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GameSpot's Dads 'n' Grads Summer Gift Guide 2005
GameSpot's Dads 'n' Grads Summer Gift Guide 2005-October 2024
Oct 22, 2024 3:27 AM

  

GameSpot's Dads 'n' Grads Summer Gift Guide 2005

Summertime! School's out and Dad's expecting the same old fish tie and suspenders you keep giving him year after year, you ungrateful little... Look, why not give the gift of gaming, for a change? In the following pages, you'll find GameSpot's mostly highly recommended games and hardware that have come out so far this year. Look no further for great gift ideas. While you're at it, maybe you'd better pick up a few games for yourself!

  

Top Picks

  

Resident Evil 4 (GC)

  "Resident Evil 4 is an amazing achievement, especially in how its inspired, state-of-the-art cinematic presentation works so well with its relentlessly exciting, white-knuckle action."

  - Greg Kasavin, from GameSpot's Full Review

  

God of War (PS2)

  "God of War is one of the best action adventure games on the PlayStation 2, and it should not be missed."

  - Alex Navarro, from GameSpot's Full Review

  

Guild Wars (PC)

  "It's a very impressive game that's rewarding on many different levels and can be tremendously appealing for any number of reasons."

  - Greg Kasavin, from GameSpot's Full Review

  

Forza Motorsport (Xbox)

  "Forza Motorsport is a stylish and challenging game that is easily one of the best racers on the Xbox."

  - Brian Ekberg, from GameSpot's Full Review

  

Tekken 5 (PS2)

  "This fighting game is even more addictive and exciting than the original Tekken was when it first exploded onto the PlayStation back in 1995."

  - Jeff Gerstmann, from GameSpot's Full Review

  

NBA Street V3 (PS2)

  "NBA Street V3 is the new gold standard of arcade-style basketball games."

  - Bob Colayco, from GameSpot's Full Review

  Also on: Xbox, GC

  

Lumines (PSP)

  "Between the beautiful presentation, the innovative gameplay, and the excellent single-player and multiplayer modes, Lumines may very well be the greatest Tetris-style puzzle game since Tetris itself."

  - Greg Kasavin, from GameSpot's Full Review

  

Mercenaries (Xbox)

  "Mercenaries is dense with explosive content that satisfies on a fundamental level."

  - Ryan Davis, from GameSpot's Full Review

  Also on: PS2

  

Top Hardware Picks

  

Sony PSP

  With the ability to play games, movies, and music, the Sony PSP is a perfect companion for summertime car trips and airline traveling.

  - Learn more in PSP 101

  

Logitech Driving Force Pro

  "The Logitech Driving Force Pro is most likely the perfect companion for Gran Turismo 4."

  - Brian Ekberg, from GameSpot's Full Review

  

Hardware

  

Sony PSP

  With the ability to play games, movies, and music, the Sony PSP is a perfect companion for summertime car trips and airline traveling.

  - Learn more in PSP 101

  

Logitech Driving Force Pro

  "The Logitech Driving Force Pro is most likely the perfect companion for Gran Turismo 4."

  - Brian Ekberg, from GameSpot's Full Review

  

Logitech MX518 Gaming-Grade Optical Mouse

  "Armed with a 1600 DPI sensor and a 16-bit data path, the Logitech MX 518 Gaming-Grade will rock your mousing world."

  - Sarju Shah, from GameSpot's Full Review

  

Ergodex DX1 Input System

  "The Ergodex DX1 Input System tops the list of new products in terms of creativity, but it lags behind in affordability."

  - Andrew Anderson, from GameSpot's Full Review

  

AMD Athlon 64 X2 Processor

  "The dual-core Athlon 64 X2 4800+ gives excellent performance and compares favorably to Intel's Pentium Processor Extreme Edition 840."

  - Sarju Shah, from GameSpot's Preview

  

Dell Inspiron XPS Gen 2 Laptop

  "Powered by a top-shelf processor and graphics engine, the Dell XPS Gen 2 is one of the fastest and slimmest gaming machines we've ever seen."

  - Justin Jaffe, from CNET's Full Review

  

Hard Boiled

  

Resident Evil 4 (GC)

  "Resident Evil 4 is an amazing achievement, especially in how its inspired, state-of-the-art cinematic presentation works so well with its relentlessly exciting, white-knuckle action."

  - Greg Kasavin, from GameSpot's Full Review

  

God of War (PS2)

  "God of War is one of the best action adventure games on the PlayStation 2, and it should not be missed."

