Gamer Stocking Stuffers on the Cheap

With the holidays right around the corner and the recession in full swing there is no doubt everyone is feeling the pressure to pinch-pennies this holiday season. If you’re unable to shell out $60 for a new game for that special gamer on your list, here’s a thrifty list of ideas that won’t set you back anything more than a Jackson.

PSN/XBL/Wii card
For $20 your gamer has the chance to grab great downloadable titles, add-on content for their favorite release, new tracks for their favored music game, video rentals (Xbox 360/ PS3) , and issues of Qore (PS3). Surprisingly, a $20 online card goes a long way for the average gamer.

GameFly Subscription
Gamers can access thousands of games across every platform for an entire month with a $15.95 subscription. One game is allowed out at a time and may be exchanged as many times as possible within their month long subscription. Subscriptions may be purchased online or at Best Buy locations.

Video Game Original Soundtracks
OSTs have been favorites of gamers everywhere for a long time. Stuff this in your gamers stocking and he will be humming Zelda tunes all week long! In most cases classic video games tend to have the most beloved soundtracks, so when in doubt look for soundtracks from Zelda, Final Fantasy, or Castlevania.

Controller Soap

Sounds odd, I know, but it’s a gift that every gamer would want to rub all over his naked wet body! These wonderful creations come available in every platform’s controllers, as well as in Tetris shapes. Oh, yeah and don’t forget to pick up a bottle of Mountain Dew shampoo to go along with it. Check out Digitalsoap’s Etsy store to pick up one before they sell out!

Gaming Literature
I’m not just talking strategy guides here, there are countless books on the history of video games, encyclopedias of gaming, and fictional novels based around Halo, Gears of War, and Resistance to only name a few. It is a common misconception that gamers do not like to read, pick your gamer up a book and watch him use his thumbs for more than QTE’s!

Charger Dock
You may have to find a bigger stocking to stuff this into, but it’ll be well worth it. Gamers have 2 archenemies: corrupt save files and dead wireless controllers. Luckily, for $19.99 Energizer can help your gamer defeat one of those adversaries. The dock charges 2 controllers at a time with 2 additional USB ports for any other controllers or devices they may want to juice up.

Carrying Cases
Dragging a Wii or Xbox over to a friend or relatives house to play Rock Band can be a cumbersome feat. Save your gamer the stress and hook him up with a console messenger bag! The shoulder bag is both fashionable and practical, with its specialized compartments to hold everything safely for transport.

Bargain Bin Games
And if you must pick up a game for your special someone I suggest digging around those giant bins that retails throw games into. While 90% of the time games in discount bins aren’t worth your time, every now and then you’ll find a gem. I suggest you keep Metacritic booted up on your cell phone and check those scores to make sure you don’t grab a copy of Rock Revolution. GameStop also has an excellent list of games under $20 on their site. You can find their list here.