Editorials

GamingTrend 2024 Holiday Gaming Guide – The Hardware & Gear Edition!

You’re about to be shopping for a lot of video games this holiday season. But gear, accessories, and hardware? There’s a lot out there you need to know the lowdown on. You’re in luck! We at GamingTrend have reviewed a ton of devices, and we’ve assembled the best on this list for you to check out, look at our reviews, and buy!

Must Have Hardware

PlayStation 5 Pro

We’re at the halfway point of the PlayStation 5’s life cycle, and while the Pro is a premium and niche product, it’s a stellar device. Being able to enjoy games with both fidelity and performance options at the same time is incredible, and with a fantastic library of games already available, alongside image upgrading for PS4 games, it’s a great buy. Not to mention, Ghost of Yotei and Death Stranding 2 are coming next year. Might as well prep for those, alongside the big daddy of them all, Grand Theft Auto VI.

Buy it now!

PlayStation 5 - Console and Controller Unboxing [Gaming Trend]

PlayStation 5 Slim

If you aren’t jumping at a premium price for the hardware upgrade, the PlayStation 5 Slim is a stupendous option. There are so many games to be had for this system, like Astro Bot and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. As mentioned above with the Pro, better to get ready to play several huge 2025 titles as well.

Our review | Buy it now!

Xbox Series X

Microsoft Xbox Series X Unboxing and Overview [Gaming Trend]

There’s not a reason to change what already works and works well. The Xbox Series X has the power to give you great gaming, and that’s what matters. This is the best way to enjoy your library, and with Xbox Game Pass, you’ve got a huge library to play. Add in the best online experience in Xbox Live, and the Series X is a no-brainer. Plus, with Avowed, South of Midnight, and Fable on the way in 2025, you probably need to get ready for a gaming blowout.

Our review | Buy it now!

Nintendo Switch OLED

Nintendo OLED Unboxing and Comparison with Metroid Dread [Gaming Trend]

A regular Switch is great, but the OLED is an easy sell. Why? Because the OLED screen makes every single Switch game look the best it can. Besides that, we all want to play the newest Mario, Zelda, or Splatoon game. If you want to enjoy all Nintendo offers, especially handheld, might as well do it on a crisp display.

Our review | Buy it now!

Meta Quest 3 and S

Ron Burke – Meta has hit their stride with the Meta Quest 3 and 3S. The Quest 3 is finally reaching the state where it’s a must-have, balancing compute power enough to make the games look gorgeous (looking at you Asguard’s Wrath 2, Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR, and Batman: Arkham Shadow, just to name a few!) while still being portable. The Quest 3S delivers that same power, but at a lower price point with only a few small compromises, enabling a fantastic entry point for would-be VR newcomers. Meta was started with the dream of “affordable and easy” VR. Arguably, they’ve hit it – there’s never been a better time to jump into a world that is just impossible to describe. You really need to try it for yourself.

Our review | Buy it now!

Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses

Meet the Menagerie using Ray-Ban Meta Glasses!

Ron Burke – Meta has teamed up with sunglass industry legends Ray-Ban to build a comfortable and powerful set of glasses with a ton of compelling features.  Powered by AI, and with a decent camera and amazing speakers, these glasses look entirely normal despite having incredible power at your fingertips.  We used it to capture some cute pictures of puppies — enjoy!

Our review | Buy it now!

PlayStation Portal

David Burdette – While a new PSP would be nice, the PlayStation Portal is much more than meets the eye. Sure, you need the internet for it to function, but if you have things set up correctly, you might as well be playing directly on your console. Not only is the Portal capable of almost one-to-one gameplay, but the crisp display and DualSense features elevate the performance. It’s an outstanding device that does what it does well.

Buy it now!

Steam Deck

Ron Burke – Portable PC isn’t a new concept, and several companies have tried and frankly failed at it. Who better than the team that brought us Steam to try their hand at it? Well, try they did, and wow was it successful. There are more powerful handsets out there, sure, but the Steam team have delivered one that is perfectly balanced between price, power, and battery life. I never leave home without the Steam Deck, and I can’t say that about any other handheld I’ve ever owned. My entire library at my fingertips and deliciously hackable thanks to the easy-to-use desktop mode? Sign me up.

Buy it now!

400 Mini

Step back in time and relive the Atari magic with The 400 Mini - your portal to 8-bit nostalgia!

Ron Burke – Nostalgia is a funny thing, and these mini consoles keep scratching that itch. The Atari 400 Mini is a true retro callback with games that’ll put a smile on your face. Karateka, Battlezone, Crystal Castles, Asteroids, Centipede, and more round out a pretty solid list. The price at $119 might be a bit stiff, but if you catch these sub-$100 it’s an excellent retro bit of callback fun for the resident oldie on your list.

Our review | Buy it now!

SteelSeries Gear

Arctis Nova 5 gaming headset

Unboxing The NEW SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless Headset! #steelseries #gaming #gamingheadset

David Burdette – SteelSeries is a premium brand, and as such the price can be untenable for some. That said, the strides they’ve taken to make sure everyone can enjoy the high-end quality they offer has been fantastic. Enter the Arctis Nova 5, which is the first headset to support SteelSeries incredible Sonar app on console and mobile. This makes the corners cut to bring down the price a good call, especially as the build quality of the headset is still great. If you want something between budget and premium, this is the right call.

Our review | Buy it now!

Arctis Nova Pro gaming headset

Unboxing - Why the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pros should be your choice for competitive gaming

David Burdette – Simply the best headset in gaming. Two years ago I experienced the greatness SteelSeries had to offer in the Arctis Nova Pro headset, and it’s been my go-to ever since. You won’t get better, between the comfortable design, swappable batteries, insane audio quality, and Sonar software. If you want the best, buy this.

Our review | Buy it now!

Arctis GameBuds

STEELSERIES EARBUDS! - Unboxing the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds! #steelseries #earbuds #unboxing

David Burdette – I love a good pair of earbuds, and SteelSeries has outdone themselves in crafting the Arctis GameBuds. Being able to easily take gaming-level headphones with you is a feat now bested by SteelSeries with these awesome earbuds. Pair that with the Sonar app on mobile, and these earbuds come alive to a degree no other earbud can.

Our review | Buy it now!

Apex Pro Gen 3 gaming keyboard

Unboxing the SteelSeries Apex Pro Gen 3 gaming keyboard! #gaming #keyboard #fps #steelseries

David Burdette – If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. SteelSeries Apex Pro keyboard is a stellar product, and the Gen 3 upgrade tweaks the formula the right way. Several updates make the foundation of the keyboard even better, like the Omnipoint 3.0 switches. But, the software upgrades are more substantial, with QuickSet profiles, Rapid Tap and Trigger function, and more. It was already good, and now it’s even better.

Our review | Buy it now!

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 gaming keyboard

Richard Allen – The Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 is a fantastic product with a variety of features including Omnipoint 3.0 switches, Rapid Tap, Rapid Trigger, and customizable RGB lighting which makes this a stand out keyboard for both gamers or office workers.

Our review | Buy it now!

SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless Ultra Lightweight Mouse

Richard Allen – The Aerox 3 was exactly what I was looking for in a mouse; lightweight with bluetooth capabilities and non-intrusive RGB lighting. Couple these features with the fantastic SteelSeries app which allows you to customize nearly every aspect of your mouse and this is a no brainer pickup for both gamers and office workers.

Our review | Buy it now!

Holiday Headsets

Sony PlayStation Pulse Elite headset

Unboxing the PlayStation Pulse Elite wireless headset [PS5]

David Burdette – Sony’s first party hardware tends to be as good as its software. That doesn’t change with the PlayStation Pulse Elite headset. With great comfort, phenomenal audio, and stellar battery life, this headset is the perfect pair with your PS5. That, and it’ll work wirelessly with your PlayStation Portal!

Our review | Buy it now!

Astro A50 Gen 5 gaming headset

David Burdette – If these things had Bluetooth capability outside the dock, they’d be the best headset out there. Even with that caveat, the audio from the Astro A50s is top-notch in the space. With some epic software that allows you to crowdsource EQ on PC, your listening experience just got better.

Our review | Buy it now!

Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 gaming headset

Unboxing the NEW Turtle Beach Stealth 700 wireless headset! #headset #gaming #turtlebeach #stealth

David Burdette – Turtle Beach’s Stealth 700s really upped their game this year. Not only do they look awesome, but the sound is amplified to its best with 60mm tuned drivers. Featuring simultaneous Bluetooth and extensive battery life, the name Turtle Beach will be baked into your memory when buying a headset. This one especially.

Our review | Buy it now!

Turtle Beach Stealth 500 gaming headset

David Burdette – For those on a budget, you’ll have a hard time finding a better inexpensive option. The Stealth 500 maxes out at only $80, a steal for a headset that features both 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth connectivity. It’s also super comfortable with a great battery, so this should be your go-to for Christmas lists.

Our review | Buy it now!

Razer BlackShark V2 Pro headset for console

Unboxing the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro headset for PS5 #ps5 #playstation #headset #gaming

David Burdette – If you’d like to find something spiffy for competitive play, Razer’s BlackShark V2 Pro is a good call. It’s super lightweight and just looks like a pro gaming headset. It doesn’t sound half bad either, featuring a couple of mainline shooter presets from pro players to help you on your competitive journey. All of that should be enough to pull you in, but the detailed audio and best headset mic out there are nice extras that’ll keep you under the headband.

Our review | Buy it now!

Audeze Maxwell gaming headset

David Burdette – Audeze isn’t a brand I’ve been familiar with, but I am after some time with their official gaming headset. It’s a little heavy, and the sidetone is a pain in the neck, but impressively tuned drivers featuring incredible spatial audio and phenomenal battery life are big time selling points. If you’re looking for something that looks, feels, and sounds premium, check out the Audeze Maxwell gaming headset.

Our review | Buy it now!

Turtle Beach Atlas Air gaming headset

Unboxing the Turtle Beach Atlas Air wireless headset! #unboxing #gamingheadset #turtlebeach

David Burdette – I had never used an open back headset before I tried out the Atlas Air. These are amazingly comfortable, and the open back design allows games to wrap their audio around you, immersing you in gaming in a different way. Add in some superb comfort, and the Atlas Air should take flight into your online shopping cart.

Our review | Buy it now!

OpenRock X open-ear air conduction earbuds

David Burdette – These are so comfortable. Open-ear earbuds help me a ton as my ears don’t always deal well with buds you have to insert into your canals. Besides this, the audio is strong enough to make it seem like you have earbuds in your ears without overpowering or interrupting your conversations through escaping audio. They’re a bit pricey, but the quality makes them well worth it.

Our review | Buy it now!

OWS Pro Open Wireless Earhooks

Richard Allen – The OWS Pro Wireless Earhooks are a surprisingly versatile product at an extremely affordable price point that has become one of my go-to choices when traveling. With fantastic sound quality, great design, good use of RGB lighting, and the ability to charge via its case, the OWS Pro Wireless Earhooks are a great choice for those on a budget.

Our review | Buy it now!

EarFun Air Pro 4

Corvo Rohwer – When I was transitioning away from wired earbuds, I wanted something that would be easy to use and last all day on a single charge. The Earfun Air Pro 4s checked those boxes, with a simple set-up that supports multiple devices, meaning I could use them on the go with my phone or at home on my computer. These are great option for easy listening on the go, and the case that serves as a charger ensures you’ll be able to pop them in at any time of the day.

Our review | Buy it now!

Sneak Energy

WHO WINS? Sneak Energy Superhero Flavor Taste Test - Blueberry Acai vs. Strawberry Gummy!

David Burdette – Back for another year, this clean energy drink is a sip and a half. Several great new flavors have launched this year, with a soda and superhero line to name just a few. Drinking something that gives me a boost as I game, work, or write, without making me crash, is a benefit not every energy formula offers. Between that and one of the smoothest powder mixes you’ll find, this is a great buy for anyone, not just gamers.

Energy review | Hydrate review | Taste Tests!Buy it now!

Classy Controllers

Victrix Pro BFG controller

Unboxing - Why you should use the Victrix Pro BFG when you play Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III

David Burdette – The Victrix Pro BFG is simply the best pro controller out there. There are several cool color variants and an Xbox version that launched this year, but one feature rules them all. Hall Effect stick modules. My biggest fear was wearing my sticks out, and with these now available for a reasonable price, that fear is squashed. It’s got an exceptionally comfortable grip, tremendous back buttons and trigger locks, and it’s modular. This is what you should be using whether you play Call of Duty, Tekken, or anything else.

Our review | Buy it now!

Victrix Gambit Prime controller

David Burdette – If you don’t want to spend as much on a Pro BFG, the Victrix Gambit Prime is a good step down. This Xbox controller is wired, but retains the great trigger locks and a comfortable variant of the back buttons. This will get you in the door if you want inexpensive precision.

Our review | Buy it now!

Codeman Modz controller

David Burdette – If you want something to feel personal, you go to someone who will do it that way. Cody has been making custom controllers for a long time, and he works with you to get them done the way you want. He can get you set for competitive play with quick triggers and paddles, or just pretty up your controller with a sweet paint job and LEDs. One thing he has uniquely, a double battery he designed himself for PS5, so you can get twice the play time out of your controller. He does all kinds of different controllers, so go and see what he can do for you today!

Buy it now!

The Controller People controllers

David Burdette – I really appreciate The Controller People. One of our first interactions was of unfortunate circumstance; the controller I received for review wasn’t working correctly. Not only did they rectify it quickly, they made sure I was set with a great replacement. Considering the ability to personalize your controller and the surprisingly awesome feel of the back button “ClickSticks”, The Controller People have a great product you should grab.

Our review | Buy it now!

HexGaming Phantom controller

Unboxing the HexGaming Phantom PS5 controller from KickStarter! #gaming #controller

David Burdette – The team over at HexGaming certainly understands what makes a good controller. With the new Phantom controller for PS5, everything has been meticulously crafted, with back buttons that fit right into your grip, instant triggers, and even a panel where you can tune your controller to combat stick drift. It’s a Swiss Army Knife of a controller, giving you the tools you need to get the best experience while gaming.

Our review | Buy it now!

