It happens to be that time of year again, the time when hordes of people flock to malls in order to track down the perfect gifts for their friends and family. There is certainly no shortage of gift options, especially when it comes to picking something out for your favourite geek or gamer. Regardless of which fandom the recipient belongs to, the gaming platform of choice, or the side of the Marvel/DC divide they fall on, we here at Analog Addiction have hunted down some of what the internet has to offer in the hopes of leading you to the perfect gift or at the very least, giving you some inspiration.
Clothing
No, these are not ugly sweaters you receive from family members and feel an obligation to wear any time they happen to be around even though you would rather be wearing literally anything else. Wearing a piece of geeky clothing not only prevents you from getting a “public indecency” citation from your neighbourhood police officer, but also lets you showcase your likes and hobbies in a way that allows others who recognize the reference to smile or possibly even make a passing comment about how they like your shirt.
Master Keyblade T-shirt
While some of the shirts developers/publishers make themselves are great, the design aspect most often shines when produced by other artists. We mentioned a lot of cool shirts from Red Bubble in our last holiday guide last year, but this year’s recommendations comes from Tee Fury, a seemingly ever-growing website with a huge catalog of shirt design inspired by all things geeky. Just one example is the design below, which melds Kingdom Hearts and The Legend of Zelda together. There are tons of designs to choose from, and in multiple shirt colors, so be sure to browse their site.
Winter Soldier Hoodie
Stay warm this holiday season with the Winter Soldier hoodie. Created to depict the same attire worn by the Winter Solider in the latest Captain America movie, the premium hoodie is officially licensed by Marvel and also features embroidered sleeves.
Green Arrow/Deathstroke T-shirt
Geeky shirts can be one of the best ways to express yourself, and For Human Peoples is infamous for challenging various artists across the globe to create designs based on certain themes. One of the most popular designs is this mash-up of the Green Arrow and Deathstroke.
Ellie’s Fall Hoodie
We all love The Last of Us right? We all love Joel and Ellie, so why not treat yourself to your very own “Ellie” hoodie straight from the game? It comes in a unisex design at the price of $45 USD on the Naughty Dog store. It may seem like a fairly nondescript hoodie to others, but fans of the game will be able to identify it immediately.
Garrus Heavy Armour Hoodie
The weather is cold and so is space (especially at Christmas), so treat someone you love to this awesome Mass Effect hoodie from Bioware’s store. Inspired by Garrus’ heavy armour, the lucky recipient can have a little bit of extra protection from bullets in the shape of snow, wind, and hail.
Teemo T-shirt
Let’s be honest – whenever the majority of League of Legends players see Teemo, they probably think “Oh, God. The Devil has arrived!” simply because how annoying he can be with his little mushrooms. Now, you can take his adorable mug everywhere with this minimalistic t-shirt.
Medic! Heart Necklace
Medic! is charity which seeks to raise awareness and funds for various campaigns, such as White Ribbon and Special Effect, which seeks to alter controllers to help people with disabilities play games. You can support Medic! by purchasing any of their various heart themed products, hand made by Perth, Australia designer, ZazBeads. In this case, we are highlighting the Medic! Heart Necklace. It’s a cheap gift that looks great, and they ship world wide.
Ladies N7 Hoodie
This ladies N7 hoody has a giant hood that makes you feel like a ninja and is super warm. Plus the style is a bit of a twist on the normal zip hoody model, making the gift stand out if anybody else happens to give that individual a hoodie as well. Not that it would actually be a competition though, because this one is a Mass Effect hoodie so it wins by default.
Emma Frost Pendant
The pendant is made using an actual frame from the comics, ensuring that your piece of jewelry is fully authentic in appearance. If Emma Frost isn’t quite your cup of tea, there are numerous other characters you can choose from in similar styles, although wearing this femme fatale around your neck is guaranteed to catch some eyes.
Graphic Novels/Movies
With the massive influx of superhero movies over recent years, more and more people are being exposed to comics and their lore. Whether the comics led to watching the movies or vice versa, there are some fantastic gifts available for those on your list interested in the comic world.
The Dark Knight Returns
With Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice coming out in roughly a year and a half, the story arc the movie will be based on makes the perfect gift. There is also an animated movie available for anyone who does not have the desire to read through the book, but there is just something special about receiving a graphic novel of this magnitude which creates a warm and fuzzy feeling in any geek.
