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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Games: Top 10 holiday gifts for gamers

Tribune News Service

Looking for a gift for the gamer in your life? The editors at Game Informer select 10 must-have gifts for joystick junkies that include more than just video games.

RONIN STAR WARS FIGURES: Meisho Movie Realization reimagines “Star Wars” icons like Boba Fett, Darth Vader, and Storm Troopers as if they were samurai warriors.

$77, bandaionline.com

SPHERO BB-8: Who needs to play with siblings when you can control your own miniature version of the adorable new droid from “The Force Awakens”?

$149, store.sphero.com

SHADOW OF THE COLOSSUS GICLIE PRINT: This stylish 12x24-inch Giclie art print from Marie Bergeron makes us feel just as intimidated as when we first set eyes on the ancient beasts from “Shadow of the Colossus.”

$50, mariebergeron.com

WOODLANDS: TRISTAM BY ALEX GRIENDLING: This laser-etched wooden map is perfect for the Diablo fan in your life. If you’re more of a “Mario” or “Zelda” person, Griendling also offers high-quality wooden maps of Dinosaur World and Hyrule.

$150, neutralgroundshop.com

INK WHISKEY RETRO GAME FLASKS: If Nintendo’s classic cartridge design gives you warm and fuzzy feelings, then you might want to fill one with something warm that will make you fuzzy. Hide your favorite beverage or blue potion inside any of these unassuming flasks designed to look like 8-bit classics, complete with parody labels. Designs include Metal Beer, Double Flagon, and Fine-Ale Fantasy.

$20, inkwhiskey.com

BATTLECADE R-KAID-R PORTABLE ARCADE: It’s hard to carry an arcade cabinet through airport security, but Swedish designer Love Hultin’s hand-made consoles are the perfect portable solution. Made from solid wood, each console can store thousands of games and run for up to eight hours. Love Hultin can even customize your cabinet around your favorite gaming system, including Game Boy Advance, Sega Genesis, and Super Nintendo.

$2,819, lovehulten.com

WELCOME TO NIGHT VALE BY JOSEPH FINK & JEFFREY CRANOR: Using dark humor to mitigate the fantastical horror elements, “Welcome to Night Vale” (based on the popular podcast) offers a warped look at everyday life.

$12, welcometonightvale.com

VERRADO ELECTRIC DRIFT TRIKE: Why should you have to give up tricycles just because you’re too big to fit in a first-grader’s desk? The Verrado Electric Drift Trike is a bigger, badder version of the big wheel we all had when we were young. This motorized three-wheeler features five-inch steel rear wheels and an electric hub motor that reaches a top speed of roughly 25 mph. Perfect for leaving skid marks on your driveway or running down to the corner market for a slushie.

$1,119, localmotors.com

ANKI OVERDRIVE STARTER KIT: The next generation of slot cars has arrived with the Anki Overdrive. Simply piece together in one of eight different configurations and download the app for your smart device then prepare to battle on the racetrack. The starter kit includes 10 track pieces, two cars with different attributes, a charging station for the vehicles, a riser for the track, and a tire cleaner so you can avoid pit row.

$149, anki.com

SONY X900C 4K TV: If you want a sleek-yet-powerful television to handle all your entertainment needs, the Sony X900C could be the one you’re looking for. Sony’s slimmest 4K TV to date, the X900C delivers brilliant picture quality that is perfect for gaming or watching 4K video. The high-end television ranges in size from 55 inches to 75 inches and features four HDMI ports and three USB ports. An Android-powered OS gives you plenty of Smart TV functionality as well.

Starting at $2,499, sony.com