PDP Riffmaster guitar controller

Unboxing the PDP RIFFMASTER Guitar Controller for Rock Band & Fortnite Festival! #guitar #rockstar

David Burdette – I’ve been playing Rock Band for a long time, and the Riffmaster guitar controller made me feel like I was back in my early twenties playing with friends at 4AM. This is seriously an incredible product, replicating the feel of a Rock Band guitar and modernizing it with a rechargeable battery. It’s useful across multiple games too, so this is a win of a solo.

Our review | Buy it now!

ManbaOne controller

David Burdette – If cool was a feature, the ManbaOne controller would have it in spades. Tech oddities are a guilty pleasure of mine, and this controller meets that. It also exceeds my expectations as a great controller with a lot of useful functionality built in, with back buttons, Hall Effect thumbsticks, and trigger locks. That’s not even considering the awesome interactive display screen, which allows for even more customization.

Our review | Buy it now!

CRKD Nitro Deck+

David Burdette – I’m not kidding around when I say this; the CRKD Nitro Deck+ helped me enjoy playing my Switch handheld again. This accessory is one I suggest all Switch owners grab, as it ups your comfort level and brings tight controls along. Add in being a portable dock via an HDMI adapter and you have the best Switch accessory out there.

Our review | Buy it now!

CRKD ATOM

Unboxing the CRKD ATOM collectible keychain controller! #gaming #controller #nintendo

David Burdette – The ATOM is just a fun piece of gear to own. Having a teeny tiny controller in your pocket that ACTUALLY WORKS is really sweet. It’s a great ancillary controller for your Switch, and I’ve used it on PC without any qualms. There are a bunch of cool colors, so the collectability of these is massive.

Our review | Buy it now!

Razer Kishi Ultra

David Burdette – If you want the most comfortable way to play games on your phone, consider the Kishi Ultra. It almost feels like you’re holding an Xbox controller, just a bit wider but just as comfy. You can also use it on the fly as a wired PC controller if need be, adding extra function at no extra charge.

Our review | Buy it now!

Afterglow Wave Wireless Controller

David Flynn – The Afterglow Wave is as close as a third party controller can get to an official Pro Controller. It’s incredibly comfortable in the hand, and even has gyro. While it lacks vibration and has some odd button placement, this is a fantastic alternative.

Our review | Buy it now!

PB Tails Crush Controller

Richard Allen – The Crush controller by PB Tails has become my go-to controller for gaming on the Switch, my phone, and the PC. The Crush is a relatively low cost controller with swappable faceplates that is compatible with the Nintendo Switch, Windows, Steam, Android, and iOS. Despite connecting via bluetooth, I never experienced any noticeable lag or issues no matter the console I was gaming on. This is a great multi-use controller.

Our review | Buy it now!

Subscriptions for instant boosts

XBOX GAME PASS CORE/PC/ULTIMATE:

Stream Your Own Game

You already know you should have it. Just do it already. With incredible additions this year like Diablo IV and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and third party hits like Still Wakes The Deep and Persona 3 Reload you’d be daft not starting a subscription. Do it. C’mon. For Avowed? For Fable? For Doom: The Dark Ages? See, there’s a lot of great games in there.

Buy it now!

PLAYSTATION PLUS ESSENTIAL/EXTRA/PREMIUM:

It may have had a price increase recently, but there’s still so much value here. The free games you get monthly are very impressive, with the likes of Dead Space Remake and Immortals of Aveum being recent additions. Extra has every game you could want, with bangers such as Dead Island 2, The Plucky Squire, and Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion among hundreds of others. Premium will take you on a nostalgia trip, with a nice blend of PS3 and PS1 titles. Whatever you choose to go with, you’ll have a lot of games to enjoy.

Our impressions | Buy it now!

GEFORCE NOW GIFT CARDS:

Maybe you don’t want to chase owning a high-end PC, or perhaps you’ve had to suffer from one too many busted Windows updates. Do you want to be able to just fire up the latest games and play them without installs, patches, drivers, or anything else? Well we’ve finally reached the point where that’s not only possible, but also will deliver an experience that rivals a PC worth $5000 or more! GeForce NOW delivers RTX gaming in titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Guardians of the Galaxy, New World, A Plague Tale Requiem, Baldur’s Gate III, Remnant II, Genshin Impact, and many, many more, and at a price that frankly is almost too good to be true.

Buy it now!

FANHOME SUBSCRIPTION:

Are you shopping for somebody who has everything? Well, I’m going to guess they don’t have this! Fanhome delivers an awesome subscription-based build process that has you slowly putting together a statue of greats like Iron Man, Optimus Prime, the Millennium Falcon, R2D2, and much more! Whether you are building this with your kid, or doing it for yourself, the quality is unmatched, and the whole process is just too cool to describe.

Our builds | Buy it now!

Arcade1Up cabinets

Terminator 2 Arcade1Up cabinet:

Arcade1Up's Terminator 2 - Impressions & Thoughts

Arcade1Up’s T2 is a stunning recreation of the original arcade in an easy to bring home capacity. I never thought I’d be able to have a light-gun arcade in my home, much less one of this size and quality, so for that alone I am immensely thankful for Arcade1Up. That said, there are a few gripes I have with the machine, such as the screen size being only 17” and the high price tag for an arcade with only one game, but T2 is still a high-quality release that will undoubtedly impress any visitor to your game room. Arcade purists may have more qualms than I do, but for someone who collects these arcades just for the thrill of having a home arcade with the classic titles that I grew up playing in mall arcades, I think T2 is well worth adding to your home arcade.

Our review | Buy it now!

The Simpson’s Arcade1Up cabinet:

One of my favorite pieces in my gaming room is my Simpson’s Arcade1Up cabinet, and for good reason. It’s stylish, has a stunning display screen, and contains one of the best childhood memories I have in the Simpsons Arcade game. With the bonus of Simpson’s Bowling, and being something you can brag about and show off, you’re running out of reasons to not own one.

Our review | Buy it now!

Wheel of Fortune Casinocade Deluxe

You can have one, as long as you don’t continually say “Big money, big money!”. This Arcade1Up cabinet may be one of their most unique yet, with dual screens and one of them a touch. Not only that, it features twenty-three games along with Wheel of Fortune, like Blackjack. Vegas may be a ways away for some, but you can have it in your living room via this arcade machine.

Buy it now!

The Fast & The Furious Deluxe

Another of Arcade1Up’s unique designs, this one brings me back to the local pizza place. Mainly that I’d eat, play one of these kinds of racing games in the arcade, and get sick from the shaking of the wheel. Thankfully, this machine isn’t as intense, but it still has a lot to offer. There’s one game, but the amount of content is staggering. Eight licensed cars with customization and upgrade options, nineteen courses, and the ability to link four machines together. Put on your Dominic Toretto tank top, it’s time to add this machine to the family.

Buy it now!

Cool Computer accessories and parts

Logitech G915 X keyboard

G915 X LIGHTSPEED | Keep Playing | Logitech G

Cassie Peterson – This is one of the sleekest keyboards on the market. Boasting an astounding battery life, slim and portable design, and incredible utility, the Logitech G915 X is a great fit for writers, gamers, and general users. I particularly like the low-profile keycaps, which make it easier to navigate the keys during long gaming sessions or when typing up these reviews.

