While there's no shortage of Xbox 360 games suitable to all-ages and skill levels, the boffo 'box that Bill built is best known as a hardcore gamer's system. So it follows that this season's more pined-for titles are duly geared to the core-hardened.

To wit:

Forza Motorsport 3 ($50)
The third outing for Microsoft's seminal car and driver simulation, Forza Motorsport 3 is a demonstrative to the innate power and glory of the Xbox 360 properly harnessed. It's simply the best looking race game of the season and the most comprehensive in both play modes and car content. Surprisingly, it's also the easiest to play - if "easy" is your thing - thanks to a great many driver assist and one-click tune-up options. Of course, it wouldn't be a Forza game if it weren't thorny and ornery, nuanced and intricate as all get out for those who prefer realism to the nth degree. Likewise, online modes offer a plethora of real aficionados and easy-going hobbyist both, all ready to race.

Rated Everyone (6+) for Mild Lyrics


Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 ($60)
Modern Warfare 2 is not only the hottest game of the holiday, it's easily the most controversial. It throws players into modern day soldiering scenarios involving quasi-terrorism cum what-if-war, including attacks on US soil and complicity if not active participation in the slaughter of innocent bystanders. While the "story" has more in common with Transformer than, say, Redacted, it's all presented with such audio/visual super-fidelity that Modern Warfare 2 certainly deserves the stir, for better or worse. But that a videogame can so easily cause the suspension of disbelief so as to rile and/or amaze is not only a meritorious technical achievement, but perhaps a testament to game developer intrepidness. Or tastelessness. The thing is, in the face of some many great shooting games found on Xbox 360, Modern Warfare 2 is not outstanding, it's just standing out as the season's big huge new game with a tad more buzz than the rest. Regardless, it's well worth owning.

Rated Mature (17+) for Blood, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Language


Halo 3: ODST ($50)
As the Halo franchise is emblematic of Microsoft's triumphant rise in the console space, Halo 3: ODST is an essential companion to any Xbox 360 found under a tinsel laden tree this year. While it's the latest in the series of space marines vs aliens shoot-'em-ups (my, that sounds trite, but it's actually quite immersive), ODST is straightforward and comparatively easy, making it an excellent primer for the multiplayer mayhem enjoyed by millions online, all of whom will promptly hand you your butt in a sling until you get up to speed about a year from now.

Rated Mature (17+) for Blood, Language, Violence