Tiny Cartridge’s Holiday 2016 Gift Guide ⊟
We could all use some tidings of comfort and joy right about now. Here in the world of handheld video games, it’s been a nice year, and you can share that nice part of 2016 with someone you love. And yes, that includes yourself.
Here’s a selection of gifts including 3DS, Vita, and a few console games and accessories, some music, some t-shirts, and toys. We hope you find something to give yourself or a loved one for the occasion of your choice!
Nintendo 3DS
- Sega 3D Classics Collection: This is many gifts in one. An excellent collection of Sega favorites and weird stuff you’ve never played.
- Style Savvy Fashion Forward: A tiny, self-contained world focused entirely on clothes. Soothing and lovely.
- Dragon Quest VII: Dragon Quest is back! For real!
- Azure Striker Gunvolt Striker Pack: Both Gunvolt games in a single, beautiful package.
- Animal Crossing New Leaf: It’s a good time to get into this game if you never did, because four years after release, Nintendo released a major free update!
- New 3DS Super Mario Edition (black/white): The best price ever for the updated 3DS, and the first North American release of the black model.
- White Cover Plates: Blank, replaceable plates for you to customize.
- 3DS NFC reader: But if you don’t have a New 3DS, you can still scan amiibo!
- River City Tokyo Rumble: A true River City Ransom sequel, with lots of minigames and replayability.
PS Vita
- Hatsune Miku Project Diva X: A new focus on fashion and customization makes this my favorite Miku rhythm game.
- Shantae: Risky Beats Edition: The physical, soundtrack-included version of the Kickstarted Shantae game.
- Dragon Quest Builders: We have so much Dragon Quest now that we’re even getting weird spinoffs, like this game about magically rebuilding Alefgard!
- Zero Time Dilemma: Hey, uh, make sure your lucky recipient has already played 999 and Virtue’s Last Reward.
- Shiren the Wanderer: The Tower of Fortune and the Dice of Fate: The DS original never came out here, but we get the updated Vita version of the roguelike classic.
- PlayStation TV: This thing still exists!
Console games
- Yoshi’s Woolly World + amiibo bundle: That Yarn Yoshi amiibo is worth owning, and why not have a game with it?
- Gravity Rush Remastered: Get caught up before January’s release of Gravity Rush 2! Everyone should play this.
- Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE: It’s kind of SMT, it’s kind of Fire Emblem, it’s kind of about Shibuya/idol culture, and it’s great.
- Assault Suit Leynos: Originally released on the Genesis as Target Earth, the mech shmup has been remade for PS4! Surprise?
- Rez Infinite: The limited physical edition of the best version of one of the most beautiful, immersive games ever made.
- PlayStation VR: The perfect Rez accessory!
- PocketC.H.I.P.: A tiny computer that is also a handheld game console. Play, download, and even make new games.
Toys and amiibo
- Figma Phoenix Wright: Preorder one and print out a picture. Ain’t nobody goign to complain about getting this later.
- Nendoroid Kirby: Its arms and legs are magnets!!!
- Nendoroid Zelda: A lot of Good Smile products, I know, but they’re killing it.
- Waluigi amiibo: Actually never mind on this whole “holiday guide” thing.
- Squid Sisters amiibo: Still the best characters from that game, at least until Judd, the cat judge, gets his own spinoff and/or amiibo.
- Mario Pikachu: I did not know how well these two flavors would go together.
- Undertale Little Buddies: Adorable little figurines of Undertale favorites.
- Otamatone: Make your own weird Rhythm Heaven covers or whatever, with this instrument that is also a friend.
Apparel
- Rez Infinite: Cory Schmitz designed this shirt based on the player avatar. It’s no surprise a game with such brilliant design translates to a brilliant shirt.
- Super Attractive Club line: Formerly exclusive to short runs in a weekly newsletter, this eclectic collection of new designs, Japanese favorites, and – amazingly– this lost Cave Story shirt now has a store.
- Azure Striker Gunvolt “Zap Pop”: No bias, but I have this shirt and it’s a good look. Jumpmen at Work: Mario can make new levels, and he can make you look fresh.
Zines and Books
- Hobonichi “Techo” 2017 Planner: This is the year! Get organized! Make your life beautiful.
- Legends of Localization Book 2: Earthbound: Clyde Mandelin’s first Legends of Localization book was an exhaustive discussion of the localization of The Legend of Zelda. Now imagine that for a game with good text.
- Costume Quest: Invasion of the Candy Snatchers: Double Fine’s adorable Halloween kid RPG is now Zac Gorman’s adorable comic!
- Endless World: Lamar Abrams offers a take on the world of Dragon Quest, which is one of the better worlds.
- Game Boy World 1990 vol. 1: Jeremy Parish continues the task of exhaustively documenting the Game Boy’s lineup. Spoiler alert: He is up to the task.
- The Art of Fire Emblem Awakening: Everybody who has seen Yusuke Kozaki’s Fire Emblem art wants to just stare at it forever. Everybody. We asked everybody.
- Power-Up: Good news, Chris Kohler’s book about the history and influence of Japanese games is just as insightful as it was in the first printing.
Artwork
- PM151: Angular, minimal takes on the only Pokemon that matter. You hear me, garbage bag?
- Downwell sticker sheet: Man, Downwell. Any reminder to play that is a good thing, and here are some you could stick right on your phone/Vita/whatever.
- Console Cat: Hang in there, baby.
Chiptunes/Music
- Beyond the Fleeting Gales: More ‘80s rock than chip, Crying’s latest album continues to deliver the catchy tracks and dreamy vocals we’ve always loved the band for.
- Prescription for Sleep: Undertale: Norihiko Hibino’s chill, lullaby-style takes on the Undertale soundtrack. That’s a lot of elements combined unexpectedly.
- a sentimental cry: The first album from clover & sealife. Sweet, inspiring, and otherwise hard to describe!
- Retro-Active pt. 2: Keiji Yamagishi’s first original album for Brave Wave is thrilling, and the follow-up should not be missed either.
Slimes
Smile Slime mug: This is my morning routine, and it can be yours.
Nanoblock Slime: DIY friend!
Slime cover for New 3DS XL: You can’t do cover plates, but you can still have a Slime.
Slime hourglass: It’s Party Slime until the blue sands fall.
Extras
- ACLU donation: The gift of continued protection for our rights.
- Human Rights Campaign donation: And advocate for equal rights for LGBTQ people, specifically.
- Flint water donation: I can’t believe this is still necessary, but it is.
- The Trevor Project: Help LGBTQ kids when they need it.
- Club Tiny membership: What could be a better gift than entry in an exclusive, positive community of handheld game enthusiasts? Don’t think too much on that question.
If we’ve missed any must-have gifts, let us know!
