The 2024 Player 2 Christmas Gift Guide
Every year, in the name of commercialism, the P2 crew look deep into their hearts to come up with what they truly want for Christmas. Of course, this is all very superficial and implies that we have money, but hey, we can dream, right?
Paul James
Under $50 - An Apple Gift Card
Can we really buy anything for less than $50 these days? With the inflation rates being what they are and the cost of living soaring, I feel I’m getting more and more conservative with this selection every year. That said, there’s a lot of love for Pokemon TCG Pocket at the moment, and a lot of us (myself included) are fighting the urge to splash some cash on booster packs to complete the collection. With a $50 gift card, you or a loved one can get many few swings at picking up the last few elusive cards from the Genetic Apex set. No harm spending on a microtransaction if it isn’t your money.
Over $50 - Shovel Knight Premium Statue
Ahem. Shovel Knight from First 4 Figures – need I say more? It’s pretty damn expensive, but also, it’s over $50 right? Shovel Knight is still one of the great video game characters and you should celebrate that fact as he sits on your shelf… while I cry in great envy of you.
Price Is No Object - A Steamdeck OLED
As the handheld race begins to heat up, Valve has a really enticing option in the form of the Steamdeck, and now that you can buy one locally in Australia, the deck got even more appealing. From $899 you can grab a 512gb OLED model, and bring all of those beloved PC titles with you wherever you go. With Switch 2, and future portable endeavours from PlayStation and Xbox all on the horizon, what Valve has done continues to impress. There’s arguably no better time than now.
Renee O'flynn
Under $50 - Gogo town
What better gift is there than helping support the Australian game industry? There are plenty of Aussie indies available on Steam, but I am partial to Gogo Town, Prideful Sloth’s silly town-building game with automation elements. It’s perfect for parents who want to game with young kids with its local co-op. It also happens to be my Game of the Year.
Over $50 – Light Up Crate Storage
Last year I suggested nanoblocks for the under $50 in the gift guide. So now you have a bunch of nanoblocks, what do you do with them? Display them of course!
Light up crate storage allows multiple crates to be stacked on top of one another. When they’re stacked like this, the lights become interconnected. It’s a great way to display a variety of things.
Price Is No Object - Australian Games Media Masthead
As we know the games industry isn’t doing so hot right now, but you know what’s going worse? Games journalism. With the large corporations shutting down game sites, small bastions such as Player2.net.au are more important than ever. If money wasn’t an option, why not start up a games journalism website?
Tim Henderson
Under $50 - The Last of Us Season 1 UHD
Gifts that you can’t unwrap simply aren’t as fun as ones that you can. Also, internet speeds in much of Australia seem to suck, so why not revisit that old friend’s physical media and gift some quality gaming TV adaptation on shiny 4K disc format. Granted, regular Blu-ray and even old-school digital versatile discs are shiny, too, but you want to really let the production values on display here shine. Not just, you know, rotate the silver underside around in the sunlight.
Granted, you’re assuming a friend with access to a device to play them on, but that seems pretty safe in gamer territory, especially in Australia. Seriously, why would anyone want to lock themselves into PSN or XBox marketplace pricing, especially downunder? This does mean that most of their players may not support Dolby Vision, mind, but they should still be better than streaming.
Over $50 - A Decent Power Bank
It honestly feels like we are entering a new golden age of portable gaming, and travel entertainment in general. There are some amazing products out there, but there remains one very common complaint that tends to stretch between them – the battery life stinks.
When I upgraded from my early Switch model to an OLED one a couple of years back, I was delighted not just by the improved display but also by the battery life finally being kind of decent. Not good – just acceptable. At last. And that’s been the story just about everywhere – Asus and Valve revised their handheld PCs with different improvements, but how long a charge will last never gets better than ‘kind of okay’.
Also, speaking from myself at least, a decent power bank is something I struggle to justify the purchase of, even though I know it would come in handy. There’s no specific model that I’d recommend here, maybe an Anker Prime or something if you’re really feeling generous; just a solid one, not some no-name knock-off that will be at half-capacity before a year is out. Save your friends from themselves.
