If you’re having trouble finding the perfect gift for the gamer on your Holiday shopping list this year, the Cinelinx crew has you covered!
It’s that time of year again when the weather gets cold, and the Christmas decorating/shopping has begun. If you have movie lovers, gamers, or nerds in general, on your shopping list the Cinelinx team is here to help you find the perfect gift with our annual gift guides.
Don’t miss out on our previously released Movie Gift Guide, and be sure to check out our Geek Pick of the Week features for even more ideas. Now, let’s get to the games!
We’re keeping things the same with our gaming guide as we did the last couple years. Below you’ll find our picks broken down by categories, so you can choose the best game/gift suited to the tastes of whoever you’re shopping for.
Action/Adventure
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 – We pretty much all agree Spider-Man 2 deserves all the gift giving attention. If you’re shopping for someone who doesn’t already have it, don’t even hesitate.
Eternights (Dustin) – This is an insanely good Persona inspired action game with a fun dating sim twist. The physical edition is releasing just in time for the holidays, and I highly suggest checking it out. For only 30 dollars not only are you getting one of the best games released this year, but a thrilling emotional rollercoaster.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom (Dustin) – Honestly probably my GOTY right here, I put so many hours into Zelda just building and having fun. It’s a perfect game for anyone of all ages, especially if they enjoy the creativity side of gaming, but even the simple exploration, puzzles, and combat was so thrilling. If you can still find the collectors edition, it’s totally worth it.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (Jordan) – Admittedly, I wasn’t as over the moon with the original Star Wars Jedi game as many others were. I enjoyed it for sure, but the story and character just didn’t hit me like I’d hoped. Survivor, however, cranks everything up to an insane level and delivers on one of the best Star Wars experiences I’ve had the chance to enjoy. Even non-fans can enjoy the over-the-top action, great level design, and fun challenges.
Assassins Creed: Mirage (S0leb) – Assassin’s Creed Mirage is an adventure that transcends the boundaries of traditional RPG gaming. Its exceptional storytelling, immersive gameplay, and stunning visuals have the power to transport players into a world of ancient cultures and civilizations. Whether you are a gaming expert or a casual player, the game’s intricate mechanics and rich narrative will leave you spellbound.
The world of Mirage is a meticulously designed and immersive experience that will make you feel as though you are living and breathing within it. From the bustling streets of Baghdad to the vast deserts and ancient ruins, every aspect of the game is crafted with attention to detail and authenticity.
What makes the game even more unforgettable is the awe-inspiring music composed by Brendan Angelides that elevates the realism of the world and brings the rich culture of the game to life. It’s a perfect blend of audio and visual elements that creates a truly captivating experience.
Overall, Assassin’s Creed Mirage is an adventure that will leave you deeply satisfied and craving more. It’s a must-play game for all Action Adventure enthusiasts looking for a memorable journey through time and space.
Books for Gamers
Elden Ring: Official Art Book Vol. I and Vol. II
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – The Complete Official Guide
World of Warcraft: Dragonflight – War of the Scaleborn
The Witcher Official Cookbook
Halo: Outcasts
Sonic Origins Plus (Becky) – Sonic Origins Plus came out this past summer but it’s no less of an epic gift to give to the gamer friend in your life. While Sonic Superstars was an all new game, Sonic Origins Plus takes 16 classic Sonic games and ports them to modern consoles for everyone to enjoy. This includes the original games: Sonic, Sonic 2, Sonic 3, and Sonic & Knuckles, as well as 12 Game Gear games. The updated games also include Amy Rose as a playable character for the first time ever. If you’ve been missing the classic Sonic the Hedgehog games, then this collection is for you!
Metal Gear Solid: The Master Collection Vol. 1 (Jordan) – I don’t think I really NEED to explain this one, but the latest MGS collection should be a must-have for any gamer…Specifically the physical copy. Even if some of the gameplay hasn’t aged as well, or the ports aren’t as smooth as we’d hoped, it’s the first time in years these games have been playable on a console. At the very least, get it for that reason, and all the making of goodies. It’s a real part of gaming history.
Fighting Games
Mortal Kombat 1 is a fantastic fighting game that has earned a special place in the hearts of gamers everywhere. NetherRealm’s renowned series has been expanding over the past three decades, and this addition is one of the best yet. With the Kameo Fighter system, Invasion, and the upcoming DLC character, MK1 is packed with excitement and replay value for both die-hard fight game fans and casual players alike.
