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In case Hallmark's marketing juggernaut hasn't reached you, allow us at Game|Life to remind you that this Sunday is Mother's Day.
Sure, you could buy Mom dinner or send her flowers, but we can't think of a better way to say "thanks for washing my underpants for all those years" than to give the gift of games.
Times are changing, and your mom might be a better gamer than even you realize. Deciding which game is right for your mom can be tricky. Here are our recommendations.
Oh, and keep in mind: Mother's Day is for all moms, including the mother of your own little gamer-in-training.
If your mom still keeps your room the way you left it -- "just in case you ever want to come back home" -- she may be an empty-nest mom. Even if you can't make it home for Sunday dinner as often as she'd like, you can always spend some time together playing Uno (Xbox 360) with the Xbox Live Vision Camera. Uno's simple enough to let you get caught up on the family gossip without losing track of the game, and the camera lets her see that you got that haircut she suggested. (Image: Microsoft)
If that's not enough, your mom can direct her maternal instincts toward the animals of Harvest Moon DS Cute (Nintendo DS). The horse, cows, sheep and chickens of her ranch need plenty of love and attention, and if she settles down with one of the game's eligible bachelors, she can have a baby to care for, too. Just don't get jealous if she likes the new baby better than you. (Image: Natsume)
BioShock (360, PC) character Dr. Bridgette Tennenbaum may be a bit nutso, but her love for the Little Sisters is without question. True, her research with sea slugs resigned the girls to their ghoulish fate as Adam harvesters, but that doesn't mean Tennenbaum doesn't care. Your mom will likely identify with the mad scientist's desire to protect her "children," no matter what. (Image: 2K Games)
Portal (360, PC, PS3) antagonist GLaDOS might be homicidally insane, but admit it: Her passive-aggressive nature and remarks about how much you disappointed her reminded you of your mum. Hopefully she never tried to dump you into a pit of fire or lied to you about cake, but she can probably relate, at least a bit, to GLaDOS' frustration with your refusal to listen. (Image: Cobalto/Flickr)
I've yet to meet a mom who didn't dream about having wild, treasure-hunting adventures, or who didn't at least have a crush on Indiana Jones. What better way to search for gold than as Lara Croft? She's smart, athletic and rich, and she really knows how to rock a pair of khaki shorts. Tomb Raider Legend (360, PS2, Wii, PC, DS) has gorgeous visuals that will transport mom to the ruins of South America without requiring her to get those nasty shots or even a passport. (Image: Eidos)
Nate Drake, hero of Uncharted: Drake's Fortune (PS3) is just the kind of guy you want to be lost in the jungle with. He's strong, resourceful and funny, and he looks great in a t-shirt and a pair of jeans. He's so charming, your mom won't even care if he ever finds the treasure of El Dorado, and his relationship with Elena is classic romantic comedy material. Tell your mom it's like Romancing the Stone meets Indiana Jones, and she'll be all over it. (Image: Sony)
Bravo TV's Project Runway and Top Chef are absolute mother magnets. Fashion Solitaire (PC) might not have Tim Gunn (more's the pity), but it does let mom flex her fashion savvy. Winning the game by dressing each model isn't the challenge -- using your deck of cards to assemble just the right outfits is. Green tights with purple clogs might get you through the level, but who could bear to wear it? Mom can design her own pieces to create her dream fashion line. (Image: Large Animal Games)
We all know your mom is the best cook in the world, certainly better than those Top Chef contestants, but Cooking Mama (DS) might come in a close second. Cooking Mama might not have much to do with real cooking, but its mini-games are silly, fun and short enough to play during a commercial break. (Image: Majesco)
If you know a mom with an artistic flair, you might want to show her Okami (Wii, PS2), one of the most eye-catchingly lovely videogames ever made. The game's look is inspired by the Sumi-e painting style, and its environments are reminiscent of ancient watercolor paintings of Japan. Okami looks less like a game and more like a moving work of art; Mom may also appreciate that it's less violent and more dreamlike than other games. (Image: Capcom)
The black and white Echochrome (PS3, PSP) may not be aesthetically pleasing, but its puzzles are well-suited to a mom with an artistic eye. Solving the puzzles relies on your ability to adjust your perception and rethink the way you view the tracks, which look as though they were designed by M.C. Escher. When she's done putting her brain to the test, mom can use her creativity to design her own levels, then upload her work for others to enjoy. (Image: Sony)
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