The holiday season is finally here! Check out these games and systems to add to your gift list.
MARIO’S WORLD GETS WEIRDER
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Nintendo for Switch
Mario’s worlds have always been weird, but Super Mario Bros. Wonder sets a new
standard. Jumping on giant mushrooms, bashing bricks and entering pipes once
seemed magical. Super Mario Bros. Wonder turns those ancient worlds on their head
with pipes that crawl like inchworms, piranha plants that leap from their pots and Roku-
poly hippopotami.
Wonder’s gameplay hasn’t changed. Mario still races through a two-dimensional, side-
scrolling world, but this one’s more colorful and wacky.
EA FC24
EA Sports for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox X|S, Switch, PC
Electronic Arts’ FIFA game, one of history’s most exciting and realistic sports simulations, has ended. But the good news is that EA is launching a new line of soccer simulations called EA FC that looks very FIFA-like. If you want lightning-fast action and realistic-looking players, EA FC should offer it.
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Sony Interactive Entertainment for PC (Steam and Epic Games Stores)
One of the best reasons to own a PlayStation 5 has made its way to PC. In Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, the tough-as-nails alien from the planet Fastoon and his robot companion unite with new friends and former enemies to stop a universe-conquering emperor from, well, conquering the universe. This game is a nonstop-action, full-storied
adventure.
Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 – Turbocharged
Milestone for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox X|S, Switch, PC
The vehicles in Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 – Turbocharged aren’t your grandparents’ Hot
Wheels. Instead of gravity-powered diecast toys rolling down a wobbly orange track,
these engine-rocket-powered cars, motorcycles and off-roaders drift around curves and
jump each other. With over 130 vehicles and customizable tracks in five different
settings, Unleashed 2 offers tons of possibilities.
Which System to Put on Your List
There’s no single best system for playing games. Here’s what each of the major ones
offers.
PlayStation 5
Price: $500 ($400 for the digital-only model)
For all-out cool, the PS5 comes in first. It’s fast. It’s powerful. Sony’s PlayStation Plus
monthly subscription service offers hundreds of games, including four Kingdom Hearts
titles.
Switch
Price: $300 (original Switch) and $350 (Switch OLED)
For incredible adventures and family-friendly fun, there’s no beating Nintendo; plus,
Switch has a built-in screen that lets you play your favorite games on the go. Best of all,
Nintendo has Mario, Zelda, Pokémon, Metroid and other great classics.
Xbox Series X|S
Price: $500 (Series X) and $300 (Series S)
For raw processing power and online agility, you can’t beat Xbox Series X. Microsoft’s
Game Pass subscription service lets you access a library of blockbuster games
(including Lego Star Wars and Minecraft) using your TV, phone, laptop or tablet.
Epic Games and Steam
Price: Pay only for games
Epic Games and Steam are online stores that let you use your computer like a game
console. These services boast the largest libraries in gaming, offering the latest PC
games, enormous collections of classic (and not-so-classic) hits and even free games.
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