If you’re having trouble trying to figure out gifts this holiday, check out this guide!
We here at NintendoGal.com have compiled this list of possible gifts to give to that gaming friend or family member. There are even a few selections sprinkled in there for those who don’t game as well. Article contributors include Jim Avery, Javier de la Vega, and Andrea Campton.
Wii
Contrary to popular reports, the Wii is far from dead. This holiday season not only makes way for a new Zelda entry, but other wonderful titles from 3rd parties.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
The newest entry in the revered Legend of Zelda series has received critical acclaim from numerous outlets. Skyward Sword lets players control the action better than ever, using the Wii MotionPlus technology that directly mimics the on-screen sword. While hardcore adventure gamers will surely enjoy this, Nintendo has also worked to make the game accessible to new players as well.
Fortune Street
Like Mario Party, Fortune Street is a fun multiplayer title that will have the whole family gathered around the Wii. A combination of Mario Party and Monopoly, this game will have you racing around a game board, buying up properties and garnering wages in order to reach a certain monetary goal.
Rayman: Origins
After years of battling Raving Rabbids in mini-games, Rayman returns to his former glory in one of the best platformers of the year. This game features classic Rayman platforming in a fully hand-drawn environment, with a gameplay style that older fans of platforming games will certainly enjoy.
de Blob 2
Prisma City has been drained of all its color, and it’s up to you to restore it in this video game that’s easy for anyone to pick up and play. As you roll through different parts of the city, you’ll paint the landscape a variety of different colors and watch the city come to life, as the jazzy soundtrack changes depending on the colors you use. This game has a fresh style and attitude to it that’s unlike games you’ve played before, and it should satisfy those looking for an engaging yet more laid-back gaming experience.
Nintendo 3DS
This is the first holiday season for the handheld and with it comes a decent selection of titles.
Super Mario 3D Land
Mario makes his first splash onto the Nintendo 3DS in a big way in Super Mario 3D Land. The raccoon suit, which was in Super Mario Bros. 3 on the NES, is back and helps Mario to combat Goombas and Koopas alike. Whether you know someone who’s an advanced platform player, or another who may not be that great with gaming at all, this one is a safe bet. Highly recommended for those recipients with Nintendo 3DS systems.
Cave Story 3D
This 3DS game is what many are calling the “definitive version” of one of the best indie games ever made. Run, jump and shoot your way through a mysterious floating island, on your quest to help the native Mimiga population escape a dire fate. A somewhat short, but very engaging action title that any hardcore gamer will love.
Cartoon Network Punch Time Explosion
This fighting game brings together a number of Cartoon Network stars, both new and old, in a game that will surely delight younger fans of the network and its shows. They can play the single-player game and go on a quest to save all the cartoon universes, or play against up to three other friends over local multiplayer.
Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure
If you know someone who’s into collecting things, Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure might be something to look at. The game comes with a base that figurines stand on which are then ported into your system. A bonus is that there is also another game online for the figures, meaning it’s practically two games in one. This also would be a great gift for the kids who like figurines.
Nintendo DS
The Nintendo DS already has a solid library from prior years, but publishers keep churning out the quality titles for the handheld.
Aliens: Infestation
Even if Halloween is far in the past, it’s never too late to squash a few Xenomorphs. The game has a formula I’ve dubbed “Controid” which means it’s taken decent aspects from both the Contra and Metroid franchises and combined it. A good gift for those looking for a tough action title.
Professor Layton and the Last Specter
This fantastic game will challenge the brain, containing over 150 fun brain teasers to solve, and it wraps it up in an engaging mystery story, augmented by beautiful visuals and excellent voice acting that everyone can enjoy. The more invested game player will also enjoy the included game Professor Layton’s London Life, which can keep someone busy running errands and climbing up the social ladder for over 100 hours.
Kirby Mass Attack
It’s not your standard Kirby affair with Kirby Mass Attack. The twist in the game is that Kirby has been split into ten portions, each with a tenth of his full power. In order to make it through the game, it’s necessary to clump the herd into one fighting force. Great for those looking for a use for their stylus.
Okamiden
Uniquely styled, Okamiden is a fun action adventure game for the DS. The game is an indirect sequel to Okami on Wii and picks up approximately nine months afterwards. Even though the game is a sequel of sorts, prior knowledge of the previous title isn’t required to enjoy it. This would be good for those looking for a Zelda type game with more puzzle elements.
