Portable Holiday Gift Giving Guide 2009

[mightbe]

In Patapon 2, you'll visit exotic locales and bang on your drum until your 2D one-eyed minions bring you victory.

In our final installment of the 2009 Holiday Gift Giving guide, we'll give you a travel friendly list of software and hardware that any gamer on the go would be glad to receive.

One of the most interesting things about mobile gaming is that the three (yes, I said it, three) biggest platforms out there are all embracing digital distribution in their own way. The PSP has the PSN Store, the DSi has it's own marketplace, and the Apple App Store is the proverbial bazaar of tantalizing trinkets. So once again, it's perfectly acceptable to get a gift card in the currency of the platform of your gift getter's choice.

Without further ado, lets slip into something more comfortable (perhaps a PSP Go?) with out PSP holiday picks.

PSP Present Possibilities

Tower defense nirvana has been achieved.

PixelJunk Monsters Deluxe ($19.99 for digital download code at Amazon) - Sure it's a remake of a PS3 game, but it's expanded and tuned to absolute perfection. You play the leader of an island people attempting to harness the power of tree anchored towers to defend their home from the relentless hordes of attackers. Not nearly enough praise can be heaped on the hand drawn style, breathtaking audio, and devilish mission design. Nice updates from the console version include a whole new island, new towers, new enemy types, an unlockable PSP theme, and online co-op.

Dissidia Final Fantasy ($36.99 at Amazon) - Does someone on your list have a wall scroll depicting chocobos, moogles, or other Final Fantasy related kitsch? Well this is an FF fan boy's dream come true, an offbeat fighting game including a host of the main characters and villains from the length of the venerable franchise. Also included is online and local multiplayer and a half dozen game modes with hundreds of extra bits of content to unlock.

Patapon 2 ($19.82 for the downloadable game voucher at Amazon) - Deliciously quirky and savagely cute, Patapon 2 is the simple to learn, difficult to master, rhythm side scrolling strategy that routinely defies classification. Even if the PSP gamer on your list hasn't played the first one, the sequel is an upgrade in all areas. Prime targets for receiving copies of Patapon 2 include (but are not limited to): rhythm gamers, drummers, lovers of all things one eyed, and people who enjoy fun things.

DS Delights

I figured I'd include a picture of the dialog as you'll click through it fairly quickly to get to the fun parts.

The World Ends With You ($15.82 at Amazon) - If you can get past a quirky bunch of Japanese emo characters, this often overlooked DS title has some of the most innovative gameplay of any game on the system. It's rather difficult to attach labels to this almost wholly original game. Perhaps a shopping action RPG? Though it may not be a new title by any stretch of the imagination, TWEWY is a perennial favorite of PAX convention goers, FUDCast-ers, and the Colony of Gamers crew.

Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box ($29.82 at Amazon) - "If you enjoyed the first Professor Layton game, this isn't just 'more of the same'. Well, it is, but fans of the series know that this is a good thing. Diabolical Box is an entirely new story, but with the same gripping charm and cavalcade of puzzles that made the first entry an instant classic. So good, your spouse may steal it from you." (Nathaniel)

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars ($26.99 at Amazon) - "I don't think anyone expected Rockstar to be able to take everything that made Grand Theft Auto work as a concept and fit it into a DS cart. But it absolutely works. The story, the gameplay, the controls, the drug deals, the return to the classic overhead view -- everything quite simply works. This is a phenomenal game and deserves a place in any DS gamer's collection." (Nathaniel)
GTA: Chinatown Wars also comes in a PSP flavor that comes almost as highly recommended.

Hardware and Accessories for the Gamer on the Go

Firemint's Real Racing looks great compared to any other portable racer out there. There's even a free version sponsored by Volkswagen.

iPod Touch ($188.95 for the newest 8Gb model at Amazon) - Maybe you haven't heard the news, but the iPhone and iPod Touch are now a hot player in the portable gaming market. With thousands of games for under $10, there's a staggering amount of bang for your buck on Apple's sideways entry into the handheld gaming market ... if you can wade through the trash. Know someone who's already packing an iGameboy? Toss them an iTunes store card! They're good for buying apps and games.

Dongles galore make the Moray+ work with everything.

Razer Moray+ Mobile Gaming Communicator ($49.18 at Amazon) - Though earbuds may not be everyone's cup of tea, the Moray+ is a quality pair with an inline microphone tagging along for good measure. With a bundle of compact adapters for compatibility with PC/PSP/DSi, these bad boys have replaced two headsets and a set of earbuds in my laptop bag saving me space and eliminating clutter. I'd highly recommend this headset for any multi-platform mobile gamer.


Now I know we've probably missed some great ideas and I know you forum-goers can find better deals than the stock Amazon prices I came up with so hit the thread and inform your fellow shoppers. Tis' the season to help each other save a buck!

[boratika]

Originally Posted by mightbe

PSP Present Possibilities

Tower defense nirvana has been achieved.

Gah! Need's more energy towers. The green spiders will just dance on through like just isn't a thing.

Originally Posted by mightbe

PixelJunk Monsters Deluxe... Not nearly enough praise can be heaped on the hand drawn style, breathtaking audio, and devilish mission design.

(Based on the PS3 version, but) that really sums up my feelings. Really one of the best games of the past few years.


Also, nice write up. I agree whole-heartedly with the DS list.

[Camel]

I don't think it's the characters anyone needs to get past to enjoy TWEWY, it's the way you fight battles. I always felt like I was just mashing buttons and directions.

[Gorvi]

Locoroco 2 ($19.82 at Amazon) A large improvement over the first in just about every way, an overall great game if you enjoy 2D platformers with a still very unique control system. Incredibly charming.

[Suave Peanut]

I will be sure to direct my loved ones right here for all of my gift needs. I want all of that.

[rein]

I love PixelJunk Monsters Deluxe. I have not played it nearly enough. Mostly because a certain hardware item on your list has taken over my portable gaming. OK, that's it, I have praised the iPhone enough today.

I really liked both gift giving features. Great idea!

[mightbe]

Originally Posted by boratika

Gah! Need's more energy towers. The green spiders will just dance on through like just isn't a thing.



(Based on the PS3 version, but) that really sums up my feelings. Really one of the best games of the past few years.


Also, nice write up. I agree whole-heartedly with the DS list.

Thanks much! And I think if he adds another fire or ice tower and upgrades them, he should be fine. Just need to put enough space in between them for reload time constraints.

Also, if you have a PSP, pick this up! You'll be pleasantly surprised by the tweaks that are a nod to people who played the crap out of the console version.

[Abednigo]

Originally Posted by boratika

Gah! Need's more energy towers. The green spiders will just dance on through like just isn't a thing.



(Based on the PS3 version, but) that really sums up my feelings. Really one of the best games of the past few years.


Also, nice write up. I agree whole-heartedly with the DS list.

I just downloaded the PS3 version yesterday. Talk about tough!! I need to read up on some strategies. The Trophy Challenges are harder than I expected too (and why does it seem like my towers upgrade when I'm nowhere near them?!). I love the web-based tower defense games, but this one cranks it up a notch on the difficulty scale. I love it though.

[MagGnome]

I really need to give my DS some love, and/or pick up a PSP.

[Camel]

Hmm, I figured there was no point in picking up the PSP version of PJM because I already had the PS3 version, but now you guys are making me think that's not the case!

I looooove PJM, although I am not all that great at it. I find it very soothing to play, even while I am restarting levels over and over to get a perfect score.

[Purple Santa]

Well i'm sold on those earbuds. I've been looking for a new pair and those will certainly do.

Great write-up as usual Mightbe....