{"id":10835,"date":"2017-10-31T09:20:04","date_gmt":"2017-10-31T16:20:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bensbargains.net\/thecheckout\/?p=10835"},"modified":"2017-11-07T06:03:17","modified_gmt":"2017-11-07T14:03:17","slug":"video-game-hardware-accessories-worth-buying-this-holiday-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bensbargains.com\/thecheckout\/guides\/video-game-hardware-accessories-worth-buying-this-holiday-season\/","title":{"rendered":"2017 Gift Guide: Video Game Hardware & Accessories"},"content":{"rendered":"
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We\u2019ve arrived at this awkward stage in the life cycles of the current video game systems, where searching for an \u201cXbox One\u201d or a \u201cPlayStation 4\u201d isn\u2019t a straightforward experience anymore. Now, there are S versions and X versions and Pro versions of the consoles available, and they\u2019re usually the ones to pop up in online searches before the regular old systems.<\/p>\n

Luckily, buying any Xbox One or PS4 system will ensure that you \u2013 or the person receiving it as a gift \u2013 will be able to play all available Xbox One or PS4 games, respectively, so there\u2019s no going wrong there.\u00a0 However, all these systems don\u2019t operate in the same ways: some will play games better than others, and some will contain other functions (such as movie and streaming abilities) that others cannot.\u00a0 It\u2019s a bit of a mess, but we\u2019re here to help.<\/p>\n

Below, this guide will cover a bunch of different gaming consoles and accessories primed for gifting to those seasoned gamers and potential game lovers in your life, offering both hardware to upgrade their \u201cquality of life\u201d and cost-efficient bundles to get them involved from scratch. Also, you can head over to Ben\u2019s Bargains Software Gift Guide to check out the games that\u2019d pair nicely with any of the below systems.<\/p>\n

For Those Serious About 4K and Library Compatibility, Gift This.<\/h3>\n
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Xbox One X 1TB Launch System<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Pros:<\/strong><\/em> 6 Tflops Processor, 4K Gaming\/Media, Backwards Compatibility | MSRP:<\/strong> <\/em>$499<\/p>\n

Click Here to Buy on Amazon<\/a><\/span> Or Search Ben’s for Xbox One X Deals<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div>\n

Historically, being a first adopter of a new videogame console involved a few jarring experiences after the purchase. On the positive side, playing the slate of brand new launch games showcased how powerful the new machine could truly be; on the negative, the player had to, y\u2019know, pay for all these games alongside the new console itself. The Xbox One X, Microsoft\u2019s latest gaming console focused on 4K capability, significantly changes the rules this season.<\/p>\n

They don\u2019t want gamers to buy entirely new libraries this time around, since the One X will be backwards compatible in the truest sense of the word. Current games for the One will be playable on this new system, but many will be optimized with the new 6-teraflops hardware, especially noticeable to those who have made the plunge into a 4K home theater. Legacy games will also be playable, including original Xbox titles, and the enhanced hardware of the Xbox One X will even elevate the resolution and color quality.<\/p>\n

The Xbox One X operates more like a PC upgrade experience than a new console generation, and it\u2019s a beautiful thing. \u00a0Also, like the Xbox One S, it\u2019s also a 4K Blu-ray player and media streamer, so you\u2019re able to knock out two birds with one stone.<\/p>\n

For the Aspiring Gaming Jedi, Gift This.<\/h3>\n
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PS4 Pro 1TB Battlefront 2 Bundle<\/h4>\n

Pros:<\/strong><\/em> 4K Enhanced, VR Capable, Battlefront 2 Included; Cons:<\/strong><\/em> No 4K Blu-ray | MSRP:<\/strong><\/em> $449<\/p>\n

Click Here to Buy on Amazon<\/a><\/span> Or Search Ben’s for PS4 Pro Deals<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div>\n

In a similar but not quite as drastic new-console experience for the 4K gamers out there, this marks the one-year anniversary of the release of the PS4 Pro, which means the bundles are a comin\u2019. Continuing to sport the pleasures and pitfalls of last year\u2019s model \u2013 enhanced GPU performance focuses on 4K enhancements and VR, yet doesn\u2019t support 4K Blu-ray playback \u2013 it\u2019s a commendably beefed-up version of the gaming console of choice this generation, so far.<\/p>\n

All standard PS4 games are playable on the Pro, and a few select ones receive boosts in resolution and color range for 4K\/HDR-compatible televisions, ranging from broad upticks in resolution to subtler processing effects that smooth out gameplay.<\/p>\n

Fans of that little, lesser-known space opera Star Wars<\/em> who haven\u2019t jumped aboard the new consoles will dig this themed bundle, equipped with a 1TB harddrive, sharply-implemented logo accents, and a copy of the Elite Trooper Deluxe Edition of Star Wars: Battlefront 2<\/em>.\u00a0 For those who just want a sleek white iteration of the console bundled with a game, there\u2019s also the straightforward Destiny 2 bundle<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For Those Who Dig Sleekness and Stealth, Gift This.<\/h3>\n
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Xbox One S 1TB Assassin’s Creed Origins Bundle<\/h4>\n

