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The Gamer's Guide to Xmas Gifts

Santa is coming soon, and so we've prepared a little wishlist of cool gaming gadgets and gizmos that would fit nicely under our Xmas tree this year.

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Christmas is just around the corner, and many of you will be wondering what to put on the list that you send to Santa every year. Alternatively you might want to buy something for that special game-playing someone in your life, but you don't know what to get them. Buying presents is never easy, and it can be tricky to gauge what's great, and what's a load of old tat. If that's you and you've no idea what to buy or ask for, or even if you're just after ideas and inspiration, then hopefully our handy guide will help you along.

Turtle Beach Elite Pro - Turtle Beach's new cross-platform headset has it all. Not only can you listen to in-game audio and music with impressive clarity and plenty of range, but the microphone is of a decent quality too. The build of the headset itself is very good, it feels comfortable to wear for extended periods of time, and it's fully adjustable headband allowed for flexibility. It feels hefty and well built, although it doesn't weigh too much on the old noggin, and the cushions on each cup are nice and soft. Finally, it works on PC, PS4 and Xbox One (although you'll need a controller with a 3.5mm jack for the latter).

The Gamer's Guide to Xmas Gifts

PlayStation VR - If you're feeling like really spoiling someone, or if you've got a certain someone in your life who's more than happy to spoil you, then why not consider bagging yourself PlayStation VR? The headset might not be cheap, and you'll want to feed it games, but there's already a solid collection of titles building up around Sony's venture into the world of VR. It's stylishly built and comfortable to wear, and although it doesn't quite stack up against its PC-based counterparts (Oculus Rift and HTC Vive) from a technical perspective, it's certainly the most affordable of the big three.

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The Gamer's Guide to Xmas Gifts

Nintendo Classic Mini: Nintendo Entertainment System - As you probably already know, the Nintendo Classic Mini sold out incredibly fast, so much so that nearly every retailer has run out of stock. With such a scarce supply you won't be shocked to hear that there are people selling them on eBay, taking advantage of the demand with inflated prices. Our advice, wait until your local retailer has them back in stock again, so you can play a decent range of legendary NES games, but without paying the extortionate prices.

The Gamer's Guide to Xmas Gifts

Pikachu Gym T-Shirt - Are you back on the good ship Pokémon after joyous hours spent playing Pokémon Go earlier this year? Or are you buzzing after getting your grubby little mitts on Sun/Moon, the newest entry in the main series? If the answer to either question is "yes", then this Pikachu Gym t-shirt from Insert Coin Clothing might well be the one for you. The Pikachu-coloured t-shirt is available for both men and women, hurrah for inclusivity!

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The Gamer's Guide to Xmas Gifts

SteelSeries Rival 700 - In many ways the Rival 700 is an ordinary high end gaming mouse, but it stands out from the crowd thanks to one very neat trick. It comes equipped with a small vibration device, much like what you've got in your phone. This means it can vibrate and give haptic feedback. For the games that support it (there's not a huge amount at the moment, but popular titles such as Dota 2, CS:GO and Minecraft already do) it's a game-changing trick.

The Gamer's Guide to Xmas Gifts

Blue Yeti Professional USB Microphone - The Yeti is great for people who want to make their own podcasts, let's plays, and even online video banter. The microphone features simple controls that will let you record exactly what you want, and to a high level of quality. The microphone is also Skype certified and compatible. The adjustable dial on each side of the mic can a little bit loose at times, but all told it's a decent mic that's built to last.

The Gamer's Guide to Xmas Gifts

Logitech G900 Chaos Spectrum - The Logitech G900 Chaos Spectrum is a gaming mouse that will likely please plenty of PC gamers. It has programmable LED lighting, 11 programmable buttons and 12,000 DPI, and it features both wired and wireless connectivity, thus making this particular device a very versatile peripheral, and one that'll look great on your desk thanks to smart design.

