We’ve officially got just over two weeks until Christmas arrives, and we’re sure you’ve got most of your holiday shopping out of the way, right? But what about the stockings that are hung by the chimney with care? You’ve got to put something in those, and obviously items like the Wii U and the Xbox 360 simply won’t fit.
Here at Prima Games, we’ve got you covered with a few novel gift ideas that won’t run you out of cash, and yet will provide plenty of enjoyment to whomever you’re giving them to, whether it’s a kid, a loved one or just someone who’s grateful enough to appreciate a good gaming gift. Feel free to print this out and take it with you to the store. (And buy us some goodies as well!)
Xbox Live 1600 Point Card/Sony PlayStation Network $20 Card ($20)
What better way to get someone the perfect game than to let them choose it themselves? With these online currency cards for Xbox Live and the PlayStation Network, users can pretty much purchase whatever they choose, whether it’s a bunch of new songs for Dance Central 3; a downloadable Arcade or PSN title (like Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater HD), or part of a bigger purchase, like the Halo 4 Season Pass. This digital currency will go a long way in giving them exactly what they want – and it’s way better than a fruitcake.
Mass Effect Trilogy ($59.99, Xbox 360/PlayStation 3/PC)
This may be more expensive than most $20 games, but look at what Mass Effect Trilogy brings to the picture. Not only do you get one of the most quintessential sci-fi sagas in gaming memory, but you also get the original game re-released, for the first time, on PS3 and PC, giving players the opportunity to start from scratch with their Commander Shepard and see where things go from there. With hours worth of gameplay, various decisions to make (some harsher than others – but, hey, that’s life with the Reapers), gorgeous visuals and engaging gameplay, this is saga well worth revisiting – and a suitable gift for the holidays.
Rockstar Games Collection: Edition 1 ($59.99, Xbox 360/PlayStation 3/PC)
Rockstar Games has left a lasting impression on this generation of games, and you’ll find no better proof of that than with this marvelous compilation. Featuring some of the company’s biggest releases – including Grand Theft Auto: Episodes From Liberty City, Midnight Club Los Angeles Complete Edition, L.A. Noire and Red Dead Redemption, it spans across various gameplay types and plenty of awesome scenarios, all of which require your best trigger finger or solving skills. The original GTA IV might be missing, but the rest of the games are well worth checking out.
The Walking Dead: A TellTale Games Series ($29.99, Xbox 360/PlayStation 3/PC)
Now that the first season is officially wrapped and considered one of the year’s biggest hits (just ask the Spike Video Game Awards voting staff – they gave them Game of the Year honors), it’s time to rediscover the glory of The Walking Dead. This five-episode series may not offer any easy answers (some decisions are simply going to lead to someone losing their life), but it does have superb emotional involvement, as well as plenty of tense situations where zombies will try to eat players at every turn. This retail recollection is definitely worth a purchase, and for those who are true zombie fanatics, a special edition ($69.99) is also available, featuring a reprint of Robert Kirkman’s classic comic book series. We highly suggest hunting that one down – and maybe even gifting one for yourself.
Sonic & All Stars Racing Transformed ($39.99, Xbox 360/PlayStation 3/Wii U)
With the arrival of this sequel, Sega has pretty much taken the lead on the kart racing game front, finally overcoming Mario after all these years of racing. Sonic & All Stars Racing Transformed features exquisitely designed tracks (inspired by the likes of Panzer Dragoon, After Burner and others), a variety of racers to choose from (such as Wreck-It Ralph and NASCAR superstar Danica Patrick), great controls and an assortment of unlockable content. But, most importantly, it also brings tons of competition, whether you’re racing against your friends on Xbox Live/PlayStation Network/Nintendo Network, or going at it locally with up to four (or, in the Wii U’s case, five) players. This is one ride that deserves more than one go-around.
The Dark Knight Trilogy ($49.99, Blu-Ray/PlayStation 3)
Let’s take a break from recommending games for a moment and talk about a movie trilogy that everyone should check out. All three of the Batman movies, directed by Christopher Nolan, are amongst the best comic book films out there, introducing memorable villains like Heath Ledger’s sinister Joker and Tom Hardy’s vicious Bane. What’s more, Christian Bale, as the man under the mask, is capable of holding his own against them, through deftly directed action sequences and compelling storytelling. This, along with Marvel’s The Avengers, is a film worthy of adding to anyone’s collection.
Thinkgeek Gift Certificates (varies, Thinkgeek.com)
If you’ve got that someone in your life who is a pure geek, but aren’t quite sure if they deserve something along the lines of a Portal 2 gun or a Doctor Who Sonic Screwdriver (yes, they exist), then the next best thing to provide is a gift certificate from Thinkgeek.com. With this, your loved ones can pretty much buy whatever they choose, whether it’s a Golden Limited Edition Star Trek Pizza Cutter or a Portal 2 Miniature Replica Portal Gun. There’s plenty to go around, so be sure to buy some for yourself as well.
Prima Games Guides (varies, Primagames.com)
Finally, ahem, not to toot our own horn, but some of the deluxe guides that we offer here at Prima Games are novel gifts for the gamers in your life. The Halo 4: Collector’s Edition certainly comes to mind, along with the New Super Mario Bros U booklet. And if those are too big to fit in a stocking, we offer plenty of eGuides on the cheap as well, going for around $4.99-$9.99. Head over to our shop and have a look around.
