Low-cost gamer gifts that keep on giving

Posted by citiYellow

Saturday, 21 January 2012 07:31

(ARA) - Video gaming's popularity is at an all-time high - in fact, a recent study from Memorex shows four of five families have at least one gaming console in the home. This holiday season, skip a pricey console purchase and give your favorite gamer a gift that keeps on giving. Here are four gift options under $25 that won't break your budget and will keep video game fans entertained well into the new year.

*The gift of style
If your resident gamer is a trendsetter - or if your family is just bored with black and white - add style to your next game night with console customization. For less than $20, you can purchase skins for your favorite gaming console and accessories through custom gaming skins services offered online. From colors and textures to your own photographs, these services will use your chosen visuals and transform your drab console into a gaming masterpiece. A simple online search for "custom gaming skins" will point you to a service with the style that best suits your family.

*The gift for gamers on-the-go
Keeping kids entertained while on the go has never been easier thanks to the range of portable consoles now available, including the Nintendo DS. The new challenge: keeping track of the tiny, expensive game cartridges. At just $19.99, Memorex's Universal Game Selector Case is the ideal solution. Compatible with all Nintendo DS consoles, it holds up to three games that can be played without being removed from the case - so games are less likely to be lost while kids are out and about. Powered by the DS console, so no batteries are required, other gamer-friendly features include LED-backlit speakers and a stylish D-pad. The Universal Game Selector Case is available at Target, Wal-Mart, Sears and Kmart.

*The gift of games, games and more games
Keeping up with the latest video games is expensive, with top new titles debuting at nearly $50 each. And nothing is worse than spending big bucks on a game that rarely gets played. This season, avoid the debate over which title to buy and give the gift of a video game subscription service. Gamers can "try before they buy" and exchange games for new titles as often as they like - a great alternative to spending hundreds of dollars on games that may collect dust. The most popular services are just $22.99 a month, with more than 7,000 titles to choose from.

*The gift for gamers in-the-know
Many gamers gobble up news about their favorite consoles and games like food on Thanksgiving - their appetites are seemingly endless. No matter which console your gamer prefers, you're sure to find a magazine that caters to their interests. If digital news is more their style, some gaming magazines offer digital editions at a discounted rate from the print edition. Gaming magazines subscriptions are available for less than $20 per year, and most some come with bonuses like reward points or exclusive access to game demos.

For other gamer gift ideas, visit Memorex.com or the Memorex Fan Page on Facebook.