If you’re like us, and I know you are because you’re reading this, we tend to be late on deadlines during the hectic holiday time. We get it. We understand. It’s how we roll. True.
Anyway, Black Friday might be sooooooo last week, but we think you’ll still get some use from our opinions and recommendations about games, hardware, and oddities, should you be looking for a gift for someone. Enjoy the goods below.
Also, happy holiday season!
Here’s to another year of wondering if GTA 6 is going to be delayed!
YAY!
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii (available on multiple platforms) – Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii earned a perfect 10/10 from Will. It is the Goro Majima game that players have always dreamed of, featuring the traditional chaotic Yakuza minigames, naval exploration, and bloodthirsty combat wrapped within the confines of an amnesia-driven plot. Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is the most fun installment of a Yakuza title to date.
Ghost of Yotei – Yep, idiots on Reddit, you’re wrong. This is one of the top-tier releases from Sucker Punch and Sony, and it sets out (and accomplishes) a personal journey of Atsu, who is on a revenge tour of epic proportions. It is a worthy follow-up to Ghost of Tsushima, and it’s just different enough to separate itself.
Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake – Now, this is how you handle an older property well, while also making the re-purchase worthwhile. Square Enix excelled with its remakes of the DQ series this year and brought with it stylish graphics, better interfaces, and re-tooled fighting mechanics for all types of gamers. It is a good blueprint for a remake from a company not called Capcom.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach – This game proves that Hideo Kojima can do no wrong, even when the content is somewhat batshit crazy to experience. In all seriousness, DS2 was a worthy and epic follow-up to the first that brought with it new characters, better explanations, gorgeous graphics, and a heavy helping of tragedy. If you’re looking for a game that will tug at your heartstrings while also showing you a path for emotional repair, then this is it.
Turbo Overkill – At the start of this year, Turbo Overkill finally made its way to the PS5. Will originally reviewed it on PC, while Ben reviewed it on PS5. Both of us agreed that this title is a must-have, be it for the ridiculousness of Johnny Turbo’s chainsaw leg, the slippery platforming that takes full advantage of Johnny Turbo’s chainsaw leg, or blowing demons to bloody smithereens (chainsaw leg optional). It’s a modern boomer shooter done exceptionally well.
Europa Universalis V – The EU series is notable in its complexity and granularity, giving players endless tools and levers to achieve peak nirvana in a grand strategy setting. EUV retained the complex gameplay that Paradox superfans love, all the while being more refined, more approachable, and somehow deeper than ever before. The automation features help, too.
Keys of Fury: Typing Action – It’s an action-typing game built from the backbone of 2D fighting from the ‘80s. What more could you possibly ask from a typing game? Clever, funny, challenging at times, and cost-effective for a typing experience, this game brings a lot of fun and plenty of veggies to go around. For that typing lover in your life, this is the game for them.
Space Chef – What an oddly satisfying experience. You get to play as a space chef who must battle creatures, cook them up, and then deliver them to customers across the universe. It’s a time-consuming experience that hits the right spots across multiple genres. It’s so good. \
OFF – Lordy, where do we even begin with how much we love OFF? Its subversion of typical RPG tropes, deep and dark story, along with a chilling soundtrack from Morusque and Toby Fox, make it an essential experience that’s best attempted blind. The less you know about OFF, the more you’ll appreciate it beyond its traditional turn-based combat.
Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles – In Will’s review of The Ivalice Chronicles, he claimed that it was the “best iteration of Final Fantasy Tactics yet.” The “Enhanced” version is a must-have for modern players, adding welcome quality-of-life improvements like an adjustable difficulty, autosaving (thank goodness!), and other elements that smooth out Tactics’ typically steep learning curve.
Spindle – If you ever wanted to play the Grim Reaper that has a pig partner (literally, an adorable pig), and that is built on The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past backbone, then you’re in luck! Spindle is a charming and fun adventure game that requires you to solve puzzles, sword-swing at bad guys, and bring those to the afterlife when it is their time. It’s a solid game, and I highly recommend it this holiday season. F
Two Point Museum – I never thought that I would be recommending a simulator to anyone, but here we are. Two Point Studios and SEGA released a fun and easily accessible for all ages museum simulator that will have you locked in and searching for artifacts to display for museum goers. It’s an easy-to-play game and even easier to understand. Built for kids and adults.
Star of Providence (also available on other platforms) – We have returned to Star of Providence several times throughout the year because of its fast-paced shmup gameplay, punishing bullet hell patterns, and seemingly endless replayability. We’re still attempting to complete Hard Mode, too. This will keep you quite busy and entertained through the new year.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered – When you want to get in the good graces of people anxiously awaiting any news about The Elder Scrolls VI, you shadow drop one of the biggest game changers in nearly 30 years. Oblivion was masterfully remastered with Unreal Engine, and all the wonderful glitches that made it a masterpiece were included. It’s one of the best games to drop this year.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle – I didn’t know how Bethesda’s MachineGames was going to pull this off. It featured whips, stealth, and the occasional gunfire. Well, it pulled it off quite nicely. Fantastic mechanics, only rivaled by a gorgeous story, and wonderful acting from Troy Baker, brought an Indy adventure that even George Lucas couldn’t imagine could be so good. This is a must-have adventure this holiday season.
