Whether the children you’re buying for are 8, 12 or even 42, chances are they have a video game on their wish list. Be mindful of the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) age ratings on those boxes, though, because games meant for adults are inappropriate for children. Thankfully, there are lots of choices for everyone, from light-hearted platformers to epic-length adventures. And more than ever before, female characters are not just present, but primary. Because girls are gamers, too.
Here are some suggestions for teens and older players.
Halo 5: Guardians ($75)
Xbox OneRated teen
Ever since the first Halo game released in 2001, Master Chief has been the main protagonist, saving humanity from annihilation at the hands of one alien race or another. But in Guardians he becomes something of an enigma, as his own humanity becomes more evident. This exhilarating first-person shooter showcases the capability of the Xbox One, from the crisp graphics to the chaotic mayhem of the multiplayer modes.
Star Wars Battlefront, above ($80)
PS4, Windows, Xbox One
Rated teen
This multiplayer shooter game makes players feel like they are actually inside a Star Wars movie. Up to 40 players can engage in short, online matches which pits the Rebel Alliance against Imperial forces in a few familiar settings, including the ice planet of Hoth, the desert planet Tatooine, and the forest moon of Endor. Players can also embody iconic characters including Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, and even Boba Fett.
Xenoblade Chronicles X ($75)
Wii U
Rated teen
This open world action game is set in the future in which a space ark of humans is attacked by aliens and crashes on a distant planet. Visually stunning, the game world of Xenoblade is vast, so characters can pilot large robots – the proper parlance is “mechs” – to traverse the landscape. The game has players taking on various quests which advance the story and provide opportunities to gather characters who accompany and fight alongside the protagonist, whose gender and appearance is personalized by the player.
Destiny: The Taken King ($70 and $80)
PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Rated teen
The Taken King marks the second year for Destiny, a game which has players becoming a titan, a warlock or a hunter in order to protect the last vestiges of humanity. Destiny includes a variety of types of gaming, including player versus player and co-operative play through an epic story that takes place on Earth, the moon, Mars, Venus and beyond. The developers have been constantly improving the game since it was first released in 2014, and The Taken King includes the original game, the first two expansions, as well as the latest update.
Music games
There was something of a resurgence in music games this fall, with the release of Guitar Hero Live ($130; PS3, PS4, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One; rated teen) and Rock Band 4, above ($80 and $120; PS4, Xbox One; rated teen). Guitar Hero Live comes with a new, six button guitar controller, and flips the experience so while you play, you’re facing a live audience that responds to your performance. Hit those chords and you’ll hear cheers, but play the wrong notes and they’ll turn into sneers. You can use all your old instruments with Rock Band 4 (Xbox instruments require a controller adapter, which comes with the Xbox One version of the game), which has gamers singing or playing guitar, bass or drums. New to Rock Band is the ability to play guitar solos, scoring points for style.