The Gamer's Guide to Xmas Gifts

Corsair Strafe RGB Silent Mechanical Gaming Keyboard - The Corsair Strafe RGB silent mechanical gaming keyboard is designed to be 30% quieter than other mechanical keyboards on the market. The keyboard features 100% anti-ghosting, Cherry MX switches, multicolour backlighting, and an ergonomic detachable wrist rest. The keyboard is also fully programmable so PC gamers can reassign and create their own setup. If you're after a cheaper model, the standard Strafe is also a very good keyboard and is readily available. If you want to go the other way and sit in the lap of luxury, the K70 is compatible with the Lapdog, a tray system that lets you game more comfortably on the sofa.

The Gamer's Guide to Xmas Gifts
The Gamer's Guide to Xmas Gifts

Elgato HD60 S - The Elgato HD60 S is an external capture card that allows you to record and stream your gameplay, so if you want to be the next star of Twitch or YouTube then this is as good a place as any to get started. The Elgato HD60 S records and streams gameplay in 1080p and 60fps, which is sure to please budding broadcasters (just make sure your streaming rig can handle it). The HD60 S can save your gameplay thanks to Flashback Recording, which allows you to slide back in time on your PC and hit the record button retroactively.

The Gamer's Guide to Xmas Gifts

Sega Mega Drive Classic Game Console (Sonic 25th Anniversary Edition) - If you were a gamer during the nineties you'll probably remember the Sega Mega Drive (or the Genesis, for those living in the USA). If the thought of a childhood spent playing Sonic and all the rest raises a smile on your face, then why not take a trip back in time and play some genre-defining Mega Drive games on this classic console. This is actually the Sonic 25th Anniversary Edition of the plug-in device, and it comes with 80 games built into the system. If you prefer to retro game on the go, you can also pick up the Mega Drive Ultimate Portable Game Player.

The Gamer's Guide to Xmas Gifts

Razer Mamba Tournament Edition Laser Gaming Mouse - The Razer Mamba Tournament Edition Laser gaming mouse is the world's most precise gaming mouse, with 16,000 DPI, so if you've got lightning fast reflexes and you want accuracy to match, then this might be worth a little looksy. The mouse has nine programmable buttons and programmable LED lighting too, with numerous colour options available so you click your way to victory and check out all the pretty colours while you play.

The Gamer's Guide to Xmas Gifts

X-Rocker X-Pedestal Gaming Chair for PS4 and Xbox One - If you want to game in comfort and style and for reasonable price, this gaming chair may be what you need. The X-Pedestal gaming chair is covered in padded faux leather, thus making it comfortable to sit on for an extended period of time. The chair also features a 2.1 audio system and a built-in powerful subwoofer for added depth, and even has a Bluetooth receiver. It's also compatible with most gaming systems.

The Gamer's Guide to Xmas Gifts

Atari Flashback Ultimate Portable Game Player - You can play Atari games on the go with the Atari Flashback Ultimate Portable Game Player. The handheld system has 60 games built into it, with notable titles such as Adventure, Atari Climber, and Secret Quest. The handheld sports a 3.2 inch LCD display and has a SD card slot to download more games. There's also home console version called the Atari Flashback 7 that launched this year, and that comes rocking 101 classic games.

The Gamer's Guide to Xmas Gifts

Gears of War 4 Limited Edition Controllers - If you enjoyed Gears of War 4 and warmed to main protagonist JD Fenix, then this themed controller (right) will gear you up for combat. The design is based on JD Fenix's armour, and it has metallic blue accents and a textured grip. Meanwhile, the controller on the left has a battle-weathered design and features the iconic Crimson Omen. This controller also has a red metallic D-pad, and a textured grip for enhanced control. You'll also get a unique multiplayer lobby banner and three Gears packs for special in-game items with either of them.

The Gamer's Guide to Xmas GiftsThe Gamer's Guide to Xmas Gifts

Final Fantasy XV Play Arts Kai - Fans of Final Fantasy, or Final Fantasy XV to be more precise, should look out for these Play Arts Kai figures, based on the game's main protagonist, Noctis, and companions Prompto, Ignis and Gladiolus. The figures comes with a number of accessories and a stand, and they're designed by Final Fantasy character designer Tetsuya Nomura. If there's space on your shelf for a new collectible, these might be worth a look.