Our review | Buy it now!

Mountain Everest Max keyboard

Ron Burke – Keyboards are as individual a choice as your favorite shirt or your best pair of kicks. When you find one that clicks (you enjoy that pun – it’s all yours), it’s practically your sidekick for a generation or more. I found mine in the Mountain Everest Max. Modular to an excessive degree, this is what it looks like when you build a product that doesn’t compromise. You spend more time with your keyboard than almost anything else in your hardware setup, so do yourself a favor and pick up one that can handle anything you throw at it while looking gorgeous and sleek in the process.

Our review | Buy it now!

Huanuo Heavy Duty monitor mount

Ron Burke – Able to lift an incredible amount of weight and at monitor sizes unheard of in the category, and at a price point that is remarkable given the capabilities, the Huanuo Heavy Duty monitor mount is without question, the best we’ve seen.

Our review | Buy it now!

Lemokey X5 keyboard

Mark Julian – The Lemokey X5 keyboard does a lot of things right. The keys are lightning-fast and responsive while providing the satisfying clack that we love so much. A full number pad on a smaller frame means less desk space and a cleaner look while only sacrificing the keys that nobody uses anyway, looking at you Page Up/Down. At just $49.99, the Lemokey X5 packs plenty of value.

Our review | Buy it now!

Turtle Beach Vulcan II TKL Pro keyboard

Unboxing the Turtle Beach Vulcan II TKL Pro gaming keyboard! #gamingkeyboard #turtlebeach

David Burdette – A Vulcan keyboard made our holiday guide last year, and here we have another. This is technically the same keyboard, but as a ten keyless variant. It’s just as good as its big brother, and it looks just as slick too. If you want something with a clean design that won’t take up too much space on your desk, the Vulcan II TKL Pro is a good call.

Our review | Buy it now!

Turtle Beach Burst II Air mouse

David Burdette – Turtle Beach’s Burst II Air mouse has become my daily driver. It’s completely unassuming in appearance, but a strong piece of tech in performance. The Burst II Air is responsive, super comfortable during long sessions, and the battery lasts forever. Buy this mouse.

Our review | Buy it now!

Turtle Beach Kone II Air mouse

Cassie Peterson – While it’s sad to see the iconic ROCCAT name get retired, it’s great to know that Turtle Beach is continuing the legacy of the brand with the Kone II Air. This wireless mouse never misses a click and glides smoothly across the mousepad. It also looks great and fits the hand very well, maximizing comfort and performance.

Our review | Buy it now!

Cooler Master MasterHUB

Unboxing the Cooler Master MasterHUB! #streamer #videogame #videoediting #audioedit

David Burdette – The MasterHUB is one of the most space-age, futuristic-like devices I’ve touched. A plate you can slap you different modules on that just… works? It’s insane. It functions like a Stream Deck, but with much more customization available. The modular capability truly opens up what you can do with it, improving workflow, imposing control over your streaming, and even more. If you can imagine it, the MasterHUB can quite possibly do it.

Our review | Buy it now!

Avermedia Live Gamer 4K 2.1 capture card

Ron Burke – We are knee deep into the era of the PS5 and Xbox Series X, and while those consoles offer the ability to capture to some degree, they also come saddled with odd file formats, limitations on what you can capture, resolution and framerate considerations, and more. Want to record precisely what you’re looking at without a single compromise? Look no further than the Avermedia Live Gamer 4K 2.1 It can handle that ultra high framerate while still capturing flawlessly at 4K. It can handle passthru while you’re capturing. It can even drop it straight to your favorite destination, or even multi-stream if that’s your jam. Honestly, there wasn’t a thing I could throw at it that stumped it. If you capture gameplay, you need this. Period.

Our review | Buy it now!

Avermedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 review

Ron Burke – Like its card-based counterpart, the Avermedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 is the next iteration in their capture line. It offers many of the same features as the in-system capture card, but this little box lets you take that show on the road. It’s perfect for capturing and streaming at your LAN party, it’s great for streaming at a show like EVO, and it’s powerful enough to not need a huge PC to use it. I run it off my laptop, throwing the unit into a side pocket on my bag when I’m done. If you take your games on the road but still want to get your best streams in, look no further.

Our review | Buy it now!

SK hynix Platinum P41 NVMe

Building a high-end PC (be Quiet, RTX 4080, KLEVV/SK hynix NVMe, Fury RAM) – A novice DIY adventure

David Burdette – This was the second NVMe I put into my setup, with the main intention of using it as a video game only drive. It’s done incredibly for that, with incredible speed making all of my games hum. The P41 is even available up to 2TB, which means you can load it down and take advantage of the benefits this drive brings to the table.

Our review | Buy it now!

KLEVV CRAS C930 NVMe

David Burdette – I had never heard of KLEVV, but after making it the centerpiece of my PC build, I’m completely sold on the brand. It’s super fast, loading even a huge game like Call of Duty in moments. There’s not much more to say than it’s worth the cost and is available in several sizes.

Our review | Buy it now!

Netac NV7000 NVMe SSD

Ron Burke – We saw a LOT of highly-performant NVMe drives this year, and many of the top tier ones landed at around 7000MB/s read and 6200 MB/s write speeds on the box for the DRAM-less variants. The Netac NV7000 on the other hand bragged the same, but then over-delivered, hitting a fairly consistent 7100 MB/s and around 6500 MB/s values, even as the drive approached the full mark. HMB has come a long way, and Netac clearly has it dialed in.

Our review | Buy it now!

TEAMGROUP MP44 PCIe 4.0 NVMe

MP44 SSD Series : MP44, MP44L, MP44S | TEAMGROUP

Ron Burke – The MP44 (and the M50 at the lower tier) is TEAMGROUP’s PCIe Gen4x4 run at the DRAM-less drive segment. I was surprised at just how well it handled synthetic and real-world tests, offering up performance you’d normally expect to see on a DRAM-enabled drive, but in an HMB configuration. This is their higher end drive, so it delivers at around 7100 MB/s and 6800 MB/s for read and write, respectively.

Our review | Buy it now!

T-FORCE G70 Pro NVMe SSD

Ron Burke – The G70 is your high-end DRAM-less drive in the graphene-cooled line from TEAMGROUP. Once again we saw performance out of this drive normally reserved for chips coupled with cache, but at a much lower cost. Frankly, you’d be hard pressed to find a bad drive in the bunch from TEAMGROUP this year – you just have to figure out which of them is the right choice for your use case. If it’s a PlayStation 5, literally any of them will do, and if you’re running a PC then it’s about power use. Check out our reviews to help you pick!

Our review | Buy it now!

SK hynix Tube T31

Ron Burke – I keep saying “stop using USB thumbdrives” and then somebody like SK hynix will release a device like their Tube T31 and I have to eat my words. Capable of maxing out the port, you’ll get 1000MB/s read and almost as much in write speeds, making it extraordinarily fast for backups, moving files around, and carrying videos with you. It’s nice to see the old “doesn’t matter if it’s fast as long as it’s portable” adage dying off.

Our review | Buy it now!

