This is the last of our gift guides for the year and we hope they’ve been helpful in finding that perfect item to bring a huge smile on someone’s face when they unwrap them this holiday season.
Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater
Platforms: PC, PlayStation & Xbox | Price: $69.99
I came to the Metal Gear Solid franchise years after its original release, and MGS3 was always a weird one for me. The controls felt dated, and the systems, while ambitious, were very cumbersome and clunky. Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater takes those creative risks from the 2004 original and packages them in an updated, modernized form. The tone and story are free to shine on their own, no longer burdened by the constraints of the original PS3 release. I am so excited in 2025 that Konami has gotten back into publishing games, giving us an old yet new way to experience Metal Gear Solid. There are a lot of great games you could be spending your holiday break playing, and one of those should be Metal Gear Solid Delta. (Austin)
Like many others, the Metal Gear Solid franchise holds a special place in my heart. It taught me very early on in life that video games can be treated like high art, and it played a massive part in getting into the games industry. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater is often regarded as one of the best, if not the best, games in the series, and that’s for good reason. For starters, playing through MGS 3 is a lot like watching a classic Bond film.
It’s because the game takes place during the height of the Cold War, you’re deep behind enemy lines, and you just caught wind of a Soviet super weapon that could change the world. But it also does so much more, with an engaging gameplay loop that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat throughout the entire story. I remember staying up later than I should have as a kid playing this game and trying my best to beat The Sorrow.
It’s some of the most fun I’ve had as a kid gaming, and I’m happy to report that the remake is just as fun, if not more fun, than the original. In a lot of ways, it feels as if I’m playing the original one, and that’s largely thanks to the settings that mimic it. But being able to play it with modern-day standards is something I never thought I’d get to experience until it was announced.
If you’ve never played a Metal Gear Solid game before, this is the perfect one to jump into. That’s because, in chronological order, it’s the first one in the story, and being able to see the origin story of Big Boss is something I’ll never get sick of playing. There’s just something so special about climbing that ladder and listening to Snake Eater as you do it. (Luis)
Twenty years since the release of the original Metal Gear Solid 3, and Delta shows that maybe old dogs don’t really need to learn new tricks. Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater takes that original blueprint, and instead of completely rejiggering the whole thing, opts to slap a new coat of paint and some quality-of-life updates here and there. I’ve been pretty vocal on this site about my disdain of replaying games; there are just too many new games to play, so why spend time with an old one? Metal Gear Solid 3 is one of the few I’ve made exceptions for, and for good reason; it’s practically a perfect game, but it shows its age nowadays. Delta takes that original game and makes some much-needed improvements, like making the Cure menu appear as a pop-up whenever you’re injured or (thank you Konami) making the camo menu accessible via the d-pad with a quick selection. Long gone are the days of having to constantly pause the menu to adjust your camo for a few seconds before switching back! The visuals are another massive improvement. As you creep through the jungle, and the leaves above crawl over you, you can almost feel the humidity of the jungle coming off the screen. Konami did a great job taking that classic game and making it look absolutely gorgeous. If you’ve never played a Metal Gear game before, there’s honestly no better place to start than with this one. (Diego)
Dragon Quest 1+2 HD-2D Remake
Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Switch & Xbox | Price: $59.99
Dragon Quest 1+2 HD-2D Remake is a remake of the iconic prototype for JRPGs that literally changed the video games industry. Originally released in 1986, with the sequel releasing just one year later, Dragon Quest 1+2 HD-2D Remake takes those games at a foundational level and brings them into the modern age. Adding an entire extra story element to the first Dragon Quest, along with things like voice acting, fighting more than one enemy at a time, and even allowing for multiple difficulty options.