Hardware & Accessories
With the games, you’ll want to look at a few accessories to make a set!
Wii
By now it’s hard to believe there are still individuals out there who have never owned a Wii. With the range of games and ease of use thanks to the motion controls, it’s fun for all involved. With the holiday sales coming up, now is a great time to pick one up as a gift on the cheaper side. Be aware however that certain new models do not contain GameCube support.
(Walmart will have this special blue colored Wii for only $99 on Black Friday.)
Points Card
Nintendo has been pushing their downloadable content more and more over the past few years. This points card lets you download original, bite-size games for Wii, DSi and 3DS, along with classic video games from older systems like the SNES or the Nintendo 64. The casual gamer, as well as anyone who’s been gaming for a long time, should find plenty of use for this.
POWER A Pro Pack Mini Plus
For the smaller hands around the house who playing Wii games is the POWER A Pro Pack Mini Plus. This comes with a Wii Remote and Nunchuk that are significantly smaller than the ones made by Nintendo. There also feature LED lights behind the clear buttons. With three colors to choose from including black, purple, and pink, there’s bound to be a color to satisfy.
(These will be on sale at Toys R Us on Black Friday for $20.99, though that may be black only.)
Rock Band 3 Keyboard
Rock Band 3 is the defining rhythm game experience for many, and the entire family can get together and rock out to their favorite songs after someone finds this under the tree. With Pro Keys mode, you can learn the real piano basics of dozens of popular songs like “Free Bird” or “Bohemian Rhapsody”. The controller itself also functions as a MIDI keyboard.
Memorex Game Selector
If you know someone who has a variety of Nintendo DS and/or Nintendo 3DS games, you may want to look into the Memorex Game Selector. The accessory fits DS Lite, DSi, DSi XL, and 3DS handhelds and holds up to three games. This allows the user to carry a few games and pick what to play simply by flipping a switch on the bottom of the unit.
Bargain Games
We wanted this section for merchandise that would be on sale on Black Friday or around that period and would make a great gift for the price.
DJ Hero 2 (Various bargain retailers such as Big Lots, $20)
Even if Activision is out of the music race and has bowed out, it’s no reason to ignore DJ Hero 2. This comes bundled with the turntable controller and game which has some outstanding mixed tracks from artists such as Lady GaGa. An inexpensive musical game for those recipients looking to use something other than a plastic guitar.
Just Dance 3 (Walmart, $28)
Know someone who just wants to get up and dance to a funky tune on the radio? Just Dance 3 may be what their feet and arms need. In this latest version, there are more songs that will get people off the couch and bogey. Recommended for those routy teen parties.
Animal Crossing: City Folk (Nintendo Selects version, Best buy, $15)
Animal Crossing: City Folk is a game that can be fun on a daily basis. You’ll be wandering your own town, having conversations with the animal residents. Players also can buy decor for their own home with money earned from various means. In this version of Animal Crossing, a city was introduced that allows the player to hop on a bus for more to explore. This is a game that can be played with the whole family, one at a time.
Music
There is a ton of great video game music out there, though our selections are mostly the more mainstream CDs available.
The Greatest Video Game Music
Although the track selection is questionable, the music itself is outstanding. Even if you or the giftee doesn’t know the original track, it’s a joy to listen to, especially for fans of orchestrated music. This could make a good stocking stuffer.
Video Games Live (Volume 1 & 2)
Going to the actual Video Games Live concerts is a fun time for all gamers. The music involved generally tickles that nostalgia bone in everyone and this compilation is no different. For those that can’t attend the concerts, this is may be a decent substitute. Both volumes contain something for everyone.
Play! A Video Game Symphony Live!
Unlike the Video Games Live compilations, Play! A Video Game Symphony Live! doesn’t just go for those extremely familiar tunes. Instead, the CD has medleys from unlikely sources such as the Commodore 64 that are catchy and get the feet tapping. This may be great for those who already have other similar video game CDs.
Donkey Kong Country – The Greatest Bits
If you are looking for a great album to take you back to the heyday of the SNES and Rare era, you have to pick up this 8-bit remake of the Donkey Kong Country album. The Greatest Bits takes this awesome album and gives it an 8-bit groove and dance feel that is sure to get your head bumping. For those who are looking for an awesome album to take you back or just great album to groove and dance to, Donkey Kong Country by The Greatest Bits is sure to fill that need.
Charities
If you’re feeling a bit generous, why not donate something to a charity? It helps a good cause and spreads the holiday cheer.
