Ah, the holidays. A time of giving, a time of joy, but most of all, a time to get excited about what you are going to find under the tree on Christmas morning. As excited as us adults get to unwrap presents (specifically video games we ask for) this time of year, there is one key demographic that is even more excited about what they are going to find under the tree -- the kiddies.

With Christmas fast approaching and Hannukah already upon us, I thought it would be a good idea to compile a last-minute buyer's guide for all the little sports gamers out there. These are the titles the little ones will love because of the sheer amount of fun they provide, but most of all, they are the games that will provide the youngsters with a solid sports-gaming foundation.

A solid foundation is what will lead to our youth playing quality games as they grow up -- instead of throwing their money away on the next Barbie Horse Adventure game, or pet simulator.

If you have not purchased one of these games already, get out to your local gaming-retailer pronto. If you do not, you will be forever haunted by the ghosts of gaming's past, present and future you Scrooge!

SSX Blur (Wii)

Not only does this game feature slick Wii controls, it is a pretty darn good snowboarding game. It is a blast to carve down a hill using your Nunchuk controller while using your Wii Remote to pull off tricks and other stunts. The game is extremely user friendly, and is the type of game the whole family can pick up and play. One of the best things going for SSX, though, is its bargain-bin price. Released in 2007, this game can be found ranging anywhere from $19.99-$29.99 -- try to find it in store if you can, it is a little pricier online.

The game itself is full of unlockable content (characters, runs, tricks), so it will no doubt keep the little ones busy well into '09. This is one of the best SSX games ever released, and one of the best Wii games available right now for all ages.

Madden 09 All-Play (Wii)

It does not matter if you are a hardcore Madden player or casual fan, there is no denying the fact that Madden 09 All-Play is an outstanding title for all ages. EA took a terrific motion-control scheme, polished up the graphics engine, and added some Wii-specific modes, such as the ability to draw up and "call your play," to craft what is essentially a kid-friendly Madden game that anyone can enjoy. What makes Madden 09 All-Play so great, though, is that it has a tremendous amount of depth to keep the more "sim"-invested kid happy, but will also satisfy the kid who just wants to play some arcade-style football.

This game is high on my list of football titles released this season on all systems, and is an excellent choice for any youngster with an interest in the sport.

NHL 09 (360/PS3)

What makes NHL 09 so great is the inclusion of the NHL 94 control scheme. While the default scheme may be a bit complicated for youngsters to grasp, the ability to switch the controls back to the classic face-button routine allows the kiddies to fully appreciate this game and all it has to offer. Great graphics, slick gameplay and tons of features and modes make NHL 09 one of the best sports titles to date. Kids will love this one because of the simplicity of the NHL 94 control scheme and the fast-paced action on the ice.

If you have got a little one that is a fan of hockey or a fan of fast-paced, easy to pick-up-and-play sports games, then NHL 09 is the game for you.

Tiger Woods 09 (360/Wii/PS3)

I am about to shock the world here with my next statement, but I feel pretty strongly about it: Tiger for the 360 and PS3 is a better choice for younger gamers than the Wii version. My personal opinion is that little tykes understand pulling the analog stick back to swing, and do not fully appreciate the intricacies of the one-to-one swinging motion on the Wii -- at least not as much as older more seasoned golf veterans do. Face it, kids just want to hit the ball. They do not really care about watching their wrists so they do not slice the ball like us old fogeys do.

Regardless of the system, TW 09 offers younger players a relatively simple gameplay mechanic and a pretty robust feature set. Create-a-golfer will keep everyone busy through the holidays, and the ability to play online without really having to worry about cheesers, glitchers and the whole dirty online underbelly, is a huge plus for the little gamers.

Tiger 09 should find its way under every young gamer's tree this year, no matter what console it is played on. To not do so would be depriving our precious youth of a simple and solid gameplay experience.

Boom Blox (Wii)

While technically not a "sports" title, Boom Blox involves some pretty "sports-like" motions and movements, so I am lumping it into this buyer's guide. The reason I am putting Boom Blox into this category is because the game feels like some sort of alternative sports game where strategy, quick thinking and physical prowess all combine to accomplish the game's goals. Not only is the game a family friendly puzzle game, but it is a pretty intense game of ball throwing/pseudo bowling.

I highly recommend this game for any youngster, or anyone looking for a great game on the Wii. Any game that makes me solve puzzles and tap into my squash skills is worthy of the "sports game" moniker. The game encourages destructive problem solving and works on your arm strength, what more could a kid want?

Mario Kart Wii (Wii)

This is the premiere game that should be under the tree for the kids this Christmas, and for good reason. Simply put, this is the most addictive, fun and adrenaline-inducing racing game ever released. The Mario Kart series will go down in history as one of the greatest franchises of all time, and Mario Kart Wii is the culmination of every incarnation of the series -- the actual title of the game should be Mario Kart's Greatest Hits. The simplicity of the game will allow even the youngest players to enjoy themselves, yet the complexity of some of the challenges will leave the more experienced child gamers pulling their hair out. This game has something for everyone, and is the type of game that encourages full family participation.

Kids will not be able to put the controller down and neither will adults -- this game is just that much fun. Add in the ability to play online, and you have got not just one of the best kid's games of the year, but one of the best games of all time.


Feel free to add your own kid-friendly sports titles in the comment section, and add to my buyer's guide.

Make sure you do not disappoint the youth this holiday season. Not only are they our future, but they are also the future of sports gaming. Be sure to expose them to good games, and maybe we can avoid the next great Pokemon epidemic. Allowing our kids to fall into a gaming trap again would only leave me with one thing to say: "Bah Humbug!"

Happy Holidays Everyone!