Valentine’s Day is upon us yet again. Whether you’re single, in a relationship or just have a vendetta against Hallmark, it’s inescapable. Candy hearts will rain from the skies, and the streets will run white with teddy-bear stuffing.
Other forms of mass hysteria occur only one day out of the year, so suck it up and deal with it.
For those who actually enjoy Valentine’s Day, or for gamers with significant others, I’d be remiss if I didn’t write a column just for you.
Every game isn’t a single-player campaign, and not all girls hate video games. Let’s break some stereotypes and take a look at a few games to play while cuddling on the couch, if only to leave the single people alone.
“Kirby’s Epic Yarn”
Console: Wii
The pink puffball who eats bad guys and swings a mean hammer is one of Nintendo’s best creations, and his newest game, released in October, is cuteness incarnated. Transporting the character into a world made of yarn and buttons, Kirby fights threaded bad guys by using his mighty line of yarn, unraveling himself into different forms. Two-player co-op is a great way to get your girlfriend into this game, and there’s an incredibly easy level that’s beginner-friendly.
“Dance Central”
Console: Kinect for Xbox 360
Mark my words: If the Kinect takes off like the Wii did, this will be the new No. 1 party game. “Rock Band” developers have released a game that’s fun to play only with other people. The dance moves are well-choreographed, and the Kinect senses motion to an annoyingly precise degree. But the game doesn’t become truly great until the Kinect’s camera comes into play. It’s a sneaky little bitch that records the player while he or she is dancing — during the freestyle sections, playing them back for all to see. After a few days of your girlfriend making fun of your lame-ass attempt to booty shake, you’ll be praying for a breakup.
“Call of Duty: Black Ops”
Console: All
Because the “Halo” franchise is officially finished, “Call of Duty” has become the great unifier of this console generation. No matter your preferred genre, it’s hard to turn down an opportunity to score some headshots and to blow stuff up. I’ve known plenty of girls who love playing “Black Ops” on Xbox Live, and the best relationships are about sharing what you love. If you’re a hardcore guy with a kill ratio better than some Navy SEALs or a girl who just enjoys venting, “Black Ops” could be a great way to spend Valentine’s Day. Who needs a heart-shaped box when you can kill communists?
