X-Box not just for PLAYERS...

[HurriCat]

There is a great aspect of the X-Box that should be considered. You can set most of the sports games to where the machine basically plays itself. With a great game like Madden NFL 2006, you get this incredible game that is like watching the regular ones during the season. I'm serious - you can pick the teams you want, the weather and more. The graphics are great and the game plays out realistically and unpredictably.

The person doesn't have to be a PLAYER to do this, and they also can learn a lot more about the game and the plays. It's like having a year-round season - or at least a good filler until "next year".

WARNING: In my opinion, the World Series of Poker game for the PC is absolutely terrible. My machine easily exceeds the requirements to run the game. The problems are that the interface screens are awkward, the player figures are like zombies, and the commentary is super-repetitive. Also, all of the players do this little rythmic "dance" where they all do this tiny little lurch to and fro in perfect unison. I should have known, because this game was already marked down at Target. Fortunately, I went "all in" for just fourteen bucks.

With any game or gaming system - do some homework. Look for online REVIEWS by customers. I've never been steered wrong.

[brunota2003]

You can do that on the PS2 to, I've done it, but IMO, if its not a real football game, then its no fun to watch, must play...

[P.K.]

You can do that with PES4 (Easily the best game on the PS2 before PES5 which I haven't bought yet) on the PS2.

Are they having X box supply problems for the new one over there like here after going on sale the other day? (Not that I'd ever buy one)

[HurriCat]

You can do that on the PS2 to, I've done it, but IMO, if its not a real football game, then its no fun to watch, must play...

Of course! Die-hard fans need the real-deal, and many folks want to play the games, period. For me, though - and I bet for a lot of others - watching this game unfold was absolutely entertaining. My experience is with X-Box and PC games, but I am sure that the games can be set this way with all of the gaming systems.

So far, I find the football games to be great to watch. The EA NHL ones are good, but I am a real die-hard and will watch ANY hockey. I have a feeling that the baseball and basketball titles would be really good for just watching the action. This is also good "background filler" when I'm writing or drawing - kind of gives that Sunday afternoon feel to the den.

I wanted to offer this as maybe a gift idea for that hard-to-buy-for-person. Some dads and maybe moms just aren't gamers, but they might still have fun setting up games and watching them play out. I bet that some folks - say retired or otherwise shut-in - would find a lot of entertainment this way.