With Valentine’s Day around the corner, what better way to show your girlfriend that you love her than by spending it with a night of gaming (gift, aside of course)? This is targeted towards couples that enjoy gaming on a regular basis and see no issue with gaming on a special night. Whether this includes simple 1 v 1 against each other or teaming up against opponents on online matches, here are the top 10 Xbox Live games to play with your girlfriend:

*Notice some of these titles may not be available to play local multiplayer, but only online multiplayer (ideal for couples who don’t have the ability to play next to each other). Furthermore, this top 10 list reflects the opinion of the author and not the website as a whole, enjoy!

10. UNO

UNO is a classic card game reincarnated for the Xbox Live Arcade. If you already haven’t figured it out yet, this is a game that is unplayable for local multiplayer. You wouldn’t want her to see your cards anyway, so how would it work? Nonetheless, if you’re unable to play this game locally, you’ll find this game is just as fun if you play it online with her. There are several different versions of this game on Live and the 35^th anniversary one will keep you entertained for a while alone. Elimination mode works pretty well if you’re looking to play against her: if you play a “35” card on the table, she’ll be forced to throw down a “3” or a “5” card. However, if you want increased fun, I’d suggest investing in a Live Vision camera if you haven’t done so already. The Live Vision camera allows you to see her reaction and what better way than to make it personal?

9. Aegis Wing

Aegis Wing was one of those Xbox Live Arcade games developed by three interns at Microsoft who decided to give Xbox Live members a treat: free game! It’s not just a free game, however. You get your [free] money’s worth with this title. With this side-view scrolling shooter, you are a spaceship shooting your oncoming enemies while dodging their rays of death. With this little gem, you can protect your girlfriend by having her attach to your spaceship and create a “bubble” that will temporarily protect you against enemies. At the end of each round, there is a boss, so be careful to watch your health and pick up the goodies that can be seen flying in the air.

8. Left 4 Dead

This game is perfect for those survival-horror fans who love the gory side (and gross side) of video games. This zombie game will allow you to play alongside her in a co-op campaign mode or co-op online play. Whether you decide to be on the same team or the opposite, what better way to play this with your girlfriend when you can just vomit all over her as the infamous Boomer?

7. Borderlands

Borderlands is a first-person RPG that is sure to make your night increasingly awesome if you play it with your girlfriend. With the ability to play locally or online, this game appeals to anyone who loves their weapons. With Borderlands, you have the ability to play free-for-all or against the rest of the world, your choice.

6. Peggle and Bust-a-Move

When gathering some of the games together, I had noticed someone else had already bunched Peggle/Bust-a-Move together and I can see why: they’re both revolved around bright balls that have to be shot out in the air in order to accumulate points. Now while it may seem like two innocent games, once you begin to get the hand of it, you’re gonna find it’s not so easy as it seems. Peggle involves skillfully aiming the ball from the top to eliminate the orange pegs in order to win while Bust-A-Move (aka Puzzle Bobble) requires you to shoot a colored ball from the bottom into a same colored ball to eliminate it. Although this may sound easy, it can also be grounds for frustration.

5. Castle Crashers

Created by The Behemoth, Castle Crashers is one of the most interesting Xbox Live Arcade games I have encountered. It was voted “Best Game of the Year” at the XBLA Awards in 2008 and I can see why. If your girlfriend has no problem with gross-out humor such as poop randomly shooting out from a goat or two or even finds the idea funny, I recommend you pick up this game immediately. This may seem like a simple button-mashing game but there’s more to it: you earn EXP and earn goodies such as ranking. You even get your own little “pet” to follow you around, and why wouldn’t she like that?

4. 1 vs 100

If you’re into trivia and want to go head-to-head to see who’s better at it, 1 vs 100 is the way to go. This trivia show was created from the original game show and adapted into a video game with an occasional live host. With weekly categories such as 80’s, 90’s, Finish the Lyric, Music, Movies, and Games, there’s a category that is sure to entertain the both of you. With your Xbox Live avatar there to represent you, you have the ability to make your avatar show off his skills by making a number of dances which are unlocked at different levels once you keep playing. You can show off who’s smarter once and for all.

3. Rock Band or Guitar Hero series

Rock Band and Guitar Hero were both placed on number 3 since they are both rhythm games that require skill. Whereas in Guitar Hero you’ll most likely be using a guitar, in Rock Band, you’ll have the ability to show off your skills by singing to her. And really, who doesn’t want to hear your lovely voice? However, if singing is really not your way, hand over the mic to her and take over the drums and create your own band. Even if you’re not able to play next to her, Xbox Live has made it possible for everyone to play online (despite the lag you’ll hear if you have her sing). This game really opens the door to endless hours of entertainment and will not disappoint.

2. MW2

Although MW2 is not available for local multiplayer and is a title that is strictly available for online multiplayer, if you have the ability to play online with her, don’t miss out on it. MW2 can still be enjoyed by both parties if you happen to be in a different location and still find the fun side of being able to play its online games such as Team Deathmatch, Search and Destroy, Ground War, or Demolition. The fact that MW2 offers much variety in terms of different games keeps the game fresh and allows for you and your girlfriend to have complete fun over this game. Unfortunately, this game can lead to a lot of anger if things aren’t going correctly due to either campers and you just dying frequently, so beware of this FPS.

Drum roll for number one…

1.  Halo 3

If you want a game where you can shoot each other to death or even if you want to be a team against the whole world, this is the top recommended game to play with your girlfriend. Why? Because it is a game, if played well, can lead to guaranteed hours of fun. However, if you’re one of those strictly anti-Halo fans that want nothing to do with the game, then this whole list is pretty much useless to you by now. From online matchmaking such as the ability to play Social Slayer (which is casual and unranked, no pressure) or more objective games such as Capture the Flag, to custom games where you can play on random maps that may contain mini-games such as racing around with a Warthog. Halo 3 may not be for everyone, but for those couples that enjoy playing online together, can be a perfect choice.

So this Valentine’s Day, grab your controllers (or your guitar, or your mic, or your drums), relax on your couch and have fun! This day is all about showing your love and what better way than to make her happy than by sharing your equal interests?