DVDs
¤ Games [Xbox 360]
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 Gizmos & Stuff

The holidays are almost upon us and we plan to help you do your shopping with our guide to gifts that are worthwhile and just plain fun. This is a work in progress, so check it out often, as we compile our recommendations, based on choices by our critics.

Halo 3 [Microsoft]

"Halo 3" is the third game in the Halo Trilogy and the conclusion to the events that begun in "Halo: Combat Evolved," which started a new genre of video games, the cinematic shooter. Master Chief returns to finish the fight between the Covenant, the Flood, and the entire human race. And get ready for the announced movie version.

» Buy it

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix [EA]

Following the eponymous film closely, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" you get to assume Harry's identity as he returns for his fifth year of study at Hogwarts. Harry -- that's you -- prepares a group of young wizards for the next battle against the forces of evil. It's a perfect blend of movie and interactive entertainment.

» Buy it

Scene It? Lights, Camera, Action [Microsoft]

It includes more than 1,800 new questions, it features five new types of puzzle challenge, such as "Credit Roll," where you guess the film based on the list of characters and actors and "Child’s Play," where you guess the name of the film based on a child’s drawing of a film scene, but the really, really fun part is the four Big Button Pads that come with the game: they are wireless buzzers, and add a dimension to the game unmatched by the DVD versions.

» Buy it

Viva Piñata Party Animals [Microsoft]

It's party time! Compete in a variety of zany battles and races and control the fame, fortune, and destiny of all your favorite characters, or indulge your craving for a quick game with more than 40 mini-games and a dozen foot races where players can compete against one another. Or, take the party international via Xbox Live.

» Buy it

Mass Effect [Microsoft]

While superficially similar to "Halo," "Mass Effect" allows players to create their own customizable version of the main character while plunge into the center of a science-fiction story, with many twists. Players choose their own squad-mates, weapons, skills, vehicles and even appearance. It's a movie where you are in almost complete control over your own experience.

» Buy it