Being a gamer isn’t easy. Especially during the Holiday season. Not only are we expected to conquer family meet-ups — which tend to be more difficult than Malenia if they’re a ‘conventional’ gamer — but when the annual “So what do you want for Christmas?” question rolls around, we don’t have much to say. Oh, we have an answer, but how can you explain to your grandmother that all you’re after is an original GameCube with copies of Double Dash and Wind Waker? We usually end up spouting more simple (and generally more attainable) items like those in this Gift Guide.
If the gamer in your life already has one or all of these items — a real likelihood — then we ask you to turn your attention to the latest edition of Stuff, which has its own Gaming Gift Guide section — none of which have found their way onto this list. That’s the December/January (2023/2024) edition if you’re reading this sometime in the future. Make sense? All caught up? Onto the list, then.
2023 Gift Guide – Gamer Edition
Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
Let’s clear some things up here, first. Yes, the box might call this a ‘Pro’ controller but make no mistake — little Timmy is always going to fall short of your own Super Smash Bros. skills, ‘pro’ controller or not. If, however, you’re okay with Timmy’s mediocrity and genuinely just want to surprise them with something that’ll make the journey across Tears of the Kingdom more comfortable, go right ahead.
Because that’s all the Pro controller is there for. Comfort. It won’t unlock some hitherto unknown powers in Mario Kart or otherwise, but it does unlock a slightly less infuriating D-Pad, bigger analogue sticks, and a more comfortable shell overall. The price tag is a little excessive, but with Nintendo’s store opening up in Sandton City and offering a reliable spot to fix stick drift, it’s easier to stomach.
(If you’re feeling particularly generous, cast your gaze towards the TOTK-themed edition. It’s glorious.)
R1,700 | nintendo.co.za
PlayStation VR 2
Virtual reality isn’t a hobby for just anyone. As a rule, rigs are usually too expensive and require a half-decent PC nearby to run anything nearly as good as Hitman World of Assassination. There’s also a bit of know-how needed to get everything all hooked up. PlayStation’s VR 2 is one of the few exceptions, generally standing out as one of the more accessible in the space.
Unfortunately, it’ll still require an arm and leg (R14,000) to get it under the tree, but you’re ultimately saving on the R30,000 PC, too. We wish it didn’t need a PS5 to hook up to and the games were just a smidge cheaper. But if you’ve got the cash to spend, we don’t see a world where you aren’t the favourite parent/friend during Christmas lunch.
R14,500 | incredible.co.za
Lego Super Mario – The Mighty Bowser
Hey, man, we’re not judging. If you’d rather pick up this 2,807-piece Lego Bowser for yourself, that’s okay. Any Mario fan would want this, even if they’re telling you it’s for their child (they swear). Believe us, that R4,900 price tag is easier to swallow when Bowser is sitting on your shelf, and not your kid’s. If we haven’t yet convinced you to drop half your month’s rent on a toy, we have four words for you: Lego Bowser shoots fireballs. If that still hasn’t done it, this video might just do the trick.
R4,900 | greatyellowbrick.co.za
Razer Blackshark V2
If you’ve ever met a former CS:GO or current CS 2 player before (there are more of them than you’d think), you’ve probably heard a myriad of excuses as to why they’re losing; none of which ever seem to involve their own gaming abilities. It’s always “my mouse this” or “my headset that”. So… read between the lines and pick them up a new headset. A Razer Blackshark V2, if you want to get the best results. Sure, it’ll cost a few thousand bucks and won’t make them any better, but it’ll be worth it just to get them to pipe down for a little longer each night. The high sound quality and comfortable fit don’t hurt, either.
R4,000 | geewiz.co.za
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Subscription (3 months)
This might seem obvious, but the most important thing to any gamers (besides their console or PC of choice) is games. Gift-givers tend to overlook this rather obvious gift idea because picking the perfect game is just so damn difficult. That’s where a subscription to Game Pass Ultimate comes in — unlocking an entire library consisting of more than 100 games and even opening the doors to online play.
That means games such as Starfield, Hi-Fi Rush, and Gears Tactics. Unfortunately, you won’t be picking this one up for a 12-month subscription. The Xbox Store, for some inexplicable reason, will only let you subscribe for a month at a time. Unless you’re buying it as a gift that is, where it’ll graciously extend that period up to three months. Hey, nothing is stopping you from picking up two or three gift passes for that special someone to make the gift more worthwhile.
R390/3-months | xbox.com
Corsair Elgato HD60 X capture card
Anyone who’s ever been halfway-decent at gaming has had the “what if I did this for a living,” thought. Most dismiss that particular calling for something more attainable, while others attempt to take the necessary steps to become a so-called ‘streamer’. Or at least, they try to. See, getting hold of the necessary equipment is an expensive task. And believe us, it is necessary. That little black box you see above is what’ll give the gamer in your life the ability to record their abysmal Rocket League gameplay for all of Twitch to see.
The Elgato HD60 X, specifically enables VRR (variable refresh rate), 4K60 HDR10 Passthrough, 1080P60 HDR, and most importantly, instant gameview. It’s a piece of tech that any aspiring gamer looking to make a living out of the business should have.
R4,000 | titan-ice.co.za
Elgato 10WAA9901 Facecam
We’re not going to give you the same spiel we just gave for the Elgato HD60 X up there. The Elgato 10WAA9901 is a product meant for gamers who are taking their hobby just a bit too seriously and want to start proving their mother wrong and earning some cash. We can’t promise that a face-cam will be the deciding factor (that usually relies on a good-looking face) but we can promise that Elgato’s efforts won’t be wasted with the 1080p resolution and silky 60fps recording prowess. Those stand alongside a bunch of other nifty features that’ll only make sense to the gamer in question. If that’s you, check those out here.
R4,000 | rebelgaming.co.za
8Bitdo Wireless USB Adapter 2
If Nintendo’s take on a ‘Pro’ controller didn’t grab your attention, we have another solution. 8BitDo’s USB Wireless Adaptor 2 – a dongle that’ll plug into your Switch (or any device listed here) and allow it to pair up with those more modern and comfortable gamepads. DualSense or Xbox? No problem. It won’t always be able to replicate those fidgety motion sensor controls (unless the controller you’re pairing has a gyroscope inside it like the DualSense) but it’s an easy option for anyone to pull off a simple 4-player round of Mario Party or Kart without first declaring bankruptcy.
R700 | takealot.com