A lot of what makes the original Dragon Quest games so special and groundbreaking might be lost on newcomers to the series, which is why Dragon Quest 1+2 HD-2D Remake is such a fun experience. Even the inclusion of small things like the long-standing collectible mini-medals, originally introduced in Dragon Quest IV, allows Dragon Quest 1+2 HD-2D Remake to bring itself closer to its peers. Along for the ride is a fourth party member in Dragon Quest 2, rounding out the experience in a surprisingly positive way. New monsters, new spells, new cutscenes, Dragon Quest 1+2 HD-2D Remake is a great idea for both longstanding fans of the series and brand new fans interested in experiencing history in a modern and convenient way. (Nick)
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered
Platforms: PC, PlayStation & Xbox | Price: $49.99
I’ve really fond memories playing Oblivion for the first time on PS3 (I know) back in the day, as it was my first Bethesda game and one of the first RPGs where I got completely lost in its world. I remember spending hours upon hours exploring Cyrodiil before realizing there was a main questline to get to. Thankfully, its remaster takes that original skeleton and leaves most of the core experience untouched, just adding a shiny coat of new paint. While there was a certain charm to the horrifying abominations that were the original game’s character models, Oblivion Remastered is absolutely gorgeous to look at; Emperor Uriel Septim has never looked better. I immediately got into the rhythm of exploring the sewers and once free of that, headed off in a random direction seeking anything that’d catch my attention, which were various random bandits and a handful of quests I stumbled into. There’s a genuine magic to a Bethesda game, and I’m glad to see it still remains true with The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered. (Diego)
Donkey Kong Bananza for Switch 2 & DK Island & Emerald Rush DLC
Platforms: Switch | Price: $69.99
If you somehow found yourself with a Switch 2 but don’t have Donkey Kong Bananza, stop right now and go get it. This is the best game you can play on Switch 2 right now. The destructible environments are endlessly entertaining, and each biome keeps drip-feeding collectables in a way that feels so rewarding you won’t even realize it’s a collect-a-thon. The story is silly yet charming, and the art direction takes the Donkey Kong franchise in a new direction while simultaneously returning to its roots.
Once you dig your way through the entirety of the main game, you’re gonna want to check out the DK Island & Emerald Rush DLC. It adds just enough of a tweak to the core gameplay, then smashes it into a roguelike package for endless replayability. Seriously, I think this is Nintendo’s first venture into a roguelike mode in a game, and I hope they keep adding them. (Austin)
Capcom Fighting Collection 2
Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Switch & Xbox | Price: $39.99
Do you know a fighting game fan in your life? Or perhaps someone very concerned with game preservation and experiences lost to time? Capcom is known for its remakes and rereleases, and in recent times, it’s been on quite a roll. What I’d argue is that a feather in Capcom’s cap in this area is Capcom’s Fighting Collection series of games. While there are three so far (Capcom Fighting Collection, Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics, Capcom Fighting Collection 2), I’d like to focus on the latest, Capcom Fighting Collection 2. While most fans would internally scream “IT’S MAHVEL BAY-BEE” at the mere mention of Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics, Capcom Fighting Collection 2 shouldn’t be cast aside.
I actually did a full review of the game, or should I say games: the Collection contains seven games, all but a couple of exceptions are stone-cold classics. I know how rote this phrase is, but they really don’t make ‘em like this anymore. If I were to sell you on this Collection in an elevator pitch, I’d say it’s so much game for your buck. Though Capcom has not picked the best version of all these games to include in this collection, as in the previous Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics, they did the unthinkable: they updated the Collection. In the Marvel collection, a couple of tweaks and features that were highly requested were added, and it’s a similar case for Capcom Fighting Collection 2. For instance, Street Fighter Alpha 3 Upper is not the preferred game in the series, nor is it the most recent version of Street Fighter Alpha 3. Though some options were available at launch, the most important thing people would be looking for in the games they have nostalgia for is the characters. By the time Street Fighter Alpha 3 hit the PSP in its “Max” version, it had one of the largest rosters, including Ingrid. While these extra characters weren’t present at the initial launch of Capcom Fighting Collection 2, Capcom released a patch to add them, and with rollback netcode, this is one of the strongest fighting games released this year.
