Best Last Minute Gifts for Gamers in 2024

Last minute shopping panic.

Last minute shopping panic.

The clock is ticking, and you need the perfect Christmas or birthday gift for the gamer in your life—fast. Life’s commitments be it work, family engagements, or the whirlwind of social events can often leave us scrambling for presents as the eleventh-hour approaches. But don’t worry, your gamer’s delight doesn’t hinge on a timely delivery truck. This guide is your lifeline for snagging the “Best Last Minute Gifts for Gamers” without the stress of shipping deadlines.

The key to success is to embrace the digital age where instant gratification reigns supreme. Whether they’re a console loyalist or a PC enthusiast, we’ve curated a treasure trove of digital gifts that cater to any platform preference. These gifts don’t just save you time; they’re a thoughtful nod to your gamer’s digital lifestyle. From game codes to online memberships, our recommendations come with the ease and speed of a few clicks—no packaging, no waiting.

Dive in as we guide you through an array of last-minute digital gift ideas that are guaranteed to be a hit with any gamer—be they console warriors or PC aficionados. Plus, we’ve organized our top picks by console for effortless navigation, ensuring you find the perfect match, no matter their gaming allegiance.

Read more

Which PS4 Console Should You Buy? 500 GB vs. 1 TB console. PlayStation 4 Slim vs. PlayStation 4 Pro.

Updated March 12, 2023

When you set out to buy a video game console it sounds like a straightforward process, but often it is more complicated than we expect as we have to consider more choices and options than we anticipated. This is true for people looking to buy a PlayStation 4 as well. So let us help you make your way through this technological maze.

Sony is currently making two versions of the PlayStation 4 consoles the PlayStation 4 Slim & the PlayStation 4 Pro:

Both the PlayStation 4 Slim and the PlayStation 4 Pro have their own unique features. You will find each console sold by itself or as part of unique bundles, which we have shown at the end of this article. So let’s see how you can determine which console might be best for your situation.

Read more

Top 5 Gift Ideas for People Who Own a PlayStation 4 in 2024

Top Gifts for PlayStation 4 Owners

Top Gifts for PlayStation 4 OwnersIf you are trying to find the perfect gift for someone’s birthday or during the holidays you already know it can be very difficult. Unless the person you are shopping for has given you a list to work off of the task of finding that gift can feel impossible.

If the person you are having a hard time shopping for is a gamer, and you know which video game console they have, finding the perfect gift might be a lot easier than you think.

If the person you are shopping for owns a PlayStation 4 there are a lot of great gift ideas for you to consider. To help make your shopping easier we have come up with our list of top 4 gift ideas for PlayStation 4 owners along with some information and links for each idea so that you can find the perfect gift.

Here is Our Countdown of the Top 5 Gifts for PlayStation 4 Owners in 2024:

Read more

What is the Best Video Game Console for Families?

What is the Best Video Game Console for Families?

What is the Best Gaming System for Kids?

Unless they were a gamer themselves, it is doubtful that very many parents have ever said, “What this family really needs is a video game system.” But even if you have never uttered those words your kids probably have. So what video game console is best for families the Playstation, Xbox, or the Nintendo Switch console?

Console

Nintendo Switch – OLED

Nintendo Switch

Nintendo Switch Lite

Nintendo Switch (OLED model) with White Joy-Con
Nintendo Switch with Neon Blue and Neon Red Joy‑Con
Nintendo Switch Lite - Turquoise
Play on TV
Play as Handheld
Screen Size
7 inch OLED Touch Screen
6.2 inch Touch Screen
5.5 inch Touch Screen
Battery Life
4.5-9 hours
4.5-9 hours
3-7 hours
Can Play Physical Games
Can Play Digital Games
Console

Nintendo Switch – OLED

Nintendo Switch (OLED model) with White Joy-Con
Play on TV
Play as Handheld
Screen Size
7 inch OLED Touch Screen
Battery Life
4.5-9 hours
Can Play Physical Games
Can Play Digital Games
Buy Now
Console

Nintendo Switch

Nintendo Switch with Neon Blue and Neon Red Joy‑Con
Play on TV
Play as Handheld
Screen Size
6.2 inch Touch Screen
Battery Life
4.5-9 hours
Can Play Physical Games
Can Play Digital Games
Buy Now
Console

Nintendo Switch Lite

Nintendo Switch Lite - Turquoise
Play on TV
Play as Handheld
Screen Size
5.5 inch Touch Screen
Battery Life
3-7 hours
Can Play Physical Games
Can Play Digital Games
Buy Now
Console

Xbox Series X

Xbox Series S

Xbox One S

Xbox Series X 1TB SSD Console - Includes Xbox Wireless Controller - Up to 120 frames per second - 16GB RAM 1TB SSD - Experience True 4K Gaming - Xbox Velocity Architecture
Xbox Series S 512GB SSD Console - Includes Xbox Wireless Controller - Up to 120 frames per second - 10GB RAM 512GB SSD - Experience high dynamic range - Xbox Velocity Architecture
Microsoft Xbox One S 1Tb Console - White [Discontinued]
Play on TV
Play as Handheld
Exclusive Games

Although there are still some exclusive games for the Xbox like Forza Horizon 5, Sea of Thieves, Microsoft Flight Simulator, and the Halo Series, Microsoft has opened up many of its games, like Minecraft, to other consoles.

