Gift-giving for the really avid gamer -- the kind who buys pretty much everything when it comes out -- might require you to look beyond the normal retail channel. Somewhere like, say, Japan. Though Western gaming dominates these days, there's still plenty of cool stuff to be imported, whether it's an exclusive tie-in item or a game that has yet to be released here. Here are a few suggestions for things that the game enthusiast in your life probably won't expect!
$1 – $49
Nothing could be more thoughtful these days, with the recession and the accompanying difficulty in the job market, than helping someone make a good impression on business contacts. And these game-themed business card holders are a great way to do that -- especially the Famicom player 2 version, which really shows that the owner is aware that the Famicom's second controller has a microphone, but no start and select buttons. That's what employers are looking for.
With these keychains, which play Street Fighter IV voice clips in response to special move inputs, it's possible to practice moves anywhere. Before you can give this to someone, however, you'd have to be close enough to them to know their favorite World Warrior. Is there anyone in your life with whom you share that level of intimacy?
Prepaid cards for the Japanese PlayStation network are the imported gift that keeps on importing. Since it's relatively easy to create a Japanese PSN account, this card enables you to download an impressive selection of PS1 classics that won't ever be available in North America, as well as a few PC Engine games. The lucky recipient of this gift will forget all about our PSN after getting a look at the staggering selection of PS1 games, from classics like Bushido Blade to rarities like Treasure's Rakugaki Showtime. (Also available in a ¥5,000 flavor for $68.50 [at NCSX].)
$50 – $99
This game is a compilation of two games that never made it here, originally released on SNES and PlayStation. Both are puzzle-platform games about a girl who uses a stretchy fishing line like a grappling hook, in order to traverse obstacle-course-like stages littered with weird fish monsters. It's like a more cerebral Bionic Commando. This DS game, with both games on one region-free cartridge, is the easiest way to play the series.
Sony's PlayStation Eye-based virtual pet software won't be released in North America in time for the holidays, but that's no reason not to give it to someone as a gift. The Asian version is playable in English. Fuzzy little friends for everyone!
3D Dot Game Heroes (PlayStation 3) - $68.90 [at Play-Asia]
Sure, From Software's throwback action RPG is coming out in North America this May, but that's, like, months away. If you didn't try to do anything fancy like create a character or understand the story, maybe you could wing it in Japanese. Not understanding the story is a small sacrifice -- besides, it's not like the English in The Legend of Zelda was really English, anyway.
Mushihime-sama Futari Arcade Stick - $154.90 [at Play-Asia]
Publisher Cave specifically released this Xbox 360 port of its arcade "bullet hell" shmup to watch imports and gauge interest in a Western release. So by purchasing this game for a shmup-loving friend (or, if both you and your friend are insane about shmups, the game and the Hori arcade stick), you're also helping to bring bullet-dodging mayhem to other North American gamers in the future. It's charitable of you, in a way.
$100+
Whether you want to give someone the very latest DS to hit the market, or give someone a new DS in a reasonable size, the Japanese DSi opens up the best DSi Shop in the world (faint praise), which features many games that Nintendo hasn't gotten around to localizing. Showy colors like pink and lime green will let everyone around know that this is no everyday DSi, while a DSi in Wine Red will let everyone around know that this is no everyday DSi, and that the recipient is old.
Sure, it's just a Wii, and you'd have to purchase imported games if you got one, but look at it.
This PS3 system made us a believer in pink as a console accent color. The region-free nature of PS3 discs means that your recipient will be able to go buy games in a store as normal, and it is possible to create PSN accounts for other regions as well! Just be sure he or she keeps a PS2 around for DVDs, since those aren't region-free. And also, you know, for PS2 games.
