Nintendo 2017 Holiday Gift Guide
The Nintendo Switch had the best Black Friday out of all the other video game consoles. Putting that aside for a moment, a number of children, families, and even adults are waiting until Christmas in order to purchase the console/handheld hybrid. Better yet, some may just receive it from Santa himself. Here in our Nintendo 2017 Holiday Guide, we put together the must-have games, accessories, and systems that Nintendo has put out over the past year.
Systems
This year Nintendo launched the New Nintendo 2DS XL. While it is unable to do 3D like its counterpart, it is perfect for youngsters with still-developing eyes. There are so many games available on the Nintendo 3DS family of systems, including most of the Zelda saga, as well as lighter, more family-friendly games. Anyhow for anyone without a Nintendo 2DS or 3DS, this is a must-buy, especially given the massive game library for the system. The system does cost $149.99, although there is always the original Nintendo 2DS if that is too steep for you at $79.99, although the former is much more likely to last longer. This particular item linked to actually comes packed in with a game, the magnificent Mario Kart 7, which is for all ages.
The Nintendo Switch is Nintendo’s crowning achievement. It has been the culmination of years of work and finally, it’s paying off. The system was the best-selling console on Black Friday and has an incredibly impressive lineup of games to go along with it. If you’re looking for a new gaming console, have a family, or want to play Zelda and other fun games, the Switch is for you. By Christmas, the Switch will have a total of seven first-party titles published and developed directly by Nintendo, including two of the greatest games of all-time, Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey. This doesn’t take into account third-party games that got Nintendo’s permission to use their intellectual property.
They have received and are receiving ports from Bethesda, one of the largest publishers in the world, as well as Rockstar Games. It is a system that brings people together and has a social component to it like no other console on the market. While families and children will love it, it’s not just a system for children; it’s a console for all ages, as Nintendo has shown with their third-party support.
As a 90s child, I can only reminisce about the Super Nintendo. I got it when it came out when I was five for Christmas and some of my fondest memories were playing together, with my family. In fact, it was my playing A Link to the Past with my dad which eventually drove my passion for the Zelda series. The system includes 20 of the SNES’s best games, such as A Link to the Past.
The Super Nintendo Classic is the perfect system to introduce younger gamers to the games of their parents’ generations, as well as a way for older families to rekindle their love for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System and spend quality time together, as my family will be doing this Christmas.
It will be very difficult to find though, so if you are intent on picking one up, you have to be diligent. For $79.99 though, quite honestly its a steal considering what you get in the box. If you call ahead to GameStop or use their website, they are usually pretty good at telling you when they will be expecting shipments. I literally walked in, they opened a box, and I bought one as my Mom’s (as much as I want it) Christmas gift. It’s a fantastic gift for all ages.
Nintendo Switch Games
There are so many fantastic games that have been released this year for both the Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo 3DS family of systems. There are games for everyone, whether they be casual, children, families, or even adults. In fact, many of the games for the Nintendo Switch don’t simply apply to just one of those categories. Here are some must-have holiday titles for the Nintendo Switch.
1-2 Switch — $49.99 (before discount)
1-2 Switch is an excellent, casual party game that is friendly to gamers and newcomers alike. This is a game that you could bring home and play with your mom and she’d understand it. She’d most likely have a great time with it. This is a must for families to pick up, even if the price is a little steep; it’s just too much fun to put down.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim — $59.99
When the Nintendo Switch was unveiled, one of the most exciting prospects was being able to play Skyrim on-the-go. Bethesda followed through on their promise with a game that had surprisingly few bugs. It is the must-have third-party game for the Nintendo Switch this holiday season for those who have never experienced the original.
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle — $59.99
Ubisoft’s Mario/Rabbids mashup is nothing but pure fun. Not only that, it’s multiplayer, so you can enjoy it with a friend (isn’t that what the Switch is all about!?) Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle is the most underrated title on the Nintendo Switch. It is a turned-based tactical game, but it never gets boring. This is one of the crossovers for the ages.
ARMS — $59.99
ARMS is the wackiest brand-new IP to come from Nintendo since 2015 when the first Splatoon came out. The art style is eerily similar to Overwatch, which can be nothing but a compliment. There are also several new fighters joining the fray soon, for free! This fighting game is crazy and can either be played with motion controls with the JoyCons or a standard controller. If you don’t own a Switch Pro Controller or only have one pair of JoyCons, you will only be able to play single player. The cheaper option is to go for a Pro Controller and one player uses the JoyCons, but if not, be prepared to spend an extra $20 on brand new JoyCons.