T-Force Delta RGB DDR5 memory

DELTA RGB DDR5 Desktop Memory | TEAMGROUP

Ron Burke – I tested a lot of RAM this year, but this one came out on top. Is it the RGB? Nah, it’s all about performance, and the Delta delivered on that in a big way. It came out on top in literally every single test, synthetic or real-world, and by a fairly large margin. And yes – if you like blinky lights, it integrates nicely with just about any controller software on the market. Our only complaint was that it’s not lower profile, so you’ll need to make sure it’ll stay clear of your selected CPU cooler.

Our review | Buy it now!

Xiaomi G Pro 27in mini LED monitor

Ron Burke – I was blown away by this monitor, and I’m still surprised at how clean and color-saturated this monitor is for not being OLED. The blacks are comparable, the refresh rate is outstanding, and frankly I think you’d be hard pressed to not say the same even if you put it side-by-side with an OLED. The anti-tearing tech is rock-solid, and the price is impossibly low for the tech stack. We aren’t recommending a lot of monitors this year, and for good reason – there are some key foundational elements we looked at, and it was a high bar. Xiaomi might be a newcomer to the United States, but they cleared that hurdle nicely.

Our review | Buy it now!

Maxfree F2 14in triple laptop screen

Ron Burke – Triple monitors are all the rage these days, with manufacturers offering new and interesting ways of extending laptop work spaces. The Maxfree F2 on the other hand does so in a completely new way that is not only very stable, but highly portable. What’s different here is that the Maxfree has a base with sturdy aluminum arms to mount the screens, ensuring that zero weight is added to the back of the laptop. Those monitors then tuck inside the base when you’re ready to travel, and the whole thing comes with a swanky leather case. A lot of companies are trying to figure out the best way to do this, but Maxfree is way ahead of them.

Our review | Buy it now!

be quiet! Shadow Base 800 FX case

Cassie Peterson – The perfect case to accommodate your gaming hardware needs, the be quiet! Shadow Base 800 FX will keep your gaming sessions cool with plenty of space to breathe and fans to keep air moving in all directions. There’s enough space for further upgrades as well, like the new graphics card you’ll get this holiday season!

Our review | Buy it now!

Pebble X Plus speakers

Creative Pebble X Plus – 2.1 USB-C Computer Speakers with Subwoofer and Customizable RGB Lighting

Richard Allen – The Pebble X Plus from Creative is a set of aesthetically pleasing and relatively powerful speakers. While mainly made for use with your PC, it’s compatible with most Bluetooth-enabled devices, along with modern consoles and more via a simple USB-C connection and, to a lesser extent, AUX. Adding to the package is an included compact, but robust, subwoofer capable of producing surprisingly deep, throbbing bass, along with easily customizable RGB lighting options and subtle, yet eye-catching design bolstered by a modern black matte finish.

Our review | Buy it now!

3D Printers

Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra

Ron Burke – This printer is our absolute top recommendation for a flagship resin 3D printer. It’s practically a checklist of cool features, and a few we didn’t even know we wanted. Self-leveling, a camera to watch the process, a new mechanism to make layer releases not only less suction, but also faster! Elegoo raised the bar to a whole new level, putting every other manufacturer on notice with this new printer. It’s got a solid sized built plate, too, so you can build things big and small. It’s my go-to recommendation for larger figures.

Our review | Buy it now!

Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra

Unleashing The Power Of Elegoo Mars 5: Ultra in this print demo

Ron Burke – If you are just getting into resin 3D printing, or you want to do small-batch 3D printing without all the fussiness of most printers, then you’ll appreciate the Mars 5 Ultra. It has all of the best features you’d find in the larger Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra, but on a smaller plate. It makes a great complimentary printer for printing smaller batches of parts, or accessories like light sabers, crystals, or other accessories. I used it this Halloween to create awesome illuminated crystal horns for my FDM-printed dragons – a real hit with our trick-or-treaters.

Our review | Buy it now!

FLSun S1 FDM Printer

Ron Burke – Wanna go really, really, REALLY fast!?! Want to also make really big things? Well, the FLSun S1 FDM printer can do both. The highest speeds can get a little messy, so it’s worth going just slightly slower, but the fact that I could print an entire full-sized Thanos Gauntlet as a single print was pretty epic. Since then I’ve printed innumerable functional objects like hangers for skateboards, chip clips, replacement clamps, holders for drill batteries, and much more. Just make sure you use high speed FDM material – when I say fast, it’s faster than I can readily describe.

Our review | Buy it now!

Comfy Chairs and Dynamic Desks

FlexiSpot E7L standing desk

Mike Case – The FlexiSpot E7L redefines what a standing desk can be with its spacious L-shaped design and smooth triple-motor height adjustments. Built for productivity and style, it combines solid construction with smart features like cable management to keep your workspace looking sharp and working efficiently.

Our review | Buy it now!

FlexiSpot E7 Plus standing desk

FlexiSpot E7 Plus: The Best Standing Desk of 2024

Ron Burke – I absolutely swear by FlexiSpot’s desks, and the E7 Plus is a fantastic iteration on their already-solid E7 series. Some use cases just require four stable legs (mine is being used for 3D printing where any vibration could ruin hours of printing), with the bonus of having an incredibly smooth up and down movement. Again, in my case, smooth motion is important when you don’t want 7500 ml of isopropyl alcohol sloshing around. It also makes for a great desk for regular use, but the same could be said for their entire standing desk line – you really can’t go wrong.

Our review | Buy it now!

FlexiSpot G7 desk

Mark Julian – The G is G7 stands for Gaming. How does a desk play games, you ask? Well it doesn’t, but it makes you play better. The number of times I’ve died in Counter Strike from my mouse falling off the edge of my mousepad is more than I’d care to say. The G7 eliminates that problem by making the entire desktop a mouse surface. An extremely generous amount of table surface, a beveled front edge for comfort, and programmable adjustable heights for the perfect setup mean you can swing your mouse as wide as you want and be comfortable doing it. I’m still bad at Counter Strike but I can’t blame it on the mousepad anymore.

Our review | Buy it now!

Uplift V2 standing desk

Mike Case – Whether you’re grinding through work tasks or gearing up for a gaming session, the UPLIFT V2 Commercial Standing Desk is designed to meet your needs. With rock-solid stability, whisper-quiet motors, and customizable features like memory height presets and pre-drilled desktops for hassle-free assembly, this desk brings both form and function to the table–literally. Its spacious design and premium build quality make it a game-changer for anyone looking to upgrade their setup.

Our review | Buy it now!

FlexiSpot XRC5 recliner

Tutorial-How To Operate Your FlexiSpot Power Lift Recliner XL2

Mike Case – The FlexiSpot XRC5 Recliner offers everything you’d want in a recliner and more. Oversized and comfortable, it features built-in heat, massage zones, and a swivel and rocking function. Whether you’re gaming, relaxing, or just taking a well-deserved nap (guilty as charged), this chair hits that sweet spot between functionality and pure comfort. It’s one of those pieces you’ll find yourself racing to before someone else beats you to it.

Our review | Buy it now!

FlexiSpot C7-foam-FT chair

David Flynn – While gaming chairs are stylish, nothing beats the comfort of a well designed office chair and the FlexiSpot C7-foam-FT has that in spades. It’s mesh back provides breathable comfort while keeping your posture correct, and the foam bottom and footrest allow for you to sit in any weird position you like. If you’re a fidgeter like me, this is the best chair out there.

