Here's my annual Video Game Gift Guide, reprinted from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Regardless
of what you call them—gamers, joystick jockeys, armchair warriors—video game
players are both the easiest a
If
they give you a list of titles they want for a particular gaming console, all
you have to do is run to the store or hop online and whip out the credit card.
However,
if you want to surprise the gamer in question, or if you are purchasing
something for an unnamed recipient (at your company Christmas party, for
example), you run the risk of buying something many devotees of electronic
entertainment already own, such as the mega popular Mario Kart 8 for the Wii U or the unimaginatively titled but
ubiquitous Destiny for the PS3, PS4,
Xbox 360 and Xbox One.
So
why not buy something a little different, a little special or at least slightly
out of the ordinary?
Here’s
a list of nine items that most gamers would be happy to spot under the Christmas
tree. Yeah, you should probably go ahead and keep that gift receipt, but you
probably won’t need it.
ColecoVision Flashback
AtGames
Flashback
to Christmas of 1982. Thousands of excited children awoke that morning to a
shiny new ColecoVision, a “next-gen” console packaged with a stunning port of
the arcade favorite, Donkey Kong. Kids
who were especially un-naughty received a few additional games, such as Cosmic Avenger, Lady Bug and/or Mouse Trap.
Now
you can recreate that experience (at least to some degree) for your own
children with the ColecoVision Flashback, a plug-and-play unit with 60 built-in
games (61 if you purchase the Dollar General version). Thanks to licensing
issues, Donkey Kong and certain other
key titles are missing, and the controllers have shorter joysticks than the
original ColecoVision, but this is still an easy, cost-effective way to
introduce younger players to the simple thrills of retro gaming.
Atari
and Intellivision Flashback consoles are also available.
Buy ColecoVision Flashback on AMAZON.
Console Wars: Sega, Nintendo, and the Battle that Defined a Generation
It
Books
By
Blake J. Harris
During
the mid-to-late 1980s, Nintendo was king of the video game industry. The
legendary Nintendo Entertainment System dominated the Sega Master System and
Atari 7800 in terms of both market share and cool factor. However, beginning in
1989 with the release of the Sega Genesis and in 1990 with the hiring of CEO
Tom Kalinske, Sega became a major player, challenging and even surpassing the
mighty Nintendo—it was a David and Goliath story for the ages.
In
Console Wars, which is based on more
than 200 interviews with former Sega and Nintendo employees, author Blake J.
Harris captures this epic battle in dramatic detail, resulting in a narrative
nonfiction work that will appeal to both gamers and business people.
Harris
is currently co-directing a Console Wars
documentary, which is being produced by Scott Rudin, Seth Rogen and Evan
Goldberg.
Game Informer Subscription
Sunrise
Publications
With
so much free content available via the Internet, the age of the video game
magazine in the U.S. is largely a thing of the past—such iconic publications as
GamePro and Nintendo Power have gone the way of the rotary phone.
However,
thanks in part to its connection to GameStop, Game Informer is still going strong, regaling readers each month
with news, reviews, interviews and more, including reports on development
companies and video game conventions. The articles are usually well-written and
insightful, offering far more depth than most of what you will find online. Plus,
a subscription, whether digital or print, offers several added perks, including
10% off used games.
If
you are unsure if the person on your shopping list already has a subscription,
simply ask a GameStop employee.
Buy Game Informer on AMAZON.
Buy Game Informer on AMAZON.
Halo: The Master Chief Collection
Microsoft
Arguably
the greatest first-person shooter series of all time gets an upgrade with Halo: The Master Chief Collection for
the Xbox One, a new release containing Halo:
Combat Evolved – Anniversary, Halo 2 (a
high-def anniversary edition with extended cutscenes), Halo 3 and Halo 4, each
with enhanced visuals.
The
bundle also includes a variety of extras, such as a Halo 2 making-of documentary and access to the live-action digital
series, Halo: Nightfall. Gamers can
even check out the multiplayer beta for Halo
5: Guardians, a game that won’t hit store shelves until the fall of 2015.
