If you go by calendars, the biggest day for receiving presents is December 25th. For gamers however, you’d be hard-pressed to find a day more celebrated than November 15th. Here’s why.

Every autumn is peppered with the biggest releases from franchises like Call of Duty and the various EA sports titles. But 2011 has redefined the term “blockbuster” and no better example exists than the middle of November. Today, over 26 games come out. Twenty-six. While some of them belong in the bargain bin by year’s end, a good amount are very deserving of a day reserved for only them. Here are some of the highlights:

Assassin’s Creed Revelations
A game we have covered for months here at Operation Reality, this is perhaps the biggest release of the day. The final chapter in Ezio Auditore’s saga is sure to be rich in single player and for the first time, robust in multiplayer features as well. Although Ubisoft has kept up an impeccable pace releasing Creed titles almost annually, they never feel like a rehash with new elements constantly evolving the role of the assassino – most recently the inclusion of customizable bomb manufacturing.

Saints Row The Third
Those of you still replaying the GTA V trailer hoping for your open world shoot `em up fix, this one is for you. Saints Row may not get the same level of hype as anything Rockstar touches, but it holds a place in gamer’s hearts for their inventive gameplay and ambitious innovation in the genre. The Third promises more of what made the past games great, while offering completely new challenges to gamers.

Need for Speed the Run
How long have we waited for a Need for Speed game where we could play on foot? We’re not sure – last we checked this was a driving game played by racing fanatics. But if done correctly, this game could claim its place at the top among *some* of the other previous installments in the franchise. We have every reason to believe that this race against time and the authorities will be the most story-driven that EA has undertaken, and we can’t wait to see how that fits in the Racing genre.

Halo CE: Anniversary
Ahh yes, the Halo franchise has always had a special place in the hearts of many but this is the game that made millions fall in love and established the Microsoft Xbox as a contender with platform-exclusive brilliance. Whether you’re playing for pure nostalgia or to appreciate just how far they’ve come by seeing where it all began, Halo: CE Anniversary is a great choice for those of you rebels who think Battlefield 3 and Modern Warfare 3 are just too mainstream.

Honourable mention: Rayman Origins, L.A. Noire (PC), Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3

So those of you still lucky enough to compile Christmas lists, here’s some help to get those lists off to a great start. By the end of the week, another giant will join the mix with the release of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword which is being praised in early reviews as “the best Zelda game ever”.

Happy Gaming!