One of the most exciting things to receive as a gift on Christmas is video games. For me personally, nothing beats the morning I was given the Sega Genesis system I never thought I would possibly get, and playing Sonic’s elusive blue hide right into the ground. And even though that childlike joy will never be experienced again for me, and video game systems are a whole lot different and more expensive these days, it’s still exciting to open up a new video game you haven’t played yet.

To try and help some of you create this joy for your video game playing loved ones, we wanted to create a list of 2009’s best and most-desired game titles. These are the games that most people are going to want if they don’t have them yet, and these are the games that have made the most impact. Obviously you’ll want to make sure they don’t have specific titles in mind, but for the most part, this is where to start reading up on and shopping for video game gift ideas.

Click on over to the other side to check out our very own Holiday Gift Guide: Video Game Edition ’09 for selections to play on Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 game consoles, as well as on your PC.

And don’t procrastinate! No one enjoys last second shopping or the hell that is your local mall a few days before Christmas!

You’ve all probably seen them a couple hundred times. Guitar Hero commercials directed by Brett Ratner, featuring sports stars and supermodels in a parody of Tom Cruise’s famous Risky Business scene. And if you’re like myself, you can’t stand them and immediately change the channel before anyone slides their goofy asses onto the screen.

In preparation for the brand new Guitar Hero: Metallica edition, though, two more commercials were filmed using the same basic premise, but these commercials are actually pretty entertaining.

The first commercial will most likely only be funny to sports fans and college basketball fans. Instead of the mega-star athletes and models, the commercial features legendary (and older) college basketball coaches: Mike Krzyzewski, Roy Williams, Rick Pitino, and Bob Knight. After these gentleman do their best Risky Business slide is when Metallica shows up and it gets pretty funny — especially if you’re familiar with Bob Knight and his infamous temper.

The second commercial is all about Metallica and it really needs no description — you just have to watch it.

Guitar hero: Metallica will feature 28 of the band’s songs as well as 21 songs from other bands hand-picked by Metallica such as Alice in Chains, Motörhead, System of a Down, Slayer, Foo Fighters, Judas Priest, Bob Seger, and Lynyrd Skynyrd

Click over for all of the videos!

Today’s offer in the 15 Days 15 Deals Video Game Sale buy a PlayStation3 and get Guitar Hero III for PS3 for FREE!

Until 11:59PM Pacific Time (or while supplies last today), buy a PlayStation 3 160 GB Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune Pack and get the Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock video game for PS3 for free (a $29.99 value).

To take advance of today’s deal, add both items to your cart and go to make your purchase; the discount will be reflected during checkout. There’s a limit of one free title per household, plus tax and shipping charges may apply.

If you already have a PS3, you can still get the Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock – Wireless Bundle on sale for $44.98. The bundle comes with an all-new Gibson Les Paul wireless guitar controller with removable faceplates for guitar personalization and a new button color design, wireless accessories, and the game for PS3.

Amazon has launched their 15 Days 15 Deals Video Game Sale.

A new deal will be offered each day for the next 15 days (while supplies last, of course) for the sale, which began yesterday with Guitar Hero World Tour Guitar Kit for multiple platforms.

The Guitar Hero World Tour Guitar Kit is currently on sale for $59.99 for PlayStation 2 (down from $89.99) and $69.99 for Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3 (down from $99.99).

Aside from the spotlight deal of the day, there’s also other items available at a reduced priced like X2: Wolverine’s Revenge for Mac for only $2.99, Resistance 2 Collector’s Edition for PS3 marked down to $59.99 (that’s a $20 savings and is the same cost as the standard edition), and $3 off the regular price for World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King Expansion Pack.

Today’s deal is buy a PlayStation 3 160 GB Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune Pack and get LittleBigPlanet (a $59.99 value) for free!