Gaming gift ideas for Christmas 2020

Johannes Domke 2 December 2020

Thumbs Up - Mini arcade console with 240 8-bit games

The design and operation of this mini-console is based on the old arcade machines of the 80s and 90s. The control works accordingly via a joystick as well as an A and a B button. The 240 games, which are mostly rip-offs of classic games, are to be arranged in the 8-bit range. They are shown on a 2,5 inch TFT display that has lighting. The three AA batteries (preferably rechargeable batteries) are not included in the scope of delivery. The small console and alternatives to it can be found with this link. Matching batteries Is there ... here.

Thumbs Up - 240in1-8Bit Mini Arcade Machine, Contains 240 Games

Miniature arcade game
With 240 8-bit video games
2.5 TFT screen

Nerd and gaming books for the relaxed Christmas season

For everyone who is fascinated by the history of video game consoles, I always recommend “The Game Console” by Evan Amos. I have the book for you already presented two years ago. It shows the first home consoles for video games from 1972 as well as the Apple Pippin from 1996 or the Nintendo Switch from 2017. Handheld consoles such as the Sega Gamegear or the Nintendo Game Boy are also included.

The Game Console: A Photographic History from Atari to Xbox

Amos, Evan (Author)

Richard Moss' The Secret History of Mac Gaming is just as interesting. I have this book for you too already presented here in the blog. It is interesting to note that early computer games in the 1980s were primarily programmed on and for the Mac. It was not until the 1990s that developers and studios preferred Microsoft's Windows and DOS platforms. This book will tell you what the history of Mac video games was like.

The Secret History of Mac Gaming

Moss, Richard (Author)

“Bitmap Books” describes not just a book, but a publisher that offers various titles related to video games, their genres and the corresponding history. The book series was mentioned for the first time here on the blog a year ago. In the linked article you will find various issues on NES and Famicom games, on SNES and Super Famicom titles, Commodore 64, Amiga and NEOGEO. A special volume also deals exclusively with point-and-click adventures.

Commodore 64: a visual compendium

Bitmap Books (Author)

The SNES Pixel Book

Bitmap Books (Author)

The Art of Point and Click Adventure Games

Bitmap Books (Author)

The book “Stark verpixelt” by Christian Keichel is a little more text-heavy and less concerned with a graphic spectacle with screenshots of old games. "When technology-loving students first used computers for games in the early 1960s, it was just hacking. From this, however, an established leisure time entertainment quickly developed. From then on, every generation of games could fall back on more memory, colors and speed“, Already introduces the blurb. Take a look at the book Is there ... here.

27 Reviews

STRONGLY PIXELED: What was left of the game (s) (computer archeology)

Keichel, Christian (Author)

Gaming headset with very good reviews at a low price

A gaming headset can be a real hot topic. Good fit, suitability for glasses wearers, rigid or adjustable microphone, connection via 3,5 mm jack or USB-A, and so on ... But where everyone seems to agree is the Beexcellent gaming headset at a low price on Amazon. The headphone-microphone combination is connected to a PC, Mac, mobile phone, tablet, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox or their controller using a jack, jack splitter or USB adapter. The customer reviews are mostly provided with 5 stars.

Steam credit as a game voucher

Steam is the largest and most popular game platform from which games for various platforms (Windows, macOS, Linux, etc.) can be downloaded. As with buying DVD-Roms, this obviously costs money. You can find Steam credit in the form of voucher cards, for example, in supermarkets, discounter, in some post offices and in other places. You can also buy Steam credit digitally from Amazon. Then the card will be sent directly to your home - 20 Euros or 50 Euros (unfortunately with a large surcharge).

Credit for Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch

There is no surcharge for other solutions for game credit via Amazon (at most for shipping). A 25 euro credit therefore costs 25 euros. For the Xbox there are offers from 10 euros to 100 euros in various levels. The best thing to do is to look for the right one from this list. It looks the same with the PlayStation. If you want to give away credit for the PlayStation 4 or PS5, then take a look at this list.

With regard to Nintendo, you may have to be careful. Because here there is sometimes a distinction between credit for the eShop, which is still active for the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS, and credit for the eShop on the Nintendo Switch. However, credit for all three offers is available here: Product page with 15, 25 and 50 euros as Nintendo credit (download codes without a physical card).

More nerd and gaming gift ideas from the last few years

Here in the blog there were always a few posts with gift ideas, special gift lists and individual presentations of gadgets, books and more. In the following you will find a small overview, in case you haven't found the right thing for the above items:

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Johannes Domke

After graduating from high school, Johannes completed an apprenticeship as a business assistant specializing in foreign languages. But then he decided to research and write, which resulted in his independence. For several years he has been working for Sir Apfelot, among others. His articles include product introductions, news, manuals, video games, consoles, and more. He follows Apple keynotes live via stream.

The page contains affiliate links / images: Amazon.de