With the fall semester drawing to an end, students all have one thing on their minds besides finals: holiday shopping.

But picking out presents isn’t the easiest process. When it comes to video games, blindly entering a GameStop or a Target can be a daunting prospect: How do you know if the game you’re purchasing is really worth the cost? How do you differentiate hype from quality?

The best strategy is first to figure out what kind of gamer you’re shopping for. Whether you’re looking to grab somebody a game or just fine-tuning your own Christmas list, here is a collection of the hottest new titles for all types of gamers looking to make a worthy purchase.

If you’re shopping for the retro-style gamer: 

Nintendo and Sega haven’t had the greatest reputation recently, as evidenced by the current generation’s overwhelming obsession with Microsoft. But these two big-name manufacturers have successfully maintained long-running franchises that are continually improving, and this winter is no exception.

Sega has definitely had its fair share of hit-and-miss titles, but the new Sonic Generations for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC is a step in the right direction. Combining 2-D and 3-D graphics with gameplay elements spanning Sonic’s rich 20-year history, Generations is a throwback that combines flawless high-speed action with childlike nostalgia.

Nintendo’s Super Mario franchise has also experienced its ups and downs. The latest installment to the series, Super Mario 3D Land for the Nintendo 3DS, however, has managed to lure gamers back. It is quickly becoming a holiday-season staple with its simplistic gameplay and innovative graphics, superior to those found in the best-selling Super Mario Galaxy series for the Wii.

Likewise, Mario Kart 7 for the Nintendo 3DS works a familiar formula that is sure to draw big crowds following its release on Dec. 4. Mario-themed racing games practically guarantee top-notch quality and are perfect for those interested in easy-to-master multiplayer action.

If you’re shopping for the gamer looking to get lost in another realm: 

Many of us find comfort in the feeling of being transported to an otherworldly, fantastical reality. In that case, solo action or adventure games — often pricier — are your best bets.

The recently released The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is looking to be one of this winter’s most popular games and will satisfy any gamer’s need for adventure-driven combat. The new installment in the Zelda series utilizes the Wii’s Motion Plus technology for the most realistic swordplay possible.

Skyward Sword is one of the last marquee titles to be released on the Wii before the next-generation Wii U system takes over in 2012, so take this holiday season as an opportunity to cash in on the special collector’s edition.

If Zelda or the Wii just isn’t your thing, the fifth installment in the Elder Scrolls series, Skyrim, is a critically acclaimed fantasy-adventure game filled with mesmerizing graphics, dragons, battles and endless plot-fulfillment possibilities through open-world gameplay.

If you’re shopping for the gamer who just wants to shoot things: 

Some of us aren’t always interested in a thought-provoking or lengthy adventure, which is when shooter games take the spotlight.

November’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 capitalizes on online multiplayer interaction and the basic war formula of previous games.

Unfortunately, the third installment is not much different from the second in terms of added elements and level design. Still, the game is a good choice for those just getting into the franchise or those who want a little violent  outlet after a long semester.

Battlefield 3 brings something a little different to the table. Unlike the Call of Duty games, BF3 offers intense vehicular warfare and a variety of expansive urban locations for online combat.

If these first-person shooters aren’t quite what you’re looking for, consider opting for the highly praised third-person adventure shooter Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception, released for the Playstation 3.

The latest installment of the popular action-adventure series revisits explorer Nathan Drake and details his newest cinematic quest to find the legendary Atlantis of the Sands. The game takes similar combative elements from previous games but improves upon them with more sophisticated opponents and better online capability.

Hannah Muniz is a junior majoring in creative writing and East Asian languages and cultures. Her column “Game Over” ran Wednesdays.