The Verge Holiday Gift Guide 2011

We can recommend game consoles and other for-play gadgetry all we want, but after you have the hardware... then what? Because not every console is just a Netflix box with an analog remote control, we thought it'd be best to delve a bit into the software titles you could pick for would-be gamers, for the guy or girl that already owns everything, and heck, even just for yourself.

It's been a very good year for multiplatform titles. Sure, there's been a number of great exclusives, but by and large, whether you own an Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, or decently-spec'd Windows PC, the choices have been pretty consistent and consistently good. Here are a few suggestions:

Over $1,000: This is as good as it gets, folks. You've reached the end of our holiday gift guide, and the apex of gift-giving. All of these suggestions will run you more than $1,000 and the eternal admiration of whoever you buy them for. Just remember to save a little something for next year.

$500 to $1,000 Okay. If you're going to spend somewhere between $500 to $1,000 on someone, they must be like the greatest person ever, so first off, congratulations on knowing the greatest person ever. We don't know that person ourselves. We're just here to recommend gifts for that person, since you know them.

Now we're talking. For a truly special person in your life, we've pulled together a truly spectacular list of the latest and greatest in the $250 to $500 range. We can't guarantee that whoever you buy one of the items below for will want to hang out with you forever because of it, but they'll probably at least stop talking about you behind your back.

We're almost halfway through the Gift Guide, and the $100 to $250 range is where you really start getting serious. Below you'll find some of the year's best and brightest -- gadgets which are sure to bring a smile to your giftee's face. This year has the special distinction of including the first good tablet under $200, so congratulations to you!

Spending anywhere between $50 to $100 on someone's holiday gift probably means you don't hate the person you're buying for, so we've tried our best to recommend some pretty decent gear in the guide below. Who knows, you might've just found this year's gift-giving sweet spot!