Valentine's Day Gaming Picks For You and That Special Someone

Who needs an expensive romantic dinner when you and your significant other can visit the great tree, Teldrassil, off the coast of Kalimdor? Don't bother giving your lover a heart-shaped box of chocolates when the two of you can beat up her evil exes instead. The 1UP staff have come up with a list of games that you and that special someone can play together this Valentine's Day. Remember, the couple that plays "The Power of Love" on Rock Band together, stays together.

• Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies

  Nintendo | Level-5 | DS
  
  Maybe the idea that ladies like cute RPGs such as Dragon Quest is a gender stereotype that has no place in a world where the biggest fan base for the new My Little Pony cartoon is 20-something males, but we'll be darned if your significant other won't be charmed by the series' latest entry anyway. Dragon Quest IX doesn't simply have that classic, forgiving game design that famously makes the series accessible to all audiences (even people who normally suck at RPGs), it's specifically designed to promote playing together. Once you help establish the Inn in an early town, you gain the ability to venture into another person's game and fight side-by-side with them. It's turn-based combat, but with other people helping out. And what better way to say "I love you" than by helping your honey take down a Metal Slime for a massive XP boost?
  
  
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  Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game

  Ubisoft | Ubisoft Montreal | PS3/360
  Happily sitting side-by-side with your significant other is one of the simple joys in life; adding game controllers to that situation will multiply the joy factor by 100. Scott Pilgrim on XBLA and PSN perfectly fits the bill as a game that you and your loved one should play together. Teaming up as Scott and Ramona to battle waves of street thugs might actually be more rewarding than watching the movie the game is based on. Bashing on ex-lovers, sharing coins, and finding secret levels are just few of the rewards the two of you can discover in the game.

• Donkey Kong Country Returns

  Nintendo | Retro Studios | Wii
  Teamwork, utilizing your partner's strength to overcome a weakness, and piggybacks can all play an important role in this game... and in your relationship. Each of us have a specific strength or a weakness in which we rely on our partner to compliment to make us better. Suppose your strength is in navigating levels in Donkey Kong Country Returns with mine carts or rockets while your partner's reside in the classic platforming aspects of the game. The solution is simple: have Diddy ride on Donkey Kong's back to keep him out of harm's way. These aspects work in our real life relationships as well, providing stability in an area which you're weakest, creating strength as a couple instead of as individuals.

• Def Jam Rapstar

  Konami | 4mm | 360/PS3/Wii
  Sure rapping might evoke images of people battling rather than love, but it is all love in Def Jam Rapstar. You can go with the classic hip hop love anthem I'll Be There For You/You're All I Need to Get By from Mary J. Blige and Method Man or something more contemporary from T.I. and Rihanna. For my money nothing brings two people together better as they exchange verses from Dre and Snoop or Jeezy and Kanye and get their shine and swag on. For the ultimate expression of your love you can select one of the freestyle beats and just go off the top of your head. You can even record your performance and upload your declaration of love for the world to see!