The jolly crew over here at MonsterVine are here to take the hard part out of holiday shopping for you. Take a look at some of our recommended stocking stuffers for the year!
FESTIVE HARDWARE
Kinesis Gaming Freestyle Edge Split Mechanical Keyboard – $219 [Diego]
I work from home so I’m on my computer most, if not all of the day so making sure I delay any hand or wrist issues has become a pretty important thing for me. The KinesisGaming Freestyle Edge Keyboard, while not replacing my usual full-length keyboard, was definitely something that caught my attention with probably the most comfortable wrist cushion I’ve seen on a keyboard. It’s just the perfect amount of firmness and height so that your wrist lays comfortably over the keys. Being able to angle each half of the keyboard was also something I took for granted, as I appreciated being able to position each half depending on where each arm is angled at. My only gripe with it was the loss of music controls (something I use a LOT) and the removal of the numpad (something I use even more), otherwise it felt like a dream to use and definitely eased some of my usual wrist pain. Read the full review here
Victrix Pro FS Arcade Fight Stick – $399 [Diego]
There’s a lot to recommend with the Victrix Pro Arcade Fight Stick. Ignoring its (fairly) steep price, clearly cementing this as a fighting game fan enthusiast product, the Victrix solves a lot of problems I’ve had with most fight sticks. Off the bat it’s probably the simplest to customize I’ve seen, and while it doesn’t support every type of part (snap-in button fans go home) the ones it does are simple to swap in. It’s also incredibly portable and lightweight, with its stick able to be removed to store within the casing itself so you can effortlessly slip the Victrix in a backpack. Best of all, it already comes with Sanwa buttons so no need to buy some. If you’re serious about fighting games, you’d be hard pressed to find a better fight stick than this.
[Spencer] While Diego has pretty much covered all the points, I want to emphasize how comfortable this Fight Stick is. I’ve had little experience with fighting sticks, but the Victrix Pro immediately felt perfectly proportioned and easy to learn with. Seeing as learning a Stick can be a big change for people used to pads, this comfort, customizability, and ease of use makes it an incredible choice for even the inexperienced. Read the full review here
PDP REMATCH Wired Controller for Nintendo Switch – $24-$28 [Spencer]
When you want that extra bit of accuracy in a Switch game (or just a really well-made wired controller for the console), you’ll be hard-pressed to pass up PDP Rematch. With additional programmable back buttons, an audio jack for headphones/microphones, and the one I got has a very snazzy glow-in-the-dark mushroom pattern;it really has got it all. It’s very comfortable to hold, responsive, and a good price too – plus, the controller sports a wonderfully long cord for those who aren’t fond of being too close to the TV but still want that wired experience. The 1-Up Glow-In-the-Dark variant of the Rematch Wired Controller is the most fully featured wired controller I’ve put my hands on, making it a splendid choice for any Switch player.
[Austin] I’d normally gawk at a wired controller in 2022, but with the PDP Rematch things finally clicked, and now I feel like a fool for having such a wrong opinion. Precision, low latency, well-built and feature rich, I can’t think of any negatives when it comes to this controller as long as you’re able to game comfortably while tethered to your console. To me this is the perfect way to kit out your Nintendo Switch in a way that will make for an affordable, portable multiplayer experience while still having all of the quality and features of a “pro” level controller. If you are looking for a great way to make sure you have enough controllers when the family comes to visit, or taking the experience home for the holidays, grabbing a set of these Rematch controllers (in a variety of different styles and color combinations) is a no-brainer purchase.
Brook Vivid Wireless Controller – $35 [Austin]
I have my gripes with first party controllers this generation, especially on the switch, which is why I often look to third-party manufacturers for better quality hardware. The Brook Vivid wireless controller is an excellent choice for a quality controller that is more responsive and precise than the Nintendo Official “Pro Controller” while also having more features (macro programming and paddle buttons), compatibility. It also retails for HALF the price of the first party options. It pairs super quickly and easily via bluetooth, and I enjoyed my time using it to play games on my Pixel 6 pro, the Nintendo Switch and my Steam Deck. If you know someone who just got a Switch, or is looking for a quality controller to use to replace their first-party controller, I can’t think of a better wireless option in 2022 than the Brook Vivid.
Victrix Pro BFG Controller – $180 [Spencer]
Compatible with the PS4, PS5, and PC, the Victrix Pro BFG is incredible all-around. It’s ridiculously easy to swap the placement of your different buttons, sticks, and varied directional pads, meaning you can essentially make any kind of custom controller you want. If you’re used to the Xbox layout, the PlayStation one, or something else completely, you can tailor the Pro BFG to your own preferences with ease. It’s very comfortable to hold, comes with a very long cord, numerous button options (including a handy little fightpad layout,) and even allows you to customize the depth of your trigger presses. If you want a serious and heavily customizable controller, look no further than the Pro BFG.
VERY MERRY GAMES
Dwellings of Eldervale – $150 [Erik]
Dwellings of Eldervale is an ambitious undertaking that seeks to meld a myriad of aspects from the board game medium. Naturally, such a concept necessitates a high level of complexity, which may be hard to stomach for casual gamers. However, in the case of this intricate offering, the juice is definitely worth the squeeze. Those who manage to wrap their head around the rules will find a rewarding experience with an enormous potential for replayability. It’s built-in ease of use and quality of life improvements it provides really make it stand out from the crowd. There lies something for every board gamer to enjoy among the limitless ways to play this game. Read the full review here
Disney Dreamlight Valley (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC) – $30 [Spencer]
Disney Dreamlight Valley is sort of like if you mixed Animal Crossing and Stardew Valley with a number of classic Disney films. It’s a wonderfully relaxing (and nostalgic) title that lets befriend and do favors for all sorts of iconic characters, from Scrooge McDuck to Ariel or Ursula. The way the game handles progression and milestones makes you feel like you’re always accomplishing something, all while you listen to chill Disney remixes and make your own little utopia. Now they just need to add Aladdin, and we’re good to go.
