Minecraft: Story Mode Season 2 – A Telltale Game Series
The second season of Telltale’s Minecraft series is still ongoing but by the time December 25th rolls around, all five episodes should be released by then (we hope!). Whether you decide to buy a physical or digital copy, season two is already shaping up to be another great storytelling adventure for Jesse and the gang. The story is basically a direct continuation of the first game, so if your kids have yet to experience that one, I’d recommend picking it up too. The Telltale Minecraft series embodies Minecraft’s distinct blocky aesthetic with charming characters and an epic storyline, while also adding Telltale trademarks like tough choices and quick dialogue exchanges that impact the story. Kids are sure to eat this one up.
Nintendo 2DS XL
As you can probably surmise, Nintendo products make excellent Christmas gifts but there’s one more that shouldn’t go unnoticed: the 2DS XL. Considered by many on the COGconnected team as the swan song of the 3DS family, the 2DS XL is the best version of Nintendo’s 6-year-old handheld. That’s six years of revisions and adapting to industry trends, finally settling on the simple conclusion that 3D just isn’t worth it. The 2DS XL is basically the New 3DS XL minus the 3D display and frankly, it’s all the better for it. It looks better, feels better, and plays every game in the vast 3DS library. Oh, and it’s also cheaper! Despite the handheld getting a little long in the tooth, 2017 brought a number of high caliber games like Metroid: Samus Returns, Ever Oasis, Miitopia, and Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions.
8bitdo NES30 Pro Controller
For those that may not know, the 8bitdo NES30 Pro Controller is a retro-style aftermarket controller that looks similar to a SNES gamepad that can be used on a wide range of products. They’re compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, and the Switch. Compatability with Nintendo’s console is awesome because as much as I love using the official Pro controller for long gameplay sessions, it’s too expensive to invest in a second one for a friend when playing ARMS or Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. The 8bitdo NES30 Pro, on the other hand, is cheaper, compact, and makes for a great alternative to playing local multiplayer games without using the cramped Joy-Cons. Switch preference aside, these also work wonderfully on Android smartphones on select mobile games. These are solid game controllers to own that won’t break the bank either.
Crash Bandicoot N.Sane Trilogy
Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy contains a whole lot of value for your buck. Not only does it cram Crash Bandicoot’s 1, 2, and 3 on a single disc, they’ve been completely reworked from the ground up by the talented Vicarious Visions. With a beautiful new graphics engine, the Crash games have never looked better. It also helps that they still hold up pretty darn well in 2017, especially Cortex Strikes Back and Warped. Whether it’s your first time experiencing Crash’s platforming adventures or revisiting them a decade later, the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy deserves to be under the Christmas tree.
Xbox Onesie
Okay, so outside of the SNES Classic, this one may also be a challenge to find. The Xbox Onesie, besides having such a cool name, is the perfect gift for any self-respecting Xbox gamer. It was introduced a year ago but this year, it’s been updated as the “Xbox Onesie: Forza Motorsport 7 Performance Edition.” It still comes with pockets for an Xbox controller, TV remote, and your phone, but this new version also has an inbuilt hydration pouch, with a mouthpiece for hands-free drinking so you’ll never have to pause the action when thirst comes knocking. Microsoft isn’t selling the Onesie publicly, with the only known way being detailed on the Xbox AU Facebook page. If you’re able to obtain one, please let us know if you were successful in the comments below.
Now that you’ve perused this list, I hope your shopping worries have lessened somewhat; and remember, it’s never too early to start your Xmas shopping early. If you have any more suggestions for us and our readers, please feel free to divulge them in our comment section. Happy Holidays, everybody!