Price Is No Object - Hisense 110” UXAU
I bought a 2020 model Hisense and had it as the main TV in my home until recently, and I have to admit that it leans into amped-up wow effects (hyper saturated colours! A bajillion nits!) to impress, rather than trying to provide the more refined experience that has been provided by the Sony’s that I’ve since returned to, which might raise questions as to why I’m picking Hisense here.
The simple answer is that this TV is a very glorious (and probably very silly in most homes) 110 inches in size, and the options when things get this big are pretty limited. Sony’s current biggest only goes up to 98 inches, and that one isn’t close to the most premium model. mm
By the accounts of those who’ve been able to experience it, this Hisense is amazing. It’s probably the best TV currently available that exceeds 100 inches. As you would damn well expect for the price. You’re not going to be shortchanging anyone on format support or image processing when twenty-five thousand Aussie dollars are on the line. That Last of Us set in the budget end of this guide will never look better. Unless they’re playing it on a PS5 or Series X, in which case maybe throw in a dedicated player as well.
Matt Hewson
Under $50 - The Soothing Sounds of The Apocalypse on Vinyl
It wouldn’t be a Hewso gift guide without a vinyl of some description, so here we are with perhaps one of the most memorable collections of game-related tunes this side of the wasteland. The Soothing Sounds of the Apocalypse is a collection of songs featured in Fallout 3, New Vegas and Fallout 4 (and the TV show, too) and features all the tunes you sing along to while thinning out the ghoul population. It retails for just over $50 but I have seen it much cheaper on sale so keep an eye out, you’ll be humming “Crawl out through the Fallout” until Christmas 2025
Over $50 - Compact Massage Gun
As we age we get stiff and sore. It is just a sad fact of life. I have found one of the best ways to get rid of that stiffness, especially in my back after a long day sitting at my desk, is with a massage gun. These little beauties really help to loosen up stiff muscles and let you move about like you were a few years younger. Beurer makes a great affordable model that has everything you need to get moving. As an old man with too may sporting injuries behind me, trust me when I say this will help.
Price Is No Object - GearShift Pro: Ultimate Sit-Down Racing Simulator
Want to relive those classic arcade days with a few victory laps in Daytona USA? Well, now you can do it in style thanks to the Gearshift Pro arcade system for your home. It features 123 classic arcade racing games including SEGA Rally, Pole Position and of course, Daytona and it’s built from the highest quality materials and gear available. I would be selling my Grandma for one of these if I had the space at home. Sold by our friends at A Man and His Cave, I can personally attest that their products are fantastic, I am sure this will be the perfect gift for that person who has everything.
Jenn Christodoulou
Under $50 - Final Fantasy VII Blind Box Figurine
Final Fantasy VII is one of the best FF games ever made, and whilst the remakes deliver undeniably gorgeous graphics, there’s something magical about the polygon figures of the 90’s. Luckily for us, these polygon figures exist in real life and can be purchased for under 50 bucks.
Over $50 - Rog Ally X
The ROG Ally was one of the greatest things I have ever purchased in my life, so with the Ally X boasting longer battery life and a more ergonomic design, there’s absolutely no way I can go past this as a Christmas gift.
The Ally is essentially a handheld gaming PC, and in my case, it’s my cosy gaming machine. It lets me play all the games I want while I laze around on my couch. This is great for a number of reasons, including:
- Couch gaming is superior to gaming at a desk. Come at me
- Games on Steam are always on sale compared to Switch games, so by purchasing the Ally to play cosy games on you are actually saving money
- You can easily mod the crap out of anything you play (being able to play modded Stardew Valley from my couch changed my whole damn life)
Plus with the endless array of skins, thumb grip covers and cases, you can customise your Ally X in a way that suits you.
Price is No Object - The entire stock of Pashion Footwear
Alright, I know this one is a little out of left field. But I recently discovered these shoes, and I am OBSESSED. Comfort is a big thing for me (and I’m sure for everybody in the world – who likes being uncomfortable?), and one of the things that causes me great discomfort is heels.
