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This entry is really meant as a companion to our upcoming Ten Best DS Game Gifts and Ten Best Wii Game Gift lists, but you may also find it interesting or useful even if you don't end up buying games off of either list. Basically, it's just some pointers on how to go about buying games for different types of gamers so you get big smiles on Christmas morning instead of confused frowns. It also explains how most gamers fit into one of three basic categories, and how to use that knowledge to simplify the process of gift-giving.

The Basics

The trick to buying games for a gamer is, basically, to figure out what they want and then get it for them. (This is harder than it sounds.)

It's best if your gamer asks for a game by name, but don't expect it to always happen. Someone who really likes games may be able to name half-a-dozen titles they'd like just off the top of their head. So if you're trying to buy a game for someone, you may find it best to be guided by your gamer's general tastes. If you go this route, make sure you have a way of figuring out what's in your gamer's collection before you buy. If you aren't absolutely sure a game isn't a dupe of something she or he already owns, then be sure to include the receipt so your gamer can return it. It's also important not to break open the shrinkwrap.

Once you know roughly what games you want to buy, then it's time to decide whether to buy new or used. For some games, buying used at a GameStop or via e-bay can save a lot of money and leave you with more cash to spend on other presents. The downside to buying used for DS titles is that it means there may be save game data already on the cart, and your gamers need to make sure they delete it before starting their own games.

Some gamers also object to receiving used games as gifts on a "moral" basis. Basically, when you buy a new game, the game's creators get a cut of the sale. If you buy a used game, all of the profit goes to the store or seller and the game creators see nothing. If your gamer is sensitive about this, it's worth going out of your way to buy new. Note that all of the titles we recommend on the top ten lists are still easy to find new at just about any retailer that sells games.

The Three Types of Gamer

When you're trying to buy for your gamer and don't have specific titles to look for, then you want to spend some time thinking about what type of gamer she or he is. To make things simpler, we sat around for awhile arguing and ended up dividing gamers into three basic types. For our shopping lists, we tag each game with a Type category to make it obvious what kind of gamer would probably like it the most. Here's a breakdown of the three types the way we see it. If you see it different, check out the disclaimer at the the end.

Serious gamers are people who invest lots of time and effort into mastering their games. They prefer to play long, challenging games that demand either lots of patience and strategy, or quick reflexes and memorization skills. To a Serious gamer, depth and replay value are very important factors in how much they'll enjoy a title. Serious gamers usually enjoy playing with lots of other players online, competitively or cooperatively, since that draws out the enjoyment of the game. They also tend to enjoy very difficult games that other kinds of players could find offputting.

Casual gamers are just that, people who like to game as a little time-sink between other daily tasks. Even if they play games every day, it's probably only for an hour or two at most. They enjoy socializing in games whenever possible, but tend to dislike competitive or cooperative games that demand serious investments of time or effort. To the casual gamer, playing games is about relaxing, having fun, and not taking things too seriously. A casual gamer usually prefers their titles to be abstract or open-ended, since "completing" games isn't really a concern. Too much story or complexity can seem overwhelming.

Kids play video games for a variety of reasons that aren't quite like those older gamers pursue. Often their time with a video game is best enjoyed if it's part of a rich fantasy life, that lets them imagine faraway worlds or activities they won't master "for real" until they are much older. Kids tend to be very quick-witted and have sharp reflexes, so they can enjoy more complexity and depth than a casual gamer. This said, they rarely take their gaming seriously. As long as the game contains elements that spark and satisfy the child's imagination, they'll keep playing it for ages with no regard for the idea of "progressing" or winning.

There are definite relationships between the tastes of these three broad groups of gamers. Generally speaking...

Serious gamers frequently enjoy Casual games, since they can serve as excellent tests of reflexes and can satisfy when playing a more complex game isn't possible. They tend not to enjoy Kids' games, often finding them too easy or the presentation dissatisfying.

Casual gamers usually enjoy Kids' games, especially if they can share the gaming experience with young relatives or their own children. They usually don't care for Serious games, finding them "too hard" or simply uninteresting. This is especially true of games with high difficulty levels, overblown storylines, or complex controls.

Kids usually have enough skill to enjoy Serious games, although they probably won't be as good at them as older gamers. Usually Serious games have plenty of imaginative fantasy elements that appeal to young minds. Kids tend not to like Casual games, which are likely to feel too abstract or boring.

Note that taste in games can be a very individual thing, and each group is going to contain plenty of exceptiions to the basic rules. Plenty of Serious gamers are happy to play Kids games, provided they're well-made and inventive. Kids with left-brain tendencies are likely to enjoy abstract Casual games. Some Serious titles may appeal to Casual gamers, if the basic gameplay style is easy to pick up. Ultimately, just try to keep what you know about the person you're buying for in mind.

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