With the holidays rapidly approaching, it’s time (if you haven’t already) to begin shopping for your kids, wife, husband, relatives and yes, even yourself. There are some great deals out there, so why shouldn’t you treat yourself too?
Next week is Black Friday, the best time to buy video games and not just the older games, but new releases too. In this post, I want to break down some awesome deals, suggest a few products and highlight some that may make the ultimate gift for someone in your life (even yourself).
Miscellaneous
To kick things off, let’s start with the non-specific items, aka miscellaneous, like accessories or stand alone devices. This year has been the year of Pokemon and despite the steep drop off of players playing Pokemon Go, the game still supports several millions of players, so my first pick makes perfect sense, especially if you or your kids play. The Pokemon Go Plus is a $35 accessory that allows you play and capture Pokemon, without having to have your phone open or even out of your pocket. It’s relatively cheap these days, considering most gifts for kids are trending around $50+. You can buy the Pokemon GO Plus online at Amazon, Gamestop and the Pokemon Store.
Next up, the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) Classic Edition. This one may be the new “Tickle me Elmo” of 2016, as in, it’s hard as **** to find. The NES Classic is a perfect replica of the old 1985 classic system, shrunken down to fit in the palm of your hand. It features 30 classic games like Castlevania 2, Super Mario Bros. 1, 2 and 3, Donkey Kong, Legend of Zelda, Legend of Zelda 2: Adventures of Link, Mega Man 2, Pac Man, Final Fantasy, Metroid, Double Dragon II, and Ghost’N Goblins, just to name a few. The whole collection sells for $59 and comes with one controller, but additional controllers are available for only $9.99. As I mentioned, the problem is you can’t buy it online and stores are selling out, despite Nintendo saying more shipments are on the way. If you can find this bad boy, snag it up. Heck, even if you don’t want it, it’s fetching over $150 on ebay, so go make some money.
If you can’t find a NES Classic edition, perhaps Apple’s new Apple TV (4th Gen) may fit your bill, it has all the standard content like Netflix, HBO GO/NOW, Hulu, Crackle, Apple Music/Movies, but it also plays games found on the App Store. It has Siri voice control and is a great family entertainment hub for your TV room. Like anything Apple sells, it’s a bit pricey, starting at $149 for the cheapest model, you could also go for the cheaper 3rd generation for only $69, but it doesn’t play App Store games.
If you’re a big gamer, or know someone who is, then this next option, and the last in this category, might be the best gift they (or you) get this year. I’m talking about a SCUF Gaming controller. A few months ago I did a review of a SCUF Infinity controller for my PS4. Click that link to see my review and thoughts on the SCUF Infinity 4PS, but I can tell you, even months later, I’m still as enthralled as I was when I first received it. While the price is higher than a standard 1st party controller, you’re getting so much more. First, and foremost, is the ability to customize everything, like 100%, from the way it looks (colors and designs) to the way it feels. Customize the color for the shell, buttons, joysticks and triggers (all of which can be different), to the length of the joysticks, which can be interchanged with SCUF’s proprietary quick change feature to the option of electro magnetic remapping of buttons for the two (for PS4) or four (for XBox One) patented (one of 21) paddles located on the back of the controller.
All of these controllers are also made right here in the US and to top it off, they both work with PCs too. I highly recommend you visit SCUFGaming.com to see all the options for customization and to see what all the buzz is about. Just know that SCUF controllers are the real deal and are the same controllers that pro teams like Optic Gaming and FaZe use when playing tournaments like the Call of Duty XP event or events on the MLG tour. If you’re a serious gamer, if you know one or you’re a just a Dad looking for an edge while playing First-Person Shooter games, then trust me, GET ONE.
Video Games
Here’s a great list of games you can pick up this holiday season, some will be heavily discounted come Black Friday, so definite do some research for where you want to shop, but for this guide, I’ll be referencing both Best Buy and Walmart. That being said, Target also has some great deals too.
PS4 Games:
Uncharted 4: $15 at Walmart, normally $59
Ratchet and Clank: $19.99, Best Buy
The Last Guardian: $59 – NOTE: This game releases on December 6, while it won’t be discounted for Black Friday, it has been in development for 10 years and is highly anticipated, so keep that in mind for those loved ones who like puzzle games.
Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20th Anniversary Edition: $35, normally $59
Xbox One Games:
Gears of War 4 (one of the biggest releases for the console this year) only $35, normally $59.
Forza Horizon 3: $59, one of the best racing games in a quite a few years. Visually stunning.
Games available on BOTH Consoles:
Final Fantasy XV (15): $59, Will be available on November 29, also won’t be discounted, but highly anticipated.
Watch Dogs 2: $59
Dishonored 2: $59
Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare – Legacy Edition (with Modern Warfare Remastered) $59.99, normally $79.99. Available at Walmart.
Titanfall 2: Great shooter, only $27, normally $59
Battlefield 1: Another great shooter and only $27, also normally $59
Overwatch: (most likely game of the year) only $35 at Best Buy and Walmart, normally $59
Skyrim: Remastered – $24.99, normally $59.99, available at Best Buy and Walmart.
Playstation VR:
New for 2016, is the introduction to “real” VR and while systems like HTC’s VIVE and the Oculus Rift are really expensive and require even more expensive hardware to run, the PlayStation VR hardware is the most affordable of the three, especially if you already have a PS4. There are two variations of the VR unit, a visor (and cords) only and the complete bundle. The visor-only runs $399, while the bundle, which includes two Playstation Move controllers and the Eye Camera, as well as the visor, runs $499. The bundle is the harder version to find, as it is the most cost effective, as the controllers themselves are $99 and the camera is $69 by itself. So you save $70. Plus the bundle comes with a great game disc that has a bunch of VR games. If you do decide to buy or gift the PlayStation VR, here are a few games you’ll want to pick up:
RIGS: $49.99
Batman Arkham VR: $19.99 – Keep in mind, this game is more of a glorified demo and while it’s awesome, it’s only about 2-3 hours long. I’m not sure how much replay value is there, but for $20, you can actually “be the Batman.”
Rez Infinite: $29.99 (Available on the PlayStation 4 Store, gift cards can work for this and are available Best Buy, Walmart, Gamestop and other retailers)
BattleZone: $59.99
Eve Valkyrie: $59.99
Finally, if you have a Nintendo 3DS or those you’re buying for have one, the only real game that anyone wants, is Pokemon Sun and Moon. This game comes in two different version, Sun and Moon. Each version has exclusive Pokemon to each, but the Moon version is trending as the more popular version, if that helps you decide which to buy, as the starter Pokemon have a much cooler look when finally evolved, I know this because my 12 year old tells me so 🙂 The game retails for $39.99 and should be in healthy supply, so check out most major video game retailers.
Speaking of the 3DS, if you are looking to purchase one, while they typically sell for $199.99, there are two special versions being released for Black Friday, a white one and a black one, both with Nintendo characters, icons and stuff all over it (see image above) for just $99.99, that’s a cool $100 off. I haven’t owned a DS or 3DS since the Nintendo DS Lite, well over a decade ago, but for $99 and the fact that a remastered version of Blaster Master (one of my favorite games from the NES) is being released next year for it, I’m sold.
I hope this guide helps you all find some awesome gifts for you or someone you care about, as for me, I’m looking to snag Battlefield 1 and Skyrim, as I already own Titanfall 2 and Call of Duty. I’m also going to snag a SCUF controller for my Xbox One, as I’ve really wanted one since having my 4PS controller (that’s not a typo).
Also, for some of you Dads out there who love video games, movies and TV shows and listen to podcasts, I co-host a podcast called “Go Frak Yourself,” where I discuss and argue said topics with my co-host, Jsun Torres. In our latest show, we talked about some great Black Friday deals, while also discussing other video game topics, movies and reviewing Dr. Strange. You can find the show on iTunes, Google Music, Stitcher, and Soundcloud, just search “Go Frak Yourself.” Please be warned, the show is classified as an “explicit” podcast and is intended for a mature audience only, so don’t listen to it while the kids are around or within ear shot. *The content, statements and views expressed on Go Frak Yourself are my own and are meant for entertainment purposes and do not reflect those of LifeofDad.com*
As always, if you have any questions, comments or concerns, please feel free to leave a comment down below or email me at FrakYourselfPodcast@gmail.com and I’d be happy to talk.
Happy Holidays everyone!