Here Are Some of the Best Gifts to Get Your Kids This Holiday Season
With the Holidays fast approaching (don’t they always?) now is the perfect time to start thinking about gifts to get for your kids and/or loved ones. Thankfully, our 2017 Kids Holiday Gift Guide is here and its loaded with great gaming gift ideas from hit video games, accessories, books, and more! I wouldn’t call it a definitive list or anything but these should bring a smile to the faces of those that are closest to you come Christmas Day. Even if you don’t celebrate the Holidays, keep these gifts in mind as they’re great for any special occasion like Birthdays, Anniversaries, or whenever you’re in that spontaneous gift-giving mood.
Alright, let’s unwrap them, shall we?
SNES Mini Classic Edition
The SNES Classic Mini is, without the doubt, the hardest item to find on this list. The big N’s manufacturing woes have been discussed at length already, with the only glimmer of hope being their claims of more units being available throughout the rest of the year. For those that manage to snag one, congratulations! The SNES Classic is an incredible package. Not only is the original SNES design replicated here in a new bite-sized format, it comes loaded with 21 of the best games that ever graced the legendary console. Sure, one could argue that classics like Chrono Trigger are missing but there’s no denying the insane quality of entertainment on display. It makes for an awesome Christmas gift and is a great way to introduce budding gamers to these classic games.
LEGO Worlds
The LEGO games have always been a joy to play but they lack the “build what you want” factor that so many of us remember toying with when we were little. LEGO Worlds is the answer to that. Now it isn’t perfect, and there are definitely limitations, but being plopped in a world of your own creation using the editor tool is a very cool experience. Fans of Minecraft (literally every kid out there!) should get a kick out of it, and it makes for a great time for parents as well. There’s also an entertaining single-player mode with lots of character and creative worlds if and when you get tired of building stuff. It may not replace playing with actual LEGO but it still makes for a grand old time. LEGO Worlds is out on Xbox One, PS4, PC, and now the Switch so it shouldn’t be difficult to find this Christmas.
Personalized Xbox One Controller
It isn’t enough just buying an extra Xbox controller from the local Wal-Mart for that special someone. For a little bit more than the price of a standard controller, why not go the extra mile to design and personalize it for them on Xbox Design Lab? You can customize the color, buttons, bumpers, triggers, sticks, and even add rubberized grips on the back. The best part is engraving the front with their personal Gamertag to make it that much more special. It’s simple, a lot of fun, and arrives in a slick box perfect for gift wrapping. There’s a promotion right now for free shipping, so don’t wait too long to get in your order.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
2017 will go down as one of the greatest years in gaming thanks to the unbelievable quality of games. There’s no shortage of amazing experiences this year but if there’s only one game that defines it, it’s Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Not only does it shake up Zelda’s 30-year formula for the better, it single-handedly raises the bar for how open-world games should be looked at from now on. It’s a sprawling and memorable adventure that evokes child-like wonder around every peak and valley of the gargantuan-sized Hyrule. Filled with constant surprises, beautiful vistas, and challenging gameplay, Breath of the Wild is the perfect stocking stuffer that will be loved and cherished for decades to come.
Knack 2
Knack 2 is notable because, in many ways, it fixed all of the shortcomings of the original game which was a launch title for the PS4. It’s way more action-packed, has more creative puzzles, and tells a fun story to boot. The character platformer genre is pretty much dominated by an iconic Italian plumber, but Knack 2 is a solid reason why more of them need to exist. The drop-in and drop-out multiplayer is a wonderful and entertaining way to experience Knack 2, especially with friends and family who don’t play a lot of games. If you’re in the mood for a simple and fun platformer on PS4, then this it.
Super Mario Chess Set
I’m a firm believer that everyone needs to have a Chess set in the home, regardless of how often it is played. After all, it is the ultimate 1v1 game and is an awesome way to settle disagreements when you’re tired of Super Smash Bros. The Super Mario Chess Set is a great version of the classic game thanks to the beautiful hand-crafted playing pieces. They look fantastic and feature even lesser-known Mario characters like Daisy, Kamek, and even Birdie! Buying actual video games for a gamer kid is a no-brainer, but it’s nice to shake it up now and again and Super Mario Chess makes a great gift that everyone can enjoy. Also, if you’re a Chess newb, why not start here?
Click on through to PAGE 2 for more great gift ideas…