Here’s where the Christmas wishlist comes to the rescue.  We’ll help you sort through the trash to find the treasure. We aren’t even going to bother taking into account the games that came out prior to September of this year.  If you have missed out on games like Metal Gear Solid 4 and Grand Theft Auto 4, maybe this list isn’t for you.

Obviously everyones taste is different and the types of games people like to play varies dramatically.  However, in this list you’ll find the best of what is on store shelves leading up to Christmas in 2008.  In our opinion, none of these titles should be missed.  Hopefully you aren’t a Wii gamer though…the pickings are mighty slim this year.

Here are the top games I think should be on any gamers list for Christmas 2008 (excluding DS and PSP):

Fallout 3 (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

What this game is all about: Vault-Tec engineers have worked around the clock on an interactive reproduction of Wasteland life for you to enjoy from the comfort of your own vault. Included is an expansive world, unique combat, shockingly realistic visuals, tons of player choice, and an incredible cast of dynamic characters. Every minute is a fight for survival against the terrors of the outside world – radiation, Super Mutants, and hostile mutated creatures. From Vault-Tec, America’s First Choice in Post Nuclear Simulation. Vault 101 – Jewel of the Wastes. For 200 years, Vault 101 has faithfully served the surviving residents of Washington DC and its environs, now known as the Capital Wasteland. Though the global atomic war of 2077 left the US all but destroyed, the residents of Vault 101 enjoy a life free from the constant stress of the outside world. Giant Insects, Raiders, Slavers, and yes, even Super Mutants are all no match for superior Vault-Tec engineering. Yet one fateful morning, you awake to find that your father has defied the Overseer and left the comfort and security afforded by Vault 101 for reasons unknown. Leaving the only home you’ve ever known, you emerge from the Vault into the harsh Wasteland sun to search for your father, and the truth.

Why you should play it: Where to even begin with this game?  For anyone that lost themselves in Bethesda’s last western RPG Oblivion, this game is going to own you.  It is essentially Oblivion with guns…and that is a very good thing.  The atmosphere in this game is simply incredible and the branching story that changes depending on your actions begs for the game to be replayed.  If you only buy one game this holiday season, make it Fallout 3.  It is the best game of the year.  Period.

Gears of War 2 (Xbox 360)

What this game is all about: Gears of War 2 builds upon the gameplay of the first title in every way. First, the scope of the action is bigger: new characters, more weapons, nastier enemies, bigger vehicles, and grander locales offer more action, more emotion, and more thrills. Next, every major aspect of the game has been refined to create heightened, more immersive experiences. Finally, the overall tone of Gears of War 2 is more badass: replete with new weapon-specific executions, chainsaw duels, and shocking boss fights. Gears of War 2 raises the graphics bar for next-generation games through its breathtaking visual effects, which are made possible through advances in Unreal Engine 3. New visual effects include ambient occlusion, dynamic shadows, improved character lighting, the ability to render hundreds of on-screen characters simultaneously, improved water physics, additional blood and bullet decals, advanced destructible environments, new weather effects, and the introduction of fluid objects. When combined with the sweeping vistas and evocative locales in the world of Sera where the Gears of War 2 story unfolds, these additions help make this the most gorgeous game available this generation. Gears of War 2 continues to push deep, immersive storytelling in video games to greater heights. Humanity’s epic battle for survival is felt on both the personal and epic levels as you explore multiple story arcs that introduce new characters and flesh out the histories of familiar ones. A new in-game conversational camera system also helps bring the compelling story to life in a cinematic fashion.

Why you should play it: Gears 2 surpassed our expectations in every way.  Not only is the game beautiful to look at, it’s incredibly fun to play.  With more varied gameplay throughout the main campaign (and an actual story this time around), Gears really is bigger and more badass.  Cliffy B really nailed it with this game and playing through the coop campaign was some of the most fun we’ve had this year with a game.  Throw in some great multiplayer and a new mode called “the Horde” and you have a game well worth your time and money.