Capcom Fighting Collection 2 is a miracle not just in its existence, but also in Capcom’s continued commitment to bringing out all the stops for some of its lesser-known and forgotten franchises, rather than just expecting fans to buy it through rose-tinted glasses. There is one last factor that makes this a great gift and release from Capcom: what this does for game preservation. Only recently have we seen efforts from museums, game companies, and other organizations not just to sell video games, but to tell their stories. I can only hope other developers and publishers follow suit. (Branford)
BRAVELY DEFAULT FLYING FAIRY HD Remaster
Platforms: Switch | Price: $39.99
Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster is quite the upgrade from the original 3DS version. The remaster adds a ton of quality-of-life features, both originally included in Bravely Second, like recommended character levels for dungeons and seeing future abilities for jobs not yet reached, as well as new QoL features like an auto-battle system and fast forward up to 4x. All of these things just make playing one of the best RPGs on the Nintendo 3DS even more enjoyable on the Nintendo Switch 2. The game runs at buttery-smooth 60 fps, even in handheld mode.
The battle system remains an incredible foundational experience, and the story remains unchanged. The online functionality has been completely reworked due to the absence of StreetPass on the Switch 2; however, the rebuilding of Norende remains the same. You’re still able to ablink with your friends, summon friends into battle, and assign workers to help rebuild Norende. Likewise, there’s been the addition of two new minigames that use the Nintendo Switch 2’s mouse controls, allowing the player to acquire tokens to exchange for items and costumes. Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster is an excellent choice for any turn-based RPG fan or fan of Final Fantasy games. (Nick)
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle + DLC
Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Switch & Xbox | Price: $69.99
It’s absolutely incredible just how much Indiana Jones and the Great Circle nails the character, tone, and adventure of Indiana Jones – more than even the two most recent movies. Whipping Nazis, evading dangerous traps, and solving clever puzzles make for an experience that anyone with even the slightest appreciation for the films and titular character will absolutely love. I constantly found little trinkets and notes that further filled out the game’s world in a way that felt perfectly suited to the films, while searching for relics and antiquities, all while brandishing Indy’s iconic bullwhip, put you in the adventurer’s well-worn shoes pretty much flawlessly.
MachineGames certainly nailed it here, and with the Order of the Giants DLC now available, there’s never been a better time to go on this globe-trotting adventure as the most iconic archaeologist around. (Spencer)
My first go at this game ended with me groggily realizing it was 2 am and that I had somehow been playing for seven hours straight; it’s safe to say Indiana Jones and the Great Circle got its hooks into me. MachineGames, known primarily for fast action shooters, took a big swing on this, and it paid off because getting to explore various areas, solving mysteries while beating up nazis is just such a blast. All I can think about is getting back into that game to play some more. As someone who grew up obsessed with those three original films, MachineGames really nailed what makes Indy work, and Troy Baker is a little too scarily good at portraying a young Harrison Ford. Setting the Order of Giants DLC in the underground Roman catacombs, where a cult is operating, is such a great idea for an Indiana Jones story, with some great puzzles and fights. It’s my first time playing the base game as well, and I was equally as hooked exploring the Vatican, looking for tucked-away puzzles or cats to snap photos of, it’s just an overall stellar package, and any fan of the series owes it to themselves to check this out. (Diego)
Absolum
Platforms: PC, PlayStation & Switch | Price: $24.99
Many holidays, some even in this season, center on the birth of an important figure. If a religious birthing experience is what you’re looking for this holiday, over and over again, Absolum is just the game for you. Absolum has all the hits: there’s a religion, magic that was overused, a fascist empire, and the fact that you can’t die. That’s right, getting backstabbed by a goblin is only a temporary inconvenience for you, as the Root Sisters, one of which is your Mother, will revive you each and every time. It gets very confusing, as any good religious text does, and considering unfettered magic almost destroyed the world, whose right or wrong will be up to you to decide as you play as four distinct classes of different species in this roguelite experience.
Whether you’re looking to relive Dungeons & Dragons: Shadow over Mystara or know someone who loved Guard Crush Games’ excellent Streets of Rage 4, this is just the game to grab. With moves and features that you might mistake for being in a fighting game, including a massive combo counter, and online and shared co-op, it’d be a mistake not to find someone to join you in singing Mother’s praises. (Branford)
