Story Published:
Dec 3, 2007 at 10:21 PM MDT
Story Updated:
Dec 8, 2007 at 7:36 PM MDT
By
Rick Montañez
Christmas is only 3 weeks away, so if you haven't started shopping you might be a little behind. Don't worry if you still need gifts or ideas, all week long Eyewitness News will be bringing you a Channel 3 Gift Guide to ease the stress of shopping.
Today is all about video games. It used to be that teens were the focus of video games, but now they're targeted at the whole family. Tonight we show you interactive video games, plus a different way to shop on the budget.
"Nintendo Wii, Rock Band and Guitar Hero 3, those are definitely the 3 big, in demand items as far as the gaming world goes this Christmas," says Jason Strawn of Best Buy.
"The closer you get to Christmas the harder its gonna be to find the real hot items," says Matt Larsen of CD World.
Back in the day, video games usually used a joystick or controller, now, it's a guitar, drums or hand held pointer.
"Rock band is very interactive, Rock band has a set of drums and guitar that it comes with so you actually play the drums," says Strawn. "The Wii has really had a lot of popularity gained with older people, families, I think that's why they've sold so many of them, is they've had some unexpected success with some of the people that they weren't necessarily marketing the product to."
And for the shopper on a budget, how about buying used, or selling some old items.
"If somebody was on a budget, they could bring the games in and trade 'em and get different products, be it Cd's DVD's on video games," says Larsen. "If you're tired of the games you own or your Cd's or DVD's you can trade that in and even put it toward a gift certificate if you wanted to."
While many games are about violence, there are alternatives, which are better for the whole family.
"Most of the time Nintendo puts out games that are gonna be for a little younger generation," added Strawn.
But if you hit the road often, travel games have also spiked up in sales.
"The popularity of some of the travel games is increasing because the screens are getting larger, resolution is getting better," says Strawn.
Most of those games will cost you anywhere from $100 to $300.Both CD world and Best buy are out of the wii. A good way to find out when stores are getting items back in stock is by checking the Sunday sales papers.
All this week, Channel 3 will be going to different stores to bring you fun and interesting gift ideas, if you have any you'd like to share email Rick at rickm@kidk.com
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