Must Have Toys for Gameloving Teens

When I was a kid "dork" was the word used to best describe me by my friends and family. I played role-playing games and video games all the time. I read mostly science fiction and fantasy. I spent every Friday night dressing up like a vampire to play live action Vampire at the basement of the Unitarian church. Do not fear for I grew up to be a pretty well adjusted adult. I still play my video games, but I get out of the house from time to time.

Still, I remember when I was a teenager getting gifts was almost always a pain. My parents did not understand my dorky ways. They would get me all the wrong video games or things that other kids my age were suppose to like. I wanted dice and the good video games, not just the first thing my parents picked off the shelf. I wanted magic cards not playing cards.

Are you a parent of a dorky kid? It's not a terrible thing you know. At first it might seem quite the task to find the right gift for a dorky teen if you know little of the games they play. The truth is that once you read this handy guide you will find that dorks can be quite easy to shop for. For you see the people who are making the games that us dorks love so much know that we will always want more. That means that every month there is always some new shiny game or expansion that we are craving.

The trick is that you have to know your kids game of choice. So enter their world for a day and do a little research. The games are all clearly marked and if you get confused just ask questions. If there is anything that those with dorky tendencies like doing more than playing a game is talking about their favorite game. Once you have an idea of what your teen's game of choice is, refer to this guide for the perfect addition to their collection.

This guide is based on what is hot for the summer of 2009. Look for further guides as time goes by.

If your child plays video games get them...

• The Conduit: This is the newest first person shooter for the Wii. It utilizes the Wii's unique control system to make an adventure game that is a whole lot of fun. It might be a little two violent for the younger teens because this is a shooter game. If you're okay with your teen playing this game than they most likely want it. Its 50$ in stores but you can find it for around 40$ on Amazon.
• BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger: If your teen has an X-Box 360 instead of a Wii than get him or her this fresh fighting game. It is a very well made game that is nearly flawless in design. Again it's a little violent but if your teen likes fighting games he must own this one. It sells for 50$ but you get the special edition for 60$ if your feeling extra nice.
• Warhammer Online: This is one of the hottest new Massive Online Role-playing games. It allows your teen to immerse themselves in a vast gaming world with nearly endless possibilities. The game cost 30$ at first but there is a monthly fee to keep playing. It's not a cheap gift and parents should limit game time with this one because it can become addictive fast. Still if you teen is a dork they will love you forever for this one.
• Video Game T-shirts: If buying a whole new game seems a little costly then why not just give your teen a stylish dorky T-shirt. There are all sorts of shirts that celebrate video games of olden days and the new hottest titles. There is a great selection at www.thinkgeek.com.

If your child loves tabletop role playing games get them....
• Dwarven Metal Dice: Every gamer needs dice and almost every gamer loves to get new dice. Theses guys are sleek and new. They are metal dice that have some decent weight to them. You can get a whole pack of all the types you need for 25$
• Promethean: From the folks who brought you role-playing games of Vampire and Werewolf comes this new game inspired by the stories of Frankenstein and Golems. It's a core rule book so it has everything a gamer needs to get started for 35$
• Two Fisted Tails: This new game of action and adventure was inspired by the pulp fiction of the 1930s and 1940s. This game book has everything you need for your teen to start up his own Two Fisted adventures with his friends. The core book cost 32$

If your child loves board games or card games get them...
• Citadels: This is a very clever card game that focus on running a great city. Using strategy and skill the players must take on different roles in the city to gain the most amounts of points. This game is easy to learn but every game ends up being very different so it offers hours of entertainment for those teens that like games that take a lot of thought. 25$
• Munchkin Booty and Munchkin Booty 2: This is the latest in a series of funny card games that are all about fighting amusing monsters, grabbing loot and beating your friends to level ten. All of these games are a satire of gamers and the games they play. This latest version has a pirate theme and is just as fun as the ones that came before it. 25$ for the main game and 20$ for the expansion.
• Magic the Gathering: Alara Reborn: The newest expansion pack for this popular collectable card game. The nice thing about this gift is that if your teen plays Magic they will always be happy to have more cards. Booster Packs start as low as 3$.
• Dorky T-Shirts: Again if a whole game seems a bit costly there are also plenty of shirts that a dork can wear with pride. Many have inside jokes that only their fellow dorks will understand. There is a great selection at www.thinkgeek.com.

All of these card games, books and board games can be found at your local gaming shop or at www.rpgshop.com.

Sources
www.thinkgeek.com
www.ign.com
www.rpgshop.com