Splatoon 2 — $59.99
No one in their right mind thought that the Nintendo Switch would come out with a sequel to Splatoon so close to the system’s launch (it released in July). It came out, and gamers have been in love with it ever since. Despite the lack of split-screen multiplayer, it’s still one of the best shooters to grace any console in recent memory. It’s even receiving a hefty amount of brand new DLC — for free — heading into the new year. Splatoon 2 is smash hit in Japan, and the rest of the world will follow suit.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe — $59.99
While Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a port of the Wii U version of the game along with all of the game’s downloadable content (please do this Smash!), it is the best multiplayer experience that the Nintendo Switch has to offer. With plenty of tracks dating back the SNES days, along with plenty of new ones to enjoy, this competitive racing game is fun to the core. It can be both fun and competitive and that’s one of the game’s charms. You can also play it with the JoyCons alone, making multiplayer much easier.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 — $59.99
Continuing Tetsuya Takahashi’s Xeno series, this goes back to the original Xenoblade Chronicles‘ roots as a plot-driven game. That doesn’t mean that there isn’t much to explore though. Any RPG fan who enjoys real-time combat with compelling stories and characters need to check Xenoblade Chronicles 2 out.
Super Mario Odyssey — $59.99
Super Mario Odyssey is already vying for several Game of the Year awards and is regarded as the best Mario game since Mario 64. That’s quite a legacy to live up to! The game is a fun-filled adventure with superb gameplay that never takes itself too seriously. If you buy any game for yourself or a significant other this holiday season, buy either this game or our next choice. It also has a two-player mode, so you can enjoy it with your family and friends!
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Switch) — $59.99
A launch title for the Nintendo Switch, Breath of the Wild set the standard for Nintendo’s hit console. There is plenty of exploration, puzzles to solve, mysteries to uncover, and secrets to unbury. While the story is on the light side, the new DLC pack may rectify this one flaw of the game. Everything else is perfection. The game rivals Ocarina of Time as the best video game of all time.
Other games to consider: Fire Emblem Warriors, L.A. Noire, Doom, and Sonic Mania.
3DS Games
Pókemon Ultra Sun/Moon — $39.99
These are the last two installments in the Nintendo 3DS family of games. Time sure flies, huh? They are selling stellarly in Japan and there’s no reason they won’t be hits here as well, considering how good Pókemon Sun/Moon were.
Fire Emblem Echos: Shadows of Valentia
— $39.99
Fire Emblem Echos came out earlier this year and while there seemed to be a lot of hype around the game, it seemed to have fizzled out. It got stellar reviews and was a fantastic game though. It’s a must-have for any Fire Emblem fan or those who love tactical RPGs.
Metroid: Samus Returns — $39.99
Metroid: Samus Returns is a remake of one of Samus’ previous adventures, Metroid II. It’s a side-scrolling action-adventure game that is filled with thrills and will definitely appeal to the old-school gamer. It was the highest reviewed game of the year on the Nintendo 3DS and promises not to disappoint.
Accessories
Many accessories for the 3DS system of families are not really needed at this point, but there are plenty of accessories that are perfect for the Nintendo Switch!
JoyCons — $79.99
While JoyCons aren’t currently in stock at Amazon, there are plenty of places you can pick them up and if you order the Neon JoyCons today, you save $12, even though they, again, out of stock. They also come in many different colors, so be sure to check them all out!
Charging Grip — $29.99
The Charging Grip should have come out of the box with the Switch, but alas, it didn’t and here we are. This grip will allow you to plug in your grip if your JoyCons die on you while playing, which happens more often than you would think. It’s the perfect gift for someone who plays a lot of Zelda without a Pro Controller.
Nintendo Switch Pro Controller — $69.99
The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is a necessity, especially if you are playing games like Zelda, Skyrim, Mario Kart, DOOM, even Xenoblade Chronicles 2. It works great with larger hands and is the ultimate controller for Switch gamers, especially those who play more hardcore games. With at least 40 hours of play, this Pro Controller will never fail you and even rivals the Xbox One controller.
amiibo
What Nintendo holiday gift guide could end without talking about amiibo? Nintendo has released five Breath of the Wild amiibo prior to this past November upon the game’s initial release. In early November, they released the Champion amiibo, which are a must-have for anyone who plays Breath of the Wild. Their drops are both useful and valuable, and besides that, the level of detail on them is astonishing. Any Zelda fan would love just one, and they have been much easier to find than amiibo in years past.
We also recommend this screen protector for your Switch tablet. It’s only $8.99 and a fantastic deal on Amazon.
For those who do not have a carrying case, this NES-style case will do just the trick nicely. It costs $22.99 on Amazon.
Of course, there’s so much more we could put in here, but simply put, these are the essentials every Switch fan needs.
Happy Holidays and we’ll be back for our next installment in the series and move on to Sony!