If you’re gift-buying for gamers this year make sure you’re getting the right one. With so many sequels and eye-catching gimmicks out there, browsing can be tough.

Gone are the days when real stinkers populated store shelves for console games, but you can still be tempted by big names that don’t deliver. Here’s our shortlist of titles you’ll almost certainly recognise but may not be entirely gratefully received. We also thought it might be helpful to give you some better alternatives to consider.

Away we go…

Disney’s A Christmas Carol (Nintendo DS)
The premise is ideal: a puzzle-based adventure in which you’ll follow the famous tale while solving riddles and playing mini-games. Sadly the main quest is over within a couple of hours, leaving only an Advent Calendar and a digital version of the Dickens novel to survive Boxing Day. There are better ways to acquaint kids with Scrooge.

What the Internet is saying:
“Roughly one hour of boredom” – Gaming Union

Try instead: Professor Layton and Pandora’s Box, by Nintendo.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Republic Heroes (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3)
Youngsters are still clamouring after anything related to this hit animated series showing on Cartoon Network. This newest computer game is a clumsy and not very attractive action quest that’ll make kids frustrated with their TV heroes. LucasArts titles are always expertly produced, but this one feels rather coldly calculated.

What the Internet is saying:
“We suggest Force-pushing it into a galaxy far, far away.” – Game Daily
“Needs a lot of work in a lot of areas – especially in the area of being good.” – 1Up

Try instead: Lego Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues, by LucasArts

Tony Hawk RIDE (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii)
A skateboarding game that comes with a life-size deck to balance on might seem ideal for the skater in your family, but it’s not all it seems. Priced at £99.99 RRP it’s a steep fee for an experience that just doesn’t feel convincing. Even the simple moves that you hope to perform get muddled with tricks and vice-versa. Sigh.

What the Internet is saying:
“It’s a challenge just to keep your skater moving in a straight line.” – Wired Gamelife
“Shoddy hardware and ill-conceived software merge to form something completely abysmal.” – Giant Bomb

Try instead: Skate 2, by Electronic Arts

Where The Wild Things Are (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3)
Never mind that the storyline takes such liberties with a children’s classic, it’s the game mechanics you’ll find hardest to celebrate. Both the combat and exploration are awkwardly realised. Perhaps the intention was to dumb things down because the game targets the same young audience as the book and new film?

What the Internet is saying:
“Boring platforming, dumb combat and a few bugs to boot. Pass!” – IGN
“Both the content and the difficulty are rather tame.” – MTV

Try instead: Little Big Planet, by Sony (PS3). Viva Pinata 2, by Microsoft (Xbox 360)

EyePet (PlayStation 3)
Although magical to begin with, this virtual pet proves rather tricky to house train. The technology behind it requires the PlayStation Eye camera that comes boxed with the software, but its ability to recognise commands is limited. It is a positive sign of things to come from consoles, but EyePet is best received as a curious technology demo.

What the Internet is saying:
“Like a Tamagotchi, the appeal is a little short-lived and we’re unsure that an EyePet isn’t just for Christmas.” – Total Video Games
“Marred by a lack of proper instruction and a short-lived experience.” – Gamespot