I love high heels – they make me taller, they make my legs look longer, they make me feel like a big-girl-corporate-bossy-pants at my office job – but oh boy, do they hurt my feet after a day of work. Luckily for me, (and women everywhere) Pashion Footwear exists.
Pashion makes stylish and comfy high heels that convert into flats; which means no more bringing back-up shoes, no more going barefoot on the dancefloor and no more pain! Their price point is high (especially for us Aussies) but considering every pair of shoes you buy is both a heel and a flat, it’s pretty awesome. I own a bunch of these now and they completely changed my relationship with heels. I LOVE them!
Shaun Nicholls
Under $50 - One Piece: Luffy's Hat Ramen Bowls with Chopsticks 2-Pack
For the person who loves their Manga/Anime and their ramen, this bowl set combines both of those things into one adventurous mealtime experience. If you are the sort who doesn’t like to eat alone, the set provides two bowls and chopsticks, one which incorporates the Jolly Roger of the Straw Hat Crew and the other styled to look like Captain Luffy’s iconic straw hat. For those who prefer their ramen to be a more solitary experience, the second bowl means you can get another meal in before you have to wash your bowls, and that my friends counts as a win.
Over $50 - Bumblebee Lego Set
While the Optimus Prime Icon sets are now out of stock in most places apart from scalpers who have jacked up the price, another of the most recognisable Generation One Transformers is currently out in the wild and available to give to the big kid in your life that loves both Lego and Transformers. Like the Optimus Prime set, Bumblebee is fully transformable between robot and vehicle mode and comes with his own weapon and ID plate.
With 950 pieces this is definitely a set that is designed for adults, and if the Optimus set is anything to go by it can be a bit finicky when assembling and transforming between vehicle and robot mode, but standing at 25 cms tall, this set will take pride of place on a display shelf where all can be in awe of it.
Price Is No Object - Built-In Computer Virtual Table Top Display
Over the last year, I have found myself getting into the world of Dungeons and Dragons, even trying my hand at running my own game as a DM. Not only did I realise just how much work goes into running a game, but there is an inordinate amount of time spent setting out and drawing maps on laminated bases, only to wipe them off and spend more time drawing new ones. They can break the immersion of the game and slow down your overall progress and while the use of websites like D20 and Owlbear Rodeo allow the DM to display maps to their players, when playing with others you don’t want everyone to have to be staring at their tablet or laptop.
This is where the Virtual Table Top Display comes in, allowing you to display your maps on a surface big enough for you to place miniature models on and allow you to really bring your games to life. With different sizes and types of TVs to pick from the price can vary, not to mention the almost one thousand dollar cost of shipping, the price can vary considerably, but they all come with a plexiglass screen to protect the TV, built-in Bluetooth mouse and keyboard connectivity and fans to keep the whole thing cool. Combine it with some mood lighting and background music and you will take your tabletop gaming sessions to the next level.
Stephen del Prado
Under $50 - Disney Lorcana Gateway
Less than a pineapple will get you right into the thick of a solid card game that works for the whole family thanks to smooth mechanics and familiarity with Disney characters. We have plenty of reviews and coverage here on Player2 if you’d like to learn more, and using our Player2 Amazon AU link, you’re likely able to grab another Starter/Single Player Deck on top and still be under $50, upping the player count to three. A warning though, if Lorcana hits for you then you’re definitely entering Over $50 territory soon.
Over $50 - Sensory Deprivation Float
If you’re like me, you’re probably overstimulated most of the time. To combat this, I quite enjoy a sensory-depriving magnesium float which has the simultaneous benefit of helping ease my aching spine as I crawl towards 40. There is a range of outlets that offer these services, so you’d have to do some digging to find the best option in your local area, but an hour in a dark room floating to relaxing muzak every so often has done me wonders this year combined with some physio and chiro – don’t forget to take advantage of the yearly physical and mental care plans offered by your local GP either as a few floats and six free sessions of physical therapy should have you jumping out of bed on Christmas Day and still standing strong by NYE!
