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SophistiGamer’s Holiday Gift Guide | 2023 Edition

Chris Zaiser

Holiday shopping can be quite daunting between crowded stores and plummeting temperatures but fear not because SophistiGamer has gone and meticulously curated a master list of wonderful gift ideas to help make those retail escapades merry and bright. Whether you’re searching for family friendly experiences or something tailored to an individual person, 2023 has delivered phenomenal hardware and gaming accessories that will leave households rocking around the Christmas tree. The rise of digital media options can make things even easier with players able to purchase games and in-game content from the comfort of home – avoiding Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas Is You altogether.

Stocking Stuffers

Fortnite (V-Bucks Gift Cards)

If you know someone that plays Fortnite on a regular basis, then tossing in a V-Bucks Card is a surefire way to put a smile on their face. These gift cards can be purchased from participating retailers including Best Buy Canada and Walmart Canada with varying denominations and price points. Players redeem these codes on their accounts and use them to purchase different cosmetics for their characters which are featured in the Item Shop and rotated on a daily basis.

  • 1,000 V-Bucks – $11.99 CAD | 2,800 V-Bucks – $29.99 CAD
  • 5,000 V-Bucks – $47.99 CAD | 13,500 V-Bucks – $119.99 CAD

LEGO Minifigures – Marvel Series 2

There’s nothing quite like opening up a fresh LEGO set on Christmas morning and putting it together while holiday cooking fills the air. These can be quite expensive but LEGO Minifigures offers a satisfying experience while keeping your budget intact – and they fit snuggly inside stockings. Marvel Series 2 retails for $5.99 CAD and features twelve characters from popular Disney+ shows including Moon Knight and Hawkeye respectively along with fan favourite heroes: Wolverine and Beast. Boxes are completely random so there is no definitive way of knowing what’s inside but it’s the thought that counts.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie

While fixing a water main, Brooklyn plumbers Mario (Chris Pratt; Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3) and Luigi (Charlie Day; It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia) are transported down a mysterious pipe and wander into a magical new world. But when the brothers are separated, Mario embarks on a quest to find Luigi with help from Toad (Keegan-Michael Key; Hotel Transylvania: Transformania), Donkey Kong (Seth Rogen; Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem), and Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy; The Menu) in this adaptation of the widely popular Nintendo franchise. It’s holiday fun for the whole family!

Fortnite Transformers Pack

Epic Games releases a specialty pack annually that contains a plethora of cosmetics including Outfits and Pickaxes – the most recent being the Transformers Pack which features:

  • Bumblebee Outfit | Megatron Outfit | BattleBus Outfit | 1,000 V-Bucks
  • Bumblebee’s Wings Back Bling |Decepticon Emblem Back Bling | Bot Air Balloon Back Bling
  • Stinger Sword Pickaxe | Energon Mace Pickaxe | Pick Axle Pickaxe
  • Battle Ready Built-In Emote | Fusion Cannon Built-In Emote

You’ll be able to purchase this particular pack through digital stores including Xbox and PlayStation for $37.49 CAD or grab a physical copy for $34.99 CAD which contains a download code for the content inside the case from participating retailers while supplies last; ; digital prices increased earlier this year which explains the price differences between digital versions and physical versions.

Prices and availability of products are subject to change.

Gaming Accessories

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate

An Xbox Game Pass subscription gives players access to over 100 high-quality games instantaneously without the need to swap out discs. Xbox Game Studios exclusive titles are readily available on Day One (release day) including Bethesda Softworks – Starfield recently launched. There are three separate membership options with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate providing the absolute best value for $18.99 CAD per month; first two weeks only $1 CAD with subscriptions continuing automatically at regular price unless cancelled prior to renewal – access to titles expires with membership cancellation.

PlayStation 5 Console Covers

Players can customize their PlayStation 5 with Console Covers – faceplates which can be removed for an added splash of colour. They are available for both the Disc and Digital Edition consoles with a retail price of $69.99 CAD from participating retailers. The Galaxy Collection features five exclusive colours including our personal favourite – Galactic Purple – while the Deep Earth Collection contains additional styles: Volcanic Red, Cobalt Blue, and Sterling Silver respectively; the latter is due out next year.

Xbox Design Lab

The Xbox Design Lab allows users to create their own personal Xbox Wireless Controller – everything down to the thumbsticks. The Xbox Wireless Controllers starts out at $69.99 CAD with optional add-ons including Rubberized Back & Side Grips for an additional cost. The Xbox Elite Wireless Controllers are priced at $149.99 CAD with optional accessories packs available including Carrying Case/Charging Packs to complete the package. You can also include a personal message with Engraving for $9.99 CAD which can house up to 16 characters; Gamertags (online names) work exceptionally well in this regard.

Prices and availability of products are subject to change.

Heavy Hitters

Xbox Series X

Power your dreams with the fastest and most powerful Xbox ever! Under the hood – Xbox Series X features 12 teraflops of raw graphic processing power, DirectX ray tracing, and a custom SSD which can be expanded with Seagate Expansion Cards that are sold separately. It offers true 4K experiences in gaming with sharper characters and brighter worlds – up to 120 frames per second. A standout feature is Quick Resume which allows players to get back into action instantaneously or switch between titles seamlessly. Xbox Series X is regularly priced at $659.99 CAD however Microsoft is offering up discounts just in time for the holiday season – $599.99 CAD from participating retailers for a limited time.

