Worst Christmas Gifts for Gamers

Shopping for gamers can be a rather difficult task if you go about it without any guidance. In an attempt to create a surprise, the gamer is usually let down with something. Here is a list of things that you shouldn't buy a gamer for Christmas.

6: A Video Game System without a Game.

There is absolutely no point in buying a video game system without at least one game to go with it. Whether you're buying a DS, a PSP, an XBox 360, a PlayStation 3, or a Nintendo Wii, there isn't a point in buying it if it's not coming with a game. Some people make the mistake that if they paid that much money for it, then a game should come with it, but that isn't the case. If you do plan on buying a gamer (or anyone for that matter) a new video game system for Christmas, do him or her a favor and get a game with it.

5: PC Games for a Gamer who doesn't use their PC for Games.

One Christmas, I had received a game for the PC titled Sonic Adventure: DX. It was a thoughtful gift, as I am a Sonic fan, and the game was new at the time. However, my PC was not equipped to run the game properly. Why? Because I'm a gamer who prefers playing games on consoles (such as XBox 360 and PlayStation 3, for example). Chances are, if you buy a PC game for someone who mostly plays games on a video game console, then the PC Game won't work on their PC, or they won't play it so much. This is the same for a PC Gamer; if you buy a PC Gamer a console game, the game will probably do nothing but sit in it's box while the box itself collects dust. Of course, if something has been hinted at, then by all means go for it, but you should try to throw this switch as a surprise.

4: Old Generation Games

When I say Old Generation games, I am talking about games that are on the XBox, the PlayStation 2, the Nintendo GameCube, and the Game Boy Advance. While there are plenty of notable games on those systems, chances are they are out of date and unwanted. There are a couple of newer games for both the PlayStation 2 and the Game Boy Advance, but it's still probably not a good idea to buy from those games. Once again, unless something is hinted at that would suggest that a game is really desired from the old generation of games, you're better off not dealing with it.

3: Action Figures or Trading Cards of a Video Game

There is absolutely no reason to buy action figures or trading cards of a video game or video game characters. They will literally stay somewhere and collect dust or get lost without a second thought on where they went. Unless it's specifically requested, you shouldn't bother buying them as a Christmas gift.

2: Used Video Game Controllers.

One man's trash should stay in the garbage. Buying things used for someone else can be a very big trick, because you can either be saving money while delivering big or just buying something that's passed its time. While some accessories could be bought used without much trouble behind it, such as a memory card, one accessory I would like to warn you about buying are controllers. Video game controllers are not like TV remotes, as they actually get used and they can wear out. Things can happen, such as buttons jamming and otherwise not working. On the other hand, I have Super Nintendo controllers that work better than the Super Nintendo itself, but then again, they don't make controllers like they used to. So don't buy a used controller as a Christmas gift.

1: Games That Suck.

The absolute worst thing you can possibly give a gamer for a Christmas is a game that sucks. It will prove to be the absolute biggest let down ever, and you will be talked about. If you give a gamer a game that sucks, they will go to school or work the next given chance and tell everybody about the god awful game you got them for Christmas. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to avoid getting a game that sucks. One way is to research a potential game. If you're giving the gift that much thought, then you should look up the title of a game on a site such as www.ign.com, www.gamespot.com, or other video gaming sites that review video games. While reviews are obviously just opinions of how good a game is, chances are if a game sucks, you'll find reviews that claim a game sucks all across the board. Another way to avoid getting a game that sucks is to ask the people that work in the gaming section of the store (assuming it's not GameStop or any store dedicated to video games) if the game sucks. More likely than not, they will be able to give you a working opinion on the game, and they might even be able to recommend a better game if the game you chose sucks. There are plenty of ways to avoid buying a game that sucks, so please, put just a little bit of work into the search for a game and you should avoid a game that sucks rather easily.