Christmas Gifts for Gamers
Like most retail enterprises, the entire video game  industry is centered around Christmastime. The end of the year is when game publishers hold back their most sought-after games and new consoles, sometimes causing game geeks to camp out the night before a major release. Luckily for regular folks who don't obsess over every new release, it's not necessary to go to such extremes. The most important piece of advice for those buying gifts for gamers is to relax. Sit back, evaluate what's out there, heed reviews you read and make an informed purchase.
First Steps- Budget -- Whatever your Christmas budget is this year, be advised that you could easily blow every penny on video games. If you haven't glanced at prices in a while, you may be amazed at what a new PlayStation 3 costs -- $600! On the positive side, you can easily set up a loved one with a fully functional system and games for around $100. The handheld GameBoy Advance, priced at around $60, is the cheapest system.
- Recipient -- Shoppers tend to be intimidated by game buying because there's so much to choose from. This is because there are products out there tailored not only to the traditional market of children, but also to adults -- even grandparents and mothers. Although there are some all-purpose games and systems -- think the do-everything X-Box 360.
Choosing the Gifts
For Adults
Mature gamers now make up the majority. The average age of a video game console owner is 29, so you'll find numerous systems, accessories and games meant for grown-ups. If you're buying for someone who doesn't own a game system, your options are wide open. This season two new home consoles (systems people keep at home and hook up to their TVs) are being released -- the Nintendo Wii ($250) and Sony's PS3. Those will be hot items and possibly scarce. Looking at the handheld systems, which you can take anywhere and use rechargeable power sources, the Nintendo DS Lite has made some headway with female and elderly gamers, while still retaining the core market. Buying consoles can get very costly, so you may want to check out cheaper alternatives, including accessories such as controllers or headsets, or games. A handy guide for purchasing games comes right on the box. The ESRB (an organization much like the MPAA for movies) rates games based on their age appropriateness. E is equivalent to a G rating, meaning the game is fine for everyone. An M rating is like an R.
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The hottest item of 2005, this system is the ultimate sign of cool. Its online functionality means you can play anyone with the system in the world at any time. |
Stuck at the doctor's office waiting room? Pull out one of these bad boys and button-mash the time away. An excellent buy for anyone from businessman to grandparent and stay-at-home mom. |
If your gift-ee is a football nut, this is his game. The awesome football action is undeniably addictive. Your only danger here is that he owns it already. |
One of the coolest aspects of online gaming is the ability to talk smack to your opponent. Headsets, such as this model, which plugs right into a wireless controller, allow for massive fun. |
Do not -- repeat DO NOT -- buy this for kids. This is a rowdy rasslin' game meant for adults, namely adults who are into hip-hop music. |
For Kids
Kids are always tough to shop for. Their tastes are finicky and change quite a bit, and it's tough to avoid offending them by buying a gift that's beneath their age bracket. Use the ESRB ratings on game boxes as your first guide, then check out video game review sites, such as Gamespot.com, to get a read on what games will be appropriate for the kid in your life. It's always a good idea to clear your choice with the parent. A couple hot kids' games this season include Lego Star Wars II (available on all current systems) and Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis (for Nintendo DS).
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At a cheap ($100) price, Nintendo's slightly outdated game box is a savvy buy for young kids who will groove to the adventures of Mario and Zelda. |
Another absolute steal ($80) from the Nintendo library, this sturdy, pick-up-and-play handheld boasts some of the cheapest and most user-friendly games on the market. |
Though it's being slipped under the rug in favor of the PS3, Sony's redesigned PS2 is still a formidable system, and far more affordable now ($130) than it was when it was released six years ago. |
No kid loves dogs, right? This virtual pet lets you groom, play with and feed virtual puppies. Somehow they end up actually being as cute as the real thing. |
This strategy game teaches kids lesson in management and critical thinking while also putting a smile on their faces. You control a bunch of tiny creatures and have them pick up objects and battle enemies. |
For a Loved One or Spouse
Tread careful here, husbands. Don't fall into the trap of buying your wife that video game system you secretly want to own in hopes that she gets bored with it and lets you take it over. Not only is such a plan dishonest, but faulty because if you give her a PSP, you'll never get it back because she'll have too much fun. For wives and girlfriends, it's easy to buy for a guy. Just ask one of his friends, or take a note of the magazine page game ad your man has dog-eared in his latest issue of Maxim. The following are can't miss ideas:
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If you've paid attention at the movies over the past year, you've probably noticed Sony's ubiquitous black iPod and GameBoy killer. The PSP lets you listen to music, watch movies, check out pictures and play games. |
You knew it would come along eventually -- the date game. This quirky collection of minigames includes a "baby making" mode that allows couples to play together. It's a zany personality tester that lets you create a virtual baby. |
If your love owns an Xbox 360, allow him or her to take it to the next level and play online. You can't go wrong with a subscription card, because it can be added on top of an existing subscription. |
Speaking of maximizing the 360 usage, this hot new camera allows you to voice chat with others. That's right, the picture phone is finally here. Now what about that flying car? |
Other great gifts that are bound to brighten a gamer's life- Okami : A stellar, artistically brilliant PS2 adventure game.
- GameCube Microphone : People used to say you were crazy if you talked to inanimate objects. Not so now with this GameCube peripheral that lets you use voice commands in some games, such as Odama. Now, if only Nintendo would make more games that use the device.
- NBA Hoops 2K7 : A must for the house hoops nut. Some are calling this the best basketball game ever made.
- New Super Mario Bros. : An instant DS classic when it was released in May. Now the throwback to Mario's heyday of the 1980s is widely available.
Tips on what to steer away from this Christmas season- Systems and games that are outdated.
- The original Nintendo DS -- not the redesigned Lite model -- looks cartoonish and outdated. You may save a few bucks, but it won't be worth it.
- Sony's pre-slim PS2 has a reputation for breaking down shortly after the warranty, and it's too unwieldly to fit easily onto an entertainment stand.
- The original X-Box was fine for its day, but it's been outmoded by the newer 360 model. Game publishers are starting to neglect the system.
- Dumb peripherals.
- Sony's EyeToy sounded like a good idea when it was released, but the camera is too sensitive to darkness and isn't supported by many games.
- Cases for the Nintendo DS Lite defeat the purpose of the system, making it too big to keep in your pocket.
- Falling into the age trap.
- Just because your granddaughter was into Pokemon last year, that doesn't mean she still is. Fads change like the wind.
- Your nephew may want the latest Grand Theft Auto game, but he's probably not 17 yet, meaning he's too young. You wouldn't buy the kid a DVD of GoodFellas, would ya?
- Getting intimidated.
- At most every game store, you'll be able find courteous salesmen who are extremely knowledgeable and can help you sift through all the muck to find the right gift. Then once you know what you want, you can go online and find it at a cheaper price through a Shopwiki search.
- Check on a seller's return plan and gift receipt program before you finalize your purchase.
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