Our review | Buy it now!

Cooler Master Caliber R3C and X2C chairs

Richard Allen – Cooler Master has knocked it out of the park yet again with the Caliber R3C and Caliber X2C gaming chairs, not only for their COOL-IN technology, but for their steadfast focus on comfort above all else. While other chairs may be more visually striking, the X2C and R3C are by far the most comfortable chairs I’ve sat in. Toss in the insane, yet stable, recline each chair has and you’ve got a winner that may have you finding yourself asleep at your desk far more often than intended.

Our review | Buy it now!

X-Chair X2 K-Sport Mesh chair

Unboxing and Assembly - X-Chair X2 K-Sport Mesh Management Office Chair W/ Elemax

Richard Allen – The X-Chair X2 K-Sport Mesh Management Office Chair is a great choice for both those who often participate in intense gaming sessions or spend countless hours sitting in front of a computer screen for work. The breathable mesh remains cool despite long durations of sitting, the well-constructed materials ensure that the chair is sturdy, the Dynamic Variable Lumbar support guarantees that your back is fully always supported and works well to alleviate pain that often stems from long sitting sessions, and the SciFloat Infinite Recline feature provides just enough movement to stave off the stiffness that comes from long periods of sitting. Toss in the ELEMAX system and you have a chair that is bound to please even the pickiest of officer workers and gamers.

Our review | Buy it now!

X-Table Mobile Height-Adjustable desk

Ron Burke – We aren’t always at our desks, are we? No, sometimes it’s about relaxing on the couch, listening to YouTube, and surfing the net or writing. Or maybe you work from home and have a gig where you can do that same couch-park but do your job? This table has been an absolutely awesome addition to my work space – I’m actually using it right now! Able to operate as a sit/stand desk, it’ll pop up to standing height with a single pull of a lever, able to also park everywhere in between that top spot and the bottom thanks to using pneumatic cylinders rather than ratcheting latches. Best of all, it’s extraordinarily sturdy and well-built, with all-aluminum construction, a nice solid desk surface with a beveled edge to keep your wrists from scraping the edge, and cable management.

Our review | Buy it now!

Miscellaneous Gear

Gunnar glasses

David Burdette – I took a chance on the Call of Duty UAV glasses from GUNNAR with additional bluelight blocker, and it didn’t disappoint. You have to adjust a little to the sepia filter on your world, but the comfort it gives to someone who is constantly in front of screens is so helpful. Pairing that kind of function with a great Call of Duty collab design is just the icing on top.

Richard Allen – The GUNNAR Optiks Tahoe’s crystal-clear mineral glass lenses mixed with its sturdy and stylish frame make this another winner for GUNNAR. The Tahoe does a fantastic job of shielding your eyes from harmful blue light, thereby reducing eye strain, and pairs well with any outfit. I highly recommend picking up a pair if, like me, you find your eyes irritated often during your workday.

Our review | Buy it now!

Osbot Talent

Ron Burke – I’m still blown away by the Obsbot Talent. Video production is a complex gig and the ability to do it all on the fly is amazing. Your on-site producer can be loading lower thirds, transitions, and pulling in various video sources while your on-camera talent does what they do best. Better still, you can let your team remote in and load those items remotely, making your show come together in a way normally reserved for post-production.

Our review | Buy it now!

Osbot Tiny2 lite camera

OBSBOT Tiny 2 Lite | How to use OBSBOT Tiny 2 Lite for the first time

Ron Burke – Not everyone has a need for a full production camera, but almost everyone can find a use for a great tiny camera. The Tiny2 lite is barely bigger than a thumbdrive, works with or without the Obsbot software, ties into OBS easily, and so much more. Better still, it has actually useful AI functions where it can detect and track users, flip vertical or horizontal for social media, and more. With a standard thread hole, you can throw it on a stand and be up and running with a few of these, creating a whole multi-angle interview in seconds.

Our review | Buy it now!

Osbot Meet 2 4K camera

Ron Burke – If you’re in charge of bringing video to life at an event, you need the Meet 2. This can do local capture, NDI, HDMI, tie into OBS, be used on a stand, or sit on its ample base just about anywhere. Whether that’s watching the hands of a piano player, popping the device on a wall and letting the AI do its own tracking, or operating as a full PTZ camera, this is easily one of the most versatile portable cameras I’ve ever used. Better still, they don’t cost an arm and a leg like literally every other PTZ camera on the market. If you’ve got a need to physically rack people in a space, this is the camera.

Our review | Buy it now!

Hohem iSteady V3 stabilizer

Ron Burke – If you’re shooting video on your phone, you’ve probably got in-camera stabilization. If you’re me then you know it’s simply not enough and your video is still going to end up wobbly and jerky. Hohem has been making stabilizing gimbals for a bit, but this third iteration of their iSteady knocks it out of the park. It has many of the same AI tracking you’d find on a PTZ camera at 4x the price, also adding a handful of lighting options, and Bluetooth connectivity to all of your camera functions, mapping them to physical buttons.

Our review | Buy it now!

BOYAMIC

BOYAMIC | ALL-in-One Wireless Mic with On-Board REC

Richard Allen – The BOYAMIC has become my most trusted audio recording device and one which I utilize on all my videos and for various other projects in my life. These mics have fantastic audio quality, long range, a variety of useful accessories, and a sleek case which keeps them charged while on location for a video shoot. If you’re looking for a high quality audio kit for a project, look no further than the BOYAMIC.

Our review | Buy it now!

Saramonic Blink500 B2+ mics

David Burdette – Having the ability to capture a conversation is important. As an interviewer who does a lot of on the spot interviews, the right equipment can change the game. This year at Summer Game Fest, I felt way more comfortable with the Blink500 B2+. Last time around we were carrying a big camera and tripod, but this time my phone, this mic, and a collapsible tripod provided nearly the same quality with less hassle. You’re getting professional quality out of Saramonic with this set, and it’s worth every penny.

Our review | Buy it now!

BenQ X300G projector

Unboxing and Quick Look at the BenQ X300G 4K Projector

Richard Allen – The BenQ X300G is an incredibly capable all-in-one short throw projector, capable of providing crystal clear visual quality while streaming or gaming, with no noticeable lag or visual fidelity issues. The built-in speakers are more than enough to fill most rooms, and the included ports allow you to easily connect any modern console or PC with ease. After spending a few weeks testing out the X300G’s capabilities, I found myself only growing more impressed as it adapted to any film or game thrown at it with ease. Those interested in a sleek and capable 4K projector need look no further.

Our review | Buy it now!

JSAUX RGB docking station

David Flynn – If you’re looking for a docking station for a handheld PC like the Steam Deck, look no further. The JSAUX RGB has a wealth of ports and allows you to easily connect your device with a single cable, making it similar in convenience to the Switch dock. It even has a handy holding area for the device itself.

Our review | Buy it now!

Nanoleaf Skylights

Let's update a Room Using Nanoleaf Shapes, Lines, and Essentials!

