Although the big news this year is all about the Xbox 360, the original Xbox remains a solid choice. Microsoft's debut console has acquired a considerable volume of software, and is very strong for first-person shooters and action-adventure games. Among the current generation of systems, it's also the most powerful, so any cross-platform games usually turn out the best on the Xbox.
If you're still stuck for gift ideas, consider a 12-month subscription to Microsoft's online multiplayer service, Xbox Live. The same account can be used for both regular Xbox and 360 games, so if the recipient gets a 360 later on, they'll be able to get the most from your gift.
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Half-Life 2
Arguably the best game of all time for the PC -- and certainly the most technologically advanced -- Half-Life 2 somehow makes its way over to the Xbox with all its groundbreaking features intact. Half-Life 2 creates a believable world set in a grim future where aliens govern humanity, and has the most realistic representation of physics and facial animation ever. It loses some graphical clarity and performance quality in the transition, but the title remains a landmark in gaming. This is a shoe-in as the best gift choice for Xbox action gamers who don't stray onto the PC.
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Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory
Drawing its inspiration from Tom Clancy's world of international espionage, action, and intrigue, this sneaky action-stealth game combines satisfying combat with edge-of-your-seat suspense. Players will appreciate the new, open-ended levels, which can be tackled using a number of different strategies. It's gorgeous-looking, and has a well-featured, popular, and entertaining multiplayer mode over Xbox Live to boot. It'd be hard to go wrong with this -- unless, of course, they already have it.
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Forza Motorsport
Forza proved itself as the best pure racing game in a year that saw no shortage of competition. It's outstanding over Xbox Live and on your own, includes a huge range of features for tuning, tweaking, and customizing your ride, and has convincing physics that don't make life too hard on the player. Check out the Fanatec Speedster 3 ForceShock steering wheel controller for even more realism.
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Psychonauts
Journey deep into the world of the mind in this outstanding action-mystery-platformer blend from legendary designer Tim Schafer. Inexplicably, Psychonauts didn't make much of an impact on the charts, so there are plenty of Xbox owners out there who've missed out on this instant classic. It's perfect for that hard-to-buy-for gamer that has (almost) everything.
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Jade Empire
Set in a fantasy world based on Chinese legend, Jade Empire is a role-playing game with a twist: the combat owes more to fighting games like Tekken than the boring dice-rolling you might have seen in other games. It looks gorgeous, the supporting characters are a hoot, and the plot has more than enough meat to keep you playing right through to the end.
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Far Cry: Instincts
Desert islands make ideal vacation getaways, but for Jack Carver, the star of this outstanding first-person shooter, they're home to armies of mercenaries, crazy scientists, and a very strange transformation. It's all rather like an Xbox version of the TV series Lost, except with a lot less head-scratching and a lot more shooting.
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Brothers in Arms: Earned in Blood
If you caught the HBO series Band of Brothers, you'll have some idea what to expect from this fantastic World War II shooter. With the burden of a couple of squads of men under your command, Brothers in Arms requires more thought than most other shooters, and its realistic presentation is sure to impress any history buff.
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Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath
Like Psychonauts, this quirky sci-fi-western action game didn't sell well when it released, so it's unlikely the recipient will already have a copy. It's gorgeous to look at, and light on the frustration, so while experienced gamers might blow through it quickly, younger or less practiced ones should find it both engaging and classy. Don't be a stranger to this one.
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SSX On Tour
As the snow piles up outside, your loved ones might be glad of the chance to enjoy their favorite winter sports without braving the cold weather. SSX On Tour features races and trick contests on both skis and snowboards, an outstanding soundtrack that's among the year's best, and a fantastic sense of visual design and identity.
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Madden NFL 2006
This updated classic needs little introduction. Thanks to its publisher's exclusive deal with the NFL, it's the only football game on the market that's even worth considering. Luckily, it's more than adequate to fit the needs of any gridiron fan, combining excellent graphics with an updated roster and all-new passing controls with top gameplay in both single and multiplayer modes. You can't go wrong with it.
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Star Wars: Battlefront II
Perfect for Star Wars aficionados, Battlefront II drops the lucky player straight into the middle of many of the battles from the hit movies. Up to 24 players are supported over Xbox Live, and with many of the much-loved vehicles from the Star Wars universe included, the action is fast and addictive. Single-player isn't so good, so skip it if the intended recipient isn't into Xbox Live gaming.
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