The best gifts for gamers

Fri Nov 21, 2008 4:55PM EST

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All gamers know this: You need more than just a system and games to have a great video gaming experience. So this holiday season, surprise your favorite gamer with one of these awesome gaming gifts.

Tritton AXPro headphones: I'm all about a totally immersive experience, and 5.1 surround sound is a must for today's video games. The big problem is that not everyone has the space or sound-proofing that surround sound requires (this one goes out to all of you gamers in small apartments like myself). The Tritton AXPro solves this problem with true 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound (via optical-in) in headphones that feature eight speakers (four in each ear). The headphones also feature a detachable microphone that can be used with Xbox Live and Playstation 3. But these headphones aren't just great for gaming—they're also perfect for watching the occasional late-night movie. At $179 (lower at some retailers), they're not cheap, but keeping your gamer's noise level down at night is priceless.

Controllers: This sounds absolutely generic and silly, but trust me on this. First-party controllers (those that are made by Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo) are pretty pricey at $50-$60 a pop, so your average gamer is going to have a hard time getting four controllers in house. When choosing controllers, try to stick with first-party—yes, they are considerably more expensive, but the quality is worth the extra cash. Your gamer will thank you for it.

Logitech diNovo Mini: Logitech's small and sleek mini keyboard makes for a perfect home-theater companion. It's completely wireless, and it's compatible with both PC and Playstation 3 systems. It features 63 back-lit keysIt's perfect for talking a little smack online in between matches on Metal Gear Online, and its ClickPad makes it easy to browse the web or load up video clips on your PS3 or PC. Available online right now for $119 directly from Logitech.com.

Rock Band 2/Guitar Hero: World Tour: I'm almost sure you've heard all about these great games, and you probably don't need me to tell you why they make great gifts. However, there is one thing you should know before buying the game. First, if you already own the Rock Band 1 kit, the entire kit is compatible with Rock Band 2 and Guitar Hero: World Tour (yes, even the drums), so you can skip out on the bundle and just buy the disc. Both games have their pros and cons, but one thing is for certain—whoever is getting this for the holidays will be a happy camper for sure. Both are available now at about $180.

Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer 3.0: Yes, this is the oldest product on this list, but in my opinion, this is the greatest mouse ever created. The Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer was released many, many years ago and then discontinued, but after listening to the cries of many PC gamers around the world, Microsoft decided that this mouse should have an encore performance. It's a basic 5-button wired mouse with a standard scroll wheel, but it's comfortable, ergonomic, affordable, and accurate. Many gamers will agree with me—this is the best basic mouse for gaming there is. It's available now for $39.99 at many retailers right now. Now... if they would make one of these with the new BlueTrack technology...

Games, games, and more games: Games are what make the world go 'round for us gamers. This holiday season, there are tons of games to choose from for every system. My personal quick picks are: Gears of War 2 (Xbox 360), Little Big Planet (PS3), Madden NFL (multiplatform), Animal Crossing (Nintendo Wii), Fallout 3 (Xbox 360 and PS3), and Call of Duty: World at War (multiplatform).

Ion Drum Rocker: This one is strictly for the Rock Band and Guitar Hero nuts like myself. The Ion Drum Rocker is a $299 drum kit specifically designed to bring a pro-level feel to the music games, and if you have a rhythm game nut in the family, they will not be disappointed with one of these. Christopher Null has a full review on the kit here, but you can take my word for it—it ownz (with a z). The Xbox 360 version is now shipping, and remember, it works with both Rock Band 2 and Guitar Hero: World Tour.

Got any other items on your wish list for this holiday season? Let me know in the comments below.

 

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  • 6 Posted by sixfootroach2000 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:25PM EDT Report Abuse

    These Rock Band and Guitar Hero games suck! All of'em. The only thing that is good about them is the soundtrack on each one. The games are boring to me. Yes, where are the PC games. I love flight simulator X, that is great. And for the 360, The Elder Scrolls games are really great. Elder Scrolls 4 Oblivion, Shivering Isll's and Nights of the Nine. They have great graphics, a huge world to wonder around in, many different things to do, you have puzzles to solve, and you get to pick you own destiny in the Elder Scrolls games. I'm getting tired of hearing about these rock band and guitar hero games. A new one comes out every month.