Xbox Series S

Power your dreams with the best deal in gaming! Xbox Series S is a completely digital console with players needing to purchase games via the Store or through Microsoft’s website. Xbox Game Pass pairs incredibly well with Xbox Series S as it gives players access to over 100+ high-quality games including Day One releases, online multiplayer, and more! Xbox Series S is regularly priced at $379.99 CAD whilst Xbox Series S 1TB (Black) is regularly priced at $449.99 CAD from participating retailers.

PlayStation 5

The PlayStation 5 launched three years ago and has since welcomed over 40 million players into the community alongside more than 2,500 games available for the platform. And this holiday season, even more supply is shipping out including a slimmer PS5 model with two of the hottest games packaged together in separate bundles for $649.99 CAD from participating retailers. Digital vouchers will provide players access to either Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 or Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III with regular pricing of $729.99 CAD for the console set to return following the Black Friday holiday shopping season.

Nintendo Switch OLED

Nintendo Switch OLED is the newest member of the Nintendo Switch family of consoles – boasting a vibrant and crisp 7-inch OLED screen with a wider adjustable stand. It’s regularly priced at $449.99 CAD with a special holiday offer available which includes a digital voucher for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate in addition to a 3-month subscription to Nintendo Switch Online and Joy-Con controllers embellished with the iconic Super Smash Bros. logo; not sold separately – bundle exclusive. Nintendo released several acclaimed titles this year including Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Super Mario RPG remake.

Blacklyte – Athena & Ares Chair

Athena and Ares chairs from Blacklyte – Canadian lifestyle brand – combines stylish aesthetics with ergonomic support and top-notch performance. Athena is upholstered utilizing high-quality Cotton Flax fabric and high density cold-core foam technology that provides soft, cloud-like comfort for a blissful gaming experience. Ares is designed with premium genuine leather that’s soft yet supple and provides a level of comfort that truly elevates the user experience. Athena is priced at $699.99 CAD while Ares pricing is currently unknown at the moment – expected to be confirmed later this month.

Blacklyte – Atlas Gaming Desk

Atlas Desk is a cutting-edge adjustable desk – standing and sitting configurations – with interactive Phantom RGB Lighting and a Zero Cable wire management system which keeps cables out of the way to ensure your desktop remains clean. Height can be adjusted electronically and contains 3 presets with the highest range being 1250mm or approximately 50 inches respectively. Players can safely store headphones using the designated hook and lighting is synced with their game to match the mood or setting. Atlas Desk is available now for $1,499.99 CAD and comes with a three year warranty.

Prices and availability of products are subject to change.

Must Play Games (2023)

Super Mario Bros. Wonder

Embark on a whimsical adventure with Super Mario Bros. Wonder where Mario and his friends must traverse the Flower Kingdom and thwart King Bowser’s chaos causing rampage. Players will come upon brand new power-ups including Elephant Fruit which transforms characters into elephants that can trounce enemies by swinging its trunk and Bubble Flowers which creates temporary bouncy platforms which is ideal for reaching higher ground. Yoshi and Nabbit won’t take damage from enemies – great for players just starting out. Available now for $79.99 CAD from participating retailers.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

Peter Parker and Miles Morales are back for another adventure in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 available exclusively for PlayStation 5 consoles. Players can jump, swing, and even soar through the boroughs of New York City – switching seamlessly between characters to experience different stories and combat some of the most formidable villains including Kraven the Hunter and Venom who threaten to destroy their lives and those they cherish dearly. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is regularly priced at $89.99 CAD from participating retailers or included with a specialty PlayStation 5 holiday bundle.

Bluey: The Videogame

The worldwide phenomenon has leaped onto gaming consoles with Bluey: The Videogame faithfully immersing players in the world of the smash hit animated series. The game sees original cast members David McCormack (Bandit Heeler/Dad) and Melanie Zanetti (Chilli Heeler/Mum) reprising their roles alongside chart-topping music tracks from composer Joff Bush and minigames from the show including Keepy Uppy and Magic Xylophone respectively. Regularly priced at $49.99 CAD from participating retailers, Bluey: The Videogame is a must have family-friendly game for the holiday season.

Resident Evil 4

Survival is just the beginning. Resident Evil 4 is a remake of the acclaimed 2005 GameCube title which was completely rebuilt – preserving the essence of the original game whilst simultaneously introducing modernized gameplay, a reimagined storyline, and vividly detailed graphics. The game takes place following the events of Resident Evil 2 with Leon S. Kennedy traveling to a secluded European village on a mission to rescue the president’s kidnapped daughter, Ashley Graham. But something is terribly wrong with the villagers and the mysterious Los Illuminados cult is to blame. Resident Evil 4 is regularly priced at $79.99 CAD from participating retailers – VR mode coming to PlayStation 5 version.

Prices and availability of products are subject to change.

Happy Holidays from all of us here at SophistiGamer – see you next year!

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