Good Video Games For US Soldiers in Iraq

[Rob Graff]

Folks:

An assistant at my firm is leading a drive to send "care packages" to US soldiers in Iraq. One item requested is video games for PS2 and X-box 360 consoles. I plan on assisting by purchasing some games for these consoles.

BUT --

Since my game is limited to Civ IV and Real War titles for PC/Mac's, and I'm over 40 and do not have a PS2 or X-box machine - I know nothing about PS2 and X-box titles that soldiers would enjoy.

I presume the college football sports game (College Footbal 08), but are there any others that you would suggest? Do they want to play Halo (a game suggested by some at a video game store I went to) or is that too much like what they do daily?

I'm particularly looking for recommendations from friends of yours that are/were in Iraq - I want to answer the question What do they want to receive, as opposed to the question of what would we like to give them.

Speed is of the essence, so thanks for any responses in adavance.

[laxfan25]

Another item of interest that they've been sending from our area is Silly String - that stuff you shoot all over your friends. They actually use it to highlight wires that lead to IED's. True story.

A quick use of the Google turns up several references:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/12/ ... 4543.shtml

[Champ]

Guitar Hero.

[KnoxVegas]

A quick use of the Google turns up several references:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/12/ ... 4543.shtml

Once I saw this on the news a year ago, we had a drive here in the QCA. Shipped a palette of the stuff over. So simple a product has saved countless lives.

[Campbell]

A quick use of the Google turns up several references:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/12/ ... 4543.shtml

Once I saw this on the news a year ago, we had a drive here in the QCA. Shipped a palette of the stuff over. So simple a product has saved countless lives.

I haven't decided whether it is a sad state that this country is in or if it is just a reflection of the great people who live here, but the fact that regular citizens are raising money to buy body armor and even simple things like silly string is kind of troubling. I mean these things seem like the kinds of things our government should be getting the troops. Certainly there is the good ol' fashioned GI ingenuity that figures this stuff out to begin with, but when people at home are more in tune with what the military needs than the government, it hearkens back to the days of the Civil War.

But to the main topic, I think any kind of multi-player game would be great, especially the sports games. I imagine the actual number of consoles is far fewer than the number of people wanting to play, so multi-player might fit the bill. That and maybe controllers. I think some of these consoles take up to four controllers, but only come with one, maybe two, so that might be a nice addition as well.

[Adam Gamradt]

To clarify, is it just PS2 and XBox360? What about the PS3?

My favorite PS2 games are Madden Football, newer is good, but they pretty much play the same.

I've been playing a LOT of World Poker Tour.

Star Wars Battlefront 2 is fantastic.

Grand Theft Auto is pretty fun, I forget what the names of the new versions are.

FIFA Soccer is great fun for multiplayer, even though it is soccer based.

[Rob Graff]

I saw no reference to PS3 - just PS2, XBOX-360, and PSP.

I think I"m going to get the new 2008 College Football game for xbox and ps2.

The Guitar Hero one is tempting as well as 2 new controllers. I just don't see the Soccer one appealing as much as College football.

Rob

[Ben Clark]

I just don't see the Soccer one appealing as much as College football.

You wouldn't think so, but I bet FIFA would be a big hit over there. I am not a soccer fan at all, but that is a damn fun game, especially with friends.

Edit: And that's an excellent call on Guitar Hero.

[bste_lax]

I just don't see the Soccer one appealing as much as College football.

You wouldn't think so, but I bet FIFA would be a big hit over there. I am not a soccer fan at all, but that is a damn fun game, especially with friends.

Edit: And that's an excellent call on Guitar Hero.

I only buy two games on a regular basis:

1) NCAA Football 200x
2) FIFA Soccer 200x

Granted I am not a fan of some of the other popular first person shooter types and what not but those are the only two I really play.

[sohotrightnow]

"Come Home Now" on PS3. It's a new game for 2007.

[dubbs11]

Fifa 200X are always fun games, especially when played with friends. I second the notion for controllers, 360 only comes with one, supports 4, 2v2 fifa is a blast.

[laxfan25]

I haven't decided whether it is a sad state that this country is in or if it is just a reflection of the great people who live here, but the fact that regular citizens are raising money to buy body armor and even simple things like silly string is kind of troubling. I mean these things seem like the kinds of things our government should be getting the troops. Certainly there is the good ol' fashioned GI ingenuity that figures this stuff out to begin with, but when people at home are more in tune with what the military needs than the government, it hearkens back to the days of the Civil War.

The good thing is that this just reflects a long tradition of the "folks back home" trying to do what they can to ease the burden of the troops deployed. Putting together "care packages" is great for the psyche of all involved, and it is a chance for a person-to-person feeling to our support. In previous wars people would tear bedsheets into strips and roll them into bandages and send them off in bulk.
I think it is most important to recognize that people can be adamantly opposed to a war and also be the most fervent defenders of our troops. It's not illogical at all, and may just reflect that they take every death and casualty very much to heart - but are bitter that these injuries have been caused in pursuit of folly.

[mavlax23]

HALO II

[Madlax16]

Guitar Hero.

I second that. I have yet to meet a person that hated guitar hero.

The fifa's and the world cup games seem to be very fun. I my self have never played. However, my friends love them both.