The holidays are almost here, and you know what that means: Presents! Check out my gaming guide.
The holidays are almost here, and you know what that means: Presents!
Food, family, a time for sharing? Such things matter naught to gamers, whose passion for shiny new electronic toys always threatens to overcome reason at this time of year.
Anxious to get out there and spend that Christmas bonus or let friends know what you?re craving each of those eight crazy nights? No sweat ? have we got some great gift ideas for you.
Bear in mind, eye-popping new games (seriously ? have you seen some of the HD-compatible stuff coming down the pike?) are a given? and available by the truckload on a weekly basis at this point. But we?re going to focus strictly on hardware for the moment. After all, what?s the point of grabbing that hot new title if you?ve got nothing to play it on ? or can?t experience the action as its creators intended.
Check back next week for a look at all the awesome digital diversions that?ll be keeping you occupied until Jack Frost beats a hasty retreat. As for now, kick back, relax, pop open a bottle of eggnog or jug of apple cider, and have a look at the hottest new tech toys in town:
Xbox 360 Core System
From: Microsoft
Read the Designtechnica review
$299
If you think Halo 2 is technically impressive, sit back and scope games like Perfect Dark Zero and Call of Duty 2. All software for Microsoft?s latest set-top system ? which features continuous wireless Internet access, custom playlist/soundtrack plotting, and personalized user profiles ? runs in 720p, 16:9 and 5.1 surround sound minimum.
High-def content?s just the beginning though; expect removable faceplates, progressive-scan DVD playback, built-in CD-ripping functions and connectivity with PDAs, digital cameras and other USB-enabled devices as well. Stream MP3s and photos from your computer, create special effects-laden slideshows, or just access live television and pay-per-view film broadcasts with help from a Media Center PC. You can even compete with thousands of fellow players, download free demos and trailers, or purchase songs, movies and additional game assets (i.e. extra levels, vehicles and weapons) online.
Socially-minded types will especially adore the functionality it adds, including enhanced broadband multiplayer matchmaking and improved voice/text chat capabilities. Videoconferencing features aren?t far off either? Come next year, friends and loved ones will always be able to see your smiling face beaming from their TV screen, no matter how many miles actually lie between you.
Consider springing for the $399 bundle, which includes a wireless controller, remote, headset, A/V cables and 20GB hard drive, great for filling with saved games or album collections. After all, given that you?ll soon be able to sell user-created in-game content (think specially painted skateboards, pimped out cars and so forth) via integrated Marketplace options, paying off the balance shouldn?t be an issue.
Flashback 2
From: Atari
$29.99
HD-compatible 3D visuals and whiz-bang special effects aren?t everything; your kids, or less historically-inclined friends, don?t know what they?re missing by remaining ignorant of classic gaming. Show them with this standalone console, crafted in the likeness of Atari?s timeless 2600 system. More than 40 games are built-in, including arcade classics like Asteroids, Centipede and Missile Command, plus previously unreleased offerings and contributions by the homebrew development community. Two joysticks further come prepackaged, so you can enjoy a little old-school style multiplayer. Then again, collectors can always plug in any old Atari paddle or trackball still lying around since 1977 ? original system peripherals are perfectly compatible. Added bonus: aspiring designers even have the option of programming their own electronic amusements.
Game Boy Advance SP
From: Nintendo
$79.99
No, this isn?t a typo ? while we?re all for Game Boy Micro, its less svelte, but equally attractive cousin the Advance SP offers certain advantages to frequent fliers and those shopping for younger children. New models boast the same brighter screen technology present in the Micro, yet sport a slightly larger ? 2.8- versus 2-inch ? display, the better for enjoying text or pint-sized-unit heavy role-playing and strategy games. Better yet, the clamshell design not only fits larger hands, but also handles wear and tear more readily than its tinier sibling. Although less portable (think pocket-sized, but not quite as slim as a cell phone, as is the Micro), it?s capable of taking a fiercer beating, and for $20 less, plays the same 700+ games.
MLB/NFL/NBA Controllers
From: Mad Catz
$29.99
Where?s your team spirit? Why, in the very palm of your hand, naturally. There?s no better way to show support for hometown heroes ? and that you?re a dedicated Madden or NBA Live junkie ? than with one of these officially branded game pads. Featuring the colors and logos of all big league baseball, pro football and officially sanctioned basketball teams, sports fans will flip for each. Rubberized grips and a rugged polycarbonate finish ensure units can take a beating, even if we don?t recommend spiking them on the living room floor. Collect ?em all. No, really ? you can always use controllers featuring rival squads? likenesses as urinal cakes.
