It’s that time of year. The time of Secret Santa, Hidden Hanukkah and Cryptic Kwanzaa celebrations, which means you might be tasked with getting gifts on a budget. We’ve got a few suggestions for that should keep both your wallet and favourite video game lovers happy.
Turtle Beach Ear Force P4c Headset
Communication is key in our modern world, especially when it’s time to play some team deathmatch. This entry-level headset — compatible with PS4, PC and mobile phones — is a low-cost way to hear and be heard when the action starts popping.
Grip-iT Analogue Stick Covers
There’s a shiny new game console in someone’s home. Maybe even yours. And you love it, mostly. Except for those slippery thumbsticks. Those suck. Here’s a solution that made Kotaku’s own Kirk Hamilton happy. It might work for you and yours, too.
Monoprice 5X1 Mini HDMI Switch with Remote
If you — or, y’know, a friend — have hardware from both this game-console generation and the last, then there are a great many devices competing for input slots on your big ol’ display. This small yet useful HDMI switch will let you hook up most or maybe all of them. Get those twist ties ready.
Nyko Charge Base
When you’re sitting back on the couch, hours deep into your latest video game obsession, the last thing you want to deal with is looking for that always-lost charge cable when you get a low battery warning. These charging stations — available for most major consoles — will make sure your controllers are always topped off, with a spare waiting in the wings to boot.
Steam, PSN, Xbox and Nintendo Gift Cards
Nobody wants to ask for them but everybody uses them. Be a thoughtful hero and give a gift card for a digital or physical retailer of your choice. Your recipient might even use on them on games like the ones below…
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag
The most recent high point in Ubisoft’s out-every-year historical action series can be had for about half of the price of its brand-new successors. Come for the sea shanties; stay for a game that doesn’t have nightmare-fuel bugs.
This War of Mine
11-bit Studios’ harrowing game about surviving on the fringes of a long, grinding war may not exactly scream happy holidays. But it’s one of the best games to come out this year and can easily be gifted via Steam. Make sure to get a box of tissues to go with it.
Never Alone
Want to give a sweet, charming game that’s totally apropos for the winter holiday season? You can’t do better than Never Alone — out for PS4, Xbox One and Steam — which reminds players of the importance of taking care of each other.
Got budget-friendly, game-centric gift ideas that you’d like to give or receive? Mention them in the comments below.
Comments
8 responses to “Kotaku Gift Guides: Great Gaming Gifts For $30 And Under”
Cables are an awesome gift, as well. Like, just a few micro/mini USB or phone charging cables, and then the little coloured ties that you can write on. Sounds not that special, but is something so easily overlooked, and then very appreciated when needed.
I would actually be over the moon for those sorts of things never have enough Micro USB cables imo.
Mini USB cables on the other hand…
Battery packs for controllers. They really do suck after a surprisingly short period of time. They are also fairly cheap.
I supplied a box of tissues along with the gift of Dragon’s Crown. It was emotional.
Ahh that winter holiday season in the middle of summer 🙂 localisation FTW!
That HDMI switch is great and all, especially for $25. But when shipping is $40 it starts to lose some appeal 😉
Can we maybe get a suggestion from somewhere a bit more local and affordable to buy from?
$35 from jaycar 🙂
http://m.jaycar.com.au/m_productView.asp?ID=AC1705
They also have a 5-way switcher available.