6 gifts for gamers in 2023: from PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch controllers to the Meta Quest 3 VR headset to a joystick for playing Mortal Kombat
- Video gaming is more popular than ever, but with so many gaming accessories available, it can be hard to know what will make a good video game present this year
- From an arcade joystick for fight games like Street Fighter and Tekken to a gaming headset to Sony’s DualSense Edge, we look options to help beat the competition
Gamers love to gear up and snatch any piece of equipment that will help them beat a final boss or in online competition. The problem gift buyers face is that there is a dizzying array of controllers, headsets and gadgets on the market.
Here’s a guide to help you navigate the extensive options and find the perfect gift for the gamer in your life.
1. DualSense Edge
Sony finally jumped on the elite-style controller bandwagon and introduced its DualSense Edge controller this year. It feels luxurious, with a sturdier weight and inner grips that are reminiscent of the leather on a new basketball.
This device has two big selling points. The first is that the analogue sticks can be switched out if they break, meaning you can save money by not needing to buy another controller. The second is that the controller has two back paddle buttons that can act as other inputs.
It also comes with a carrying case and other customisable options, making it good value for US$199 (HK$1,550).
2. Victrix Pro FS Arcade Fight Stick
The fighting game genre has had a great year with the releases of Street Fighter 6 and Mortal Kombat 1. Fans will have more to cheer about when Tekken 8 launches on January 26, 2024.
With this in mind, it’s the perfect time to pick up an arcade stick, and one of the best out there is the Victrix Pro FS Arcade Fight Stick.
It’s pricey at US$399.99, but players get plenty of quality, with Sanwa Denshi parts and a body built from aircraft-grade aluminium. It’s a stick that can take a beating and is built for serious fighting-game players travelling to tournaments.
3. SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X
Headsets have become a must for gamers, especially for streamers who have a significant other or kids.
The right headset can immerse players deeper into the a game and help improve performance in a competitive setting by letting them know where an attack is coming from.
The best tool for the job is the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X. This headset is light and comfortable, making it good for long gaming sessions, and it delivers excellent sound quality.
At US$199.99, it won’t break the bank.
4. PDP Realmz Wired Controller
To stop children messing around with expensive controllers, it can be a good option to get them their own, cheaper one. This is where PDP’s Realmz wired controllers come in handy.
These controllers feature non-removable action figures inside a clear casing. It’s a little gimmicky but sure to delight kids.
The Xbox version has programmable paddles in the back, while the Nintendo Switch version has a headphone jack, built-in volume controllers and LED lights similar to other PDP products.
The wired Nintendo versions are US$39.99 and US$59.99. The Xbox version is US$49.99.
5. Epomaker EK75
Housed in an aluminium case, this 75 per cent gasket-mounted mechanical keyboard is hefty. It can be connected to devices by Bluetooth, USB dongle and wire. The one drawback is that it comes as a kit that users have to build themselves.
For US$149.99, users get a bare-bones kit, meaning they may incur additional costs if they wish to buy more switches and keycaps. But ultimately, building it will offer gamers satisfaction as they feel like a Jedi going through a rite of passage building a lightsabre.
6. Meta Quest 3
It has a clearer screen than previous models and more importantly offers a mixed-reality experience that blends the real world with the virtual.
The device can be used to give users a virtual display while they work, and can be worn around the house, with its colour cameras offering users views of their surroundings. This means users are less likely to bump into walls or feel vulnerable while wearing it.
That the device automatically scans a room so that players can jump into a VR space they can move around in.
The Meta Quest is easy to just pick and play without worrying about injury, and that’s a big advancement for the medium. The device is expensive, starting at US$499.99.
