The PlayStation 4 is an awesome console, and having been out for over a year, lots of people are likely to own one now. There are lots of accessories and other goodies you can get to go along with the system.
If you have someone in your life who loves their PS4, and don’t consider yourself well-versed in games, here’s a handy list of gifts you can buy that they’re sure to love.
Note: Retail prices are given for each item. Sometimes, an item on Amazon may sell out temporarily and third-party sellers will be offering the item for much more than it’s worth. Before you buy, please check other sites, such as GameStop and Best Buy, to ensure you aren’t getting ripped off.
Gaming can be an expensive hobby, but that doesn’t mean every purchase has to destroy your wallet. Here are a few small but worthwhile upgrades for a PS4.
Modern controllers have improved much over their predecessors, but they’re not perfect. Analog stick covers can serve two purposes: protection and improved grip.
There have been reports of the rubber coming off the analog stick of the PS4, but Sony seems to have corrected this issue with a slightly revised controller. Even so, if you want to be on the safe side and protect yours, stick grips are a cheap and smart solution.
Otherwise, these grips are worth a try just for improving your skills. The DualShock 4 is a great controller, but your thumbs can start slipping all over the place if they’re sweating during longer play sessions. Your best choice are the Grip-iT Analog Stick Covers for $5 on Amazon. The package includes four total, and they work on any controller.
The DualShock 4 controller has a rechargeable battery, and its longevity was something Sony struck out on this time around. Because of this, charging your controller is going to be a common occurrence. Make it easier on your loved ones and pick up an extra-long cable. That way, they’ll be able to charge and play indefinitely without having to sit closer to your system; it will come in handy when becoming Legend in Destiny!
The dreamGEAR PlayStation 4 Charge and Play is 10 feet and costs $10. However, you can get a two-pack of Cable Matters 15 feet cables for the same price. The single has slightly better reviews, so decide what you want and go for it.
Console players don’t use a mouse and keyboard to control their games, but a cheap wireless keyboard can still be a great choice for any PS4 owner. If you send a lot of messages, browse the Web, or watch YouTube/Netflix commonly on your system, a keyboard is nice to keep around. Without it, you have to manually enter every letter using the PS4’s on-screen keyboard, which is slow and will get old quickly.
Mihir has covered the best wireless keyboards you can buy. For $20, you can’t do much better than the excellent Logitech K400. It also includes a mini-touch pad which you can take advantage of on the PS4, too.
As mentioned before, the PS4 controller doesn’t have great battery life, so it’s smart to charge them up whenever you can. Since the PS4 only has two USB ports and charging multiple controllers could get messy, a charging station might be the perfect solution.
The dock can be plugged into a wall, saving you a USB slot, and charges up to two controllers. They click in so you know they’re charging, and the stand is small so you don’t have to worry about wasting space. This item is a must-have for anyone with more than one controller. For under $20, the popular PowerA Charging Station is the one to get; it’s even officially licensed by Sony!
For more general gaming goodies under $20, check out Matt’s list for gifts on a budget.
Every PS4 owner needs to have PlayStation Plus. For $50 a year, you get awesome free games, frequent discounts, cloud storage, and exclusive game trials. On PS4, it’s also required for online multiplayer, but all the other benefits mean it’s more than worth it.
What’s more, one subscription applies to PS4, PS3, and Vita, so the more Sony consoles you own, the more you benefit. It far outshines Xbox Live Gold, and any PS4 owner would rejoice at getting another year as a gift; you can make this happen by getting a code for $50. Membership stacks and codes don’t expire, so don’t be afraid to buy them a subscription no matter how long they have left.
The PS Camera isn’t necessary for using the PS4, but it’s a neat toy nonetheless. “Hardcore” gamers probably won’t have much use for it, but Dave has listed its features, including broadcasting yourself during play sessions and syncing with the DualShock 4’s light bar for tracking motion.
It’s a good idea to know your audience before buying this, but for kids or families, it could be a smash hit. Its retail price is $60, and can be purchased on Amazon.
It never hurts to keep an extra controller around; from dead batteries to unexpected visits from friends, not being tied to a single DualShock 4 is a good idea. They’re the same price as a game, so your PS4 owner might not want to pay for one himself, but he’ll appreciate receiving one as a gift. You can get a variety of colors including black, white, and blue on Amazon for $60.
Of course, games are the core of any system, and as such make a perfect gift. Far beyond the mediocre launch games that were available from day one, the PS4 has a nice library currently available. Here’s a few of the hottest titles you can get on the PS4.
Far Cry 4 is the next chapter in Ubisoft’s open-world series. In it, you fight with the resistance in Kyrat’s war against a tyrant’s reign. It’s a lot like Far Cry 3, but that turns out to be a great thing. Fans of open-world games, shooters, and playing their way will be right at home here.
Grand Theft Auto V is the current-gen version of last year’s smash hit. All the series hallmarks are here: true sandbox gameplay, an engaging story of underworld crime, and pervasive vulgar content. If you missed out on this last year, it’s a must-have for mature gamers.
The Last Of Us Remastered is a refresh of the amazing PS3 title of 2013. Featuring 60 FPS and all the DLC bundled in, anyone who hasn’t played this once-in-a-lifetime title owes it to themselves to see this beautiful update.
All of the above games are rated Mature, so if you’re buying for a younger gamer, LittleBigPlanet 3 is an excellent choice. This is the DIY-series’ first outing on PS4, and features gameplay that lets you create your own stages, share them with others, and play millions of levels that others made. Kids will love the colorful effects and variety levels, but there’s plenty of depth here for adults, too.
The PS4 includes a headset, but it’s bare-minimum junk. If you have a bit more to spend, the PlayStation Gold Wireless Stereo Headset is the perfect choice. A USB dongle plugs into the system for wireless functionality, and it also works just as well on Windows or Mac (you could use it to start your own podcast, for example). An app on the PS4 allows for custom sound profiles, as it’s built specifically for PlayStation; anyone who regularly plays games at night will love this! For $100 retail, you can’t do much better.
If you’re totally unsure of what someone might want, go with a gift card for the PlayStation Store. Available in $10, $20, $50, $75, or $100 amounts, anyone with a PS4 can pick from a wide variety of games, DLC, or other content. They won’t have to use a credit card to add funds and the money never expires, so they can save it for a new game. One of the above gifts is probably a more personal choice, but I doubt anybody would be upset at getting free money.
Now, even if you’ve never touched a video game controller before, you have a variety of gifts for the PS4 owner in your life. No matter your budget, you can make someone’s gaming life a bit better this holiday season.
PlayStation Plus isn’t the only subscription that makes a great gift. Check out five others that will make someone happy.
What gifts will you be buying for those on your list? Leave a comment and let us know!
Image Credits: Santa giving present Via Shutterstock
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