As 2019 comes to a close it’s time to take a step back and reflect on all the great things the year has brought us. From Resident Evil 2 Remake to Borderlands 3 to Death Stranding, 2019 has been the gift that keeps on giving.
Aaand speaking of giving, it’s nearly time to part with your hard-earned cash to treat those you love to some truly magical presents for the holiday season. Buying for a gamer is a little harder than you might think, but if you’re struggling for ideas then you’ve come to the right place.
GameByte has collated some of our must-have gadgets, accessories and clothing for you to gift the gamer who has everything. Enjoy the GameByte Christmas Gift Guide 2019!
For the console gamer:
The console gamer is a particular tough customer to please during the festive period. The console gamer probably already has their console of choice, their preferred controller, and if a game isn’t already in their collection then it’s probably not one they’re interested in.
Enter Wrappz custom console and controller skins. Available for a range of Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo consoles, these custom skins are made of a durable vinyl that promises to not leave any residue behind if you ever decide to de-skin your stuff.
The best part about Wrappz is that your skins are made using an image of your choosing. Whether you want to turn your PS4 into an homage to your pooch, or if you want your Xbox One to have a picture of you and your buddies, these are the perfect present for something a little more personalised.
Prices start at just £9.95. Get them from Wrappz right here.
For the PC gamer:
PC gamers are a tricky bunch to please but you can’t go wrong with a high-quality, high-end and sleek AF headset. The Sennheiser GSP 370 Wireless Gaming Headset for PC, Mac, and Sony PlayStation 4 will impress even the fussiest of gamers thanks to its 100-hour battery life, impressive sound quality and stellar microphone.
The headset connects to your PC via a dongle, providing what Sennheiser promises is a “reliable transmission with near-zero delay,” and it can be used while charging too. A long range means you can even pop to the bathroom without having to take the headset off. What a win.
If you’re interested in picking up a pair of Sennheiser GSP 370s then they retail for approximately £169 GBP/€199 EUR. Find out more on the Sennheiser website right here.
For the classic gamer:
If you know a “they don’t make games like they used to” gamer then the perfect treat for them this holiday is The NES Encyclopedia: Every Game Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System.
This beautiful book includes descriptions of not just the 714 officially licensed NES games, but also more than 160 unlicensed games released during the console’s lifespan. Perfect for even the most experienced retro gamer, this book will provide a daily dose of nostalgia to any hardened Nintendo fan.
Available in paperback, hardback and for Kindle, pick up a copy over on Amazon UK or Amazon US. Prices start at around the £12 mark.
For the big kid:
There’s something about the holiday period that just brings out the big kid in all of us, which is why LEGO still continues to be one of the best presents under the tree, even for adults.
LEGO’s Hidden Side ARG sets provide the hands-on fun of LEGO building with the added promise of being a playable AR game once you’ve finished – making them the perfect gift for tech-savvy big kids.
Build the sets, download the free app and enjoy a series of mini-games on your phone that allow you (and your family and friends) to “hunt” and “catch” those pesky ghosts, all whilst working in some interactivity within the physical set itself.
Prices for the Hidden Side LEGO sets range from £17.99 to £109.99. Check them out on the LEGO website right here.
Speaking of LEGO, Minecraft and Overwatch have also been given the brick treatment. Have a look at the offerings here.
For the family get-together:
Nothing says Christmas like a Christmas sweater, and Grindstore is here to provide you with some lovely nerdy takes on the classic look.
Whether you – or your family – love Metal Gear Solid, Mortal Kombat or the classic Space Invaders, Grindstore is selling a range of printed jumpers to keep you warm and cosy. Along with a range of sweaters for gamers, there’s also anime sweaters, movie sweaters and a nice helping of Stranger Things ones too. Costing £21.99 GBP/$28.15 USD a pop, these sweaters are an affordable way to rep your fave games all through the winter season.
If you’ve got a little extra budget to pool into this year, then Geekstore is also offering some very stylish Christmas “ugly” sweaters, including this Pikachu design which is exclusive to the online retailer. This bad boy will set you back £39.99, but this one is 100% knitted and features embroidered detailing. Other jumpers in their range include Spyro the Dragon, Fallout and classic Xbox and PlayStation designs.
For the homeowner:
The best thing about living in your own place is being able to decorate and accessorise it however you like, but if you’re stuck for ideas then head on over to TruffleShuffle for some inspiration.
Everything from doormats to espresso sets have been fully geek-ified for your pleasure, and if you – or someone you know – is in desperate need of some nerdy home essentials then this is the place this Christmas.
Some highlights from the TruffleShuffle gaming collection include the Call of Duty monkey bomb alarm clock (£29.99), the Super Mario breakfast set (£18.99), these Tamagotchi mugs (£11.99) and this classic Dungeons and Dragons tee (£19.99).
For the ‘mystery’ box lover:
Okay, okay, so this isn’t really a mystery box but that’s probably a good thing. For the gamer who eats, sleeps and breathes gaming these Numskull gift boxes from Geekstore make the ideal present.
Available for both Xbox and PlayStation fans, each box contains a set of 4 premium silicone coasters, high quality A5 notebook, pen, knitted socks and a spinner keyring. These fully licensed boxes are sure to bring the smiles this Christmas. Each box costs £19.99 from Geekstore.
For the perfectionist:
When it comes to being a perfectionist, Minecraft can either be the best game or the worst game, but you can always improve and that’s where this book set comes in.
Containing three Minecraft theory books, plus a poster and two press-out models, this licensed set has everything you need to master the art of Minecraft.
Available now for £5 from The Works, check it out here.
For the one who has everything:
Is it even Christmas without the gift of socks? I don’t think so, and Stance has the perfect addition to any gamer’s undergarment drawer with these licensed Mortal Kombat socks.
Priced at £15.99, snag yourself (or your loved ones) a pair right here.
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