Xbox owners may not have as many exclusives as they used to, but there is still plenty of current and previous kid- and family-friendly games to choose from like Lego Star Wars, Plants vs. Zombies, Rocket League, sports games like NBA 2K, and games with characters like Spyro, Sonic the Hedgehog.

Although there are still some exclusive games for the Xbox like Forza Horizon 5, Sea of Thieves, Microsoft Flight Simulator, and the Halo Series, Microsoft has opened up many of its games, like Minecraft, to other consoles.

Xbox owners may not have as many exclusives as they used to, but there is still plenty of current and previous kid- and family-friendly games to choose from like Lego Star Wars, Plants vs. Zombies, Rocket League, sports games like NBA 2K, and games with characters like Spyro, Sonic the Hedgehog.

Although there are still some exclusive games for the Xbox like Forza Horizon 5, Sea of Thieves, and the Halo Series, Microsoft has opened up many of its games, like Minecraft, to other consoles.

Xbox owners may not have as many exclusives as they used to, but there is still plenty of current and previous kid- and family-friendly games to choose from like Lego Star Wars, Plants vs. Zombies, Rocket League, sports games like NBA 2K, and games with characters like Spyro, Sonic the Hedgehog.

Can Play Physical Games
Can Play Digital Games
Best For
The Xbox Series X is a powerful console that allows you to play games in 4K, making it a great choice for serious gamers. Plus, it gives you the flexibility to buy both digital and physical game copies as well as take advantage of the backward compatibility that is built into the Xbox Series X.
This digital console is perfect for those who like to buy digital copies of games to avoid the clutter of physical games. With the Series S, you can enjoy games at up to 1440p resolution. It's not quite as powerful as the Series X, but it's more affordable. Plus, you can enjoy a huge library of older digital games on your Xbox Series S thanks to its backward compatibility feature.
The Xbox One S, which is not as powerful as the Xbox One X or S, has been officially discontinued. However, you can still find both new and used versions of this console for a reasonable price. The Xbox One S can be a great option for those who are new to gaming, as it is compatible with most new games as well as the long list of backward-compatible titles.
Console

Xbox Series X

Xbox Series X 1TB SSD Console - Includes Xbox Wireless Controller - Up to 120 frames per second - 16GB RAM 1TB SSD - Experience True 4K Gaming - Xbox Velocity Architecture
Play on TV
Play as Handheld
Exclusive Games

Although there are still some exclusive games for the Xbox like Forza Horizon 5, Sea of Thieves, Microsoft Flight Simulator, and the Halo Series, Microsoft has opened up many of its games, like Minecraft, to other consoles.

Xbox owners may not have as many exclusives as they used to, but there is still plenty of current and previous kid- and family-friendly games to choose from like Lego Star Wars, Plants vs. Zombies, Rocket League, sports games like NBA 2K, and games with characters like Spyro, Sonic the Hedgehog.

Can Play Physical Games
Can Play Digital Games
Best For
The Xbox Series X is a powerful console that allows you to play games in 4K, making it a great choice for serious gamers. Plus, it gives you the flexibility to buy both digital and physical game copies as well as take advantage of the backward compatibility that is built into the Xbox Series X.
Buy Now
Console

Xbox Series S

Xbox Series S 512GB SSD Console - Includes Xbox Wireless Controller - Up to 120 frames per second - 10GB RAM 512GB SSD - Experience high dynamic range - Xbox Velocity Architecture
Play on TV
Play as Handheld
Exclusive Games

Although there are still some exclusive games for the Xbox like Forza Horizon 5, Sea of Thieves, Microsoft Flight Simulator, and the Halo Series, Microsoft has opened up many of its games, like Minecraft, to other consoles.

Xbox owners may not have as many exclusives as they used to, but there is still plenty of current and previous kid- and family-friendly games to choose from like Lego Star Wars, Plants vs. Zombies, Rocket League, sports games like NBA 2K, and games with characters like Spyro, Sonic the Hedgehog.

