Gaming's fall flood is an annual tradition in the gaming world that ensures there's plenty to play while hibernating over the winter. But the fact that most of the best video games come out in the months before the holidays also means that they make great Christmas gifts.
There was plenty of quality and diversity to choose from no matter the gaming tastes of your loved ones in 2016.
The video games in this list are all rated teen or rated mature, which means they are recommended for 18 years and up. This is for various reasons ranging from the challenge of gameplay or seriousness of themes like race to a preponderance of ultra violence and salty language or a combination thereof.
If they are at all like me, they may enjoy family-friendly games like "Forza Horizon 3" or "Paper Mario Color Splash," both among this year's standout titles, but we've gathered those into a separate gift guide for kids.
Video Game Gift Guide For Grown-Ups
Pokemon Sun and Moon (3DS)(01 of10)
Rated E for Everyone2016 marked the 20th anniversary of "Pokemon," and the Japanese pocket monsters took over the world once again thanks to "Pokemon Go." But Pikachu and pals need not be trapped in your phone. The new 3DS games are "Pokemon Sun" and "Pokemon Moon," twin releases set 12 hours apart with unique monsters in each. (No need for both but if a sibling or friend is also getting the game, best to get different ones so they can trade Pokemon between them.) The games take place in the new, Hawaii-themed archipelago of Alola and, as ever, will see you exploring the region while catching, training and battling Pokemon and thwarting bad guys. There are dozens of new species and new evolved forms which will mean something to your child if they are anything like mine.As a bonus, there's a lot of text so it will help your younger, card-collecting kids practice reading.
Ratchet & Clank (PS4)(02 of10)
Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and UpMovies based on games are notoriously terrible, and the "Ratchet and Clank" film did suck. BUT this game based on that movie -- which was itself based on Insomniac's popular PS2-era game series about a Lombax mechanic and his tiny robot BFF -- is actually amazing and perfect for younger kids. The diverse platforming controls are tight and the galaxy of planets are cleverly constructed and a blast to explore. The storyline, a reboot of the 2002 original game about how Ratchet and Clank met, joined the Galactic Rangers and defeated Dr Nefarious, is pretty funny and the difficulty adjustable depending on age and experience. But the best part is that the action is so cartoonish that one weapon actually shoots disco balls that make all the alien enemies dance. (credit:Sony)
Lego Dimensions: Year 2 (Multiplatform)(03 of10)
Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Up"Lego Dimensions," which mixes actual Lego bricks and minifigs with a video game, was one of last year's best and just keeps growing. Rather than releasing full-priced new software every year like now-defunct rival "Disney Infinity," Lego's toys-to-life entry instead keeps putting out niche-interest expansion packs.If your family is new to the series you can get the 14-level starter kit, which includes Batman, Gandalf and Wyldstyle from "The Lego Movie" and includes a number of worlds ranging from "The Simpsons" to "Wizard of Oz" to "Back to the Future." If you already own it, though, then you can pick up new Story Packs (featuring six levels) for "Ghostbusters" and "Fantastic Beasts," as well as single-level packs for "Mission Impossible" and "Sonic the Hedgehog," and Team/Fun Packs (which are Lego characters and vehicles you can import into other parts of the game) for "Adventure Time," "Harry Potter," "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial," "The A-Team" and, perfect for Christmastime, "Gremlins." (credit:Warner)
Super Mario Maker (3DS)(04 of10)
Rated E for EveryoneThis critically acclaimed, creativity fuelled Wii U "game design game" has just been ported to Nintendo's 3DS where it works just as well. The award-winning title takes those side-scrolling Super Mario platformers of the past ("Super Mario Bros.," "Super Mario Bros. 3," "Super Mario World" and "New Super Mario Bros.") and hands the assets and tools to players to construct their own levels via the touchscreen.It comes packed with 100 3DS-exclusive levels designed by the experts at Nintendo and you can go online to access the seven million or so courses made on the Wii U version. However, 3DS-created levels can only be shared in person via Local Play or StreetPass. (credit:Nintendo)
Just Dance 2017 (Multiplatform)(05 of10)
Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and UpThere really isn't any better way to get your kids to exercise than by throwing on "Just Dance." Up to four dancers can get down tonight (whoo) and the game is both entertaining and exhausting. Available across all systems from this generation and the last, the game can be played using motion-control devices, a smartphone app or with the Xbox Kinect and PS cameras. The latter are ideal, however, as it means you can play hands-free and it can also record you and play back your best dance moves afterward.The game comes with packed-in songs like DNCE's "Cake by the Ocean," Beyonce's "Single Ladies" and Silento's "Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)." But it also has a Just Dance Unlimited subscription service that lets you access every song the franchise has ever used for a monthly fee, though you do get three months free to start. (credit:Ubisoft)
Forza Horizon 3 (XB1, PS4)(06 of10)
Rated E for EveryoneKids love driving games because they can't drive yet. But too many are racing simulators that care more about realism than fun. This is not one of those. The "Horizon" games turn the track-based main "Forza" series into an open-world adventure where you can switch between exploring aimlessly to racing AI-controlled cars or real people online.This third edition sets itself apart by being set in Australia, a land that offers every ecosystem imaginable. Geography nerds may notice that not everything is in its right place, but who cares when you can hop in an exotic car and cruise along the Great Ocean Road, race the streets of Surfer's Paradise, zoom through the rain forest and head deep into the outback while blasting tunes and besting friends. (credit:Microsoft)
Dragon Quest Builders (PS4, PS3, PS Vita)(07 of10)
Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and UpThis twist on the "Minecraft"-fuelled collecting, crafting and constructing genre adds a single-player Japanese role-playing game narrative to the building blocks-based gameplay. Set in the world of "Dragon Quest," a long-running series by "Final Fantasy" publisher Square Enix, this all-ages sandbox spin-off has you gather raw materials like plants and metals to rebuild the sprawling land of Alefgard, constructing towns in an alternate-reality sequel to the original game where the Dragonlord won and monsters roam the wilds. There's light combat, flexible challenge, cartoonish cube-based graphics and more structure than in "Minecraft," while still allowing for creative gameplay that's accessible for little kids without boring older ones. (credit:Square Enix)
Paper Mario: Color Splash (Wii U)(08 of10)
Rated E for EveryoneNintendo has been playing its Italian plumber card for decades, but it's hard to argue when they continue to put together such creative games from familiar assets.The "Paper Mario" series puts 2D characters in a 3D world, essentially mashing up the original "Super Mario" side-scrollers with the later three-dimensional role-playing games. "Color Splash" adds a literal fresh coat of paint on the proceedings while keeping the combat strategically turn-based.The game more than earns its keep with a comedic script, creative level design and beautiful arts'n'crafts-inspired graphics. (credit:Nintendo)
NHL 17 (PS4, XB1)(09 of10)
Rated E 10+ for Everyone over 10Winter is the perfect time to get into virtual hockey while warming up from outdoor games. Though not a huge leap from past entries, EA Canada has done enough iterations of their NHL series -- this is literally their 26th edition -- to nail the gameplay while the graphics are better than they've ever been.It's a great on-couch multiplayer experience for friends and family members, as well as online co-op and competitive modes, but the game's improved AI has the computer-controlled teams making it as realistic as possible.There are also enough modes, from the trading card-based Hockey Ultimate Team and the upgraded "Be a GM" to the World Cup of Hockey tournament and fantasy hockey Draft Champions to team building and arena creating, to satisfy even the nerdiest hockey nerd. (credit:Electronic Arts)
World of Final Fantasy (PS4, PS Vita)(10 of10)
Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and UpWhile the older-skewing "Final Fantasy 15" will be more up your teenage gamers' alley, this "World of" entry is purposely built as an entry point to bring younger players into the series. This was accomplished in terms of both more accessible gameplay and character design that can be switched between a big-headed "chibi" look and a more traditional anime appearance.The game is set in Grymoire and features classic towns, monsters and characters from across the decades-old series while being a stand-alone spin-off. The combat is turn-based, which means it's based on strategy, not reflexes, and lets you switch between the brother and sister characters at will. (credit:Square-Enix)