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games_holiday_081216_Xbox360[i++] = new Array("","Introduction","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/081216_HolidayGuide_Xbox360_intro2.hmedium.jpg","","Image: 'Spore'", "", "", "", "", "", "", "Microsoft", "238", "423", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
games_holiday_081216_Xbox360[i-1].body = "<headline/></br><br>First, the bad news. The dreaded &#147;Red Ring of Death&#148; continues to plague Xbox 360 owners. Some reports have put the failure rate of the console at one-third. It's a bummer, because there are so many great games for the console.<br><br>(Msnbc.com is a joint Microsoft - NBC Universal venture.)<br><br>The good news -- provided you're in the lucky majority with a valid warranty -- was that 2008 was another great year for Xbox fans. Not as jam-packed as last year, mind you. But with improved reliability and a new low price of $199, there's no reason to miss the top 10 Xbox 360 games of 2008.<br><br>Check out the list then <a href=\"http://kristink.newsvine.com/_news/2008/12/15/2216934-best-xbox-360-games-of-2008\">tell us which Xbox 360 games</a> were your favorites this year.<br></br><P ALIGN=RIGHT><i>&#8212; Blake Snow</i></P><br><p ALIGN=LEFT><a href=\"http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25128965\"><img src=\"http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_swf/tonytesting/gamewidget/Grab_top5_widget_button.gif\" border=0></a></p>";

games_holiday_081216_Xbox360[i++] = new Array("","'Burnout Paradise'","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/081216_HolidayGuide_Xbox360_burnout.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "Electronic Arts", "238", "423", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
games_holiday_081216_Xbox360[i-1].body = "<headline/></br><br>This game is a lot like \"Grand Theft Auto,\" minus the theft, hookers and controversy. You won't be on foot -- you'll roam the streets at top speeds looking for races, smashing through billboards, getting massive air and doing barrel rolls. And even if you don't land that trick, you're in for a treat when you see your vehicle crash into a million tiny pieces for the first time. ";

games_holiday_081216_Xbox360[i++] = new Array("","'Fallout 3'","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/081216_HolidayGuide_Xbox360_fallout3.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "Bethesda", "238", "423", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
games_holiday_081216_Xbox360[i-1].body = "<headline/></br><br>Let's see: a massive post-apocalyptic setting, multiple endings, absorbing gameplay, and \"Elder Scrolls: Oblivion\" with guns? Yes please. Look, this is <a href=\"http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/28241540#27364663\" target=\"_blank\">one of the best role-playing games</a> for Xbox 360. Nay -- it's one of the greatest RPGs of all time. Easily the most bang for your single-player buck.";

games_holiday_081216_Xbox360[i++] = new Array("","'Rock Band 2'","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/081216_HolidayGuide_Xbox360_rockband.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "MTV Games", "236", "423", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
games_holiday_081216_Xbox360[i-1].body = "<headline/></br><br>When it works, Activision's \"Guitar Hero World Tour\" does a lot to improve the toy instrument band game. But when it comes to reliability, ease of use and multiplayer perfection, the sequel to last year's \"Rock Band\" is still king, and the best party game this side of \"Wii Sports.\" ";

games_holiday_081216_Xbox360[i++] = new Array("","'Gears of War 2'","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/081216_HolidayGuide_Xbox360_gears2.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "Microsoft", "238", "423", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
games_holiday_081216_Xbox360[i-1].body = "<headline/></br><br>If 'Gears 2' (as the cool kids call it) were a movie, it would be <a href=\"http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/28241540#27584689\" target=\"_blank\">the action blockbuster of the year</a>. It won't win any awards. The story is mindless. But there's enough brawn, hostile aliens and gnarly explosions to grow a beard with. And there's friggin' chainsaws strapped to the bottom of machine guns, for crying out loud! ";

games_holiday_081216_Xbox360[i++] = new Array("","'Madden NFL 09'","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/081216_HolidayGuide_Xbox360_madden.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "Electronic Arts", "238", "423", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
games_holiday_081216_Xbox360[i-1].body = "<headline/></br><br>Players hoping for the first, true 'next-gen' Madden didn't get it until this year, three years after the release of the 360. This year's version in no way a reinvents the series, but with proven gameplay, it didn't have to. In addition to shinier graphics, \"Madden 09\" can appeal to both armchair quarterbacks and your uncoordinated uncle. It's the finest game of football to date. ";

games_holiday_081216_Xbox360[i++] = new Array("","'NBA 2K9'","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/081216_HolidayGuide_Xbox360_nba2k9.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "2K Games", "238", "423", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
games_holiday_081216_Xbox360[i-1].body = "<headline/></br><br>While EA rules the pigskin, 2K dominates the basketball court. And \"NBA 2K9\" is no different. Not a lot has changed since \"2K8,\" and the menus are clunky. But once you start the fluid 5-on-5, it's the most authentic depiction of B-ball I've ever seen, even if all the players are prima donnas. ";

games_holiday_081216_Xbox360[i++] = new Array("","'Left 4 Dead'","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/081216_HolidayGuide_Xbox360_left4dead.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "Electronic Arts", "238", "423", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
games_holiday_081216_Xbox360[i-1].body = "<headline/></br><br>The problem with zombies is they make for slow enemies. That can create suspense, but it fails to provide the frenetic pace most gamers prefer. Not so with <a href=\"http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/28241540#27704770\" target=\"_blank\">\"Left 4 Dead.\"</a> This game moves faster than Michael Phelps in pH-balanced water, and forces players to overcome a claustrophobic number of undead with up to four friends. Just don't lose your brains. ";

games_holiday_081216_Xbox360[i++] = new Array("","'Prince of Persia'","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/081216_HolidayGuide_Xbox360_princeofpersia.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "Ubisoft", "238", "423", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
games_holiday_081216_Xbox360[i-1].body = "<headline/></br><br>For a console dominated by brown and gray hues, <a href=\"http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/28241540#27421402\" target=\"_blank\">\"Prince of Persia\"</a> is a sight for sore eyes. It's also a lot of fun, even if it borders on short and easy. If you like jumping from point A to point B in style while thwarting your foes, this is your game. Truly a magical experience. ";

games_holiday_081216_Xbox360[i++] = new Array("","'Fable 2'","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/081216_HolidayGuide_Xbox360_fable.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "Microsoft", "238", "423", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
games_holiday_081216_Xbox360[i-1].body = "<headline/></br><br>Like the first game, \"Fable 2\" is a little big for its britches -- some of the ideas here aren't as fun as they sound. But the role-playing game's openness and widespread appeal should be applauded. And \"Fable 2\" gets it right where it matters most -- combat, potions and environment. A saga if there ever was such a thing. ";

games_holiday_081216_Xbox360[i++] = new Array("","'Grand Theft Auto IV'","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/081216_HolidayGuide_Xbox360_gta4.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "Rockstar Games", "238", "423", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
games_holiday_081216_Xbox360[i-1].body = "<headline/></br><br>Never mind all the baggage that comes with playing \"Grand Theft Auto\" -- the latest successor is one of the most cinematic, satiric and witty video games ever made. It'll make you laugh. It'll make you regret. And it provides hours upon hours of sandbox fun, never letting the sophisticated story or abundant controversy obstruct what's most important -- winning gameplay.<p><a href=\"http://kristink.newsvine.com/_news/2008/12/15/2216934-best-xbox-360-games-of-2008\">Tell us: Which Xbox 360 games topped your list this year?</a>";

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