Buying for a gamer is difficult at the best of times, with the slew of brightly coloured packages and seemingly identical games leaving many a parent confused about which game they should get their joystick wielding spawn. But fear not, to help the confused and non-game-savvy, the International Business Times UK is here to help, offering a list of the top five titles, sure to bring a smile to any gamer's face come Christmas day.

5) Semsame Street: Once Upon A Monster

Sesame Street: Once Upon a Moster
Great for the kids -- and some adults with no sense of shame.

The brain-spawn of veteran games maker Tim Schafer, Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster is a game that will have even the most salty-of-souls smiling.

Featuring the series' Grover, Cookie Monster and Elmo, Once Upon a Monster is effectively an interactive movie/story book adventure that sees the colourful cast teach children a variety of lessons about self-esteem and the importance of being one's self.

Specifically designed to make your kids feel good about themselves, Once Upon a Monster is once of the few games on the market that is guaranteed to offer parents a tantrum free Christmas.

Release Date: 11 October, 2011
RRP: £39.99

4) Forza Motor Sport 4

Forza Motorsport 4
Forza Motorsport 4 isn't that different to Forza 3, but it's still a great game.

The only racing game to break into this year's top five, Forza Motor Sport 4 earns its place offering visually stunning graphics, cars from 80 manufacturers, Kinect integration and a whole host of new tracks.

While not re-inventing the wheel, with the new Kinect integration and host of options designed to let gamers tailor the experience to their ability, Forza 4 caters to everyone from hardcore racing fanatics to casual gamers looking for a quick thrill.

Released: 11 October, 2011
RRP: £44.99
Xbox 360
Check out the full review here

3) Child of Eden

Child of Eden
One of the best ever games that nobody bought. Buy it, buy it now!

Without a doubt one of the prettiest game's ever made, Child of Eden is a creative, beautiful and engaging experience that no gamer should be without.

Child of Eden takes you centuries into the future, to a time when mankind has left Earth venturing out into the great unknown of outer space. In this new time, the internet has evolved into a collection point for all human knowledge known as Eden. At the heart of Eden lies the memories of Lumi, the first child ever born in space.

The game opens to Lumi coming under attack from a virus and immediately charges you to protect her. Taking you though the world of Eden the game challenges you to shoot/purify the corrupted segments threatening Lumi.

Putting aside the fact that it uses the Kinect, featuring music by the Genki Rockets and the designs of producer Tetsuya Mizuguchi, Child of Eden is one of the best games on the Xbox 360 and a must have this Christmas.

Release Date: 27 September, 2011
RRP: £39.99

2) The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Skyrim is awesome. Enough said.

Launched on 11.11.11 Bethesda's latest entry into its iconic Elder Scrolls series not only lives up to its proud origins, but blows the competition out of the water, raising the Elder Scrolls bar to a level most RPGs can only dream of reaching.

Set after the events of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Skyrim takes players in the cold and harsh land of the viking-like Nords. The story sees you explore the frozen landscape weaving in and out of the ongoing war between the Imperial loyalists and rebel Stormcloud warriors. Despite the importance of the war, the main crux of the plot explores the return of dragons and your role as dragon born -- a special type of power that sets you apart from the normal folk.

Keeping the same first-person view and emphasis on player freedom, Skyrim refines and improves on Oblivion's strengths, implementing new character development and combat systems. The game's open world freedom and wealth of quests mean that for their £39.99 players will be granted more hours gameplay than they will likely be able to complete -- all of which adds up to make Skyrim a must have for any self-respecting gamer.

Released: 11 November, 2011
RRP: £39.99
Xbox 360, PS3, PC
Check out the full review here

1) Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare vs Battlefield 3
Not much has been changed in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, but hey, if it 'ain't broke don't fix it.

Officially crowned the best-selling game ever earlier in November, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is the game we really, really, really didn't want to give number one slot, but had to.

Picking up where its predecessor left off, the new Modern Warfare sticks fairly close to the Call of Duty franchise's tried and tested formula, repackaging rather than re-inventing the series. Yet despite the lack of real innovation, the game's sales speak for themselves.

With the game enjoying its second week at the head of the UK charts it seems gamers still haven't had enough of Call of Duty, making it once again, the most wanted game this Christmas season.

Released: 8 November, 2011
RRP: £44.99
Xbox 360, PS3, PC
Check out the full review here