Xbox 360 and Xbox One players can celebrate the season with expanding games, thoughtful game console/bundles, and unique active experiences using some cool technology. Microsoft’s gaming consoles continue a strong showing as the recent Xbox One console price drop (without the Kinect sensor) entices and game exclusives include popular game franchises and a new one that mashes up several genres.
Xbox One accessories include the Nyko modular charge station with two custom NiMH rechargeable batteries for charging two controllers simultaneously (no wall outlet needed; compatible with other Nyko modular accessories) and the USB powered Nyko intercooler (releasing on Dec. 22), with easy clip-on installation. KontrolFreek offers several controller accessories and several other items including the Best Buy exclusive GamePack Vortex convex sticks for Xbox One.
Knowledge is power with BradyGames‘ strategy guides include the Dragon Age Inquisition, Destiny, Skylanders Trap Team, and Grand Theft Auto V: Signature Series Strategy Guide: Expanded (XBox One), GTV V on Xbox One features new first person view and lets existing Xbox 360 players transfer their current Grand Theft Auto Online characters and progression to the Xbox One.
Streaming options expand on the Xbox One with Popcornflix, a free streaming TV and movie service, which also now includes Popcornflix Kids, a kid-friendly portal.
The Xbox One has several big bundles to entice players including the Madden NFL 15, Destiny, Assassin’s Creed Unity, Call of Duty Advanced Warfare, and Sunset Overdrive bundles.
This year the historical action/adventure-filled Assassin’s Creed game series gives players two comprehensive experience based on different consoles on Tuesday, November 11. Assassin’s Creed Unity will release on the “next-gen” PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Assassin’s Creed Rogue on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, which will likely be the last Creed installment on these consoles.
The Xbox One exclusive Sunset Overdrive involves players to move through action environments in almost every way possible in the year 2027 as they battle increasing enemies. This game also offers a Season Pass and Chaos Squad, an 8-player cooperative experience.
Call of Duty: Advanced Wars offers an Atlas Edition and Atlas Pro Edition plus a Season Pass and Kevin Spacey’s voice and likeness as the memorable Jonathan Irons.
Of course the Halo franchise is alive and well with Halo: The Masterchief Collection that includes beta access to the Halo 5: Guardians multiplayer beta. Enjoy four fantastic games with all of the add-on content.
Fantasia: Music Evolved, exclusively on the Xbox 360 and Xbox One, utilizes the Kinect sensor on single or co-op double player modes lets players conduct unique musical experiences that feature classical and modern works. Developed by Harmonix, this music games is inspired by Disney’s 1940 Fantasia animated film.
Disney Infinity Version 2.0 has Marvel superheroes and more Disney original characters that can fly (character who have that ability) amid 1 to 2 player game modes with a four player online mode plus a more accessible Toy Box mode and helpful character upgrade system.
Persona 4 Arena Ultimax have incredible visual style music, game mode variety, in-game tutorial/training, high replay value/DLC, and story resolution in the base Japanese action-RPG Persona 3 and 4 games. Players get eight new characters and several new scenarios set in the fictional rural Japanese town of Inaba. Persona refers to the soul power which “thrives on bonds you have with others”, so relationship connections naturally create an amazing experience in several different scenarios.
Rocksmith 2014 Edition lets players take the 60-day challenge to learn real guitar play on the Xbox One plus if you’re an Xbox 360 owner, your downloadable content (DLC) carries forward to your Xbox One at no additional fee. Players can play in the guitarcade, try multiplayer modes, take lessons, do some nonstop play, and learn individual songs.
Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham features a Season Pass including 6 DLC packs each with a unique themed mission level with story and free play modes. Using the power of the Lantern Rings, Brainiac shrinks worlds to add to his twisted collection of miniature cities from across the universe.
Action filled Xbox 360 games include Ultra Street Fighter IV features huge character cache, new features/content, additional game modes, rebalanced gameplay, unique play styles plus Brady Games’ Ultra Street Fighter IV Official Bible. Digimon All-Star Rumble features several character where players use offensive and defensive Digicards – over 200 to collect and unlock.