Pros:<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0Slim White System, AC Origins Included; Cons:<\/strong><\/em> Not an Xbox One X | MSRP:<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0$349<\/p>\n

Click Here to Buy on Amazon<\/a><\/span> Or Search Ben’s for Xbox One\u00a0Deals<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div>\n

At this point, whether the Xbox One S was merely a placeholder for Microsoft\u2019s latest gaming console doesn\u2019t really matter. What does matter is that it\u2019s now a robust, polished iteration of this gen\u2019s machine in a console that\u2019s nearly half the size of its predecessor, and its boosts in performance \u2013 including HDR compatibility — and inclusion of 4K UHD Blu-ray playback position itself ahead of the chase in terms of value.<\/p>\n

Last year saw a collection of bundles that ran the gamut of console colors and included games, but the standout this year comes in the polar-white 1TB version of the console packaged with Assassin\u2019s Creed: Origins<\/em>, Ubisoft\u2019s innovative new spin on their stealth franchise set in ancient Egypt, as well as Rainbow Six: Siege<\/em> tossed in for a little added spice.<\/p>\n

For the Patient Nintendo Fan, Finally<\/em> Gift This.<\/h3>\n
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Nintendo Switch – Super Mario Odyssey Bundle<\/h4>\n

Pros:<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0Innovative Portability, Motion Controls … and It’s-a Mario!; Cons:<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0Scarce | MSRP:\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>$379<\/p>\n

Click Here to Buy on Amazon<\/a><\/span> Or Search Ben’s for Nintendo Switch Deals<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div>\n

Look, it happens with nearly every system released by Nintendo, but \u2013 mamma\u00a0mia!<\/em> \u2013 it sure was a pain in the rump trying to find their new portable-hybrid console earlier this year.\u00a0 Luckily, supply has finally caught up with the demand, as one can readily pick up a Switch now at most retailers; heck, you might even have a choice of colors, either the gray-themed controllers<\/a> or the signature red-blue design<\/a>.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s even a slick new bundle including the latest, acclaimed Super Mario Bros. game, Odyssey<\/em>, featuring dual red controllers and a themed carrying case.\u00a0 It\u2019s in and out of stock at Amazon on a regular basis, but it can also be easily found at the usual suspects \u2013 Target<\/a>, GameStop<\/a>, etc. \u2013 for those who don\u2019t want to roll the dice.<\/p>\n

For On-the-Go Kids Both Young and Old, Gift This.<\/h3>\n
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Nintendo 2DS\u00a0New Super Mario Bros. 2 Bundle<\/h4>\n

Pros:<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0Huge Library of Games, New Super Mario Bros. 2 Included | MSRP:<\/strong><\/em> $79<\/p>\n

Click Here to Buy on Amazon<\/a><\/span> Or Search Ben’s for \u00a0Nintendo DS Deals<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div>\n

Despite its portable nature, one of the drawbacks to the Nintendo Switch comes in the newness of its library and a notable lack of backwards compatibility with the company’s other systems, even considering its download interface.\u00a0 Thus, the best way to get one\u2019s hands on a substantial library of classic games that can travel anywhere still comes in Nintendo\u2019s DS consoles, furthering their legacy and value even in the age of the Switch.<\/p>\n

The full DS catalogue can be played in the incredibly cost-effective 2DS system, running all the popular games for the platform \u2013 heaps of Mario, Zelda, Pokemon, Metroid, and Phoenix Wright titles \u2013 in a standard screen fashion.\u00a0\u00a0 Yet another handsome 2DS bundle arrived in August that includes New Super Mario Bros 2, featuring a white-and-red accented console and the game preloaded on the system.<\/p>\n

For Those Needing a Controller as Colorful as They Are, Gift This.<\/h3>\n
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Xbox Design Lab Custom Controller<\/h4>\n

Pros:<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0Xbox\/Windows Compatible, Variety of Colors,\u00a0Engraved for $9.99 | Price:<\/strong><\/em> $80-90<\/p>\n

Click Here for\u00a0Xbox Design Lab<\/a><\/span> Or Search Ben’s for Controller Deals<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div>\n

Xbox consoles have always offered a revolving door of colorful, unique designs for their controllers, and the One has been no exception. Just this year, they\u2019ve released another version of their Shadow ombre color line in vivid orange<\/a>, a navy tech-inspired design<\/a>, and an entire batch dedicated to the pixelated aesthetic of Minecraft<\/em><\/a>. Sometimes, the controllers available simply don\u2019t have just the right combination of body, trigger, and button colors to satisfy everyone<\/em>, which is where Xbox\u2019s Design Lab comes into play.<\/p>\n

