To quote my annual introduction to this article, it's the most wonderful time of the year...again. With the holidays quickly approaching -- and already here for our Jewish friends -- stress levels are at all-time highs, especially if you have not finished finding gifts for your loved ones. But have no fear, for the third straight year I'm here to help with my annual sports gaming buyers' guide.

This year has been a great one for sports gaming, but this has unfortunately led to some games not receiving the recognition they deserve. So read on to find out which of these overlooked titles should be picked up for your loved ones.

As described in my review of the game, NHL Slapshot is a helluva great time. Utilizing a great Wii controller peripheral, Slapshot finds a nice balance between hockey simulation and arcade action. The best part of the game is the incredibly addictive Pee Wee to Pros mode. Gamers will spend hours leveling up their Pro, starting from his days on the pond, and the overall experience is actually more enjoyable than NHL 11's Be a Pro mode. Gamers would be lucky to receive this game as a present, especially if they live with multiple people and can enjoy the frantic offline action.

Pick up a points card for a couple friends with the stipulation that they download this gem. While the game does not have the NFL/NFLPA license, it is a re-skinned version of the exceptional Super Tecmo Bowl that was released on the SNES. The one major difference between the two versions is that this one has online play With the option to play the game in glorious HD or old-school pixels at the touch of a button, the game will please young and old fans alike. It also does not hurt that the gameplay is classic Tecmo Bowl. Personally, this game is still seeing more time on my TV than Madden this year, and for $10 it's a complete steal.

Sure, I got my jock handed to me in an EA Sponsored Mystic 3 Live Broadcast -- and disappointed Chase Becotte in the process -- but even so, I can't seem to stop playing EA Sports MMA. This game is perfect for anyone mildly interested in MMA or fighting games. Sporting smooth controls, beautiful graphics and an online suite that is revolutionary, EA MMA is one of the best playing sports games of 2010. Due to poor sales numbers I'm sure you will be able to find the game at a bargain price, which makes it an easy decision to pick up for any gamer on your list.

Another game that is suffering the same sales fate as EA Sports MMA is NBA Jam Wii. It's a shame too as this game is actually a better overall experience than its HD little brother -- mainly because of the game's intuitive motion-control scheme. The lack of online play stings, but if the person you are buying this for has an ample amount of family and friends that can play the game as well, you will be celebrated for giving the gift of Jam.

Yes, the World Cup is over, and yes, I know FIFA 11 released after this game, but none of that matters in my eyes as FIFA WC 10 is still the best FIFA title to be released since FIFA 10. If there is a person on your gift list that loves soccer and does not care about soccer leagues and teams outside of the respective national divisions, this game is a must buy. The game has dropped in price dramatically since FIFA 11 was released, and the various World Cup related modes are deep enough to keep a gamer busy for months. Buying FIFA WC 10 should be a goal for anyone shopping for a soccer gamer; it would be quite the score come Christmas morning (terrible puns intended).

Got a gamer on your list that you think needs to lose a few pounds? Too afraid to tell him and want to trick them into working out? If so, EA Sports Active 2 is your game. The game is pretty pricey, but just think about the money you will be saving the person in gym fees by giving him this item. Active 2 will kick your butt, and it makes working out fun -- that's a gift that keeps on giving. Another great candidate in the workout category this year is Your Shape Fitness Evolved from Ubisoft, but that is only for those out there with Kinect-enabled 360s.

Wrapping It Up

So there you have it, five games that flew under the radar that are perfect gifts for sports gamers young and old. Just remember, the holidays are about joy and cheer, and nobody wants to be stuck with a sub-par sports game as a present. Even though outstanding games like NBA 2K11 and NHL 11 may have stolen a lot of the thunder from the above games, they are all great gifts that will make any sports gamer happy. Be a hero this holiday season -- give the gift of a great sports game.

Happy holidays everyone.


Christian McLeod is a senior staff writer here at Operation Sports. An avid fan of the holidays and claymation Christmas movies, you can currently find him hunkered in his basement watching Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer while baking gingerbread. Follow him on Twitter @Bumble14_OS, talk with him here on the forums at Bumble14, or challenge him on XBL/PSN via Bumble14.