Geometry Wars3: Dimensions is a fast-paced, multi-directional arcade game fun with great customization and new modes included a single-player campaign, a revamped cooperative mode and online competitive multiplayer
Skydive: Proximity Flight offers a unique skydiving sport/simulator experience using classic controllers or Kinect where players get an expanded movement range compare to real life. TopWare Interactive AG and Gaijin Entertainment used real skydiving pros in the game creation and offer freestyle, trick, route flight and adrenaline race modes plus leaderboard functions and multiplayer for $6.99 (Xbox Live exclusive).
Other unique games include Defense Grid 2, Soda Drinker Pro and World of Tanks: Xbox 360 Edition with armory-filled antics, military strategy and more. Murdered: Soul Suspect puts player in the place of a detective who must solve a case…after his death.
Set in Europe, the exclusive racer Forza Horizon 2 (Xbox 360 and Xbox One) offers 12-player online gameplay, dynamic weather conditions, and a new perks system that improves player progression.
MX vs. ATV: Supercross is the sixth game in the series and brings players the ultimate in dirt bike action, featuring a host of game modes, customisation options and everyone’s favourite riders, old and new.
F1 2014 lets players experience the 2014 Formula 1 season with new Very Easy mode, turbocharged cars and striking new aerodynamics
The Crew lets players race across the entire United States in this open-world racing game while complete several objectives and challenges along the way. Xbox 360 games include MotoGP 14, based on the Official MotoGP™ World Championship,and GRID Autosport, which just released a Touring Car Legends expansion pack with two new circuits, five classic Touring Cars and new single player championships.
Toybox Turbo features colorful, top down racing excitement with 35 vehicles and four-player local and online multiplayer game modes.
The popular Naruto Shippuden continues with Ultimate Ninja Storm Revolution featuring 100 playable characters with ultimate combination Jutsu attacks plus special “guard break” and counterattack moves.
Far Cry 4 puts players in an expanded open world adventure while the popular Minecraft has familiar building and adventure. In Adventure Time: The Secret of the Nameless Kingdom, Finn and his shape-shifting dog Jake explore a mysterious kingdom with challenging puzzles, extensive exploration, and new characters.
Just Dance 2015 feature modern and classic songs among every music genre where players can get their dance groove on or take a well deserved break and sing songs. The new community remix mode allows gameplay of other players’ performances. The Voice lets players belts on their favorite songs in single and multiplayer/party mode authentic to the show beginning with the blind auditions to battle rounds and finally the finale. Players can even practice actual techniques in voice coach mode.
Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures 2‘ races to audiences representing the action packed platform genre. Other choice platform games include Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Danger of the Ooze, The LEGO Movie Videogame, and Skylanders Trap Team, which also has a mobile version for tablets.
Dragonball X: Battle of Z offers even bigger environments, one player offline mode, new melee mode, four player online co-operative, and eight player online versus game modes.
Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII is a stalwart role-playing game where players have direct control over the heroine Lighting. Dragon Age Inquisition has an extensive campaign and side quest and is also available in Deluxe edition, which contains special treasure chests. Adventures continue in Thief, Lords of the Fallen (Xbox One only), Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition (Xbox One only), LEGO The Hobbit (now with three new content packs), Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, Tales From the Borderlands, Falling Skies The Game and Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor (Xbox One version different from the Xbox 360). Survivor-horror games include Escape Dead Island, The Evil Within and Alien: Isolation (Xbox 360 and Xbox One) where players assume the role of Amanda Ripley, Ripley’s daughter.
Sports games on the Xbox One and Xbox 360 include FIFA 15 that includes improved graphic models, physics, and exclusive Legends players used on Ultimate Team version of the game. Players can also get the ultimate team experience with Madden NFL 15 and NHL 15 includes two player online gameplay. NBA 2K15 has a new “my league” mode (Xbox One version only) to customize and create teams/players plus go through drafts and negotiate trades.
Happy Holidays and save those gift cards for Dragon Ball Xenoverse, Project Cars, The Witcher Wild Hunt, Farming Simulator 15, and Resident Evil Revelations 2.
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