All I Want for Christmas is my Two Front Wii

Jon and Chip Carter - Tulsa World

Five thousand people crammed into the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas recently to get a look at what's trendy in gaming and what's in store for the holidays at the GameStop Vendor's Expo.

We were lucky enough to be in that crowd, and get a behind-the-scenes look.

In just a few years, GameStop has become the most prominent name in the video game merchandising world, and that clout showed.

Mandalay Bay was a veritable whirlwind of activity, packed with game industry pros and VIPs, not to mention some remarkably delicious tiny hot dogs.

All the major game companies were there to showcase important holiday lineups, as well as previews of huge upcoming titles like Smash Brothers Brawl, Call of Duty 4 and Manhunt 2.

There were even a few celebrities on-hand, like rock legend Slash, who is appearing in Activision's Guitar Hero 3, and wrestling superstar John Cena.

Make a note of this: Do not take on the real Slash in Guitar Hero 3. We have seen it. It is not pretty.

One of the fastest-growing genres in the industry is music-based games, like the Guitar Hero and Dance Dance Revolution series.

"It's great to see some of these titles that are not so stereotypical of our industry," said GameStop Senior Vice President of Merchandising Bob McKenzie. He said in the next few months, the number of music-related video games on GameStop's shelves will increase from seven titles to a whopping 29 -- further incorporating nongamers and casual players into the hardcore gaming world.

McKenzie also noted that GameStop is now carrying more than 120 titles geared toward family and kids entertainment, allowing parents to be more involved in developing their children's interest in gaming.

The Vendor's Expo was a nonstop party to be sure, but we did take time out to do a little work. Here's a look at the games you'll be clamoring for this holiday season:

-- Call of Duty 4, by Activision, for multiple platforms -- The series finally departs from World War II to put on a new face. You play as a U.S. or British soldier in current hotspots.

The game looks to be absolutely amazing, and the multiplayer mode has been completely revamped, blowing away prior expectations -- and allowing you to blow away your opponents like never before.

-- Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games, by Sega for Wii -- For the first time in history, Sonic and Mario collide in this star-studded Wii game. Play as your favorite characters as they compete in classic Olympic events in locations based on the actual venues for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

If you like Mario, if you like Sonic, or even if you just like breathing, you'll love this.

-- Manhunt 2, by Rockstar for multiple platforms -- We won't say much now, but we will say that you will be shocked, you will be amazed, you will want this game.

By the way, it's already been banned in England.

-- Blacksite: Area 51, by Midway, for multiple platforms -- The ever-popular Area 51 series returns, this time in the form of a first-person shooter.

The alien forces are pretty much wrecking everything that the humans have going for them (this is why we can't have nice things) and it's up to you and a small squad of soldiers to stop them.

A healthy combination of lightning reflexes and strategy is the only thing that will keep you alive here.

-- Assassin's Creed, by Ubisoft, for multiple platforms -- Have you ever wanted to be an assassin back during the Holy Crusades? Neither have we -- it sounds kind of dangerous.

That said, if your physical being is not in peril, there's nowhere else we'd rather be. And Ubi is ready to make that happen in this thrilling action game.

Copyright 2012 by Tulsa World