Flashpoint Paradox
When thinking of great cinematic moments in superhero history, The Justice League probably isn’t something that springs to mind, especially as the only movies in existence right now are animated ones. However, Flashpoint Paradox is a fantastic movie with a compelling plot. Anyone who has played Injustice: Gods Among Us will have a vague impression of what that plot is like, but for those of you unfamiliar, The Flash loses his powers and finds himself in an alternate universe where the heroes are not at all the same.
Spider-Man Noir
Eric’s first encounter with Spider-Man’s Noir universe was playing Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions and this variation of Spider-Man stood out the most. The collection of Spider -Man Noir comics is a fantastic read and learning the nature of Uncle Ben’s death in this universe makes you rethink the belief that Marvel is all about humour and light-heartedness.
Guardians of the Galaxy
One of the biggest movies of the year, Guardians of the Galaxy introduced a whole slew of relatively unknown Marvel characters to audiences worldwide. Coming out just in time for Christmas, if the person receiving your gift happens to be a Marvel fan, this is a guaranteed winner.
Collectibles/Misc
It is no secret that the gaming and geek worlds have a ton of collectible goodies made available for purchase. These items also happen to be something that most people will proudly show off in their homes, on their desks at work, or even use to decorate their vehicles.
Wonder Woman Coaster Set
PopCycled is an awesome Etsy shop based in Charleston, SC. Lauren Rosado and her husband make pendants, coasters, trinkets, and even magnets out of old comics and other recycleable material. They even make custom designs. These coasters are designed with actual comic panels and high quality stone tile, adding a classy and geeky look to your beverage holder.
Geeky Tea Light Boxes
Altruistic Gifts is also based in South Carolina, and they take wood cutting to a whole new level of geekery. Having seen some of the craftsmanship firsthand, Hope can honestly say it is super cool. Plus you can order a variety of faces to mix and match! You must buy the base tea light box as a standalone first, but it costs a measly $9 USD, and then you can purchase any of the customized box fronts.
Kingdom Hearts Keyblade
They say the way to anyone’s heart is by using a key… that or you can use a giant key-like sword that also unlocks virtually everything else while fighting hordes of Heartless. This replica of Kingdom Hearts‘ signature weapon, the Keyblade, is made entirely of metal and measures at 34 inches in length. It’s not only a great gift for any fan of the Square Enix and Disney cross-over series, but it’s nicely priced considering the quality of the product.
Minecraft Light-Up Diamond Ore
We all know how hard it is to find diamonds in Minecraft, so why not make the experience easier buy purchasing the Minecraft Light-Up Diamond. Perfect for a bedside nightlight or simply a collector’s item, the light-up diamond has 3 different modes of brightness which can be changed with the simple press of a button.
Haunter Decal
More of a stocking stuffer than a full-fledged gift, geeky decals can add a bit of flair to any item. This Haunter decal can be made up to 5 inches wide in any number of colours, allowing it to fit perfectly on anything from a 3DS to a car window.
Sailor Jupiter Compact Mirror
If a special female in your life happens to be a fan of Sailor Moon, why not get her a compact mirror with Sailor Jupiter on the front? Any woman will tell you that these tiny mirrors can be a lifesaver at times, making this not only a practical gift, but one with a little bit of anime charm to it.
Darksiders 2 Death Statue
The team over at Project Triforce does some amazing work when it comes to collectibles and statues. Nothing drives home that point more than this highly detailed statue of Death wielding his dual scythes. Weighing approximately 20lbs and standing at 32″ tall, this statue is no joke. It truly will be the focal point of any collection of gaming memorabilia.
Groot Pop! Bobble Figure
Guardians of the Galaxy was one of the biggest movies this year, leaving an ever-lasting impression on everyone that saw it. Though it was one tree that became everyone’s favourite character – Groot. The dancing Groot figure is a recreation of the end credits scene, which is a must buy for any fan of movie or the lovable tree himself. The figure is available December 12, but is available for pre-order right now. A figure this adorable will certainly sell out fast.
Majora’s Mask Tree Ornament
Given that it is Christmas time, it only makes sense that the occasional gift be designed to decorate a tree. This Majora’s Mask ornament allows you to customize whether you want snow inside of the ball as well as whether you want a bow adorning the top. The colour of the mask is even something which can be modified, allowing you to change the ornament entirely to suit the tastes of the recipient.
Game Over Heat-Changing Mug
Gamers are certainly no strangers to marathon gaming sessions. Whether it be an all-nighter playing an FPS with friends, dumping 12 hours into an RPG in a single sitting on a day off, or challenging yourself to beat your faourite title in as little time as possible, gamers need energy. What better way to serve yourself caffeine than in a heat-changing mug which brings up a “Game Over” screen whenever the mug has been emptied?