Can Play Physical Games
Can Play Digital Games
Best For
This digital console is perfect for those who like to buy digital copies of games to avoid the clutter of physical games. With the Series S, you can enjoy games at up to 1440p resolution. It's not quite as powerful as the Series X, but it's more affordable. Plus, you can enjoy a huge library of older digital games on your Xbox Series S thanks to its backward compatibility feature.
Buy Now
Console

Xbox One S

Microsoft Xbox One S 1Tb Console - White [Discontinued]
Play on TV
Play as Handheld
Exclusive Games

Although there are still some exclusive games for the Xbox like Forza Horizon 5, Sea of Thieves, and the Halo Series, Microsoft has opened up many of its games, like Minecraft, to other consoles.

Xbox owners may not have as many exclusives as they used to, but there is still plenty of current and previous kid- and family-friendly games to choose from like Lego Star Wars, Plants vs. Zombies, Rocket League, sports games like NBA 2K, and games with characters like Spyro, Sonic the Hedgehog.

Can Play Physical Games
Can Play Digital Games
Best For
The Xbox One S, which is not as powerful as the Xbox One X or S, has been officially discontinued. However, you can still find both new and used versions of this console for a reasonable price. The Xbox One S can be a great option for those who are new to gaming, as it is compatible with most new games as well as the long list of backward-compatible titles.
Buy Now
Console

PlayStation 5

PlayStation 5 Digital Edition

PlayStation 4 Slim

PlayStation 5 Console
PlayStation 5 Digital Edition
PlayStation 4 Slim 1TB Console
Play on TV
Play as Handheld
Can Play Physical Games
Can Play Digital Games
Console

PlayStation 5

PlayStation 5 Console
Play on TV
Play as Handheld
Can Play Physical Games
Can Play Digital Games
Buy Now
Console

PlayStation 5 Digital Edition

PlayStation 5 Digital Edition
Play on TV
Play as Handheld
Can Play Physical Games
Can Play Digital Games
Buy Now
Console

PlayStation 4 Slim

PlayStation 4 Slim 1TB Console
Play on TV
Play as Handheld
Can Play Physical Games
Can Play Digital Games
Buy Now

Read more

Physical Video Game Copies vs. Digital Copies – Which is Better?

In previous years there was only one way to purchase video games. You went to your local store and bought the video game which was on a disc or cartridge.

Now video game systems along with the technology that supports them have advanced to the point where we have another option – Digital Copies. These digital copies are downloaded directly to your video game console and allow you to play the game just as you would with a physical copy of the game.

So what type of copy (physical or digital) should you buy when you purchase your next video game? Is one type better than the other?

Physical copies and digital copies both have their own advantages and drawbacks. So we decided to examine this topic by taking a look at the pros and cons of each option. As part of this examination, we are taking a look at this issue from the perspective of someone who wants to pre-order a video game that hasn’t been released yet.

If you are new to the world of gaming you might not be familiar with the concept of pre-ordering games. You can read more about what pre-ordering of video games is here.

So let’s begin.

Read more

What is PlayStation Plus? | Everything You Need To Know

PlayStation Plus

PlayStation Plus

PlayStation Plus is a Sony’s subscription service that is required to play games online for PS4 and the just-released PS5. You’ll need it to play a multiplayer game with people you’ve never met from around the world as well as to play co-op games with your friends and family who live nearby. With this service, individuals can access free games every month along with incredible discounts on games they buy on the PlayStation store. This service is available for purchase in all countries. Here is everything you should know about PlayStation Plus.

What Do You Get With PlayStation Plus?

PlayStation Plus comes with various incredible features that allow one to discover great games, new ways of playing, and connecting to friends.

The main reason that most people want a PlayStation Plus membership is that it gives them the option to participate in online multiplayer play (for games that have it) that lets gamers play online with friends and participate in tournaments. This allows them to join an international community of online players. Not only is there a very high number of games that have an online multiplayer mode, but gaming these days is very social and the ability to play with and talk to family and friends is very important to a lot of gamers.

Related the option for online multiplayer play PS Plus also has Share Play, which allows you to play multiplayer and co-op games with a friend or even hand control of single-player adventures over to them, even if they don’t own the game.

In addition to giving users access to online gameplay, a PS Plus membership also comes with two free PS4 games included every month which only members can play. You can therefore expand your game collection with indie games, multiplayer games, and blockbuster titles.

PlayStation Plus also includes incredible member discounts on pre-orders, games, and add-ons. Therefore, apart from the regular PS store promotional prices, beta trials as well as early access to demos, one can save on exclusive rewards reserved for members of this subscription.

Users also get 100GB of cloud storage space for saving games, meaning they can still recover their data that was stored on their PS4. Also, if you have a second PS4 and you want to play the same games on both consoles, you can transfer your progress from one machine to the next.

Finally, for certain games, PS Plus will give you exclusive game content like members-only skins, cosmetics, weapons, and more. How valuable these exclusives are to you really depends on if they are for games that you like to play.