Each description comes straight from the official page for each charity organization.
Child’s Play
http://childsplaycharity.org
Since 2003, we’ve set up and organized Child’s Play, a game industry charity dedicated to improving the lives of children with toys and games in our network of over 70 hospitals worldwide. Over the years, you as a community have answered the call and come together to raise millions of dollars.
Child’s Play works in two ways. With the help of hospital staff, we set up gift wish lists full of video games, toys, books, and other fun stuff for kids. By clicking on a hospital location on our map, you can view that hospital’s wish list and send a gift.
Child’s Play also receives cash donations throughout the year. With those cash donations, we purchase new consoles, peripherals, games, and more for hospitals and therapy facilities. These donations allow for children to enjoy age-appropriate entertainment, interact with their peers, friends, and family, and can provide vital distraction from an otherwise generally unpleasant experience.
Gamers Outreach
http://gamersoutreach.org
Gamers Outreach Foundation is a video-game industry charity organization that works to use interactive entertainment in ways that improve the lives of others. Simply put, we use video games to help people out!
We currently focus our resources on three unique initiatives…
Project Go Kart
Gamers Outreach funds the construction of portable video game kiosks we like to call, GO Karts (Gamers Outreach Karts). GO Karts are used to provide entertainment to patients in hospitals who have a limited amount of access to activities outside of their rooms. Thanks to GO Karts, hospital staff members are able to easily transport video games and other sources of entertainment to patients…
Fun For Our Troops
Gamers Outreach Foundation supplies video game care packages to troops serving overseas through our Fun for our Troops initiative. The goal of this initiative is to provide stress relief, relaxation, and boost the morale and overall well-being of U.S. troops. Many of our service members are gamers and they rely on game play as a way to decompress and lift their spirits. Fun For Our Troops serves all branches of the U.S. Military and primarily works with video game consoles, PC games, and console games.
Gaming4others
Gamers Outreach coordinates online video game tournaments and community game nights to help raise funds for others in need. Through our initiative Gaming4others, Gamers Outreach hosts fund raising events for our own projects as well as a variety of causes and charity organizations. Gamers from across the country donate funds to participate in online tournaments. Proceeds from the tournaments are then donated to pre-designated causes or organizations. Gaming4Others combines passion for gaming with charitable action; an ideal way for gamers to positively impact problems existing in our global community.
GamesAid (For UK donators)
http://www.gamesaid.org/
GamesAid is a new UK video games industry based charity. It distributes funds to a diverse range of charities; it is a means of giving something back on behalf of the industry.
GamesAid acts as a broker of charitable activity on behalf of the industry, taking advice from all sectors. It is a non trading body. The charity is administered by Trustees, who operate on a fixed term basis. It is formally run by a chairman, who is also on a fixed term.
GamesAid is a children and young people’s charity.
DonateGames
http://www.donategames.org/
Based in Dana Point, CA, DonateGames is an innovative social enterprise dedicated to supporting children with rare diseases through the collection and re-purposing of donated video games and gear.
DonateGames was founded in 2008 by an award-winning software entrepreneur, Jim Carol, two years after his 11-year old son was diagnosed with a fatal form of leukemia. During that time, Jim witnessed the immense healing power of video games and the kindness of a stranger who saved his son’s life. He felt compelled to give back. Jim created this charity to help inspire and support sick children and their families.
As a social enterprise, DonateGames unites a philanthropic purpose with a sustainable business model. And the method is simple: keep costs and prices low, offer financial incentives to encourage donations, and form strong, meaningful partnerships with like-minded organizations.
Our broader purpose ensures that donors can easily get and stay involved in a charitable cause. The response so far has been amazing: National and international donations have surged, and leading video game publishers have made enthusiastic and substantial contributions to our efforts. This overwhelmingly positive response demonstrates that people, when provided with information and the means to help, actively care about the 25 million children and families affected by rare diseases.
In 2010, DonateGames built operational infrastructure, granted wishes for sick children, and funded research at several leading institutions. We distributed more than $100,000 dollars to partnering foundations, research institutions, and families, and gifted more than 3,000 new video games to hospitalized children, providing them with much needed sources of fun and relief.
DonateGames is continually humbled by your kindness and support, and with your help, we hope to usher in a whole new generation of philanthropists to bring hope and treatment to the millions of children who suffer from rare diseases.
If you have any suggestions for your fellow readers, feel free to leave a comment!
