The Geekly Grind’s Holiday Gift Guide
By: Geekly Grind Staff
Well folks, it’s that time of year! No matter the occasion, chances are you’re doing some shopping for loved ones in the hope of finding that perfect gift...or maybe you’re just wanting to keep the universe in balance by observing the law of Equivalent Exchange. Whatever the reason, you’re likely scouring high and low for gift ideas - so we’ve got a few for you! Take a look below as we spotlight some great suggestions by hobby and price:
Anime
$25-100 Range
The Ancient Magus Bride (Part 1): With superb animation and a hauntingly beautiful narrative, The Ancient Magus Bride deserves a spot on the shelf of any anime fan.
Attack on Titan (Season 3, Part 1): While the series may have slowed down at times, Attack on Titan never failed to deliver a compelling story complemented by a riveting score and fantastic animation. Whether the fan you know is all caught up or needs to start from the very beginning, Attack on Titan definitely deserves their attention.
Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid: While the series is nearing its 3rd birthday, Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid continues to set the bar with its ability to combines a wide range of side-splitting comedic antics with impactful moments of drama and emotion.
Monthly Girls Nozaki Kun: Looking for something more light? Then join high school student/unsuspecting heartthrob Umetarou Nozaki as he does his best to hide his alter ego: an extremely popular shojo author! Despite his ability to write sweeping, romantic plots for his manga, he’s completely clueless when it comes to personal romance. Pick this one up - you won’t regret it!
$100-200+ Range
4-Day Pass to Anime Expo: At $104, the 4-day pass has definitely grown more and more expensive with each passing year...but for good reason. Anime Expo continues to be the destination for the anime industry’s biggest names, and often features world premieres that offer fans a chance to screen highly anticipated titles months before they reach the general public. As long as they go into AX with a plan, they’re sure to get some amazing memories from the weekend!
Food Wars! (Premium Box Set): We’ve all had that amazing meal before. Food so good you feel like you could die happy in that exact moment. Food Wars! Takes a slightly different approach, with clothes being torn away in ecstasy after tasting a bite of a particularly delicious dish. Sure, it’s a bit over the top, but beneath the ridiculousness is a solid shonen series. If you know any fans of the show (or manga), chances are this premium box set from Sentai Filmworks would make their holiday!
Legend of the Galactic Heroes (Complete Blu-Ray Set): What do you get for the anime fan that has everything? Well, this $800 exhaustive collection of Legend of the Galactic Heroes might be just the ticket. While the price may seem daunting, consider that there are over 160 episodes and 3 movies included in this one-of-a-kind set.
Board/Tabletop Games
$20-50 Range
Dungeon!: Think Dungeons & Dragons lite. That’s what Wizards of the Coast long-running board game Dungeon is. There are a handful of basic classes to choose from, an array of monsters to fight, and a single roll that decides your victory, or failure. A great way to introduce younger players to the general mechanics of D&D, or wean older players unsuspectingly into your next homebrew campaign.
Dungeon Mayhem: Interested in what you read just now? Curious to see it translated into a card game? Voila! Dungeon Mayhem, at your service. Also look for the Baldur’s Gate expansion for a little extra kick - you can get both for under ~$20-25, so it could also be great for a white elephant exchange!
Shadows in the Forest: Have you ever played hide and seek in a dark forest? How about trying to hide while a massive lantern attempts to paralyze you with its light? Welcome to Shadows in the Forest. Using unique
Terraforming Mars: Oh, the possibilities! Terraforming Mars is a game that invites you to take up the task of transforming the red planet into a new home for mankind. There are dozens of corporations, each with their own strengths, and with hundreds of unique cards, and two maps to choose from in the base game, no two playthroughs are the same.
$50-100 Range
The D&D “Trinity” - Players Handbook, Dungeon Masters Guide & Monster Manual: Have you heard? Dungeons & Dragons is cool! Well, it’s always been cool to us, but with the help of Stranger Things and Critical Role, the tabletop sensation has entered an entirely new phase. As a result, there may be some in your circle of gift-giving curious/interested in diving into D&D. While the Player’s Handbook is sufficient to get them started on making characters, by providing them the base trio of books, they are also equipped to start a game with friends. Our recommendation? Go all in!