Robot Masters Wall Art
Most gamers will admit to having some kind of connection to a Mega Man game or two. The blue bomber is one of the most iconic characters in all of video game history, with Mega Man 2 being one of the most popular entries in the franchise. What better gift to a Mega Man fan than these prints of stylized Mega Man 2 robot masters? Whether they’re left as is, mounted, or framed, these posters will be an amazing addition to any room belonging to a gamer.
Killer Croc Figure
Action figures and statues are always hot ticket items in the gaming and comic worlds, meaning they are a surefire way to give someone an awesome gift. There are some characters you will see figures of in any store, so why not let your choice stand out as being easily recognizable but not the same character most other people would choose immediately. That’s exactly what makes Killer Croc the perfect choice. Besides, this figure stands at an impressive 10″ tall, ensuring it will stand out in a collection.
Games
Whether they be board games, card games, or video games, most geeks and gamers have a love for getting together with friends and playing games of some type. Not only does it allow the friends to become competitive with one another in their quest to establish dominance, but it gets everyone together for a good time.
The Settlers of Catan
Have you ever enjoyed a lengthy game of Age of Empires with friends? Well The Settlers of Catan board game offers a similar experience without the need for internet connections, laptops or keyboards. Slowly expand your reach across the board as you gather more resources and edge closer to victory. This strategic game will provide hours of fun, frustration and enjoyment.
Munchkin
Munchkin is a card-based RPG where you and your friends are trying to be the first to reach level 10. Sounds simple, but nothing could be further from the truth. You may work together to defeat enemies, earn loot, equip weapons, and grow stronger, but only one player may win, meaning that the other players will inevitably turn against you. They may weaken you, steal your items, make you fight more than one monster at a time and laugh when you die. Toss in the amusing animations on each card and you have the recipe for a fantastic game.
Dark Souls II
What better way to spend Christmas day than slowly dying thousands of times? In all seriousness Dark Souls 2 is a brilliant game, one that rewards those who invest a lot of time within its walls. Sure you may die thousands of times, and you may become more frustrated than you have ever been, but it is definitely worth it to experience one of the most gratifying titles in 2014.
Forza Horizon 2
One of the best racing titles of the year if not the best. A great mixture of both arcade and simulation racing with an open world to explore and a seemingly endless list of cars to choose from. Forza Horizon 2 is sure to be a hit with any racing fan on your Christmas list.
Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc
Aside from the funny name, Danganronpa is an amazing experience full of intrigue and mystery that needs to be experienced. This is one of the PS Vita’s best titles, offering dozens of hours of gameplay and some of the most memorable gaming characters ever created.
Rayman Legends
The Rayman franchise made quite a comeback in November 2011 when Ubisoft released Rayman Origins. Already a fantastic game with little to no flaws, its sequel, Rayman Legends, released a little over a year ago and was an improvement over its predecessor. The game features gorgeous visuals, smooth level design, a wonderful soundtrack and 2D platforming gameplay rivaling the best of the best in the industry and much more. Being one of the few games Analog Addiction has graced with a perfect 10, this game is a must-own. With its availability on the Wii U, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita and PC, not to mention it became available on the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 back in February with somehow improved visuals and reduced load times, you will have a hard time not having at least one of these consoles to play it on.
Far Cry 4
If you want one game to keep you entertained this holiday season it has to be Far Cry 4. There are so many things to do in and out of combat, and so much variety. Prefer stealth gameplay? You can do it in Far Cry 4. Or, maybe you prefer to see things go BOOM? You can also do that in Far Cry 4. Not to mention there is co-op and competitive multiplayer if you wish to scratch that itch.
Risen 3: Titan Lords
Fans of the Risen franchise will absolutely love Risen 3: Titan Lords, while newcomers will definitely enjoy it, and maybe even get interested in the other two entries. The game features a huge, beautiful world to freely explore, lots of quests to complete, a tough-but-fair combat system, and side-activities in case you get bored of the bigger picture.
Sniper Elite III
Sniper Elite III is a major improvement over its predecessor, and the perfect beginning for the franchise on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. It offers beautiful and varied environments, smart level-design, a ballistics system for every kind of player, and the x-ray kill-cam; it’s that good.
Assassin’s Creed Rogue
When looking at Unity and Rogue side-by-side, you might believe PS3 and 360-only owners are being treated as second-class citizens. In that case, you couldn’t be more wrong. While the story is predictable and some audio bugs might annoy you from time to time, Assassin’s Creed Rogue’s various additions make it just as important as other entries in the franchise. Before heading into Arno’s revolution, make sure to give Shay’s rebellion a chance.
