Contributor Jennifer Jolly offers up ideas for the video game enthusiasts in your life.
You don't have to know the first thing about video games to find great gifts this year. Here's a handy guide to shopping for the video gamer in your life.
One of the biggest questions I get this time of year is about video games — what to get someone who likes them, when you don't know a DS from a PS (it's OK, a lot of people don't). If you have a gamer your shopping list, you're in luck. From young to mature — casual to pro — this is a big year with a lot of great options.
SONY PLAYSTATION 4, $399
XBOX ONE, $499
You don't have to know the first thing about video games to appreciate the new PS4. It's one of the most powerful gaming consoles ever created, filled with huge, interactive worlds and breath-taking visuals in stunning 1080p high definition. The DUALSHOCK4 controller lets your gamer share images and videos on Facebook or Twitter with a single touch of a button.
At $100 less than the other new big kid on the block, the Xbox One, you'll have a little left over to grab up some new games like Call of Duty: Ghosts and Battlefield 4 as well as PlayStation 4 exclusives, like Killzone: Shadow Fall and Knack. Sony's new Music Unlimited ($60) feature also lets you add your own custom music selection into the background of your games — a nice addition to add as a stocking stuffer.
With that said, the Xbox has many loyal fans and a lot of potential. New notable features include the revamped Kinect sensor and voice recognition capabilities, and new ways to use it more as an all-in-one entertainment hub. Be sure to read the full reviews of both big name consoles before you run out and throw down your hard-earned dollars.
The DIY OUYA console is a great pick for the budding developer, someone with a brilliant mind who likes to play — even invent — new games on their own. Instead of trying to compete with big consoles like the PlayStation or Xbox, OUYA thinks small: offering a way to play the multitude of independently developed Android games on your television. With over 500 games on OUYA, there's definitely something for everyone. This gaming console is petite in both size and price, fitting in the palm of your hand and selling for just $99.
NVIDIA Shield, $299+
If hand-held gaming is what your gamer is after, the NVIDIA Shield is an interesting choice. This Android-powered device may look odd — with a gamepad attached to a 5-inch touch-screen — but it's an ideal gadget for any gamer. It will play Android games and has access to the Google Play store for the latest releases, but it can also play PC games streamed from your computer over Wi-Fi and connect into your big-screen TV to bring your games to life. The Shield starts at $299 for a 16GB model and goes up from there, but serious PC gamers will love it.
Razer Blade $1800+
Serious gamers would also go ga-ga over the Razer Blade 14-inch gaming laptop, designed and engineered for ultimate performance. This aluminum laptop is no thicker than a dime, and features a fully programmable backlit keyboard, adjustable ultra-sensitive track pad and plenty of green USB 3.0 ports that are ready to plug and play. Enthusiasts of Battlefield 4or League of Legends on the go, particularly love this gaming laptop because of the long battery life.
Razer Ouroboros Gaming Mouse, $150
For the gamer who already has everything, a gaming mouse with bells, whistles and ultra comfort might be the way to go. The Razer Ouroboros mouse is customizable for comfort and ergonomic performance, and gamers will love the speed and precision it provides. The key here is how many possible shortcuts this puts literally into a gamers hand to speed up their action and give them a winning edge.
For the young — or young at heart — Skylanders and Disney Infinity combine the fun of action figures with the fun of video games — though which one you'll want will depend on whether your gift recipient is a fan Activision's cute Skylanders characters or the Disney cast included in Disney Infinity. In both games, you collect action figures that connect to the game world — each figure opens up new content for you to play in the game for more fun. To get started with these games, your gamer just needs a starter pack for Skylanders: Swap Force ($75) or Disney Infinity ($85), which includes the game, several action figures, and a base to let them interact with your gaming console. But if the target of your gift-giving already has a starter pack, buying new figures — alone or in sets — make great stocking stuffers.
LOOKING FOR MORE STOCKING STUFFERS?
A year of PlayStation Plus membership ($50) is a great gift for new PlayStation owners, while gamers who've opted for the Xbox One will appreciate a year of Xbox Live membership ($60). And for those who prefer gaming on their phone or tablet, iTunes or Google Play gift cards will be much-appreciated by iPhone or Android users, respectively.
AN INSANE BIT OF LUXURY FOR GAMERS?
Oh, why not. Every year we see these outrageous gaming chairs at tech trade show CES, and we always wonder who buys them. If that person is you, check out this Emperor 200. It's hand built to your customization specs and includes a touch-screen control center, air filtering system, light therapy, electric powered leather seat, up to three 27-inch LED screens and a breathtaking surround sound system. The cost? $50,000. Good luck explaining that as a minor holiday splurge!