by Mike Smith
With triple-A console games now priced as high as $59.99, the holiday season is sure to see shoppers on limited budgets -- which, let's face it, is all of us -- struggling to find affordable options for game-crazy folks. Maybe you've already spent all your holiday cash on gin. Perhaps you have fourteen nieces and nephews to shop for. Perhaps you just don't like other people all that much. Whatever the reason, here's a handful of leads for wallet-friendly presents for the gamer in your life.
Gift cards
All three next-gen consoles offer online stores where players can download an impressive selection of complete games at low prices. Buying them as gifts can be tricky for inexperienced purchasers, but there's an easier way. Breeze into any game store and you'll find gift cards for these services in a variety of denominations. All the lucky recipient needs to do is enter the special code from the card into the online store, then pick out their own game from the comfort of their couch. Microsoft and Sony's services both offer downloadable "movie rentals" for a few bucks a go, too.
Extra controllers
Fact: you can never have too many controllers. All systems benefit from another pad or two, especially Nintendo's multiplayer-friendly Wii console. If the official offerings prove too pricey for you, check out "third-party" controllers made by companies like Mad Catz. These often prove less reliable than the genuine article, but that may not matter too much if they're only pulled out for occasional multiplayer sessions.
Budget games
Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft are in the habit of re-releasing best-selling games a year or two after their initial debut at budget prices. Look for the characteristic packaging, and you can often find past Game of the Year contenders for half the price of the latest and greatest releases. All the major consoles except the Wii have a budget range: Sony's is called the "Greatest Hits," Microsoft's goes for class with the moniker "Platinum Hits," while Nintendo's, which currently doesn't include Wii or DS games, is known as "Player's Choice."
Subscription to a games rental service
Give the gift that keeps on giving: a subscription to a game rental service. Gamefly is a popular rental service that sends out games with pre-paid return mailers, similar to Netflix. They carry just about every game available on all gaming platforms except the PC, and plans start at an affordable $6.95/month.
If the object of your game-giving attentions is of the PC persuasion, our other favorite subscription-based service is Gametap: pay just $9.95 a month and get access to an absolutely stellar lineup of top downloadable games, old and new, from Tetris to Hitman. You can even share accounts with other family members, so you'll be able to spread the love around a bit.
Posted: 18 Nov 2008
