If you're anything like us you won't have done any Christmas shopping yet. In fact, the thought of buying presents for your nearest and dearest probably won't have crossed your mind until last Tuesday when you woke up thinking "Is it December already?" as Slade's Merry Xmas Everybody blasted out of your clock radio's speakers.
Anyway, in order to avoid that nightmare Christmas Eve scenario where you're desperately rushing around the shops trying to find something to buy for your Mum, we've devised a shopping list for you. Guess what? It contains Wii and DS games! We've picked one Wii and one DS game released in 2009 that are suitable for different members of your family plus one classic if they're new to Wii or DS.
Brother
Wii: New Super Mario Bros. Wii If you're a Nintendo fan, it's impossible to ignore Mario. Luckily his latest Wii game is one of the best games of 2009. It's the first 2D Mario platformer on a home console for 18 years and the old school action still feels fresh. What's more, it's a brilliant game for all the family as four players can pick a character each and leap around the Mushroom Kingdom in a bid to rescue Princess Preach from the clutches of Bowser. Read the complete New Super Mario Bros. Wii review
DS: Chrono Trigger Two things about boys. They like stats and whether it's music, film or games they're into, they like seeking out obscure old stuff. That's why you see more males than females at record fairs! Chrono Trigger combines them both. It's a remake of a 14 year old Super Nintendo game that was never released in the UK (giving it some hardcore points) and seeing as it's an RPG, players will spend plenty of time levelling up their stats. It also helps that it's an absolutely amazing game with a brilliant soundtrack - you won't find a better RPG on DS! Read our Chrono Trigger review
If he's old enough! Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars! GTA is an 18-rated action series of the highest order! Chinatown Wars is the DS game and it manages to squeeze everything that's brilliant about the console versions onto a tiny cartridge. Read our GTA: Chinatown Wars review
New to Wii or DS? Super Mario Galaxy This is not only the best game on Wii but it's one of the finest Nintendo titles of all time. Mario travels through space in search of Peach in a beautiful adventure that will keep everyone entertained. Read our Super Mario Galaxy review
Sister
Wii: Metroid Prime Trilogy Bet you thought we'd say My Horse And Me 2 didn't you? Well girls can enjoy the same games as boys and so why not buy sis a game starring perhaps the greatest gaming female role model of all time? The one and only Samus Aran. You get three games in this awesome package including the incredible GameCube titles Metroid Prime and Metroid Prime 2 plus Corruption for the Wii. Who would turn down the opportunity to play as a female bounty hunter in an armour suit? Read our Metroid Prime Trilogy review
DS: The Legend Of Zelda: Spirit Tracks Continuing the heroine theme, Spirit Tracks allows you to play as the mighty Princess Zelda for the first time in a Zelda game. Link has often come to her rescue in past games and although she often fights back, this time you'll actually be able to control her. You'll be controlling her spirit form and possessing Phantoms to help Link in this classic adventure game. It's wonderfully designed from start to finish and is packed with side-quests, secret areas and collectables. Spirit Tracks Review
New to Wii or DS? Nintendogs Okay, if she's a really girly girl you could do worse than introducing her to DS with Nintendogs. It's easy to forget now, but people were genuinely impressed when this came out and it's easy to see why. It's like owning your own puppy. Read our Nintendogs review
Dad
Wii game: Call Of Duty Modern Warfare: Reflex Edition Why do Dad's like war so much? Unless your Dad is actually in the army, most fathers would probably do a little wee if you put them on the frontline. Yet, put them in front of a telly when there's a war documentary on the History Channel and they'll be delighted. So how about you try and get him closer to the action with Modern Warfare Wii? Admittedly he might prefer a game based on WWII but he'll be happy with anything that lets him be a US Marine or a British SAS soldier. Read our Modern Warfare Wii review
DS game: Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon It may have changed now, but in our day Dads never really got games. Mine always thought they were a bit silly but you could always get him with a strategy game. Strategy games probably appeal to the chess fan in Dads - it makes them believe that they're not wasting their time as they're working their brains. And strategy doesn't come more hardcore on DS than Fire Emblem Shadow Dragon. What's more, with sorcerers, dragonkins and princes playing a part it'll appeal to that side of him that likes Lord Of The Rings and Merlin. You have to take Prince Marth into battle against the sorcerer and leader of the dragonkin - your Dad will be playing for a long time before he wins this war. Admittedly it did come out in December 2008 so we're cheating a bit but it was released in the last 12 months! Read our Fire Emblem review
New to Wii or DS? Advance Wars: Dark Conflict We know we've already recommended a strategy game but this one is a bit different from Fire Emblem. Here you can act as an army general as you take your troops into battle against other forces. You can even play online! Read our Advance Wars review
Mum
Wii game: Wii Fit Plus No, we're not saying your Mum is fat! Rather, that a lot of Mums do like to keep fit and it's not so easy to go to the gym when you've got a family and a job. Seasoned Nintendo gamers might prefer to play New Super Mario Bros. Wii but your Mum will love it. And you'd rather watch her try out the mini games in Wii Fit Plus than being forced to see her working out with a Davina McCall DVD wouldn't you? Who knows? When you need to lose your Christmas belly you might even have a sneaky go. Read our Wii Fit Plus review
DS Game: Professor Layton And Pandora's Box We know a few young Mums who have bought a DS just for Brain Training. It helps them keep their grey matter in gear when they're spending their days singing 'row your boat' with their baby. Layton is the game to get them playing next in order to ensure that they continue to enjoy DS gaming. Not only will the puzzles test their brains but the storyline is brilliant and once they're lost in the world of Layton and Luke they might progress onto something else. Zelda, perhaps. Read our Layton: Pandora's Box review
New to Wii or DS? Dr Kawashima's Brain Training We've already mentioned it but Wii Fit aside, there is nothing better to introduce your Mum to Nintendo than a bit of Brain Training. She can do her daily training over Christmas and the Sudoku puzzles will keep her going beyond New Year. Read our Layton: Pandora's Box review
Younger Children
Wii: Wii Sports Resort There can't be an easier game to pick up and play than Wii Sports Resort. You don't even have to press any buttons to play it. Instead you just wave the Wii Remote and Nunchuk in order to play 12 different sports including table tennis, archery and basketball. It's simple genius. Plus you can nick it off them when they've gone to bed and have a great time. It's the gift that keeps giving! Read our Wii Sports Resort review
DS: Pokémon Platinum Don't get us wrong, anyone of any age can enjoy Pokémon but setting little brother or sister on a journey to find 493 Pokémon will keep them quiet for a long time. Even during Christmas dinner! There are three Pokémon adventures available for DS but with new features, this latest version is definitely the one to buy. Buying it is the easy part - catching 'em all is more difficult! Read our Pokémon Platinum review
New to Wii or DS? Animal Crossing: Wild World Doing up your house and going fishing may sound like something Dad would enjoy but he might be confused in this world populated by cute animals. After all, paying the mortgage to a Raccoon is a bit odd when you think about it. The kids will love it though. Read our Animal Crossing DS review
Still can't decide what to buy? Let Mario help you choose Christmas gifts on the Nintendo website.