What Does PlayStation Plus Cost & What Are the Subscription Lengths?

PlayStation Plus Memberships are sold in three different subscription lengths: monthly, quarterly, and yearly. As you might expect memberships for longer time periods will offer you the best value. When you do the math you will see that the monthly cost for PlayStation Plus is very affordable when you purchase the 12-month membership.

Read more

What is PlayStation Now? | What You Need To Know

PlayStation Now

PlayStation Now

PlayStation Now is a video game subscription service from Sony. Users pay for a subscription to access a Netflix-style game library of PS2, PS3, and PS4 games. You can then choose your favorite game to play over the internet instead of needing to use a game disc to run each game title on your console like normally is the case. In this article, we will look at everything you need to know about PlayStation Now.

What Games Are On PlayStation Now?

Between the PS2, PS3, and PS4 titles, PlayStation Now gives you access to stream and play more than 800 games. Now, you can also download PS2 games and over 300 PS4 games onto your console to play locally.

These games range in prestige and value from the must-play games of the previous decade like The Last of Us, Red Dead Redemption, and unforgettable bargain bin titles. The games offered have improved over time to include anticipated games and those just about to get outdated.

You can see the entire list of games that are available on PS Now here.

Subscription Length & Cost

All PlayStation Now games are available on a monthly subscription-style similar to that available on Netflix. First-time subscribers have access to a seven-day free trial. To access the service after the free trial, they will need to buy a subscription.

PlayStation Now subscriptions can be purchased for different durations of time. It shouldn’t be a surprise that the longer subscription durations will offer the best values. Here are the 3 different subscription lengths you can currently choose from:

Read more

Which Video Game Consoles are Backwards Compatible? Compare Wii U, Xbox One and PlayStation 4.

There has been a lot of talk lately about backward compatibility with video game consoles. So what does it mean when a video game system is backward compatible and how does backward compatibility impact which of the big three video game consoles (Wii U, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4) you should buy?

What does it mean if a video game console is backward compatible?

If a video game console is backward compatible it can play video games that were developed for the previous version of that console.

Read more

Top 8 Best Accessories for Your PlayStation 4

Top PlayStation 4 Accessories

Top PlayStation 4 AccessoriesSo you just bought yourself a PlayStation 4, or maybe you gave it as a gift to someone else. Either way, the shopping doesn’t end there. Now you need to think about what are the best games to buy. You also need to figure out what accessories you want to buy as well.

Regardless of what PlayStation 4 console or bundle you purchased you will have what you need to get started. That being said, there are still going to be some must-have accessories that most gamers will want to have, but which ones are best for you?

Our following list of top accessories for PlayStation 4 consoles should help you navigate these waters if you are a new PS4 owner, or if you want to buy a gift for someone with a PlayStation 4.

Read more

What Are Video Game Pre-Orders?

New video games are constantly being introduced. Prior to the release of new games, they are promoted in an effort to create excitement and demand much in the same way new movies are promoted.

Similar to how you can purchase tickets ahead of time for a big movie opening you can purchase video games before they are released as well. Purchasing a video game before it is released is called pre-ordering.

If you are excited about an upcoming new video game pre-ordering is a great way to ensure that you will be able to play that game as soon as it is released.

Ways to Pre-Order New Video Games

If you think you are interested in pre-ordering a game you should know that there are two ways to do it.

Read more

Star Wars Battlefront – Review Game Editions and Options to Buy

Star Wars: Battlefront - Deluxe Edition - PlayStation 4

As most people are aware the new Star Wars movie, The Force Awakens, comes out on December 18th, 2015. Along with the new movie there will be a flood of new Star Wars goodies hitting store shelves including the new highly anticipated Star Wars Battlefront video game.

Many video game fans have been waiting a long time for this game, which is going to be released on November 17, 2015. This will be the third major release in the Star Wars Battlefront series. However, this new Battlefront game is not a sequel to the previous games, but rather a reboot.

When the game was first announced we knew it was pretty clear that it wasn’t going to be available for the WiiU.

We knew that the new Star Wars Battlefront was going to be available for the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 so many people were also hoping that it might be released for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 as well, but that didn’t happen.  So if you want the new Star Wars Battlefront video game you need to have a PlayStation 4 or Xbox One – unless you plan on getting the PC version.

Which Edition of Star Wars Battlefront do you want?

Star Wars: Battlefront - Standard Edition - Xbox One Star Wars: Battlefront - Deluxe Edition - PlayStation 4

The first thing you need to know is that there are two versions of the Star Wars Battlefront video game for both the Xbox One and the PlayStation 4. There is the Star Wars Battlefront Standard Edition and the Star Wars Battlefront Deluxe Edition. The difference between the Standard Edition and the Deluxe Edition is

Read more