Dead Space (Xbox 360, PS3)

What this game is all about: In the bold and often-bloody Dead Space gamers step into a third-person sci-fi survival horror experience that delivers psychological thrills and gruesome action. Set in the cold blackness of deep space, the atmosphere is soaked with a feeling of tension, dread and sheer terror. In Dead Space, players step into the role of engineer Isaac Clarke – an ordinary man on a seemingly routine mission to fix the communications systems aboard a deep space mining ship. It is not long before Isaac awakes to a living nightmare when he learns that the ship’s crew has been ravaged by a vicious alien infestation. He must fight through the dead silence and darkness of deep space to stay alive.

Why you should play it: For many years the Resident Evil series has been the preeminent 3rd person horror game to buy.  That all may have changed with the arrival of EA’s newest intellectual property, Dead Space.  Set aboard a mining ship in deep space, this game creates an excellent atmosphere of fear and desperation.  The graphics are top notch and the gameplay feels intuitive.  Adding to the fun are some great weapons and a new dismemberment mechanic that never seemed to get old.  If you are a fan of Aliens, this game is for you.

Fable 2 (Xbox 360)

What this game is all about: Set 500 years after the original, Fable II provides gamers with an epic story and innovative real-time gameplay, including a massive amount of freedom and choice to explore a vast collection of dungeons, catacombs and caves in the world of Albion. Fable II expands upon the scope and depth f the Xbox classic by adding incredible new features and creating a wider, more complex kingdom of limitless choices and consequences. Players have the option to play as a man or woman, get married, have children, and live a life of their own design. Revisit the sprawling world of Albion more than 500 years after the events of the original Fable, where you are free to explore the landscape and openly roam the countryside. For the right price every house, hut, dungeon and castle is for sale. Players can witness how the world grows and changes in response to their decisions in incredible and unique ways as they rediscover Albion as if for the first time. Fable II pioneers a new combat system designed to allow players to truly master hand weapons such as swords and maces, ranged combat weapons such as cross-bows and guns, and an entirely new magic system. These three disciplines, while very accessible, are also amazingly deep, and allow players to mix combat styles and become everything from master swordsman to skilled ranger to evil magic welder, utilizing a single button on the Xbox 360 controller.

Why you should play it: As huge fans of the original Fable, we went into Fable 2 with high hopes and expectations.  We are happy to report that they have almost all been met by this excellent RPG.  The “one button combat” works really well is fun to play the whole way through.  With loads of side quests, great British humour and even your own dog (that you actually will become attached to) this game will keep you occupied for hours.  And then you’ll play it again to see what happens when you do things differently.

Little Big Planet (PS3)

What this game is all about: In LittleBigPlanet Players meet on a blue and green planet scattered with individual plots – and use their character’s amazing abilities to play, create and share what they build with other gamers throughout the world via the Playstation Network. The LittleBigPlanet experience starts with players learning about their character’s powers to interact physically with the environment. There are places to explore, creative resources to collect and puzzles to solve – all requiring a combination of brains and collaborative teamwork. As soon as players begin their creative skills will grow and they will soon be ready to start creating and modifying their surroundings – the first step to sharing them with the whole community.Characters have the power to move anything in this glued and stitched-together 3D landscape; they have the power to design, shape and build both objects and entire locations for others to view and play. There’s no complicated level editor; all of these skills can be learned by simply playing the game. Creativity is part of the gameplay experience and playing is part of the creative experience. Players can make their world as open or as secretive to explore as they like. When it’s ready, they can invite anyone within the LittleBigPlanet community to come and explore their patch – or can go and explore everybody else’s.

Why you should play it: Think of LBP as the game that keeps on giving.  While essentially a platforming game, LBP is a game unlike any other.  The main “campaign” is a cleverly designed to teach you how to use the tools and assets provided (and there are many) to create and design your own levels.  Where this game really shines is in the user generated content that just keeps on flowing.  With the ability to play literally thousands of levels and an online community that is rapidly expanding, LBP is a game that is going to have something new to offer every time you turn it on.  If you are really into the creation mode, it is safe to expect that this game will consume your every waking moment and thought.