LG VX8100
From: LG Electronics
$149.99 (After $50 mail-in rebate w/ 2 year agreement)
Other cell phones, even the lowly Motorola V300, sport the basics necessary for getting your mobile game on. However, when it comes to jaw-dropping 3D visuals, general ergonomics and cornea-friendly screen size, the VX8100 trumps the majority. Even more importantly: its access to Verizon?s speedy EVDO broadband service makes playing real-time multiplayer challenges a snap. Face down a friend in a first-person shooter as dual stereo speakers blare and bullets fill the 262,000-color TFT viewpanel, and you?ll almost forget you?re standing around in public looking like a total toolbox. That the device also airs VCAST video clips, comes with a 1.3 megapixel digital camera and (oh yeah) can even make the odd long-distance call is merely a plus.
Theater Experience
From: Nyko
$79.99
Something Sony doesn?t advertise about the PlayStation Portable (PSP): Gorgeous 4.3-inch, 16:9 screen notwithstanding, owners still run the risk of going blind during extended movie marathons. Ease the strain on your peepers with an aluminum case cum adjustable viewing stand that, just for kicks, also adds juiced-up hi-fi stereo speakers and seven hours of additional battery life to the mix. While slightly pricey for a handheld accessory, cinephiles will nevertheless get a huge kick out of it. As will observers, who?ll finally be able to crane over your shoulder and catch the excitement, simultaneously tapping into films? soundtracks via a dual headphone jack if needed. So what are you waiting for? Rush out and grab one today.
G1 Light Gun
From: EReal Games
$49.95
Alas, that old plastic pistol you?ve been packing since the original Time Crisis first shipped just isn?t compatible with plasma TVs. Give yourself a much-needed upgrade with this wireless, funky looking futuristic firearm, which works with any set, be it projection, LCD or CRT. Units are compatible with the PlayStation 2 or Xbox, as well as most appropriately-themed games, e.g. Dino Stalker or House of the Dead. Good news for those of you with no shame as well: similar peripherals shaped like swords and boxing gloves aren?t far off. As for a handy explanation when the wife asks what the hell you?re doing? That?s sold separately.
Copperhead
From: Razer
$79.99
Serious players know accuracy is everything when it comes to first-person shooters: One lone pixel can mean the difference between sweet victory and scraping your entrails off the ground in Quake 4. Improve your aim with this precision mouse, whose 2000dpi laser tracks your every movement to a fault and seven hyper-responsive programmable buttons put favorite weapons right at your fingertips. Units ship with 32KB of onboard memory as well, allowing you to save five individualized configurations right onto the accessory itself. Get a grip on its non-slip surfaces and you?ll be that much closer to blowing opponents spines out of their chest cavity.
Driving Force Pro
From: Logitech
$129.99
Originally designed for use with Gran Turismo 4, this amazing rubber racing wheel works wonders on just about any driving game around. Sync up with your PlayStation 2, and you?ll enjoy not only 900 degrees of rotation, but incredible force feedback support that translates potholes and fender-benders into arm-rattling vibration effects too. Still not satisfied? A sequential stick shifter and authentic gas and brake pedals are also included for maximum realism. That way, when they suspend your license for downing too much of Grandpa?s special holiday punch, you?ll always have somewhere to turn for a high-speed fix. Bring on the road rage?
Chainsaw Controller
From: NubyTech
$49.99
Call it the ultimate conversation starter: This cleverly designed joypad, modeled after a blood-spattered, reddish-orange chainsaw, is manufactured specifically for use with survival horror outing Resident Evil 4. Pull the ripcord to start it with a rumble, then raise and lower the gizmo to make hero Leon aim his weapon upwards or downwards in-game. A full suite of dual analog joysticks and buttons is offered, so you can enjoy the title (newly released for PlayStation 2) in all its horrific majesty. Parents will be pleased to know a GameCube edition is also available, should you have a junior Jeffrey Dahmer in the family?
– Scott Steinberg
Showing 5 comments
RSSCheck out the sites first to get the BEST one, so that you can grab the roms..
I would REALLY love to get my hands on a NeoGeo system. I was checking out eBay and there was only one up for sale last week. What a bummer!