  - Alex Navarro, from GameSpot's Full Review

  

Tekken 5 (PS2)

  "This fighting game is even more addictive and exciting than the original Tekken was when it first exploded onto the PlayStation back in 1995."

  - Jeff Gerstmann, from GameSpot's Full Review

  

Unreal Championship 2: The Liandri Conflict (Xbox)

  "While the concept of a first-person shooter going behind the back may sound a little strange at first, Unreal Championship 2 pulls it off with ease and, at the same time, provides a fantastic new twist on an old favorite."

  - Jeff Gerstmann, from GameSpot's Full Review

  

Star Wars Republic Commando (PC)

  "A well-paced, albeit brief, single-player campaign will keep adrenaline junkies thrilled from the first dropship landing to the final dust-off."

  - Bob Colayco, from GameSpot's Full Review

  Also on: Xbox

  

Doom 3 (Xbox)

  "A new two-player cooperative mode really helps round out the experience, and those amazing good looks survived the translation to the Xbox well intact--along with pretty much everything else."

  - Greg Kasavin, from GameSpot's Full Review

  Also on: PC

  

Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening (PS2)

  "Anyone who perseveres long enough to learn the ropes will probably agree that Devil May Cry 3 is one of the best PlayStation 2 action adventure games since the original."

  - Greg Kasavin, from GameSpot's Full Review

  

Twisted Metal: Head-On (PSP)

  "A colorful cast, a great presentation, exciting shooting action, and wireless multiplayer combine to make this one of the safest bets you can place when choosing your first PSP games."

  - Greg Kasavin, from GameSpot's Full Review

  

Project Snowblind (PS2)

  "Project Snowblind delivers a solid, fast-paced shooter experience that provides a nice balance between the fresh and the familiar."

  - Ryan Davis, from GameSpot's Full Review

  Also On: Xbox

  

TimeSplitters: Future Perfect (Xbox)

  "TimeSplitters' charm and "something for everybody" mentality means that you're almost certain to find something to like in Future Perfect."

  - Jeff Gerstmann, from GameSpot's Full Review

  Also On: PS2, GC

  

Speed Racer

  

Forza Motorsport (Xbox)

  "Forza Motorsport is a stylish and challenging game that is easily one of the best racers on the Xbox."

  - Brian Ekberg, from GameSpot's Full Review

  

Gran Turismo 4 (PS2)

  "When GT4 works to its strengths, it delivers like few games of this console generation."

  - Brian Ekberg, from GameSpot's Full Review

  

Wipeout Pure (PSP)

  "Wipeout Pure is a joy to look at, and it's viscerally satisfying enough to please fans of the series and new players alike."

  - Ryan Davis, from GameSpot's Full Review

  

Midnight Club 3: Dub Edition (Xbox)

  "Fans of the franchise will find a lot to like about Midnight Club 3. And those who have never experienced the series would do well to give this entry a try."

  - Alex Navarro, from GameSpot's Full Review

  Also on: PS2

  

Ridge Racer (PSP)

  "Ridge Racer does a fine job of showing off the system's technical prowess while simultaneously providing more of the same smooth gameplay that still holds up after all these years."

  - Jeff Gerstmann, from GameSpot's Full Review

  

TrackMania Sunrise (PC)

  "Sunrise is, in most every way, exactly what you would want from a sequel to the original TrackMania."

  - Alex Navarro, from GameSpot's Full Review

  

Military Buff

  

Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30 (Xbox)

  "By bringing together the best aspects of squad-based shooters with the freedom of a more action-oriented shooter, Brothers in Arms offers a unique gameplay experience in the unlikeliest of genres."

  - Bob Colayco, from GameSpot's Full Review

  Also on: PC

  

Mercenaries (Xbox)

  "Mercenaries is dense with explosive content that satisfies on a fundamental level."

  - Ryan Davis, from GameSpot's Full Review

  Also on: PS2

  

Silent Hunter III (PC)

  "This is an outstanding WWII submarine simulation in every regard."

  - Tracy Baker, from GameSpot's Full Review

  

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Chaos Theory (Xbox)

  "It's got to be the most fully featured stealth action game to date, so if you like the idea of high-tech espionage, it's certainly going to have plenty to offer you."

  - Greg Kasavin, from GameSpot's Full Review

  Also on: PC

  

SWAT 4 (PC)

  "The newest iteration of the series is the best one yet, offering an intelligent and flexible interface, a highly replayable campaign, and multiplayer modes that include cooperative play."

