Dec 122016
It’s that time of year again!
If you’re shopping for someone who loves video games, here is my video game shopping guide for this year’s holiday season.
You can browse through the guide page by page, sort it by genre/system/etc., or search for key terms.
| Game | Genre | System | Description | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tales of Symphonia Chronicles | JRPG | PS3 | While the original Tales of Symphonia for the GameCube is difficult to find these days, it was re-released (along with its sequel) for the PS3 as Tales of Symphonia Chronicles. This game is amazing. Great story, fantastic characters... I recommend it to all RPG fans. Read my review. | Buy from Amazon or Play-Asia |
| Tales of Xillia | JRPG | PS3 | If you've already played Tales of Symphonia, or you'd prefer a more modern game, Tales of Xillia is an entertaining game with a great sense of humor and one of my favorite RPG characters. Read my review. | Buy from Amazon |
| Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 Remix | JRPG | PS3 | Once upon a time, someone said, "Let's make a game with Disney and Final Fantasy characters!" It shouldn't have worked, but it did, and the result was a bizarrely excellent series called Kingdom Hearts. The 1.5 Remix includes the Final Mix of the first Kingdom Hearts, Re: Chain of Memories, and the cutscenes from 358/2 Days. Read my review of Kingdom Hearts. Read my review of Re: Chain of Memories. | Buy from Amazon or Play-Asia |
| Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Remix | JRPG | PS3 | The Kingdom Hearts saga continues and kicks the plot into high gear in second collection. The 2.5 Remix includes Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix, Birth By Sleep Final Mix, and the cutscenes from Re:coded. Read my review of Kingdom Hearts II. Read my review of Birth By Sleep. | Buy from Amazon or Play-Asia. |
| Xenoblade Chronicles X | JRPG | Wii U | Xenoblade Chronicles X isn't as story-driven as many JRPGs, but it makes up for it with an exciting alien world to explore. With a sci-fi story through and through, it places you in the midst of humanity's struggle to survive in a strange new world. If science fiction, exploration, and endearing alien races interest you, be sure to check out Xenoblade Chronicles X. Read my review. | Buy from Amazon or Play-Asia |
| Undertale | RPG | PC | Undertale is hard to describe without spoiling the things that make it so great. It's an RPG (sort of) in which you don't have to kill your enemies. It also has a fantastic sense of humor. My full review is coming soon. For now, if you're shopping for someone who likes RPGs and/or funny games (and/or games with moral consequences), consider Undertale. Read my review. | Buy from Steam |
| The Witcher: Enhanced Edition | RPG | PC | The excellent Witcher video games continue the saga from the novels and begin right here, with The Witcher. Although it can seem a little dated, The Witcher remains an excellent RPG. Read my review. | Buy from Steam |
| Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney | Adventure/Visual Novel | DS | If you have a friend who loves games with humor, you can't go wrong with the Ace Attorney series. Part point-and-click adventure, part visual novel, these games make law exciting and ridiculous. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is the first game in the series. | Buy from Amazon or Play-Asia |
| Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Justice for All | Adventure/Visual Novel | DS | Justice for All is the second game in the Ace Attorney series. Although one of the weaker entries, it's well worth playing... preferably after the first game. | Buy from Amazon or Play-Asia |
| Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Trials & Tribulations | Adventure/Visual Novel | DS | Trials & Tribulations is the third Ace Attorney game and my personal favorite. This game is best experienced after the first two. | Buy from Amazon or Play-Asia |
| Phoenix Wright Trilogy | Adventure/Visual Novel | 3DS | If you know a 3DS owner who wants to get into the Ace Attorney series and doesn't mind digital-only games, the Phoenix Wright Trilogy is the best way to go. This collects all three original games into a single package and is the perfect starting point. | Available from the eShop |
| Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney | Adventure/Visual Novel | DS | The fourth Ace Attorney game isn't available on the 3DS yet, but you can still find the DS copy. This is the best gift for someone who has already played the trilogy. | Buy from Amazon or Play-Asia |
| Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies | Adventure/Visual Novel | 3DS | The fifth Ace Attorney game is a digital-only release. I found it to be an exciting, entertaining game with all the humor you should expect from Ace Attorney. Read my review. | Available from the eShop |
| Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Spirit of Justice | Adventure/Visual Novel | 3DS | The sixth main-series Ace Attorney game is also digital-only, and it's a journey worth experiencing. Filled with humor, familiar characters, and gameplay improvements over Dual Destinies, Spirit of Justice is a game no Ace Attorney fan should miss. Read my review. | Available from the eShop. |
| Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth | Adventure/Visual Novel | DS | Investigations is a spin-off, so it's not critical to the series. Nevertheless, it's still a great game for Ace Attorney fans... especially Edgeworth fans. | Buy from Amazon or Play-Asia |
| Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney | Adventure/Visual Novel/Puzzle | 3DS | Although the game's storytelling is flawed, Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright is a fun game for fans of either series. It's also a great way for Ace Attorney fans to see if they'd like Professor Layton, and vice versa. Read my review. | Buy from Amazon or Nintendo |