Western Legends: Ever wonder what Red Dead Redemption would be like as a board game? Wonder no longer! Western Legends is a fantastic board game that lets you and up to 5 other friends explore the wild west, mine for gold, hunt down outlaws, rustle cattle and more.
Zombicide - Black Plague: This is a game about killing zombies, and who doesn’t love killing zombies? With excellently detailed minis, a large board, and leveling elements for the various characters, Zombicide is a fantastic gift for any board game lover.
Broken Token wooden organizers: Some of these complex games require complex organization and storage...and the standard components don’t always do the trick! Broken Token has a number of excellent wooden organizing kits for games like Terraforming Mars, Gloomhaven, Scythe and more. A unique and thoughtful gift for the board game guru in your life.
Wyrmwood Gaming Accessories: While we’re on the topic of wood, we can’t forget to mention Wyrmwood Gaming! Often featured on Critical Role, Wyrmwood crafts quality dice trays, dice towers, and even Magic: The Gathering deck boxes.
$100-200+ Range
Gloomhaven: While D&D is definitely on the rise, your gift recipient may be looking for something a bit more structured to journey through. Maybe nobody wants to take up the mantle of Dungeon Master because they’re eager to partake in adventures together. If that’s the case, Gloomhaven will be right up their alley. A massive adventure with nearly 150 hours of narrative campaign to work through (with average sessions of 2-3 hours), various classes are offered, though rely on their teammates to complement their
Nemesis: This game isn’t actually for sale yet, but if you can find a Kickstarter copy on ebay or Amazon, go for it! It’s an amazing, thematic game that puts you and your friends in the middle of an Alien plot. Essentially you’ve been woken up from hypersleep early, and need to ensure the engines are running and you’re still en route to the right destination. Of course, hostile aliens have taken over the ship, and you need to do your best to keep quiet before you inevitably spur them to attack. While you would assume you and your crewmates have similar aims, be careful. Hidden objectives could mean betrayal...or worse.
Comics/Manga
Bone Parish Vol. 1-3: Bone Parish is a dark 12 issue series from Cullen Bunn and Jonas Scharf. A family has developed a new drug called Ash formed from the remains of the deceased. The hallucinogenic properties of Ash allow the user to experience memories of those the drug is made from. Like any drug, others try to replicate the recipe with horrific results.
DIE -Fantasy Heartbreaker: If your loved one is a fan of RPGs, D&D or just amazing comics in general, Die is a MUST read. Kieron Gillen weaves a brilliant story while Stephanie Hans presents some of the most breathtaking comic panels I have ever seen. A group of friends are sucked back into a fantasy world to finish a game they started decades prior. If your gift is a hit, the second volume, titled “Split the Party”, releases in February.
Levius: Good boxing content can be hard to find in the anime/manga world...which is why when Levius landed, with its sweeping sci-fi setting and echoes of Battle Angel Alita, we were thrilled. While its accessible in VIZ’s massive digital library, you really owe it to your recipient to get them the hardcover release - it’s very well made.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Vol. 3 and 4: While I strongly suggest reading the Might Morphin Power Rangers from the start, MMPR volumes 3 and 4 introduce the evil Lord Drakkon who is possibly the greatest addition to the franchise in decades. Writer Kyle Higgins successfully incorporates the heart of the 90’s show while writing for a more adult audience.
Shonen Jump Membership by VIZ: There is a TON of manga out there - keeping up with individual volumes of multiple series can definitely add up, to the point where you may have to face sacrificing one of your “darlings” and force-ranking series that you’ve followed for years. Not anymore! At just $1.99/month, the Shonen Jump subscription gets you access to thousands and thousands of chapters of manga from some of the biggest titles out there, with more landing every week. A fantastic gift for any manga fan, and with a year’s worth of manga for just $24, you can’t go wrong!
The Batman Who Laughs/Last Knight On Earth: The Batman Who Laughs has been a hit since his introduction in Dark Nights: Metal. Scott Snyder and Jock continue the Joker/Batman hybrid monstrosity’s story in a very dark and twisted tale. If your friend or family member has already consumed this series, I strongly suggest Last Knight On Earth. Scott Snyder pens this story alongside artist Greg Capullo. This dystopian story is absolutely insane. The 3rd and final issue comes out December 18th so there’s still plenty of time to track down the first 2 issues.