Richard Allen – I’ve tested out quite a few Nanoleaf products and while they are all impressive, the Nanoleaf Skylight is by far my most utilized product. The lights are relatively easy to install and connect additional panels to, and the sheer volume of lighting options available via the app ensures that the lights are ready for any occasion. The device comes with quite a few pre-loaded lighting schemes, but more are just a button push away and available for free via the app. I find myself switching up my lighting often, which really helps set the mood during holiday parties. If you’re looking for an easily customizable lighting option, then the Nanoleaf Skylight is a great choice.

Our review | Buy it now!

PrismXR Carina D1 charging dock for Quest 3

Ron Burke – The Meta Quest 3 is a great headset, able to deliver whole new ways to play in a completely standalone HMD. It also sucks down battery like it’s going out of style. The PrixmXR Carina D1 provides a great stand to keep the Quest 3 and controllers in one space, charging both by simply placing them into the cradle. It’ll keep the HMD ready to go, rapid charging and keeping it all nice and tidy. There are other similar cradles out there, and I’ve unfortunately tested several of them – this is the one you want.

Our review | Buy it now!

KIWI Meta Quest 3 gear

David Burdette – It’s honestly daunting to grab a new VR headset and have to look at a market full of options for accessories. There’s plenty that isn’t necessary, but KIWI has done a great job of providing useful gear for the VR beginner. A new strap is absolutely necessary, and when combined with their battery pack, makes for a much longer VR experience. Throw in the super comfy silicone grips, and you’re ready to take down the biggest enemies in style.

Our review | Buy it now!

Merch!

Displate

Displate Textra Unboxing and Review -- Are they worth it??

Ron Burke – What do you get the person that has everything? Well, I’m gonna guess they actually don’t have something like this. Displate takes awesome licensed artwork and turns it into truly excellent metal plates that you can display as part of a series, within a triptych, small, medium, or large, and most awesome of all – Textra. Textra plates have a texture (as the name implies), giving it a feel that people who see it will want to touch. There are literally thousands if not tens of thousands of designs, and some are limited time – don’t miss out on this one. This is an awesome unique gift!

Our impressions | Buy it now!

80s Tees!

Ron Burke – I found a new source for awesome shirt merch, and it’s 80stees.com. Everything from He-Man, Airwolf, Transformers, Goonies, Top Gun, and much more, as well as the most hideously hilarious ugly sweaters you could ask for are all present and accounted for at 80’s Tees. Best of all, they work with the copyright holders, so you know that they’re officially sanctioned by the team behind all these great brands (or at least tolerated – either way is fine). Just about anything you can imagine from the 70s, 80s, 90s, and 2000s are here – drop by and you’ll see for yourself. Just make sure you use the coupon code “GamingTrend” for a lil bit of your purchase, and then brace yourself for awesome. Because the shirts are awesome. So that makes sense.

Buy it now!

Activision/Blizzard gifts

World of Warcraft Gifts:

  • Lil’ Champions Snow Fight Arthas 8″ Statue – $140
    • Bring the playful side of Azeroth to life with Arthas and his snow-hurling ghoul. This whimsical statue is inspired by Snow Fight: A Warcraft Tale and perfect for collectors.
  • Greatfeather Pepe 8″ Plush – $25
    • A fan-favorite feathered friend, this plush version of Greatfeather Pepe is perfect for cuddles and gaming desk displays.
  • 20th Anniversary Dice Set – $30
    • Show out during your next tabletop escapade and role-playing marathon with this set of vibrant WoW-themed dice.
  • Horde Crest & Alliance Crest Ornaments – $15 each            
    • Add a touch of Azeroth to your tree! Who are you repping the Horde or Alliance?
  • Ice Murloc Funko Pop! – $18
    • Complete with EXCLUSIVE in-game, redeemable pet, this icy take on the iconic Murloc will be the frosty gem of any collection.
  • Horde & Alliance Hockey Jerseys – $90 each
    • Rep your faction with these sleek jerseys, complete with embroidered details and bold colors. Perfect for showing loyalty on or off the ice.

CoD Holiday Items:

Diablo IV Gifts:

  • Vessel of Hatred Green Bomber Jacket – $120
    • Turn heads and embrace your inner demon with this bomber jacket, featuring embroidered details and a quilted lining that’ll make you look fiercer than Harbinger of Hatred.
  • Mephisto Bloodied Wolf Holiday Sweater – $75
    • Stay warm and wicked with this holiday sweater featuring the legendary Lord of Hatred himself. Ideal for cozy nights slaying demons across Sanctuary.
  • Mephisto Wolf Holiday Ornament – $15
    • Give your tree a terrifying twist with this Diablo IV ornament featuring Mephisto’s bloodied wolf head.

iam8bit gifts

VINYL

Oxenfree II: Lost Signals 2xLP

Description: With its eerie atmosphere and sharp-as-nails dialogue, Oxenfree II: Lost Signals calls to mind both ‘80s horror movies and coming-of-age stories alike. Developer Night School Studio weaves together a rich tale of returning home to find that not everything is the same. As was the case with that first game, music is a crucial part of Oxenfree II’s DNA. scntfc has once again crafted a foreboding, mercurial synth-powered soundscape, one that adds a whole new layer of intrigue and mystery to Oxenfree II’s foggy, treacherous cliff tops and streets. It’s a soundtrack that quite simply demands to be immortalized in classic iam8bit fashion. That’s why we teamed up with publisher Netflix to bring you this — the Oxenfree II: Lost Signals 2xLP. Pressed on Radio Disturbance Red vinyl, its otherworldly grooves let you enjoy the music & mood of Oxenfree II, again and again.

Price: $42.99

Buy it down!

Simpler Times 2xLP

Description: Our friends at Stoneskip understand that music has the power to transport us to a certain time and place. That power is at the heart and soul of their debut title, Simpler Times, a meditative interactive experience that rewards patience and attention with the gift of poignant memories — memories that can be replayed, just like a favorite song. As you paint, take pictures, read notes, and solve puzzles across Simpler Times’ four seasons, music envelopes your experience. Musician George Pandrea produced a wholly original soundtrack for the game, packed with low-fi beats, chill vocals, and warm, hypnotic loops, all in service of crafting an auditory journey that feels like a cool summer breeze, dancing through your bedroom window. Art, music, and vinyl are so fundamental to the experience of Simpler Times that we at iam8bit had to capture this beautiful alchemy on wax. It’s the complete and original Simpler Times soundtrack on gorgeous Meditative Maroon vinyl, with album art from Stoneskip’s own Laara Bonn and Dragos Matkovski.

Price: $42.99

Buy it now!

Joystick Jazz: The Blueshift Big Band Plays Iconic Video Game Hits (Vol. 2) Vinyl Soundtrack

Description: Introducing Joystick Jazz: The Blueshift Big Band Plays Iconic Video Game Hits (Vol. 2) Vinyl Soundtrack, a second scooping of jazzy video game goodness presented on audiophile black vinyl, with a digital download code to boot. For Volume 2, The Blueshift Big Band turned to classic video game tracks from titles near and dear to iam8bit’s pixelated heart — games like Castlevania, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Grim Fandango. They reimagined iconic themes as only the Blueshift Big Band can do, revivifying them through the power of brass, beats, and big band bravado.

