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Top 5 Games To Play On Valentines Day

I don't think we have a more divisive holiday in a year more than Valentines Day. Or as some refer to it as 'V-Day'. For those who have a significant other, Valentines Day can have a two-prong effect. Either it's a momentous occasion with rose petal adorned bedrooms, and romantic filled evenings. For others it's a stressful day with someone trying their best to please the other, and getting all worked up over it in the process. For those without a partner, we (yes we … :( ) tend to just walk around with a huge middle finger up in the air.

If you're looking to buck the Valentine's Day trend, or if you have a girl/boy-friend that's just uber cool why not give gaming a chance? There's games out there that can bring two souls together, and become one. You just gotta know where to look.

Wii Blog Top 5 Valentine's Day Games

5. House of the Dead

Before playing House of the Dead: Overkill, I nearly forgot the fun that on-rail shooters can bring to the gaming world. The simple nature of aiming a reticule at a screen and blowing the face off of a zombie just has an endearing charm to it that will more than likely never get old.

House of the Dead
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Of course, what does seeing zombie brains blow up have to do with Valentine's Day? The visuals of a zombie explosion might not get the romantic juices flowing, but the co-op aspect that an on-rails shooter brings definitely can.

Ladies, if your man is challenged 'gaming wise' then a shooter is the best way to start. All that is required is being able to aim at the screen and pull the trigger. Same goes for guys who have a girlfriend who isn't into gaming. When trying to find a game that can be enjoyed by both partners, it's vital that you keep it simple. There's nothing more simple, yet fun than a pure shooter. Plus, you've got mutants to cap in the face. Trust me, he/she will love it.

4. Mario Kart

With the rest of today's list, you'll notice an overlying trend. The games you should be playing on Valentine's Day should involve competition on some sort of level. If you play your cards right, competing with your significant other can bring about a very fruitful romance. You just have to know how to keep it within reason. Meaning, don't jump up and get your lover's face because you won a race. Keep it light, and fun.

Mario Kart is a game that is made purely on the aspect of competition. There's racing, kart sabotage by way of items, and then the always loved 'Battle Mode'. If you want to keep the V-Day gaming session going for a long period of time, then Mario Kart is definitely the game to look into. With the variety of modes, and the want of trying to improve your kart driving skills, Mario Kart can keep you gaming for hours on end.

Mario Kart blue spikey shell
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With my #5 pick I didn't pick a particular game in the House of the Dead series to play. I feel the same with Mario Kart as well. It all depends on what kind of control you feel comfortable with. If you're at peace with the Super Nintendo, then play some of the original Mario Kart. I would recommend from newcomers that you play Mario Kart: Wii. Using motion control I've noticed is much easier to pick up, than using the d-pad, or analog stick.

3. Street Fighter II

Street Fighter II, is the game on my list that I recommend if the person you're playing with is into games. For newcomers, Street Fighter II can be an overwhelming experience. There's a subtle poetry to Street Fighter games that can take awhile to pick up and understand. You don't want your boo all frustrated on Cupid Day, for the wrong reasons.

Chun-Li
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If you do have a game savvy partner, then Street Fighter brings a competitive edge that few other titles can muster. First, the direct one-on-one competition creates a spark that can really build the adrenaline and get the blood flowing.

The fast, and kinetic nature of Street Fighter makes sure that the action never stops. From beginning to end, of a fight you have to be quick, and on your toes to be successful.

Another aspect that I think is overlooked when it comes to Street Fighter is the breadth of options in terms of fighters. Yes, we all know the extensive amount of characters the Street Fighter universe has. I think what it truly brings is a sense of identity, and a security one has from choosing a character. If you're playing with someone you're close with, you want them to feel comfortable, and who doesn't feel comfortable with Chun-li's thighs. Or for the real freaks out there, Blanka's massive chest hair, and green skin.

2. Tetris Attack

With my #2 pick, I'll give you an insight into how I generally create my Top 5 lists. Usually, I open up notepad and type the numbers 1-5. I will run through all the games that make sense for the list in my head. Then I somehow come up with why one game should be placed over another in a list. Then I'll write up a summary, and share with you why it is at its position.

I'm telling you this, because Tetris Attack was originally going to be my #1 choice. As I was writing my summaries for #2, and #1, I found that Tetris Attack was lacking a key component over the other so I had to make a switch. That's quite a unprecedented event on WiiBlog.

Ok, you probably don't care about any of that, so let's move on to why Tetris Attack should be an option for you to play on Valentine's Day.

Thinking back on all the games I've had friendly competition with over the years, none can compare to Tetris Attack. There's something about taking the simple formula of Tetris, turning on its head and allowing for you to compete with others that still hasn't been matched to this day. Tetris alone might be fun, but playing against someone else will either bring you closer or just leave somebody pissed.

Tetris Attack should come with a warning attached to it. While you'll find no better game for competing with someone against, it can drive the emotions into overload. This is coming from personal experience.

Tetris Attack is probably the most obscure game on my list, so allow me to give a brief synopsis of its multiplayer gameplay. The basics of the game are very simlar to Tetris. As different colored blocks fall to the bottom of the screen, you have to line them up to keep the stage clear. How Tetris Attack differs, is that you're competing with someone else to see who can stay alive the longest. As you create long combinations of block-clearing, you drop 'garbage' into the other player's screen. It acts as a blocker, and leads to the person's screen being filled faster.

This gameplay component of sabotaging your opponent is what really drives the competitive nature of the game. I mentioned before, that you should be warned about Tetris Attack. It has a great competitive spirit, but can really lead to backlash.

You'll be walking a thin line while playing, but you have a great chance of reaping romantic reward if you play it right. Of course the old saying rings true, 'the greater the risk, the greater the reward'.

1. Wii Sports

After all my years of gaming, I've always had a game that I play if I want to introduce someone into the world of gaming. It takes a keen set of attributes to recommend a title. First, it has to be simple. When someone fires up a video game for the first time, you don't want them throwing a control around because of some frustrating control layout. Second, it has to be fun in an addicting sort of way. You want to bring a game into the mix that makes someone come back for more. Because how is someone going to get into gaming, if they don't want to keep coming back?

Wii Sports represents all of these aspects of gaming more so than any I've played. In fact, if I had to recommend one game that a first timer should try, it would be Wii Sports. I've never met anyone who didn't like it in some form, be it first time gamer, or long time vet. If you're wanting to game on Valentine's Day, than I can think of nothing better than Wii Sports.

It quintessentially has all the aspects I've mentioned so far in the list. I've mentioned its simplicity. Depending on which 'game' you play, it can get the adrenaline pumping. It also provides an immense sense of competition, which I find mostly in Wii bowling.

Unlike the other games on my list, there's a physical sense to Wii Sports. While Street Fighter might have an active feel, you're actually active with Wii Sports. If you've ever worked out with another, it can somehow 'bring' you together. I'm not guranteeing you any physical action, but if you're gaming then Wii Sports can't hurt the chances.

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I've always felt that 'Valentine's Day Gaming Lists' have been quite a stretch. I still feel that way, but it can be pulled off. The important thing is to remember who you're celebrating V-Day with. Whether it's dinner, park strolling, or gaming it's all about what you enjoy together. If it's gaming then hopefully you'll find some fun, and romance with one of the games above.

In conclusion, I'll put down my middle finger to all you couples out there. Have a great Valentine's Day weekend, and see you on Monday.