Video game gifts: From DiRTy fun to crazy rabbits, there's a game for all stockings

Do you want to rock? I say, do you want to rock?!

Well, the video game industry wants to rock this Christmas season with a tidal wave of new titles for all systems. And the competition among the top gaming systems means there's something out there for everyone.

Video games are a multi-billion-dollar industry, and sales are getting a boost this time of year, a sure-to-please gift to fill that stocking. But with hundreds and hundreds of titles, it's a little intimidating to try and pick that perfect game.

Guitar Hero III seems to be the hot number for video game gift-giving this year. It was created to appeal to all the kids — whether they're 9 or 90. Built to work on a variety of platforms, you won't actually become a master musician, but you'll learn a little something about coordination and timing. And you'll have a blast.

There's plenty for sports fans, whether your game is football, racing or skateboarding. And while there's not much that's completely new in the genre, most of the old favorites have some innovations in the latest versions.

For handheld games, such as PSP and DS, plan on shelling out around $30. For next-generation platforms, like Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, new titles run a steep $60.

The manufacturers have also come up with some nice technological add-ons, like the inexpensive recharger for the Nintendo Wii remote (about $15). Or you can go for the new, "classic white" PlayStation2 console, a big departure from the typical black one, bundled and ready to go for $150 this holiday season.

The new PSP 2000 is slightly lighter and smaller, but that's all that's really changed.

We've sifted through the stacks of video games, taking one more look at the dozens we've reviewed this year, including some hot new titles, to compile a list of our favorites to help you stuff those stockings. We've divided them by ratings and alphabetized them.

For 2007, may we recommend:

E for Everyone

Beautiful Katamari (PS3, Xbox 360; Namco) Take a whacky spin on this Japanese cult classic. Roll a magic ball and gather up objects to make as big a ball of junk as you can within the time limit. See if you can make a ball the size of a planet!

Crush (PSP; Sega) Shift between 2-D and 3-D environments in this story-driven puzzler. This game is bound to shift your point of view.

DiRT (PS3, Xbox 360; Codemasters) DiRT is easily the best racing game for the Xbox 360. Sure, some areas could have been better — particularly when it comes to tweaking vehicles. There is no other racing game that can compete with DiRT in terms of tracks and landscapes. Most racing games feature a track that you circle over and over again. Many tracks in DiRT are one very long lap through varied terrain. DiRT is a blast.