Launched last year and costing $20 more than a standard controller, this process allows for complete customization of the components from nearly twenty different colors — four of which have been added this year \u2013 and, for an additional cost, the choice of rubberized and metallic-shine elements for handles and triggers.\u00a0 They\u2019ll also throw an engraving on there for $10.<\/p>\n

For That Player Running Low On Hard-Drive Space, Gift These.<\/h3>\n
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Seagate 2TB Internal \/ External Hard-Drives<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Pros:<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0Expand Drive Space\u00a0For Older or Low-Memory Consoles<\/p>\n

Click Here to Buy on Amazon<\/a><\/span> Or Search Ben’s for Seagate 2TB Deals<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div>\n

As consoles get more advanced, the games they run take up even more digital space with their installations, updates, and downloadable content. Base models of this generation’s consoles, capped at 500GB, can’t store very many games, which throws a conundrum at owners: should they upgrade their systems to newer ones with bigger hard-drives, or upgrade their storage solutions?<\/p>\n

Thankfully, it’s a fairly easy problem to solve on both consoles, as the Xbox One supports external USB hard-drives and the PS4’s internal hard-drive can be swapped out. Seagate has affordable, compatible options for both, with each of their 2GB varieties priced at around $85.<\/p>\n

For Online Players and Freebie\/Deal Hunters, Gift These.<\/h3>\n
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Xbox Live 12 Month \/ PlayStation Plus 12 Month<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Pros:<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0Free Monthly Games, Weekly Exclusive Deals, Online Gaming Access | MSRP:<\/strong> <\/em>$59<\/p>\n

XBLA 12 Month\u00a0on Amazon<\/a><\/span> PSN 12 Month on Amazon<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div>\n

While the primary reason for purchasing subscriptions to either PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live used to boil down to having access to online gaming, both companies have taken strides over the past year to make their paid memberships really worth the monthly, quarterly, or yearly investments.<\/p>\n

Weekly exclusive deals on a variety of digital games can be nice, of course, but how they’ve upped their value games can be found in the monthly free game offerings (regularly covered here at The Checkout), which range from quirky indies and day-one releases to the occasional high-profile title. And in the case for Xbox, their 360 offerings are routinely backwards compatible on the newer console, too, bringing Xbox One owners up to four available freebies per month.<\/p>\n

For the Nostalgic Who Are REALLY Worth The Effort, Gift This.<\/h3>\n
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Super NES Classic Edition<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Pros:<\/strong><\/em>\u00a020 Games, Authentic Small-Scale Recreation, Retro Graphics Filters | MSRP:<\/strong><\/em> $79<\/p>\n

Click Here to Buy on Amazon<\/a><\/span> Or Click Here to Buy at Target<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div>\n

The Switch wasn\u2019t the only Nintendo system in recent memory that was hard to come by; in fact, it\u2019s tough to decide which one was more difficult to obtain. The NES Classic was included in last year\u2019s gift guide, but that was written a few weeks before the novelty console\u2019s launch, so the extreme scarcity of it wasn\u2019t something that could really be predicted or discussed at that point.<\/p>\n

This year, Nintendo\u2019s at it again with the foreseeable Super NES Classic, an $80 experience in a box preloaded with over twenty classic games \u2013 A Link to the Past, Super Mario World, Star Fox<\/em> and its previously cancelled sequel, etc. \u2013 in a shrunken chassis designed to look like the original SNES. And, also foreseeable, it\u2019s not easy to obtain \u2026 but it does seem easier to find than last year\u2019s fiasco, which has kept after-market prices manageable.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We\u2019ve arrived at this awkward stage in the life cycles of the current video game systems, where searching for an \u201cXbox One\u201d or a \u201cPlayStation 4\u201d isn\u2019t a straightforward experience anymore. Now, there are S versions and X versions and Pro versions of the consoles available, and they\u2019re usually the ones to pop up in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":57,"featured_media":30552,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[1964,1683,494,102,25,378],"class_list":["post-10835","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guides","tag-holiday-2017","tag-nintendo-switch","tag-playstation-4","tag-splendiferous","tag-video-games","tag-xbox-one"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bensbargains.com\/thecheckout\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10835","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bensbargains.com\/thecheckout\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bensbargains.com\/thecheckout\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bensbargains.com\/thecheckout\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/57"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bensbargains.com\/thecheckout\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10835"}],"version-history":[{"count":56,"href":"https:\/\/bensbargains.com\/thecheckout\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10835\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30672,"href":"https:\/\/bensbargains.com\/thecheckout\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10835\/revisions\/30672"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bensbargains.com\/thecheckout\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/30552"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bensbargains.com\/thecheckout\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10835"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bensbargains.com\/thecheckout\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10835"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bensbargains.com\/thecheckout\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10835"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}