbox 360 E console with 250 GB of hard drive space. What changes are the games. This bundle comes with a Kinect as well, and the games are meant to be played with it. The three games included are Kinect Sports: Season 2, Kinect Adventures, and Forza Horizon. [Amazon]
Minecraft Xbox 360 Edition
Have kids? Go ahead and pry them off your gaming PC and your Xbox Live account and buy a copy of Minecraft Xbox 360 Edition to keep them busy for hours on end. Plenty of texture packs (including an awesome Mass Effect one an upcoming Skyrim edition) are available to keep things fresh. That said, it’s a safe bet that you won’t run out of things to do in the wide world of blocks, creepers and ingenious creations.
[Xbox]
Diablo 3
For loot-hounds and dungeon crawling fans who missed out on the PC version for one reason or another, the Xbox 360 of Diablo 3 version is an excellent gift, especially for players looking to have fun online with friends. It may be a more stripped-down and streamlined version of the third installment of the venerable Blizzard Entertainment franchise, but it’s still every bit as fun.
[Amazon]
Killer is Dead
Suda51’s bizarre action-fantasy game, Killer is Dead, is trippy, surreal and makes little sense. It’s also a cacophonous mix of sword fighting, blood spray and sex appeal, sure to please any quirky gamer on your list. Trips to the moon? “Killer” catch-phrases? Suda’s trademark “cool” characters? Check, check and double check. It may not be perfect, but it should please your eccentric friends and family, especially if they’re looking for something delectably off-the-wall.
[Amazon]
Call of Duty: Ghosts
Got people to buy for who can’t get enough of the yearly installments of pew-pew-boom shooters? You can’t go wrong with Call of Duty, especially its latest iteration, Ghosts. An explosive campaign, expansive multiplayer, plenty of engaging progression — and even a dog — round out what will inevitably top so many gamers’ wish lists this year. Why not do yourself a favor and go ahead and pick one up to get ready? You’ll probably end up getting a request for it anyway.
[Amazon]
Battlefield 4
If the shooter fan in your life isn’t into the arcade-y mechanics of Call of Duty: Ghosts and is looking for something a little different, Battlefield 4 is undoubtedly the way to go. Hop in a tank and do some damage. Take in the sights and sounds and bask in one of the most graphically impressive games on the Xbox 360. Or simply get BF4 and Call of Duty to give the FPS gamer in your life one of the greatest holidays ever — they won’t even have to decide which group of friends to party up with, because both camps will be available to them.
[Amazon]
Grand Theft Auto 5
Grand Theft Auto 5 is finally upon us, and it’s an expansive, staggering world full of potential. Three playable characters, Grand Theft Auto Online, and a massive set of missions and in-game activities mean the fun and games won’t end for quite some time. The amount of activities to do in this game can be overwhelming. And if you don't feel like cruising the streets of Los Santos or playing tennis, you can, you know, do heists. It's Grand Theft Auto at its best, and it is grand.
[Amazon]
Saints Row 4
If you know gamers of age looking for a laugh or two, pick up Saints Row 4. Humor is integral to the Saints Row experience, from the tacky costumes to the raunchy jokes. It's a nonstop barrage of silliness, with massive sex toys as weapons, dubstep guns, and mascot outfits that can be worn in cutscenes — and it can be played with friends. It’ll bring a smile to faces long after the gift wrap has been torn off.
[Amazon]
DmC
Devil May Cry is reborn with DmC, showcasing a brand-new Dante, Vergil and a whole new world built by Ninja Theory. Don’t listen to the negativity — it’s a high-octane thrill ride with plenty to love, even if Dante’s redesign isn’t so popular. Any hack-and-slash fan on your list would be delighted to receive a copy, especially considering its willingness to break the mold. For more on DmC, feel free to check out our full review.
[Amazon]
BioShock Infinite
BioShock Infinite was an inventive experience despite certain missteps in tone and the endgame. Still, it's a mystifying and gorgeous romp through an ethereal, yet morbid world that's every bit as exciting and memorable as the previous games in the franchise. If you're wondering whether or not you should get it as a gift for anyone on your list that appreciates deeper storytelling, that's a no-brainer; BioShock Infinite received a perfect 10/10 in our review.
[Amazon]
Just Dance 2014
Sometimes you just want to dance. An updated calorie-burning mode, party modes that allow friends to get in on the action, and some of the quirkiest dance moves around make Just Dance 2014 the quintessential party game. With brand-new levels of polish and accessibility (as well as silliness), anyone can get down and have a good time doing it.
[Amazon]
Be sure to check out all of the other awesome gifts, games and consoles in GameZone's 2013 Holiday Gift Guide for Gamers (Click on the image below).