  • 7 Posted by wolverinevseveryone on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:49PM EDT Report Abuse

    "Rock Band 2/Guitar Hero: World Tour: I'm almost sure you've heard all about these great games, and you probably don't need me to tell you why they make great gifts. However, there is one thing you should know before buying the game. First, if you already own the Rock Band 1 kit, the entire kit is compatible with Rock Band 2 and Guitar Hero: World Tour (yes, even the drums), so you can skip out on the bundle and just buy the disc. Both games have their pros and cons, but one thing is for certain—whoever is getting this for the holidays will be a happy camper for sure. Both are available now at about $18." Where can you buy Guitar Hero World Tour and Rockband 2 for $18.00? Both games cost $59.99 each in the stores...Whomever wrote this article doesn't know what they are talking about.

  • 8 Posted by venom0017 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:33PM EDT Report Abuse

    wtf? $18, seriously? GHWT cost me 60$ did you mean 180 for the complete band?

  • 9 Posted by catatonus on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:19PM EDT Report Abuse

    LOL...another article for gamers written by a non-gamer.

  • 10 Posted by jgriggs777 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:34PM EDT Report Abuse

    Best basic mouse out there? No way. The Logitech MX 518 is on sale right now at Newegg.com for less money than that. Trust me those in search of the best gaming mouse, the MX 518 is it!

  • 12 Posted by fttw82 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:04PM EDT Report Abuse

    To SIXFOOTROACH2000, the reason you don't enjoy games like rockband and guitar hero is that they are more enjoyable with friends. That of course means that people must be comfortable in your presence for extended periods of time(online experience does not count).

  • 13 Posted by lamb3454 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:56PM EDT Report Abuse

    where can i get Fall out 3,Fable2,Gears of war2,and sean wites snowboarding under 30dollars each

  • 15 Posted by deathsytheh_gundam on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:39PM EDT Report Abuse

    Nice I really like the MGO in-game texting reference, of course you could always just use a keyboard too.

  • 16 Posted by kixx41 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:52PM EDT Report Abuse

    ha rock band for 18$ nice joke.

  • 17 Posted by dcalpaint on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:39PM EDT Report Abuse

    Any of the Razer mice or keyboards are awesome gaming gifts. The lighted keyboards are perfect for WOW (they actually have a easy way to disable that pesky windows button).

  • 18 Posted by martinperez6021@att.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:09PM EDT Report Abuse

    no, i disagree; the Microsoft intellimouse with scroll wheel is just not true. If you want a mouse for the gamer at around the same price, the Razer Copperhead, or Diamondback with infrared is way better for $10 more add or take a few. You can also check out their entire line of products for a wider selection, but 39$ USD for a scroll mouse is just archaic to say the least (esp for gamers).

  • 20 Posted by whitedoves61 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:44PM EDT Report Abuse

    I can't believe not one has said World of Warcraft The Lich King! It's on the number one gamers game!

  • 21 Posted by jaridmills on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:28PM EDT Report Abuse

    do u know anything for the 360 pro, 360 wireless network adapter, wireless headset, gears of war 2

  • 22 Posted by reverandalsharpton on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:37PM EDT Report Abuse

    Left 4 Dead should be up there, no questions asked. It is the most fun game released since Halo 2, hands down. It makes Dead Rising look like a complete and utter joke.

  • 23 Posted by gamergmazr95 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:05PM EDT Report Abuse

    yahoo knows nothing about gaming you're missing the PC and i don't see any thing on specific games and weather or not they are worth playing. I you are a real gamer and want go advice check out gamespot.com thats the best plays to go.

  • 24 Posted by darexinfinity on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:36PM EDT Report Abuse

    How about some gifts for the people who don't have a console from this generation yet. :/

  • 25 Posted by moedaholla on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:24PM EDT Report Abuse

    ONE OF THE BEST GAME EVER TO COME OUT RIGHT IS GEARS OF WAR 2 DUDE THIS GAME IS HOT . IF YOU OWN A XBOX 360 LET THIS GAME BE ON THE LIST !! FABLE 2 IS ALSO A GO GET ITEM !

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