Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Check these gift ideas for gamers who have everything
Some gamers have it all. Do they own a PlayStation 4 Pro? Check. Do they have the more powerful Xbox One X? It’s already installed in their home entertainment center. Thinking about buying them a gaming rig from Origin or Razer? They already have a system.
So what do you buy a gamer who apparently has everything? Here are a few ideas.
For the electronics fan: Cozmo by Anki
The company at the forefront of putting robotics in the hands of young people released this tiny miracle last year. The team behind “Anki Overdrive” kept improving its little robot, and released a collector’s edition this year.
Now is probably the best time to pick one up. Combined with its app for iOS or Android devices, the robot can play games with its users. Anki developed Cozmo in such a charming way that it feels as if it’s alive. Upon startup, it learns the user’s name, recognizes the person and can play simple games with the user.
It seems whimsical at first, but the real magic comes in how users can program Cozmo, with a visual language called Scratch Blocks. Users can develop games and share their programs. It’s almost like having a personal droid that can cross the line between gameplay on screen and gameplay in reality. ($179.99)
For the Nintendo Switch owner: Nyko Power Pak
The biggest problem with taking the Nintendo Switch on the road is its limited battery life. In optimal situations, it can last up to three hours. If players want to take it on a crosscountry flight, they have to invest in a separate battery.
That’s where the Nyko Power Pak comes in. The peripheral adds an extra 5,000 mAh of battery life in a form-fitting piece of plastic. It’s convenient because the device attaches itself to the Switch, and players don’t have to worry about keeping an extra battery in their backpack or choosing between charging their phone or game machine. Think of the Pak as a Mophie case for the device.
The one drawback is that the Nyko Power Pak adds considerable weight to the Switch, but players can get used to it. If push comes to shove, they can use the Switch in table-top mode, thanks to the built-in kickstand. The Pak is invaluable for battery-intensive games such as “Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.” ($39.99)
For the Xbox One owner: Turtle Beach Stealth 700
Those looking for the biggest bang for their buck need search no further than this headset, which boasts essential features such as active noise cancellation, EQ presets and Bluetooth connectivity.
But its best feature is its direct connection with the Xbox One. No dongles or adapters are needed; instead, the headset itself connects easily to Microsoft’s console. From there, players can use the active noise cancellation to drown out distracting noise and become engulfed in the game’s sound without distraction. The Bluetooth functionality lets players overlay music from a mobile device onto whatever they’re playing, and they can answer calls in the middle of the game without picking up the phone. The presets permit players to customize the sound from the 50 mm drivers. With an entry level that lacks some of these features, Turtle Beach offers the great packages for the right price. Just make sure the firmware on the device is updated. ($149.95)
For the PC owner: Logitech G Powerplay Wireless Charging System
For esports players on the PC, this is the holy grail when it comes to mouse pads and gaming mice. Logitech delivered a major innovation by putting a proprietary wireless charging system into its mouse pad.
This innovation delivers unlimited energy to the two gaming mice that it supports — the Logitech G703 and G903. All a player has to do is place the mouse on the center of the Powerplay mat. The device charges while players game through “League of Legends” or “Player Unknown’s Battleground.”
The fact that the devices work in conjunction with each other and use Logitech’s Lightspeed technology means there’s great performance between the mouse and Powerplay. The mouse pad solves the biggest issue with wireless mouse technology, and is a godsend for gamers. (Powerplay $99.99, G903 mouse $149.99)