Okay, you made the pilgrimage, stood in line on October 26th, braved the crowds and got a Playstation 2 for that loved one this Christmas. Or you took the more sensible route and got the established Dreamcast with a few extra bits and bobs due to the price difference. Either way, you did what it took to put that glowing smile on your gamer's heart Christmas morning.

Did I forget to mention how much of a fool you were?

Now, before I get people jumping for my throat or swearing off my site for good, allow me to clarify that statement. If your loved one (or indeed yourself if you bought the above items for you) owned and kept his older game systems, then ignore me, and beam with pride as they slice apart their 900th kill in Dynasty Warriors 2 or as they paint the town (literally) in Jet Grind Radio.

If not, I need to mention how much of a fool you are.

Games these days aren't what they used to be. Nothing is, but games have progressed in technology as fast as anything else, and indeed faster than any other technology in entertainment. Stick a VHS tape next to a DVD and the difference is chump change if you compare the NES and the Playstation 2. But one thing that hasn't gotten any better in games (and indeed for the most part has gotten worse) is gameplay. Newer games have it, but older games do too--and for a lot cheaper.

And so therefore, with the Gamecube and X-Box set to be burning up the market next Christmas, along with the Playstation 2 and Dreamcast both already in full swing, be bold, be different, and do your Christmas shopping 1-Up! style. A true gamer will love the feast of things you can pull off for the fraction of a new system, and truly classic games are forever.

The NES is the best system of choice for this. Basically anything about this gem is dirt-cheap due to the human nature to disassociate itself with the old and get the new. As a result, with games averaging $5-10 on eBay or in used game stores, you could put a decked system with 2 controllers ($50 or less) and 15 games ($105 at $7 each) under the tree for the cost of a bare Dreamcast system, or half the cost of a bare Playstation 2. Don't know how to get the best with your money? You can read reviews at places like GameFAQs, but for those of you without that kind of time (we'll forget that it's January and that Christmas is 11 months away), we're here for you. The following games are my own personal choices, games which have given me much pleasure over the 12 years I've had my NES. Some you might know, some you might not, but they're all worth every penny of their cheap cost.

Between these lists, you should be able to amass weeks of beloved gameplay for a mere pittance. And if that someone was wise enough to keep their NES, don't fret, they make good (if a little wide) stocking stuffers.

A year from now I'll have a feature on how to go about divorcing/breaking up with anyone who proves themselves unworthy of you by reacting with anything less than glee at such a treasure trove...