This
is a must-own for everyone ranging from hardcore Halo fans to those who have wondered what all the fuss was about,
but have never actually played any of the games.
The History of Sonic the Hedgehog
Udon
Entertainment
Sega
exited the hardware business long ago—the Dreamcast was discontinued in 2001—but
the company and its speedy blue mascot live on in such games as Sonic The Hedgehog 4: Episode II and Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric, and in The History of Sonic the Hedgehog, a
beautifully illustrated coffee table book now available in a more compact softcover
version.
All
but the most strident of Mario loyalists will fail to be charmed by this highly
polished tome, which covers the history, the games, the spinoffs, the creators
and the friends and enemies of Sonic. The book is Sega-friendly, so there’s not
much negativity here, but it is a fun, informative read.
Did
you know that Sonic wears red shoes because of Christmas? We didn’t either
until we perused The History of Sonic the
Hedgehog.
Little Big Planet 3 Plush Edition!
Sony
If
there’s anything more fun than opening a video game on Christmas morning, it’s
opening a video game that comes with a toy. The Plush Edition of Little Big Planet 3 for the PlayStation
4 is just such a gift, packaged with a six-inched stuffed Sackboy, the chief
protagonist of the game.
While
the tangible Sackboy sits in your lap (or occupies a space on your collectibles
shelf), you guide the onscreen character as he runs, jumps and climbs through
an array of craft-like worlds. Unlike most side-scrolling platformers, Little Big Planet 3 lets players unlock materials
that can be used to decorate, design and share customized levels.
Sackboy
is joined by three other playable characters: Oddsock, who runs fast and does
wall-jumps; Swoop, who flies through the air and grabs items; and Toggle, who
grows large to weigh things down and shrinks to traverse small openings.
Monopoly: The Legend of Zelda Collector’s
Edition
USAopoly
Video
games are all well and good, but it’s important to step away from the small
screen from time to time in order to live a healthy, well-balanced lifestyle. Enter
Monopoly: The Legend of Zelda Collector’sEdition, a board game that the whole family can enjoy.
Designed
for up to six players, the “Zelda-fied”
take on the classic property-purchasing contest employs Deku Sprouts instead of
houses and Deku Trees instead of hotels. Empty Bottle cards replace Chance cards while
Treasure Chest cards supplant Community Chest cards. Instead of guiding a Shoe,
a Car or other traditional token around the board, gamers maneuver a Triforce, a
Hylian Shield, a Bow, a Slingshot, a Hookshot or a Boomerang. Naturally, rupees
replace standard Monopoly money.
If
you want to journey through the land of Hyrule and beyond without turning on
the television set, this is the way to go.
Nintendo 3DS XL - GameStop Exclusive NES
Edition
Nintendo
Originally
a playing card company, the Japanese juggernaut Nintendo turned 125 a couple of
months ago. Next year, the Nintendo Entertainment System will celebrate its
30th anniversary. You can help the gamer in your life celebrate these
milestones by giving him or her an NES-themed 3DS XL. With its handsome gray,
black and red design, the handheld system pays tribute to the NES controller
and console.
Other
special editions of the 3DXL are available, including a Super Smash Bros. edition, and each are compatible with the entire
3DS library (along with most DS titles), including such franchise favorites as Donkey Kong Country Returns and The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds.
Xbox One Special Edition Armed Forces
Wireless Controller
Microsoft
The
conundrum: your friend or family member loves his Xbox One, but you have no
idea what to get him as he has all the latest and greatest games and is
seemingly set for the foreseeable future. The solution: pick up this attractive
Armed Forces Wireless Controller, which stands out from the pack with its
camouflage design. Next time the recipient of this cool gift engages in a
little multi-player action, and various controllers get strewn about the coffee
table or couch, there will be no confusion as to which one is his.
More
importantly, the device, which is ideal for the first-person military shooter
genre, has a number of upgrades over the standard Xbox One controller,
including vibration motors in the triggers that increase the visceral sensation
of the onscreen combat.
Buy Xbox One Special Edition Armed Forces Wireless Controller on AMAZON.
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