Price: $31.99

Buy it now!

Sea of Stars 2xLP

Description: Magnificent music is what takes an RPG from “great” to “one of the classics” and one thing’s for sure: Sabotage Studio understands what makes the classics. On top of their in-house composer Eric W. Brown working full time on the brilliant music for their modern RPG opus Sea of Stars, they enrolled Yasunori Mitsuda as a guest composer. From iam8bit, we present the Sea of Stars 2xLP, a veritable epic on Solar Orange and Lunar Blue wax. It’s the score to Sea of Stars, with all the swelling highs, whimsical diversions, and touching twists present in the game, forever enshrined on vinyl for your home listening pleasure. Put it on to focus on work or just relax after a long day of grinding. Of course, no iam8bit album would be complete without stunning cover art. Bryce Kho’s character design is as stunning as the music itself.

Price: $42.99

Buy it now!

Steven Spielberg Presents Animaniacs (Soundtrack from the Original Series) Vinyl

Description: Introducing…Steven Spielberg Presents Animaniacs (Soundtrack from the Original Series) Vinyl Soundtrack! Meme-spawning classics like “Yakko’s World” and silly send-ups like “I Am the Very Model of A Cartoon Individual” are all represented here, performed by The Animaniacs themselves and presented in their full glory on classic black vinyl. We tapped an absolutely prolific cabal of iconic Animaniacs alumni, new and old: Original character artist Dan Haskett, who has touched classics like Scooby-Doo!, and Looney Tunes, storyboard artist Tony Craig, whose expansive credits include Ben 10 and House of Mouse, and Roman Laney, who helped build El Tigre, Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time, and so much more. To ensure absolute historic perfection, the whole project was also creatively directed by cartoony expert Gabe Swarr, executive producer of the Animaniacs show revival.

Price: $32.99

Buy it now!

Five Nights at Freddy’s Vinyl Soundtrack

Description: The premise for Five Nights at Freddy’s is inspired by and tinged with familiar nostalgia from our collective childhoods — pizza parties at the family amusement center in Anytown, USA, presided over by archaic animatronic creatures who fancy themselves a rock band. An effective horror experience is nothing without its accompanying sound, and The Newton Brothers certainly showed up for this score. Like all iam8bit releases, the unboxing is part of the fun, too, with four collectible character jackets featuring everyone’s favorite funtime gang — Freddy, Chica, Foxy and Bonnie — adorned with glow-in-the-dark eyes, ensuring even while listening in total darkness, you’ll have company. Minted on delicious Pizza Party Red vinyl, it’s an absolute feast for fans.

Price: $31.99

Buy it now!

Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble Vinyl Soundtrack

Description: Get ready for more potassium-powered panache! Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble, the latest entry in SEGA’s stalwart simian series, has arrived, bringing with it that signature topsy-turvy chaos we’ve all come to know and love. And what would that chaos be without the franchise’s funky jungle beats? Super Monkey Ball is synonymous with a certain type of sound, at once hectic, tropical, dancy, and dizzy. The music of Banana Rumble is no different, calling to mind both warehouse electronica and jazzy GameCube-era beats alike. We at iam8bit are proud to partner with SEGA to bring you that music here, on wax. Dance, roll, and groove with the Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble Vinyl Soundtrack, a 1xLP packed with the game’s very best tracks and pressed on Banana Split Green & Yellow vinyl.

Price: $32.99

Buy it now!

Frog Detective Vinyl Soundtrack

Description: When it comes to crackin’ cases, no other amphibian does it quite like the one and only Frog Detective. With the help of a trusty magnifying glass, the star sleuth and namesake of Worm Club’s hit trilogy searches high and low for clues, cross-examining all manner of kooky characters along the way. We teamed up with Worm Club to bring this soundtrack to you, in exactly the way that a case-hardened, tough-as-nails score should be heard: On high-quality vinyl. It’s packed with howling saxophones, spine-tingling staccatos, and all sorts of mysterious, moody blues, courtesy of maestro Dan Golding (Untitled Goose Game, Push Me Pull You). For the album art, we tapped comic creator Natalie Andrewson to lend her warm, welcoming style to the world of Frog Detective & friends. We’ve also included a bonus code for a high-quality digital download of all of the included music.

Price: $32.99

Buy it now!

Thanks for checking out our holiday guide, and we wish you a wonderful holiday season!

Lead Video Game Editor | [email protected]

David Burdette is a gamer/writer/content creator from TN and Lead Editor for Gaming Trend. He loves Playstation, Star Wars, Marvel, and many other fandoms. He also plays way too much Call Of Duty. You can chat with him on Twitter @SplitEnd89.

Executive Director and Editor-in-Chief | [email protected]

Ron Burke is the Editor in Chief for Gaming Trend. Currently living in Fort Worth, Texas, Ron is an old-school gamer who enjoys CRPGs, action/adventure, platformers, music games, and has recently gotten into tabletop gaming.

Ron is also a fourth degree black belt, with a Master's rank in Matsumura Seito Shōrin-ryū, Moo Duk Kwan Tang Soo Do, Universal Tang Soo Do Alliance, and International Tang Soo Do Federation. He also holds ranks in several other styles in his search to be a well-rounded fighter.

Ron has been married to Gaming Trend Editor, Laura Burke, for 28 years. They have three dogs - Pazuzu (Irish Terrier), Atë, and Calliope (both Australian Kelpie/Pit Bull mixes), and an Axolotl named Dagon!

David is the kind of person to wear his heart on his sleeve. He can find positives in anything, like this is a person who loved Star Fox Zero to death. You’ll see him playing all kinds of games: AAAs, Indies, game jam games, games of all genres, and writing about them! Here. On this website. When not writing or playing games, you can find David making music, games, or enjoying a good book.
David’s favorite games include NieR: Automata, Mother 3, and Gravity Rush.

News Editor | [email protected]

Richard Allen is a freelance writer and contributing editor for various publications. While he enjoys modern gaming, he is a retro gamer at heart, having been raised on a steady diet of Contra, Mario, and Dragon's Lair.  Chat with him via @thricetheartist on Twitter.

Cassie Peterson is an Editor for Gaming Trend but also a sporadic content creator and exceedingly average Rainbow Six Siege player. She goes by MzPanik on Twitter and Twitch and all of the gaming platforms.

Image of Mike Case
Tabletop Editor | [email protected]

Mike’s gaming journey began with the Nintendo Entertainment System, sparking a lifelong love for video games that eventually expanded into the world of tabletop gaming. With a background in software engineering and a hobby in 3D printing, Mike enjoys exploring the intersection of technology and gaming. Always on the lookout for new innovations, he continues to dive into the evolving world of games, from classic consoles to the latest tabletop experiences.

Lead Tabletop Editor | [email protected]

A life long video gamer, Mark caught the Tabletop itch in college and has been hooked ever since. Epic two player strategy games are his favorites but he enjoys pretty much everything on the tabletop, just no Werewolf please. When he gets a break from changing diapers and reading bedtime stories he can usually be found researching new games or day dreaming about maybe one day having time for a ttrpg. Some of Mark's favorite games are Star Wars: Rebellion, A Feast for Odin, and Nemesis.

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