Tech
$50-100 Range
Airfly Pro: At $55, this nifty little gadget shouldn’t stretch your budget too far, and offers two main benefits - first, you can use your favorite bluetooth headphones on airplanes. Cool! But, more relevant to our interests is that it’s compatible with the Nintendo Switch. Awww yeah. Get that sweet wireless audio action going with this accessory - your Switch fan will love you for it!
$100-200+ Range
Ewinracing Knight Series Gaming Chair: The gamer in your life is likely spending a good amount of time sitting, so why not make sure they’re comfortable at the same time? We’re huge fans of the Ewin gaming chairs, and their recently released Knight series is no exception. With easy assembly and quality materials, it’s a premium chair at an affordable price - and an awesome christmas gift! Check it out, and make sure to use our code “thegeeklygrind” for 30% off!
Victrix PRO AF Headset: When it comes to gaming, having quality sound just can’t be beat. While there are a number of soundbars and other sound systems that can offer an immersive experience, oftentimes the fastest route for a gamer to create such a vibrant soundscape is through a great headset. This is where the Victrix PRO AF comes in. With comfortable cups that can be released to allow airflow to cool off your ears, and a range that is sure to impress, this headset delivers a ton of value for the money.
Ubiquiti Amplifi HD - Gamer’s Edition: We’ve already shared our extensive thoughts on this killer router and extender system - so it’s no shock that we’d highly recommend it if you’re looking to provide the most valuable gift a gamer could ask for - fast, reliable internet. It’s the priciest thing on our list, but when you see their expression after running an Ookla speedtest for the first time, it will all be worth it.
Video Games
$15-50 Range
Katana Zero: A brutal, fast paced action title with an addictive, electronic score, Katana Zero can be found on Steam and the Nintendo Switch.
Return of the Obra Dinn: Though released late last year, puzzle game fans would be missing out if they were not introduced to the meticulously crafted and marvelously executed Return of the Obra Dinn.
Overcooked! Series: Don’t let the cartoony aesthetic fool you, Overcooked is here to kick ass and take names. Standing side by side with your friends, you will command a motley (and adorable) crew of chefs to construct meals of varying difficulties, all while combatting ridiculous obstacles. This game will make you laugh, make you cry-laugh, and possibly ruin longstanding friendships/relationships. (I NEED A PLATE!) For a glimpse of the mayhem, check out this episode of Travis Willingham’s Yee-Haw Game Ranch. You won’t regret it.
$50-100 Range
Luigi’s Mansion 3: Green Mario, er, Luigi is back at it again - working to free Mario, Daisy, Toad and the rest of his friends from being trapped by spectral forces in a haunted hotel. With straightforward gameplay and a wonderfully executed co-op mode, Luigi’s Mansion 3 is sure to be a hit for any Switch owner!
Jedi: Fallen Order: Good Star Wars games can be hard to find, which is why the recent release of Fallen Order made such a splash. With an impressive vocal cast, terrific narrative and combat that adeptly blended Souls-inspired combat with the familiar powers of The Force, it’s a solid title that would likely please any action game fan.
Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of An Elusive Age: When Dragon Quest XI came out, I knew I was going to get hooked. Unfortunately for me, I don’t get as much time at home as I would like to properly invest 80-120+ hours in the epic JRPG that is Echoes of an Elusive Age. So, when the remake was announced for the Switch, I was delighted! Now fans can take this superb game with them on the go. There’s not much I can say that hasn’t already been said by the wonderfully entertaining Tim Rogers, so...enjoy.
$100-200+ Range
Nintendo Switch: With an incredibly large library of games ranging from indies to AAA exclusives, the Nintendo Switch kicked the door in on the current gaming generation and hasn’t looked back. The beauty of Nintendo has always been that no matter who the recipient is, there’s something for everyone.
Sony Playstation 4 Pro: With Playstation celebrating its 25th anniversary recently, we’re definitely thankful for the broad library of memorable games Sony’s entertainment systems have brought us through the years. With the Playstation 5 coming soon(ish?), if you are just now picking up a PS4 for yourself or a loved one, it’s best to go with the Pro.
No matter what you end up getting for that special geek in your life, thanks for stopping by and checking out our guide! Happy shopping!
