The 2016 holiday season is set to be a big money maker for the gaming industry, with many of the major players having released new hardware this year in time for Christmas. With great new consoles, new games and new accessories having made their way to store shelves before December 25, there’s plenty to choose from if you’re looking to please the gamers on your shopping list.
If you’re finding yourself a little in over your head when it comes to what to buy this year (or if you’re looking for gifts you want your loved ones to buy for you), then we’ve compiled a line-up of gaming paraphernalia that is sure to make your Christmas as Merry as possible.
Without further ado, here’s our 2016 gaming gift guide:
The 2016 Gaming Gift Guide
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PlayStation VR
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Price: from $577
The PlayStation VR is the only console virtual reality headset currently available, and that's a key selling point in and of itself. Fortunately it complements this high level of accessibility with technically accomplished hardware, because while it may not be the most impressive VR option on the market, it's still a fine piece of kit with a relatively impressive launch line-up of games at its disposal. If the person you're buying for owns a PS4, we can guarantee that they'll be blown away if you treat them to a PS VR and a copy of Batman: Arkham VR.
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Xbox One Custom Controller
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Price: $79.99
Microsoft surprised quite a few people this past E3 when they revealed that they would be entering into the custom controller market, allowing Xbox One or PC gamers to develop a controller befitting of their personality. Created in collaboration with Design Labs, the custom controllers allow buyers to completely redesign the color scheme of the Xbox One controller to suit their tastes, making it the perfect gift for those who want a controller that's a bit more outlandish than the default black or white design of the original pads.
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The Last Guardian
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Price: $59.99
For many gamers there's no greater gift this Holiday season than the release of The Last Guardian, a game that's been in the making for over a decade but is finally launching on PS4 this month. With critical consensus being largely positive, Team Ico have seemingly done the impossible by delivering a game that has endured development Hell and has somehow emerged from the other end relatively unscathed. After a long and arduous wait for it to finally arrive, let someone enjoy this Christmas in the company in the company of the game's adorable giant bird dog.
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PS4 Pro
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Price: $359.99
4K gaming has been a big talking point this year, with Sony releasing its first ever 4K-ready console, the PS4 Pro. The Pro is capable of playing games in either native or upscaled 4K, along with utilizing HDR for an added visual boost (if the TV supports the picture mode). There are already quite a few new games that have launched with integrated PS4 Pro support, and plenty more on the way. For 4K TV owners who are looking for an extra kick out of their games, the PS4 Pro is the way to go.
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Google Daydream View
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Price: $79
Google accidentally stumbled onto gold with its Google Cardboard, an incredibly low-budget virtual reality headset that presented a neat gateway into VR tech for those without the disposable income to blow on a Rift or Vive. Now Google has debuted its follow-up headset, with the Google Daydream being slightly more expensive but boasting a variety of improvements that justify its elevated price tag, including a more comfortable headset and the crucial addition of a controller. Though there are currently only two smartphones that are Daydream-ready --the excellent Google Pixel and the Moto Z -- there will be more Android phones that are capable of utilizing it in the near future.
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SteelSeries Arctis 7
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Price: $150
SteelSeries always provide a safe option when it comes to buying a pair of high-quality gaming headphones, and the manufacturer's latest Arctis series is some of their most impressive hardware to date. Shunning the overly ostentatious designs of their previous releases, the Arctis headphones are comfortable, durable and above all else offer excellent sound quality over a wireless connection.
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Dead Rising 4
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Price: $59.97
What better game to give your loved one on Christmas than Dead Rising 4, Capcom's latest entry in its zombie-bashing series that teams ultra-violence with the Holiday spirit? Dead Rising 4 may predominantly focus upon the merciless maiming of hordes of the undead, but it does so all to the tune of a top-notch Christmas soundtrack and with Holiday-themed weaponry. If you have a relative or friend who might appreciate taking down dozens of brain-eaters with a robotic Santa that sprays acid from its mouth, then this is your game.
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Xbox One S
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Price: $292.99
The Xbox One S is an impressive, relatively cheap variant of the Xbox One that allows for 4K-ready video and HDR gaming, with it serving as an Ultra HD Blu-Ray player along with injecting a bit more graphical power into your games. While it doesn't allow for 4K gaming like the PS4 Pro, it still presents a great option for 4K TV owners who have not yet purchased an Xbox One console,
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Oculus Rift
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Price: $599.99
In terms of high-end virtual reality headsets the two most popular and competent options are the Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive. While the latter may be more technically capable than its rival, it is the Rift that has the more expansive library of games, thanks to a selection of exclusivity deals secured by Oculus thanks to the financial backing of its parent company Facebook. Though the Rift may lack the full-body motion tracking of the Vive, it's much more accessible as a result, ensuring that you don't need an entire room at your disposal in order to hook it up to your PC and get playing. Though the cost of entry is high, with those looking to purchase it first needing to own a PC that is capable of running it, when you meet its requirements the Oculus Rift provides the most robust VR option on the market, with plenty of games for players to sink their teeth into.
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SteelSeries Apex M500
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Price: $96.99
Typically gaming keyboards have as many buttons crammed into them as possible, but SteelSeries opted for a different route with its Apex M500 by offering a more versatile mechanical keyboard that is as good for work as it is for play. The Apex M500 is much lighter than its peers, less bulky and less expensive, with unrivaled Cherry MX Red switches and an excellent cable management system that makes it as hassle-free as possible. An ideal gift for the PC gamer who uses their desktop for more than just playing Counter-Strike and World of Warcraft.
