I find gamefaqs to be alot better at reviews, plus there's a message board and walk-throughs available. And it's from gamers that are playing the game.
I also recommend buying used video games for your own kids. Sometimes other people think it's a little wierd buying a used gift, but you have the option of returning it after the holidays if the kids absolutly hate it. Even if they only give you a store credit, you can get something different. With a new game, if it is opened, then it can only be exchanged for the same exact item. Same goes for most dvd's and other electronic items.
Plus at Gamestop (which has bought over E/B game) they're pretty good about doing a buy 2 used get 1 free on games and dvd's, and if you get thier discount card, you get the Game Informer magazine which is really good as well for one year (so kids have something to look forward to till next Christmas). You save 10% off all used purchases, except on used consoles. I managed to find a composit cable, I think it's a monster cable for about 10$ because it was marked as Used cable/other brand (since it wasn't made by microsoft, sony, or nintendo) and it was for all three systems. Monster cables are expensive, but high quality. So you never know what kind of deal you can get. Plus, here there's three of them on my way to work, and one in the opposite direction not too far away. So it's usually pretty easy to find what you want in one of thier stores. They can also look up inventory of any store (updated nightly), so make sure they call before you make the drive over. Plus with E/B being bought over, Gamestop did not close a lot of the second location inside the malls. So you'll more than likely find a yellow store (old E/B store) and a black/red store (gamestop).
BTW, if you do buy a bundle, you can always return the extra stuff. Kari got a ps2 slim bundle at her job's Christmas party (every one was envious of her, as they knew she worked for gamestop). But there were two greatest hits game gran turismo that sold used for like 3$ but 20$ new (it was originally bundle when first released), and Jak and Daxter, an extra controller, and memory card. We kept Jak and the memory card, and used the 45$ on the return at wal-mart for more games.