‘Tis the season
It’s almost December, and you know what that means: Frenzied shopping for your loved ones (and maybe a few things for yourself). Is there someone on your list who you know is a big PlayStation fan, but you’re at a loss for what to get them? Don’t worry; we got your back. Here are some of the hottest gifts that PlayStation owners will be sure to love.
PlayStation 20th anniversary DualShock 4 controller
One of the more popular new items we’ve posted about this year is the PlayStation 20th anniversary DualShock 4 controller — a throwback to the first chapter in PlayStation history. A PlayStation 4 controller modeled after the design of the PlayStation 1 controller has just the right amount of nostalgia without being obnoxious. It’s also a nice bit of variety when contrasted with the standard color-scheme. And, most no one will balk at the idea of having a spare controller lying around.
PlayStation 20th anniversary wireless headset
Like pairing a fine wine with cheese, this headset perfectly complements the 20th anniversary controller. The PlayStation Gold Wireless Stereo Headset is an elegant first-party solution for anyone looking to upgrade from the lackluster headset that comes free with new PS4s. It offers 7.1 virtual surround sound and an internal noise-cancelling microphone for in-game chat. It’s priced at $100, but if that seems a bit high, Sony also offers a jet black model for $80.
Bloodborne
Undoubtedly, one of the best games of the year is Bloodborne. It’s only available on PlayStation 4, meaning that it’s one of the best exclusives the system has to offer. And, because it released in March, it’s half-price right now.
Be warned, though: This title isn’t for everybody. It comes from the famously hard Souls line of games. It’s unrelenting in its difficulty and it takes commitment to beat. However, those who succeed will be immensely proud and glad that they invested the time.
Seagate 2TB hard drive
The base model PlayStation 4 comes with a 500GB hard drive. That seems like a lot until you realize that many new games clock in around 50GB. Anyone who makes frequent use of their PS4 will eventually need extra storage.
This 2TB hard drive by Seagate should take care of that problem for a very long time. Unfortunately, PS4 doesn’t support external storage yet. That means that in order to upgrade, you’ll have to transfer your game saves to a flash drive, take out the old hard drive, and install this one. It’s not as complicated as it sounds, and this guide should be able to walk you through it.
One year subscription to PlayStation Plus
If the idea of installing hard drives intimidates you, this gift is considerably more simple. A one-year subscription to PlayStation’s premium service isn’t flashy, but it’s immensely useful. It’s the only way you can play multiplayer online with friends and it also unlocks a bunch of handy discounts.
But, the best feature is that Sony offers a handful of free games each month PS Plus members. With up to six free games every month (two for each platform), someone who owns a PS4, PS3, and PS Vita could conceivably get 72 freebies per year. That’s some solid bang for your buck.
Star Wars Battlefront
With Star Wars hype through the roof right now, the new Star Wars Battlefront game is selling like crazy. That’s a good sign for a multiplayer-only title, as it ensures that there will be plenty of people playing. There’s less than a month left until the next Star Wars movie releases, and this is a great way to pass the time. No matter when you give this gift, you’ll know that the Star Wars and PlayStation fan in your life will have their excitement at a fever pitch.
PlayStation TV
PlayStation TV is for those who don’t want to pay for the handheld Vita. It’s basically the guts of a Vita without a screen. The way it works is that you connect it directly to a TV or monitor, and it’s suddenly possible to play most Vita games on a big screen.
Another nice feature is that it utilizes PS4’s Remote Play function. Essentially, you can play PS4 games over PS TV without actually having your monitor connected to the PS4. It’s said to work best when both devices are on a home network, but sometimes it will work over different networks (but results aren’t guaranteed).
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
This one isn’t just for PlayStation fans; it’s for gaming fans. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is one of the best games of the year. It’s packed with a ton of content to ensure longevity and the insane attention to detail shows the care that went into crafting this masterpiece. Hideo Kojima’s last project at Konami deserves to be played by as many people as possible.
Fallout 4
Here’s another title that isn’t a PlayStation-exclusive, yet warrants mentioning on this list. Fallout 4 is absolutely one of the hottest titles of the year, and it’s the newest game in one of the most beloved video game franchises. There are a lot of people wandering Fallout 4‘s wasteland right now, and any role-playing game lover wouldn’t want to be left out.
Gift card to the PlayStation Store
When in doubt, give a gift card. Seriously, they’re the best. If you’ve been using this guide to shop for someone because they love PlayStation, I guarantee they’ll be able to make good use out of this. It’s as good as cash, except it comes with the sole caveat that they spend it on video games. That’s how they’ll know you really care.