Keyboards, Keycaps, and Switches
Lofree Flow 2 – Looking at this year’s batch of new keyboards, the Lofree Flow 2 blew me away with its design, upgrades from its already stellar prior model, and new switches. It’s one of the most premium low-profile keyboards I’ve reviewed so far, and I can’t get enough of it. Even if you’re not the biggest gamer, it’ll look excellent on your desk and feel great to use. Since my original review, I’ve tested two different switches for it (the Surfer linear and Pulse tactile). I highly recommend the tactile switches, as they feel the most sturdy and comfortable when typing over long periods of time.
Epomaker Galaxy100 Lite – We understand that not everyone can drop hundreds of dollars on a fancy mechanical keyboard, but if you have ~$100 to spend this holiday season and want something that feels premium without the sticker shock, check out the Galaxy100 Lite from Epomaker. It gives you a sturdy aluminum construction, thocky acoustic profile thanks to the Feker Marble White switches, and QMK/VIA compatibility. I highly recommend this keyboard for those looking for their “first” mechanical keyboard.
Cerakey Matte V3 Ceramic Keycaps – We included Cerakey’s keycaps in our gift guide last year because we were thrilled with their build quality. This year, the Matte V3 Keycaps (which were released a short while ago) improved on Cerakey’s already excellent design and feel better than ever. We’re hoping that the Glossy variants get updated to V3 in 2026, as the stem improvements in V3 make these keycaps more stable and uniform than ever before.
Gateron Blue Magnetic Switches – Even if you’re not an owner of ceramic keycaps, these are some of the best-feeling and strongest (read: high operating force) hall effect switches I’ve used over the past year. The magnetic/hall effect switch space lacks switches that sound truly thocky, but the Gateron Blue Magnetics are the closest thing you can get to producing that deep and satisfying typing sound. If you own a set of Ceramic keycaps, these switches are a must-have.
Vulcan II TKL – The Turtle Beach Vulcan II TKL is the mini keyboard that could. It brings a 65% size that types like a full-sized big boy. Added to the package are hot-swappable switches, compatibility with third-party keycaps, and a gorgeous glow that is compatible with their TB software. It’s a little marvel, but a good one. Quiet and clicky all at the same time.
Womier SK75 – This year brought Digitalchumps squarely into the keyboard world with a variety of keyboard designers and manufacturers. One of the bigger surprises was Womier and its SK75 keyboard. This beauty of a keyboard featured creamy clicks, competitive personality, and a large amount of weight to ensure that sucker wasn’t moving in the heat of battle. It’s quite a good keyboard from Womier.
Mice
Corsair SCIMITAR ELITE WIRELESS SE MMO Gaming Mouse – Yes, this mouse is pricey. Yes, you can get a cheaper wireless mouse from a competitor. However, if you’re in the business of productivity / complex workflows and/or someone who plays games with tons of required inputs (like, oh, I don’t know, an MMO), the SCIMITAR ELITE WIRELESS SE is a must-have. Its compatibility with Virtual Stream Deck is seamless, and it works so well in practice. I’m thrilled with how much it has boosted my day-to-day productivity and made playing some of my favorite games easier thanks to the buttons on the side of the mouse.
Controllers
Hyperkin’s The Competitor – It isn’t a SCUF, and it’s no chump. The Competitor from Hyperkin brings customization and programmability in simple and easy-to-understand steps. This was built for gamers who want to dabble in a more competitive gaming world, but who aren’t ready to commit to a $200+ price tag.
SCUF Valor Pro Controller – This is a SCUF, and it’s no chump. We’re chumps. The SCUF Valor Pro from SCUF Gaming brings the comfort, eloquence, flexibility, and customizable options that you would expect from a competitive gaming controller experience. While it also brings that competitive gaming price tag, it’s worth every penny, especially if you’re a gamer who knows you’re going to get the most out of this puppy.
Headsets
Turtle Beach Stealth Pro – Turtle Beach’s two-year-old Stealth Pro is holding up insanely well, competing against some of 2025’s newest premium-tier headsets with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), a detachable microphone, and swappable batteries. In Nathan’s original review, he proclaimed that the headset’s design, delivery, and functionality are nothing short of perfection. I strongly agree with this sentiment. Music sounds incredible, the headset feels insanely comfortable to wear, and it works well out of the box without needing to fiddle with settings.
IEMs
Crescent 2DD + 2BA IEM Hybrid IEM – Probably one of the best experiences I have had in 2025 with in-ear monitors. While the cost means dedication to the product, the product is worth that cost. The IEM separates sounds, emphasizes bass, and makes sure that listeners are getting every sip of song or audio they put through the monitors. Definitely a huge recommendation for any audiophile out in the world.
