Christmas Gift Guide

Christmas: it’s about Jesus, turkeys, trees, bad television, and drunken relatives. Oh, and a glut of video game releases. Indeed, the industry always releases a plethora of video games around the holiday season in attempts to earn your custom. And with so many video games out there, it can be hard to know what exactly you should purchase.

It can be even more difficult when you’re pushing something as a gift, especially if you don’t know anything about these “PlayStations”. How do you know you’re getting a quality game rather than a stinker that was rushed to the market in the hopes of praying on your confusion? How do you know which console to get someone? Aren’t they all the same?

Never fear; NZGamer is here to help with our holiday gift guide! This guide will aid you in choosing the best presents for your loved ones, gifts that are guaranteed to put a smile on everyone’s face on Christmas morn. And if you’re not a gift giver, but a hopeful gift receiver, you might want to set this page as your homepage in the hopes that someone gets the hint. ;)

Consoles are the most important part of video gaming. Trying to game without a console is like trying to sail without a boat. So before anyone can get their game on, they’ve got to have the kit. But while consoles share similar features and games, each one is unique in its own way. And what console is right depends on the type of person.

Xbox 360

The Xbox 360 is the successor to Microsoft’s Xbox console. Microsoft had a lot of great ideas with the original Xbox, and now those ideas have had time to ferment, the Xbox 360 offers a refined experience that is truly involved. But whom, exactly, would the Xbox 360 be an ideal gift for?

An ideal Xbox 360 owner would:

• Be interested in playing games online.


• Have a preference for racing games and shooting games.


• Want the latest in cutting-edge graphics and technology.


• Have the funds to unleash the console’s potential.

Don’t discount the littlies either, however; Viva Pinata, the next Pokémon, is on the way and Xbox Live Arcade titles make great, cheap purchases to satiate hungry gamers (RRP ~$8 to ~ $25).

The Xbox 360 is also compatible with some older Xbox games, but not every title is supported. It’s worth checking out what games are compatible before you make any purchasing decisions.

You can currently pick up an Xbox 360 Massive Entertainment Console Pack for just under $800. It includes an Xbox 360 Premium console – the top model – and an extra wireless controller. It also includes Dead or Alive 4 and Project Gotham Racing 3, two excellent titles.

If you’re looking for something a little cheaper, and your loved one doesn’t want to take the console online or hook it up to an HDTV, you might look at the Xbox 360 Core console. It’s essentially the same, but it omits the hard drive, component cables, wireless controller, and remote. It costs around about $550, and the hard drive can always be added later. A memory card will be required to save on the Core system.

Nintendo Wii

In the 1980s and early 1990s, Nintendo was synonymous with gaming. Now it’s back with a vengeance, and it’s impressing everyone with its new Wii console. Unlike other consoles, the Wii uses a special motion-sensing controller. This allows players' movements to be directly translated into the game, making for a more natural and intuitive experience. But who would be interested in a Wii?

An ideal Wii owner would:

• Have played video games in the 1980s or early 1990s but lost interest.


• Or perhaps never played video games at all.


• Think that modern, mainstream games like Grand Theft Auto aren’t their cup of tea.


• Like the classic Nintendo franchises such as Mario, Zelda, and Metroid.


• Enjoy gaming with friends.

The Nintendo Wii will have a wide range of support from other companies, and will also be the only place you can find classic Nintendo franchises like Metroid, Zelda, and Mario. The innovative controller means that anyone can enjoy the Nintendo Wii, regardless of previous experience.

Like the Xbox 360, the Nintendo Wii also has the ability to download cheap games for the Virtual Console from a catalogue of classic titles (RRP ~$8 to ~ $20).

The Nintendo Wii was released in New Zealand on December 7th and costs $499. For that price you get a console, a Wii remote and “nunchuk” attachment, and a copy of Wii Sports.

PlayStation 2

With the PLAYSTATION 3 being delayed until March next year, Sony is pushing the PlayStation 2 for the holiday season. The PlayStation 2 is the most popular video games console in the world, having shipped an excess of 100 million units. It’s an established machine with a great range of titles. But who would enjoy a PlayStation 2?

An ideal PlayStation 2 owner would:

• Have varied taste in video games, including but not limited to: platformers, role-playing games, music and party games, and action-adventure titles.


• Enjoy easy access to a wide range of titles.


• Occasionally dabble in online gaming.

It’s hard to pinpoint the ideal PlayStation 2 user because the console appeals to many. That’s why it has been so successful. In recent years it has enjoyed success due to its range of accessible games such as SingStar and Buzz!

There are some negatives, however. The console is approaching the end of its lifecycle and many stores are putting stock on clearance. Many of the online services, such as those being hosted by EA, are being closed. And the machine doesn’t allow for cheap, downloadable games, although it does have a range of Platinum hits that are priced between $35 to $60.

A PlayStation 2 console currently costs about $200. For that price you get the console and one controller. For an extra $50, you can get a bundle that includes Buzz! Sports or SingStar Legends. A memory card will be required to save in all cases.

Sony PSP/Nintendo DS

There is also the option of the portable consoles. These machines are excellent for a variety of reasons. For a start, they’ve got everything included, even the screen, so there’s no need to get extra gear and there’s no worry of someone hogging the TV. An ideal owner for a portable console would:

• Be in a situation were a TV isn’t readily available for play.


• Or perhaps want to play a lot of gaming on the go.


• Want something that was small and didn’t require a lot of space.

While the Sony PSP touts a lot of special features, most of them aren’t up to much at all. At the end of the day, these are game machines, and you’ll want to pick them based on their respective catalogues.

The Nintendo DS Lite currently retails for $250. The older, slightly uglier model can sometimes be found for cheaper, but it’s harder to find these days. The Nintendo DS takes a similar approach to its big brother, the Nintendo Wii, so keep those elements in mind when choosing it. The Nintendo DS does not require a memory card to save.


The Sony PSP comes in two flavours. The Base Pack retails for about $300 and includes a PSP and a charger. You will need to purchase a memory stick duo in order to save game data. The Media Manager Value Pack is about $450 and comes with a PSP and charger, headphones, a remote control, a soft slipcase, and a 1-gig memory stick duo so you can save data. It also comes with a UMD sampler and software to manage your media files. The PSP is like a little PlayStation 2, so it would be perfect for someone who wants a portable PlayStation. The Sony PSP does not play PlayStation 2 games.

Naturally, you’re also going to need to have some games to play. If your loved one already has a machine, then it’s probably best to merely supply him or her with new games instead of buying them a whole new machine. Here are some of the best games for the holiday season, along with a quick word on who would enjoy them the most.

So there you have it. These are our best suggestions for gifts for loved ones this Christmas. Remember: if you’re unsure, it always pays to check. Additionally, it’s worth making sure that you’re not getting something that your loved ones already own. Most stores have strict policies about returned software.

We at NZGamer hope you’ve found this guide useful and informative, and remember that if there’s anything you do not understand and you would like to clarify, you can contact us with your questions. We would be happy to help you choose the right gift this Christmas.

Otherwise, we hope you all have a very merry Christmas and a wonderful and happy New Year. :)