The Xbox 360 is best known for it’s fast paced first and third person shooters and action titles and one the best of these such games is Gears Of War. Now with a sequel (Gears of War 2), this Epic Games developed sci-fi blockbuster took the 360 to new levels in graphics, gameplay and overall atmosphere.

The game is set in a post apocalyptic earth (yes I know…), where the human race fight a losing battle against a terrifying race called the Locust who have lived under the earth, waiting for their time to strike. Taking up the mantle of “hero” is Marcus Fenix – a previously imprisoned soldier released on special orders to lead his team and take the fight to the Locust Horde. Standard sci-fi shooter plot aside, Epic have created a game that feels like playing through some multi million dollar hollywood action thriller.

Using the Unreal 3 Engine the game has some of the greatest visuals ever seen on the 360 and any other consoles till now, with great special effects such as blood spattering on the screen and huge draw distance. Other great touches include the shaky cam effect when using the sprint button and special use of the Y-button to highlight specific objects and basically “cool” things on screen. The visual style is carried through every section of the game from opening menu to final cut-scene making the game universe feel real and substantial.

With this game Epic managed to create one of the most important and loved franchises on the system, only surpassed by the likes of Halo.

A complete opposite to Gears is the bright and fun world of Viva Piñata. A game featuring brightly colored types of Pinata with confectionary based names doesn’t seem like the most obvious choice for the average 360 owner, but as an Xbox junkie, I would recommend Viva Piñata to anyone. The game places you in the role of gardener in charge of a plot of bare land. Using spades, seed and watering cans you will create your own gardens to lure in different types of Piñata. Each different type has it’s own set of requirements such as a pool of water, plants or even a certain amount of another pinata for food!

During your tenure as gardener you’ll come up against lots of different threats and problems like bad, or sour pinatas or just the fact that you put two of you pinatas together that don’t get on. After a while the game can get quite manic and fairly difficult, but an intuitive dial menu system keeps all needed tools to hand and the different colors and art style keep everything standing out and easy to place. In case your wondering, yes the Piñatas can have children, but for those with young children don’t worry there’s no x-rated material hidden away in this game. When two Piñatas get together they simply have a quick love dance and then a baby Piñata is born.

A great game for all ages and of people of all persuasions, Viva Piñata is fun and easy enough in the beginning for kids and depending on how you play can end up fast paced and difficult for the more mature gamer.

If sci-fi isn’t your thing, and the idea of managing a garden full of sweet filled animal doesn’t float your boat, perhaps you’d enjoy something a bit more knights in shining armor and with a bit more freedom, the world of Oblivion might be for you. Number 4 in the Elder Scrolls series from Bethesda, Oblivion gives players the freedom to roam around in an amazingly rendered world filled with monsters and quests. The game is so free that, if you don’t feel like doing the main quest or the storyline doesn’t grab you straight away you don’t have to, you are completely free. Horses can be bought or stolen, caves can explored, towns robbed and pillaged or you can simply wander around and explore the world.

The game starts with you as a convict in the imperial prison who somehow gets mixed up with the king, given a mysterious prophecy to fulfill and sent on your merry way. Through this opening sequence in the sewers and dungeons beneath the prison you’ll decide on your characters skills and class, eventually learning the rules of the game along the way. Once this is complete, as I say your free to do what you want, although there are limits. For some reason the guards are incredible at catching you out for crimes and you can find yourself in a very difficult dungeon with not much hope of getting back out as the games quests don’t level with you.

Oblivion is a fantastic game which lends itself perfectly to the Xbox cannon along with many others and many different genres and will fit in anyone’s collection just fine.

The vast majority of games on the Xbox 360 are aimed at the late teen, early 20s male market, however Microsoft and its third party developers have been working hard to diversify the available options. Obviously there are numerous titles out there aimed at children, such as the animation movie tie ins and mini game selections. These however aren’t usually up to much and to pick a really good game you need to shop around a bit. But that’s where this brief guide comes in.

The first game to look at is aimed at the younger children’s market and is based on the popular gaming and kids TV show Viva Piñata. This is infact a series of mini games, entitled “Viva Piñata Party Animals” and it does exactly what it says on the tin. Featuring all the characters from the television show including fudgehogs, fizzlybears and horstachios it’s sure to keep young children enthralled with it’s bright colors and simple play structure. The game consists of a selection of games to participate in under the guise of the Party Animals Championship Challenge, with characters aiming to be crowned top pinata.

The game can be played with up to four players either in one room or on Xbox Live and is full of good-natured fun for all.

The gameplay, graphics, sound and presentation is all top notch as you would expect from one of Rare and Microsoft’s collaborations and will no doubt be a great to spend some fun time with the kids.

A game aimed at older children and young adults alike, or at least those who possess a good amount of dexterity is Rock Band. You’ve probably seen the advertisements and think that playing a set of plastic instruments looks a bit silly and pointless, but as soon as you get started in the game you’ll be hooked. Players get the chance to play together as a band or against each other on either drums, guitar or vocals and can even design and personalize their own characters. Obviously the game does take some skill at the higher difficulty levels, but is still wholly enjoyable on the easiest setting.

The price may seem a bit steep but you do get a lot of kit in the box, and they are all quite sturdily put together, so perhaps you’ll need to make this a joint birthday and Christmas present.

Other games which might not on first look seem like normal family titles, but are in fact suitable for all ages are the many different sports games on offer on the 360. Covering many different sports including football, soccer, hockey, basketball and more there really is something for everyone. Nearly every game has the ability to go through a career or league mood with your favorite team, and what could be better or more beautiful than a family playing their way through from pre-season to superbowl in Madden NFL 09. Although if that’s not your thing then each game has a comprehensive versus mode and many others besides.

The 360 may not have the normal family titles you recognize from the other systems, but does give a unique play experience and is probably best suited to older families who like a good bit of competition.