The Gamer's Guide to Xmas GiftsThe Gamer's Guide to Xmas GiftsThe Gamer's Guide to Xmas GiftsThe Gamer's Guide to Xmas Gifts

Soul Calibur - 20th Anniversary Men's Hoodie - Celebrate Soul Calibur's 20th anniversary with a... hoodie! This particular hooded garment is bound to keep you warm during the freezy cold winter months and is available in a range of colours and sizes. If you're a big fan of the series, this is one way of showing your appreciation for twenty years of hacking and slashing across the stage of history.

The Gamer's Guide to Xmas Gifts

Dark Souls III - Movie Poster - Do you want some Dark Souls art styled like an old movie poster? If the answer to that very specific question is a "yes", then Bandai Namco has you covered (or they can cover that stain on the wall, it's up to you), and although there's only one size available, nonetheless the poster looks cool and will appeal to masochistic RPG fans everywhere. There's no word on a Dark Souls movie in production, just in case anyone was wondering.

The Gamer's Guide to Xmas Gifts

Overwatch Tracer Statue - Blizzard's team shooter is no doubt one of the undisputed successes of the year, and hardcore fans may want to check out Blizzard's statue of Tracer, which is sure to spice up your gaming shelf (or give you nightmares every time you think about all of those times that you fired shots at thin air). At just over 26cm tall, it was created by Senior Sculptor Brian Fay and painted by Senior Illustrator Laurel Austin, with no details spared.

The Gamer's Guide to Xmas Gifts

PlayStation Messenger Bag - Everyone loves the original PlayStation, right? There were countless classics released on the iconic console, including Spyro the Dragon, Crash Bandicoot, Tomb Raider, and Metal Gear Solid, just to name a few (and Destruction Derby, let's not forget that, and Wipeout, and... ok, we'll stop). It was a brilliant console back in the day and will be fondly remembered by many.

The Gamer's Guide to Xmas Gifts

Skyrim: Vol. 1 The Histories - The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim has just been rereleased in the form of a new special edition for PC, PS4 and Xbox One, and what better way to get yourself sucked (back?) into the brilliant open-world RPG crafted by Bethesda than a detailed history of its setting, Skyrim. Featuring landscapes, heroes, dragons, lore, and so much more, this is something hardcore Skyrim fans will want in their lives.

The Gamer's Guide to Xmas Gifts

Turtle Beach Stream Mic - The new streaming mic from Turtle Beach has been built with gamers in mind. It's compatible across PC and consoles, and the audio quality is decent thanks to the company's Truspeak technology. It's a decent piece of kit, although the plastic casing isn't as luxurious as it could have been. That doesn't matter all that much, because not only will it do the job, but it'll look good on your desktop thanks to its eye-catching design.

The Gamer's Guide to Xmas Gifts

Steam Controller - If you're on PC and you want to change things up from your traditional controller of choice (Xbox 360/One controllers have always worked great on Windows, and Valve added DualShock 4 integration recently, so there are options) then perhaps consider the Valve-made Steam Controller. It's very different, and takes some getting use to after years of twin-stick control, but for those that can push through the pain barrier, a capable and hugely customisable controller awaits.

The Gamer's Guide to Xmas GiftsThe Gamer's Guide to Xmas Gifts

An Indiebox Subscription - Is there someone in your life who loves indie games, or are you yourself a bit partial to an independently crafted game? If so, perhaps consider a subscription to Indiebox, and once a month you'll/they'll get send a collector's edition of a promising indie game, full of limited edition goodies. Take a look at the last year's worth of games to see if it's the kind of stuff you like.

The Gamer's Guide to Xmas Gifts

Jumpers by Numskull Designs - If you want to look festive this year, but you prefer to keep your yuletide accessories within the realm of video games, then we can heartily recommend the new line of gaming-themed Xmas jumpers from Numskull. We got our hands on a Skyrim jumper and it looks great. There's a healthy selection of knitwear (and more) over on their website, so if you're more of a Halo fan, or if Sonic is more your thing, you'll still be well catered for.

The Gamer's Guide to Xmas Gifts


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