The Witcher Enhanced Edition (PC)

What this game is all about: Assume the role of The Witcher, Geralt, a legendary monster slayer caught in a web of intrigue as he battles forces vying for control of the world. Make difficult decisions and live with the consequences in a game that will immerse you in an extraordinary tale like no other. The Witcher shatters the line between good and evil in a world where moral ambiguity reigns. The Witcher emphasizes story and character development in a vibrant world while incorporating tactically-deep real-time combat like no game before it

Why you should play it: The Witcher is one of those rare games that takes RPG’s to the next level.  Featuring a mature storyline, interesting characters and a fun combat system, the Witcher is a game that all RPG lovers need to experience.  With the enhanced edition, you now get far better loading times, improved graphics, a rewritten story and hundreds of other tweaks that improve upon the original game in every way.  This oft-overlooked gem is a must play for any hardcore RPG fan on the PC.

NHL 2009 (Xbox 360, PS3)

What this game is all about: NHL 09 builds on the momentum of last year, with innovative controls, added depth and new features designed to help newcomers jump into the series. The Skill Stick System evolves to bring an unparalleled level of control to the defensive side of the puck. The all new Defensive Skill Stick gives you the ability to sweep your stick to block passing lanes and lift an opponent’s stick to prevent one-timers. Take your game online with 6 vs.6 team play, where 12 people can play together on 12 different consoles around the world. With new teams from the Russian, Czech Republic and German Elite leagues, NHL 09 connects hockey fans around the globe like never before. Players new to the series can now shoot, pass and check with ease. NHL 09 features Be A Pro, a game mode that puts you on the ice with a dynamic new 3rd person camera that allows you to play the role of one player. With a performance tracker grading your progress in more than 50 categories, you know exactly where you need to improve to become the next NHL superstar.

Why you should play it: NHL 2009 is the best and most exciting sports game to be released in 2008.  the great controls, fluid gameplay and incredibly deep online experience also make this the best NHL game to ever be released.  The new “be a pro” mode is highly addictive and you’ll spend hours trying to get your player onto that top line with Alexander Ovechkin and Alexander Semin.  If you are a sports fan you need to think about this game.  If you are a hockey fan, you MUST buy this game.

Left 4 Dead (Xbox 360, PC)

What this game is all about: Fight together…or die alone. A new and highly virulent strain of the rabies virus emerges and spreads through the human population with frightening speed. The pandemic’s victims become grotesquely disfigured, wildly violent psychopaths, attacking the uninfected on sight. One of the “lucky” few apparently immune to the sickness, you, unfortunately, are also trapped in a city crawling with thousands of the bloodthirsty Infected. Together with a handful of fellow Survivors, you must fight your way to safety or die alone. A co-operative multiplayer action game from the makers of “Counter-Strike,” Left 4 Dead is built atop the most advanced version of the Source Engine and introduces version 2 of Turtle Rock’s artificial intelligence (A.I.) technology.

Why you should play it: For the multiplayer/zombie nut, this game is for you.  There is probably no better example of a perfectly executed online multiplayer game right now.  The action is fast and frenzied and the excitment never seems to fade.  Jump online with 3 of your friends to tackle the campaigns and get ready for some fist pumping.  There isn’t much more exciting than overcoming some horrible scenario the AI Director (the AI adjusts to your style of play and constantly turns the game on it’s head, sending you into a full-blown panic) throws at you.  Despite the relatively short length of the campaign, with the adaptive AI, intuitive controls and fantastic multiplayer, Left 4 Dead will have you coming back again and again.

Honourable* Mentions:

This is truly an amazing time to be a gamer.  There are so many great games that you could fill every hour of the day playing them and not get through them all.  Games that just missed making the list are:

• Call of Duty: World at War (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)
• Prince of Persia (PS3, Xbox 360)
• Mirror’s Edge (PS3, Xbox 360)
• World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King (PC) – If you are a WOW fan…this is already likely your #1
• Resistance 2 (PS3)
• Far Cry 2 (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)
• Valkyria Chronicles (PS3)
• Tomb Raider Underworld (PS3, Xbox 360)
• Tom Clancy’s End War (Xbox 360, PS3, PC)
• Guitar Hero World Tour (PS3, Xbox 360)
• Rock Band 2 (PS3, Xbox 360)
• Motor Storm: Pacific Rift (PS3)
• Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe (PS3, Xbox 360)
• Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts (Xbox 360)

There you have it.  There are a TON of games out there this year and there is something for everyone.  Whether you want to be wandering a futuristic wasteland that has been ravaged by nuclear war, create levels with your friends with cute Sackboys, survive wave after wave of the locust Horde, fend off zombies with your friends or slap a few pucks top shelf on your friends, you are going to be a very happy gamer this holiday season.