Now, don’t get me wrong. While Mortal Kombat 1 has many strengths, there are a few minor elements that detract from its perfection. The customization options, for instance, could use a bit more pizzazz when compared to Mortal Kombat 11. Additionally, the voice acting could have been better, but it’s not a big deal in the grand scheme of things.
All in all, Mortal Kombat 1 is an excellent game that is well worth playing. Even if you’re not a hardcore fan of the series, you’ll find plenty to enjoy in this game. So, don’t hesitate to give it a try!
As someone who has been playing Street Fighter for as long as I can remember, I have always been excited to see what new features and improvements each new game in the series would bring. However, Street Fighter 6 has completely surpassed my expectations and feels like a breath of fresh air. Every single aspect of the game has been meticulously crafted, from the gameplay mechanics and various modes, to the stunning graphics, immersive sound design and gripping story.
The attention to detail in every element of the game is simply astounding, creating an experience that is nothing short of perfect. Whether it’s the epic cutscenes, the adrenaline-pumping battles, or the intricate environments that transport you to a different world, every moment of Street Fighter 6 is a feast for the senses. Capcom has done an incredible job of elevating the franchise to new heights, and this game is a must-play for anyone who loves fighting games. I can’t wait to see what new surprises and innovations Capcom has in store for the future of this incredible game!
RPG
Baldur’s Gate 3 (Becky) – If you’ve always wanted to get into a RPG game that emulates Dungeons and Dragons, Baldur’s Gate 3 is absolutely the game for you. It is easily one of the best games to come out this year. The game world is beautiful, the story is unbelievably complex, and the many choice options makes it almost impossible to play the game the same way twice.
Sea of Stars (Becky) – This game is living proof that the retro RPG style of video game is alive and well. While the physical edition of the game doesn’t come out until next year, the game is more than worth purchasing digitally to experience it as quickly as possible. Sea of Stars literally immerses you into a living, breathing fantasy world that has to be experienced.
Starfield (S0LEB) – I believe Starfield is a triumphant achievement for Bethesda Game Studios. The universe is vast, the in-game engine is new, and there are hundreds, if not thousands, of adventures to embark on. The cinematic presentation is nearly perfect, making it the best game Bethesda has ever created. Starfield takes you on a journey of creation, wonder, mystery, and storytelling like never before. Once you start playing, you’ll be hooked and may find it hard to tear yourself away from the game. In my opinion, Starfield is the game of the century!
Final Fantasy XVI (Jordan) – To be entirely honest, I wasn’t all that hyped for FFXVI. It looked interesting enough, but the trailers never really pushed my hype one way or another. Playing it, however, has been a phenomenal experience with excellent gameplay and a story/characters I can’t stop thinking about. Any fan of story-driven RPGs will have a blast with this one, Final Fantasy veteran, or not.
Diablo IV (Jordan) – To be honest, I’m not entirely sure the RPG descriptor fully applies to Diablo IV, but for simplicity sake, this is where I’m putting it. I genuinely don’t know what it is about these Diablo games…but they’re impossible to stop playing. The simple approach to gameplay makes it easy to get into, while the depth of the gear management and constant challenges allows for more depth. On paper, it’s everything I don’t care for in gaming…yet, I was obsessed with playing it!
Casual/Co-Op Games
Super Mario Bros. Wonder – Again, like with Spider-Man 2, all of us agree this is must-have for the holiday season. On top of delivering another impressive 2D Mario experience, there’s even more fun to be had when you play with some friends/family.
River City Girls (Dustin) – One of my absolute favorite retro co-op games, and it has an insanely killer soundtrack to go with it. The game is two player, no online required, so you can play with someone right next to you. The digital editions have a bundle with all 3 games, but physical was only a Limited Run series but you can find some copies on second hand stores like Mercari. I will say I beat the first game at least 5 times now!
Double Dragon Gaiden (Jordan) – Double Dragon’s latest attempt at revitalizing the franchise is easily the best so far. It manages to bring the series back to its roots, while adding in some fun stuff along the way. While it doesn’t reach the same highs as last year’s TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge, it’s a damn fine retro side-scroller that’s even more fun with a friend.
Gaming Stocking-Stuffers
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III x KontrolFreek Thumbsticks
PlayStation Coasters
One more game coin
Super Mario Bros. Movie Soundtrack Collection
Tamagotchi
Fae Farm (Jordan) – In a year absolutely stacked with stellar games, it’s no mean feat that Fae Farm remains one of my favorites/most played. If you enjoy the “cozy sim” genre (e.g. Animal Crossing, Stardew Valley, etc), this is a must-play title. Hands down. If you’re shopping for someone who needs some relaxation and enjoys these types of games, this is the perfect gift.
