Enter next-gen gaming
VIDEOgamE consoles will definitely be on the shopping list of many and this year is special as it heralds the coming of the next-gen consoles — Sony’s PlayStation 4 and microsoft’s Xbox One.
Sony’s highly anticipated console will be just in time for Christmas as it is expected to hit store shelves on Dec 20. The Xbox One still remains elusive as the company has not confirmed if it will launch it here but the console is expected to hit other asian markets towards the end of next year.
There is little doubt that the PS4 will be the top choice for many gamers. The machine not only packs a lot of punch in terms of power but Sony has also integrated it with social media capabilities so that you can post your exploits and victories online.
You can also link the PS4 with the company’s handheld gaming device, the PlayStation Vita, essentially turning it into your second screen.
The PS4 will retail for Rm1,799 but you are better off spending a bit more to get the PS4 Battlefield 4 (Rm1,969) or PS4 Killzone: Shadow Fall Bundle (Rm1,939) both of which come with the said game. Between the two, our money goes to the bundle which boasts one of the best multiplayer modes for first-person shooter games.
If the gamer in your life is not into hardcore titles then consider Nintendo’s Wii U. Released last year, the Wii U is cheaper than the PS4 or Xbox One, with a starting price of Rm1,199.
and it has a stable of family-friendly games such as Super Mario 3D World, Angry Birds Star Wars and The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD. Plus, more and more hardcore titles are starting to make an appearance on the Wii U, so you will be getting the best of both worlds in a way.
Game on
While not the main stars of this holiday season, the current generation of consoles — the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 — have a selection of killer games.
getting a game for your loved one will very much depend on his or her taste. If the person likes a game with an open-world to roam freely and cause mayhem then the virtual Los Santos in Grand Theft Auto V is where you should send her or him.
If its adventures on the high seas then a pirate’s life awaits in Ubisoft’s blockbuster Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag. But if he or she is into first-person games and especially enjoys multiplayer mode then both Battlefield 4 and Call of Duty: Ghost (see review on P6) should be top choices.
On the go
While it’s best to game on a console or PC, if your intended recepient is always on the move or travelling then it is better to go for a handheld gaming device such as the Nintendo 3DS/2DS or Sony PS Vita.
Nintendo’s 3DS XL (Rm699) has one of the best library of games for a handheld system with classics like Mario, Zelda and Donkey Kong. Plus, as the name would have hinted, it has a 3D screen which makes just about every game stand out.
If 3D is not your thing then the entry-level 2DS (Rm529) is a better bet but this unit is mainly targeted at kids which is why it does away with the hinge for a more hardy design.
It may not look as sexy as the 3DS but on the inside it’s mostly the same and can handle all 3DS games but without the 3D. Portability may be an issue as you can’t fold it but it should be able to fit in a small bag.
If you are looking for a good title for either device, you should consider Fire Emblem: Awakening, Animal Crossing: New Leaf, Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon, Pokemon X/Y or The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds.
But if you are getting a gift for a person who already has a PS3 or is planning to get a PS4 then the PS Vita would be the ideal choice as it can work with both systems.
The PS Vita (Rm759) is great for playing big titles such as Persona 4: Golden, Tearaway, Killzone: Mercenary.
If you are more into the indie scene then head for titles such as Hotline Miami, Thomas Was Alone and Rymdkapsel.