Gifts for Star Wars Gamers

There are times, in every gamer's life, when you have to sit down and think long and hard about what you're doing here.

It's an Xbox 360.  It's just like every other Xbox 360, no different, no better, no worse. The model will be old hat by the time 720 is released next year.  Yet it's twice the price of the bog standard Xbox console.

And it looks like R2D2.

It's difficult to get past that last bit, isn't it?  Parents the world over are likely to get very shrill, with eyebrows raised into their hairlines, at the very thought of it.  Geeks with disposable incomes are going to have frozen glances at their bank balances.

Is it worth it?  You get the Kinect Star Wars and Star Wars Adventures games free with the bundle; and an unlockable C3P0 too.  There's a Wired Headset in the box.

The console makes noises like R2D2.  It beeps and makes other custom sounds. 

The controller is modelled after C3P0.  Well, it's gold at least.  (Though not solid gold, just to pre-empt parental questions.)

But is it worth it?  Let's open that question up to the floor. 

Kinect Star Wars is undoubtedly genius.  It's absolutely huge in its scope and there is no controller involved.

Instead you get to actually do the movements.  A lightsaber rises and falls with the movement of your arm.  You are at the controls of a podracer, avoiding obstacles and putting your foot down where appropriate.  You are on that Speeder Bike.

At least, so it seems from the screen before you; and we all know the power of vision to trick the brain. 

It might be easier for you to see this.  I know that I certainly want and covet it with all of my being. It's the ultimate in geek gaming.

So what could possibly go wrong with it?  Unfortunately everything, if you only have a small and poorly lit gaming space.  As no gamer ever has been known for their Feng Shui, minimalist decor, then that's a big downside.

The trouble comes with the built in sensor.  It relies upon picking you out from the background. If you are wearing colors similar to anything in the clutter behind, then it won't notice your motion.

Also swinging your arms around mid-fight is fatal for the tray of drinks being carried behind you, not to mention everything on your bedroom shelves.  Be warned.

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed has been the classic movie tie-in game, since it first appeared on the original Xbox.

Its legions of fans have been steadily increasing each year, especially whenever a new version or add-on enhances the gaming experience.  It has gone platinum. 

I've displayed the first incarnation (which is still very decent and played by many), but The Force Unleashed II is out there, with number three keenly anticipated.  It's also possible to buy the first as the Ultimate Sith Edition. 

There is a reason that The Force Unleashed has stood the test of time.  It's beautifully rendered with stunning graphics.  The game-play is immense and challenging enough to keep the average gamer rapt. It's fun and there actually is a story-line.

In short, everything that you want from a Star Wars game; and the YouTube trailer didn't do it justice.

Plus the only time that passers by are in danger of injury is if you're playing the Nintendo Wii version.  Everyone else is sedately clicking away at their controllers like normal.

While there's certainly longevity in The Force Unleashed being a favorite Star Wars game, it doesn't follow that it can't be beaten quickly.  Three days is about the average. There are some frustrations if you're not a twitch player, but frankly that's all part of the challenge.

I'd place it as one of the best Star Wars video games available at the moment, as successors have yet to fully dislodge it.  Though we do all have high hopes for The Force Unleashed III.  Does that count?

Just about everyone speaks lovingly and nostalgically about the Star Wars Battlefront games. They are the highest contenders for greatness behind The Force Unleashed and the Kinect offerings.

Unfortunately they have been out too long, which means that everyone's played them.  As there's an on-line element, this can lead to disappointment.  The hundreds of thousands of fellow gamers ready to share your adventures after the launch have now faded away.  The worlds are pretty dead.

Of course, this won't matter if you can coerce an old gaming buddy into joining you; and it's likely to be rectified when Battlefront III comes out.  But there's still nothing in the news streams about that.

Everyone and their droid has been long anticipating the wonders of Battlefront III.  But no news has so far been forthcoming.

Naturally the recent announcement that Disney have the rights to the game has prompted renewed speculation; and more than a few sinking hearts.  Disney is great at what it does.  It's unrivaled in animations, musicals, exploiting small children in Asian sweat shops etc, but gaming?  Not much to write home about there.

Nevertheless, if the same production company and designers are retained, to continue what was begun on 1 and 2, then there is a new hope indeed.  Especially since it's one of the most eagerly anticipated games ever!

Be careful and do your homework before purchasing anything to do with Star Wars: The Old Republic. Though you're safe enough with the package that I've selected above.

The reason is that the game is going free-to-play on November 15th 2012, just in time for Christmas. That won't unlock everything, but it will be enough to get a very good taste for what's going on.

Nearly a million Star Wars fans play this MMORPG, mingling together on various worlds to save the Republic thousands of times over.  But that's down from the 1.7m who were playing when it first launched in July 2011. 

Personally, I think that says more about the fickle nature of gamers than the game itself, but that F2P element will give you the opportunity to judge for yourself free of charge.