| Professor Layton and the Curious Village | Puzzle | DS | For fans of puzzle games, the Professor Layton series is a must. Challenging puzzles, wacky stories, charming characters... and it all started here, with Curious Village. Compared to later entries, Professor Layton and the Curious Village isn't as polished. However, Professor Layton is a series best experienced in order. | Buy from Amazon |
| Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box | Puzzle | DS | The second Professor Layton game is an enjoyable game, though I consider its story the weakest. If you don't mind the plot holes in Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright, you won't mind them in Diabolical Box. | Buy from Amazon or Play-Asia |
| Professor Layton and the Unwound Future | Puzzle | DS | Professor Layton and the Unwound Future is where the series really hits its stride. Considered by many people (including me) to be the best Layton game, it's an epic, emotional story with plenty of puzzles. | Buy from Amazon or Play-Asia |
| Professor Layton and the Last Specter | Puzzle | DS | Last Specter begins the Professor Layton prequel trilogy, set before the original games. Since it is first chronologically, Professor Layton and the Last Specter is a viable place to start the series. It also includes a side RPG called "Layton's London Life" in all but the European versions. | Buy from Amazon |
| Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask | Puzzle | 3DS | The first 3DS entry in the series, Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask continues the overarching plot begun in Last Specter. | Buy from Amazon or Play-Asia |
| Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy | Puzzle | 3DS | The Layton saga concludes in epic form with Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy. This puzzle-solving adventure sends you on a quest around the world to finally solve the mystery of the lost Azran civilization. It also is the final game to star Professor Hershel Layton. Read my review. | Amazon |
| Layton Brothers: Mystery Room | Adventure/Visual Novel | iOS | This Professor Layton spin-off plays more like a streamlined Ace Attorney game than its parent series. It stars Layton's son, Alfendi, and his new partner Lucy Baker. It's a little too easy, but quite enjoyable nevertheless. | Available from the iTunes app store |
| Rhythm Thief & the Emperor's Treasure | Adventure/Puzzle/Rhythm | 3DS | Rhythm Thief & the Emperor's Treasure isn't your average rhythm game. In fact, it's a lot like a Professor Layton game, with rhythm games in place of puzzles. A story-driven adventure about a thief searching for his father while fighting an undead Napoleon... if that sounds fun, then check it out--even if rhythm games aren't your favorite. Read my review. | Available from the eShop. |
| Hatoful Boyfriend | Visual Novel/Dating Sim | PC/PS4/Vita | Recommendations of Hatoful Boyfriend require a disclaimer: this is not a joke! Despite its ridiculous premise of a human student at an all-bird school finding romance, it is surprisingly interesting and deep. If you like visual novels, play Hatoful Boyfriend. It's not what you're expecting. Read my review. | Buy from Steam or PSN |
| Hatoful Boyfriend: Holiday Star | Visual Novel | PC/PS4/Vita | Repeat: this is not a joke. Yes, Hatoful Boyfriend has a Christmas-themed sequel, Holiday Star. Unlike the first one, this is a pure visual novel, with stories told across several episodes. Read my review. | Buy from Steam or PSN |
| Steins;Gate | Visual Novel | PS3/Vita | Steins;Gate is a funny and thrilling visual novel about an endearing group of characters who accidentally make a time machine. It starts out slow, but stick with it. Once the plot gets going, you won't want to put it down until you see every ending. Read my review. | Buy from Amazon or Play-Asia |
| Bayonetta | Action | PS3/Xbox 360/Wii U | The original Bayonetta is wild, crazy, over-the-top action fun starring an amnesiac witch on a search for the truth about her past. This game blew me away when I played it. If you like stylish action, convoluted stories, and a game that's over-the-top in everything it does, get Bayonetta. Read my review. | Buy from Amazon, Play-Asia, or the eShop |
| Bayonetta 2 | Action | Wii U | Bayonetta 2 takes everything the original does, and makes it better. While this makes it slightly less of a challenge, it's still amazingly fun, and the two games' stories work together incredibly well. It even starts at Christmas. What more can you ask for? Read my review. | Buy from Amazon or Play-Asia |
| Alien Isolation | Survival Horror | PC/PS4/Xbox One/PS3/Xbox 360 | Survival horror has diminished in the mainstream market, but Alien: Isolation held true to the genre's core mechanics. It's also very true to the atmosphere of the first Alien movie. If you're a fan of Alien or survival horror, check out Isolation. Read my review. | Buy from Amazon or Play-Asia |
| The Starship Damrey | Survival Horror | 3DS | This downloadable title is very short, but it's an enjoyable and atmospheric game if you miss classic survival horror gameplay. Read my review. | Available from the eShop. |
This is not a complete list of games, but a selection of top recommendations. For more, browse all of my reviews.
Additionally, I worked as an editor/writer on a few games that are currently available, including Anime Studio Simulator, a visual novel/management sim.
Finally, if you’re looking for Professor Layton, Ace Attorney, or Kingdom Hearts games as presents, but aren’t sure which ones you should buy, here are my guides to the gameplay order for Professor Layton and Ace Attorney and the gameplay order for Kingdom Hearts.
Need any more help with video game holiday shopping? Have any questions about the games on this list? Let me know in the comments!
All these games = fond childhood memories . Nintendo had so many quality games . The 90s was the golden age of gaming. Damnit makes me want to hunt down a snes now .I do have Roms but it’s not the same . … Btw Eye of the beholder was one of the greatest rpgs released for SNES.