Sonic Superstars (Becky) – The newest Sonic the Hedgehog game is a dream come true for fans of the classic Sonic games. It’s an all new story but it plays like the original games. You can play as Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, or Amy Rose while going up against the iconic Sonic villain Dr. Eggman. Additionally, there’s the option to play through the campaign with friends,a first for the series. And as always, Sonic and friends can collect and use the power of the Chaos Emeralds to save the day.
Disney Illusion Island (Jordan) – The new 2D styled platformer is a fun option for those looking to pick something up for the younger gamer on their list. While it certainly skews to a younger audience in its presentation (and difficulty), there’s tons of fun to be had when playing together as a family.
Sports, Strategy, and Sim
AEW Fight Forever (Becky) – If you’re looking for a wrestling video game that isn’t from the WWE 2K series, then I highly recommend checking out AEW: Fight Forever, the debut video game from All Elite Wrestling. The game functions more along the lines of classic wrestling video games from the N64 era and lets you participate in a variety of mini games along with wrestling in various match types.
Dune: Spice Wars (Jordan) – A return to the strategy genre for the Dune franchise has been on my wishlist for decades now, and Shiro absolutely delivers with Spice Wars. There’s the thrill of the battles combined with the intrigue of galactic politics and other grand strategy elements. If there’s a strategy gamer on your shopping list (even if they aren’t Dune fans), this is an easy choice. Especially since it recently launched in full out of Early Access.
Company of Heroes 3 (Jordan) – The classic strategy franchise (one which helped define the modern era of RTS games) returned this year with Company of Heroes 3. Though it doesn’t feel as revolutionary as its predecessors, it remains a fun/addictive real-time strategy game that will keep players active well into the new year.
LEGO 2K Drive (Jordan) – LEGO manages to make just about everything better, and it turns out that includes racing games! With the fun gameplay of an arcade racer, combined with the ability to literally construct your own vehicle (in just about any way possible), LEGO 2K Drive manages to strike an excellent balance. Fun for both younger players and older alike, this is a solid family gaming choice this Christmas.
Accessories and Collectibles
Stern Pinball’s Venom Table (Jordan) – Putting this here simply because it’s a full scale pinball table. As such, it seems like something that would only fall into the realm of “collectible.” That said, who wouldn’t want to find such awesomeness around the Christmas tree? This latest release from Stern looks to bring the same quality Stern is known for while kicking off a brand new line of pinball games. Not to mention, this Venom table is just gorgeous and would fit in with just about any geek decor you may have in the house.
PSVR2 (Dustin) – Released earlier this year to almost no advertising by Sony, this is the only accessory for my PS5 that I believe warrants the price. I’m not a fan of the other overpriced peripherals Sony has released, but the PSVR2 is a legitimate great piece of tech with some of the best VR features on the market. While games are slowly dwindling for the headset, Sony has designed it so games from other VR headsets can easily be ported over, so there are already almost more games available than their previous headset. If you do get it, add Synapse to your list to go with it.
Quick Pick Games
Atelier Ryza 3
WWE 2K23
Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon
Marvel’s Midnight Suns
Exoprimal
NACON Xbox Controllers (Jordan) – This holiday season, NACON has a pair of new Xbox controllers for shoppers to choose from: the Colorlight Wired Gamepad and the Revolution X Field Camo Controller. Both are officially licensed from Microsoft, and considering NACON’s general quality over the years, either option will hold up for you. I’m a sucker for see-through technology even if the colors don’t specifically appeal to me. If you’re shopping for a more serious gamer, the Revolution X is the way to go with a few more bells and whistles.
Hot Wheels Rift Rally (Jordan) – I wasn’t entirely sure where this one fit, since it consists of a real world remote control car that works within a video game. Regardless, it’s an excellent option for gift-giving this year. I had a chance to test one out earlier this year and have been having a blast with it. Great for kids and families, there’s tons of continual fun to be had.
Star Wars Gaming Dioramas (Jordan) – Earlier this year, Gentle Giant and DIamond Select Toys launched an impressive PVC diorama featuring Bastila Shan from Knights of the Old Republic…But they didn’t stop there. While they haven’t officially launched just yet, they have a couple other Star Wars game-themed dioramas that are set to arrive in time for the holidays. These are just phenomenal and can serve as showpieces for any collection. Get on those pre-orders for the collector on your list.
2023 was a wild year for gamers (though not great for game developers), so even this guide feels woefully incomplete. Regardless, we hope this helps you decide on some gifts this year for the gamers in you life!