Enough about what we think.  What do YOU think are the must have games this holiday season?

*thanks for reading this asterisk

Now, after having put in more hours than I care to admit, a few things about the game have emerged as more than just minor nuisances. In an effort to organize my thoughts I have compiled a list of the top 5 things that need to be fixed in the next iteration of Harmonix’s Rock Band.

Please note, that I am tackling Rock Band from the perspective I think most people who go and buy this game will be able to relate to. I’m talking about the gamers who want to be able to bring it home, set it up and rock out with their friends. This game is far more about having fun with friends than it is about “passing levels,” “beating the boss” or “winning the game.”

And now, the top 5 things that need to be improved for Rock Band’s inevitable next iteration:

5. The guitar is terrible.

Anyone that has played with the guitars from Guitar Hero 2 or 3 will immediately notice how cheap and flimsy the guitar is that comes packaged with Rock Band. It simply doesn’t feel right. Making matters worse, the guitar is not wireless. If the guitar that comes with Guitar Hero 3 can be wireless, why can’t this one? Since I have the 360 version, I’m going to assume that it was a problem with Microsoft, as the PS3 version has a wireless guitar. Topping it all off, my guitar broke within 1 week of buying the game. Put simply, that is unacceptable.

4. The microphone has no buttons or ability to navigate menus.

Throughout the game there are many, many times when the lead singer will have to push the A button to select “continue.” Seems simple right? Nope. You have to find a controller and do it that way. While this seems like a petty complaint, when you are rocking out with tons of people (who are usually intoxicated), this can be a major pain. Would it kill them to have a button on there somewhere? How about you do the tamborine tap and that works as a button push? I realize that they probably didn’t want the singer to accidentally push a button while the rock it out, but can’t the button simply be deactivated once you are in game to avoid that problem?

3. Too many songs are locked when you buy the game. When you buy this game you are shelling out $200 to buy an elaborate kareoke machine. I’m not sure how many people out there are buying this for some hardcore challenge but in order to unlock all the songs you need to go through one of the campaign modes to get them all. When you get this game home you want to be able to play all the songs that are are in the disc. Having to play the same songs over and over again with you friends just so you can unlock more songs and add some variety is a joke. I’ll never listen to “Say it Ain’t So” ever again thanks to this game.

2. Some of the songs break the game.

That’s right, some of the songs are so hard that you will simply fail if they show up. For example, if you buy the Metallica pack and one of those songs shows up in a random setlist on world tour, chances are your band will be in tough. This is especially painful when you are on song 7 of an 8 song set. Where’s the fun in that?

1. The multiplayer interface will drive you insane.

Ok, this game is all about playing instruments. I understand that. Problem is, 9 times out of 10 there will be non-gamers playing Rock Band with you. When it comes to the interface that’s a huge problem. I can’t even count the number of times someone will get their turn on drums and proceed to hammer out a drum solo to warm themselves up. Unfortunately, unbeknownst to them, the pads are actually buttons too and somehow you end up backed up all the way to the main menu. Or, when you are ready to rock somebody hits the red button on the guitar as they and you have to start setting it up all over again. It’s a real problem. Why can’t 1 player have full control to set the band up? It would only take a second. If you’ve played the game at a party before, no doubt you will have experienced this. Problem is, the more you play (and you’ll play a lot) the more times it will happen to you.

That’s it. Despite these problems, Rock Band is a simply fantastic game. It brings gamers and non-gamers together in a way that few games have ever been able to before. It is the evolution of Guitar Hero and has something for everyone. If you are on the fence about this game, don’t be. These gripes are all minor (save the guitar breaking perhaps) and the core game is the definition of fun.