  - Bob Colayco, from GameSpot's Full Review

  

Act of War: Direct Action (PC)

  "Act of War has everything that you want in a military-themed real-time strategy game, from excellent visuals to even better gameplay."

  - Jason Ocampo, from GameSpot's Full Review

  

Dungeon Master

  

Guild Wars (PC)

  "It's a very impressive game that's rewarding on many different levels and can be tremendously appealing for any number of reasons."

  - Greg Kasavin, from GameSpot's Full Review

  

The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap (GBA)

  "The Minish Cap executes the classic overhead Zelda formula with great precision and delightful whimsy."

  - Brad Shoemaker, from GameSpot's Full Review

  

Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones (GBA)

  "It offers a lengthy, rewarding, thought-provoking experience that truly makes you feel as though the decisions you make, waging one exciting battle after the next, carry serious consequences."

  - Greg Kasavin, from GameSpot's Full Review

  

Jade Empire (Xbox)

  "If the setting of Jade Empire appeals to you, along with the promise of a good storyline and some open-ended role playing, then you'll be more than satisfied with BioWare's latest game"

  - Greg Kasavin, from GameSpot's Full Review

  

World of Warcraft (PC)

  "Here is the online role-playing game you should play, no matter who you are."

  - Greg Kasavin, from GameSpot's Full Review

  

Armchair Jock

  

World Soccer Winning Eleven 8 International (PS2)

  "World Soccer Winning Eleven 8 International is KCET's best soccer game to date, which basically makes it the best soccer game ever made."

  - Justin Calvert, from GameSpot's Full Review

  Also on: Xbox, PC

  

NBA Street V3 (PS2)

  "NBA Street V3 is the new gold standard of arcade-style basketball games."

  - Bob Colayco, from GameSpot's Full Review

  Also on: Xbox, GC

  

Fight Night Round 2 (Xbox)

  "The second version in the Fight Night series is here, and it does what it has to do: improves on an already winning formula."

  - Brian Ekberg, from GameSpot's Full Review

  Also on: PS2, GC

  

MVP Baseball 2005 (Xbox)

  "If you're looking for a realistic and feature-rich baseball video game, you can't go wrong with MVP Baseball 2005."

  - Frank Provo, from GameSpot's Full Review

  Also on: PS2, GC, PC

  

Tony Hawk's Underground 2 Remix (PSP)

  "This "remixed" version of the original delivers almost everything that was great about the console versions, and with the inclusion of four new levels, the single-player experience has gotten even better."

  - Jeff Gerstmann, from GameSpot's Full Review

  

Brainiac

  

Lumines (PSP)

  "Between the beautiful presentation, the innovative gameplay, and the excellent single-player and multiplayer modes, Lumines may very well be the greatest Tetris-style puzzle game since Tetris itself."

  - Greg Kasavin, from GameSpot's Full Review

  

WarioWare: Twisted! (GBA)

  "WarioWare: Twisted! is a great game that any Nintendo portable owner can enjoy."

  - Jeff Gerstmann, from GameSpot's Full Review

  

The Sims 2 (PC)

  "The Sims 2 is a great sequel and a great game in its own right, and it's recommendable to just about anyone."

  - Andrew Park, from GameSpot's Full Review

  

Psychonauts (Xbox)

  "Psychonauts doesn't reinvent the platformer, but it still delivers an experience that feels wholly original in every aspect of its execution."

  - Alex Navarro, from GameSpot's Full Review

  Also on: PC

  

Nexus: The Jupiter Incident (PC)

  "Nexus is an exciting and gorgeous space combat game that should definitely appeal to sci-fi and strategy fans."

  - Jason Ocampo, from GameSpot's Full Review

  

Metal Gear Acid (PSP)

  "Acid's satisfying turn-based strategy is a great fit for Metal Gear's trademark high presentation values and quirky narrative style."

  - Brad Shoemaker, from GameSpot's Full Review

  

Yohoho! Puzzle Pirates (PC)

  "If you like the idea of competitive and cooperative puzzling online, Puzzle Pirates may be just what you're looking for."

  - Alex Navarro, from GameSpot's Full Review

  

Empire Earth II (PC)

  "If you can commit to familiarizing yourself with all of Empire Earth II's nooks and crannies, expect to be rewarded with an enjoyable addiction that will last you weeks, if not months."

  - Brett Todd, from GameSpot's Full Review

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