Price Is No Object - A Yakuza Themed Holiday
Thanks to word of mouth from baka gaijin like myself, Japan has become the new Bali – a hot destination for Australians to experience cheap booze in an exotic location. But no trip to Japan is complete without trying something unique, and for P2 readers you know that means hitting the streets of Kabukicho in Tokyo, cruising along the Dotonbori river in Osaka and dropping by Yokohama. Let all your hours of Yakuza/Like A Dragon/Judgment gameplay pay off in real-time as you navigate oddly familiar locations and indulge in arcade games, karaoke, batting practice and mountains of incredibly delicious food! While you aren’t likely to have to fend off hordes of ruffians incensed at your very presence, walking while eating/drinking and being a loud bogan on public transport might do the trick.
Rob Caporetto
Under $50 - Boss Fight Books
If you’re someone interested in good writing about games (I mean, surely you are if you’re visiting Player2), then any one of Boss Fight Books’ titles will be down your alley.
Covering a variety of games from the earliest days to contemporary times, each offers a detailed exploration on a single title. Whether it’s the personal reflection on Spelunky’s creation or an exploration into an obsession with Galaga, I’m sure there’ll be one or more of them that cover a game that means something to you.
Plus, let’s not forget their upcoming book about a certain Horrible Goose.
Over $50 - CRKD Nitro Deck
The Switch might be approaching its twilight, but that doesn’t mean it should go out on a whimper, and the Nitro Deck is easily one way to do just that. At least if you’re someone who still takes their Switch out and about for some gaming on the go!
The Nitro Deck offers a nice alternative to the JoyCons – from the thumbtacks using Hall-Effect sensors (so no JoyCon drift) to a real D-Pad, which makes controlling 2D games a charm! Plus, it gives you something far nicer to hold than the potentially flimsy joy cons
All you really need when you’re gaming away from your main screen I’d say!
Price Is No Object - RetroTink 4K
What do you do when you get that itch to fire up your old game systems, but all you can connect them to is your fancy modern TV? Well, the RetroTink 4K is the perfect, yet pricey addition to your gaming setup for just those times.
This upscaler takes the analogue inputs from just about all of your vintage systems and spits them out in beautiful 4K with minimal processing lag which is ever so important because let’s face it: input lag can easily ruin your day when it comes to older games.
Not only that but it’s got plenty of options to dial in how things look, which means you could recreate that vintage TV or monitor feeling if you so desire.
Yes, it comes with a hefty price tag, but if you’re serious about your old-school gaming (and have the OG hardware to hand), this is all you’ll need for getting the best out of both them and your fancy 4K TV.
Jason Hawkins
Under $50 – Tabletop Simulator
I wanted to half-arse it and say a gift card because that’s what I want. Instead, I want to offer a framework. A game, that at its core looks like it’s not a lot until you look at the modding support. Then you see that this can be any board game if modders have put in the work, or if companies have created the DLC for it (support paid dev work!). For me, sometimes I don’t feel like setting up a board game, or maybe I want to play with friends over the internet. Tabletop Simulator’s got you. You’re welcome.
Over $50 – Elgato Stream Deck Neo
So many gaming gift ideas are cringe as hell. I’m a pragmatist so I want to give people something that’s useful. At a glance, you’d think this is for streamers, and it is; but not only for streamers. I use one of these daily. Volume controls, discord mute, and Spotify control; this is just a few of what this baby can do. Honestly, it makes my PC use so much easier that I recommend them wholeheartedly.
Sky’s the Limit – Euro Truck Sim 2 with a Full Rig
There’s something about just kicking back and moving some heavy load across Europe. If you want to get fully immersed, then a SIMRIG SR1, a Moza TSW Truck Wheel with multi-function stalks, a Sim Panel Classic Button Box, some Moza SRP Lite pedals will set you back a good chunk of money (over $5000 but hey). You’ll then maybe want all the DLC, and then Promods to really bring it all together. Maybe throw in a truckers cap, as a cherry on top.
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