Video Capture Devices
Elgato 4KS – They were one of the first companies on the scene with video capture devices, and they’re still kicking. While I was never a huge fan of their software, their hardware is one of the best in the business. This sucker captures 4K video on its own, streams out high-quality signals through OBS and Streamlabs, and is easy enough to understand with how it can be used. I highly recommend this for the up-and-coming streamer or someone who enjoys streaming live events from a portable television switcher.
Steering Wheels
Velocity One Race KD3 – Turtle Beach has made some darn good products this year, but this one takes the cake. The Velocity One is the ultimate in racing experiences, featuring a gigantic motor that rumbles, bumps, and brings an accurate force feedback racing experience to life. Even putting it together makes it feel like a real racing experience. For the driver in your family who is looking for a good time and a modular one, this is it.
Old Consoles in New Form
Atari 2600+ Pac-Man Edition – If you told me that 2025 would bring back the Atari 2600 that played actual game cartridges from the ‘70s and ‘80s, I would have asked you what you were drinking. Atari brought this sucker back, and spec’d it out with HDMI capabilities, full toggle switches, and a wireless, still stiff, Atari joystick replica. It’s a joy to play this system again, and if you have any old people in the family who enjoyed this system, then I recommend this gaudy, yet gorgeous experience.
RiftBound Proving Grounds – Riot Games’ Riftbound is finally available in the US, and let me tell you, I can’t be happier. Back when I tested it out at Riot’s HQ, I was thrilled with its approachability, satisfying gameplay loop, and stunning card designs. Now that I have cards in hand (in-depth review coming soon!), I feel compelled to build decks and theorycraft with the novel gameplay elements. The Proving Grounds set comes with miniature decks (not traditional full-size decks, mind you), but has all the basics for you and up to three other players to learn the ropes of Riftbound before you jump in and get going. For $30, it’s definitely worth it for the adorable little acrylic figurines that come with it!
Take Time – Asmodee Games has a gem on their hands. It’s a game based on math and guessing others’ thoughts. Highly recommended for large groups, Take Time has players solving puzzles, setting strategies, and trying to get a numeric rhythm going across multiple time clocks. It’s as simple as it is complicated, and requires discussion before execution. It’s a great game.
Weird Things We Got in That Are Interesting
Vampire Survivors VR (Quest 3) – Folks, Vampire Survivors plays better than ever in the VR space, far more than playing it on mobile. It’s lacking some features right now, but it’s quickly become my favorite VR game because of how quickly games can be played in a single sitting, the comfort of the VR effects, and how it takes advantage of VR without compromising the delightfully addictive gameplay experience.
Gunnar Borderland 4 Glasses – Nope, not drinking glasses. They’re wearable. Although if you drank enough, you might try to wear drinking glasses. Hmm. Anyway, these glasses are well-designed by the Gunnar folks and feature a cel-shaded design that encapsulates the Borderlands 4 graphical theme. Cool and stylish, these can be used for actual prescription lenses. Definitely an oddity to recommend for the B4 gamer out there.
Recommended Holiday Reads
Persona: The Official Cookbook – I found this item interesting because the game it’s based on is quite unusual. Also, with all the chatting that goes on in the game, how in the world did they make enough time to eat? Both factors considered, this cookbook is remarkable and features some yummy recipes like Fuuka’s Onigiri Bento (so good) and the Teddie Parfait. It’s a good read and a good gift for those Persona fans in your life.
Ask Iwata – This book features advice and retrospective guidance on how to live life and embrace one’s passion. It’s an inspiring read that is short as it is sweet. I bumped into this while trying to find a good PlayStation history book. It was a pleasant bump.
Play Nice: The Rise, Fall, and Future of Blizzard Entertainment – Love him or hate him, Jason Schreier is one hell of a writer who brings facts without the fiction. While this isn’t a joyful trip through Blizzard Entertainment’s downfall, it lays out a good path that tells the story well.
What we are looking forward to with the coming year
Nathan Stevens: I am looking forward to seeing Microsoft transform its business model from a hardware developer to a third-party software distributor. I think this is going to happen in 2026 (no evidence, just a feeling), and it’s the right move to keep MS afloat and the industry safe from another collapse. All observable evidence, especially with Xbox game sales on the PlayStation 5, shows how well this can go for the Xbox division. It’s the right move, and I think it’s a profitable one for them.
Also, GTA6. Just bring it out in 2026 so we don’t have to hear gamers bitch about it. At this point, I don’t care if it’s not finished. I’m just tired of people griping about it. Those gamers would have never survived LucasArts in the ‘90s. Sheesh.
Will Silberman: Once again, I am hoping and praying that the VR space expands into more genres beyond first-person, sims, and rhythm games. Don’t get me wrong, I love me some rhythm games, but there are so many players who are currently left out of the VR space because their favorite genres are either outright missing or have uninteresting ports.
Several games from the Marvel universe are getting a release next year, like TOKON and, supposedly, Wolverine. I’m definitely interested in seeing how these games shake out, especially since what we’ve seen so far looks so dang fun.
It would also be very nice if Starfield releases on the PlayStation. I’m curious to see how PS5 owners perceive the game.
