Gifts for under $200 - Australian Gift Guide
It is that time of year again where fake trees adorn shops and homes, candles are lit and the same dozen holiday movies are placed on tv’s across the nation. But it also means presents and for a lot of folks this year, the budget is going to play a big factor in what you are looking at buying.
So, in the hopes of making things a bit easier we have opted to do our gift guides a little differently this year. Instead of picking the best of a console or the best tech, we are doing them by dollar amount. What we are hoping for with this is that if your budget is fixed, we can provide a few worthwhile options that fit under it. We will also ensure that the price is the RRP so if there is a sale, you can save more, but you won’t have to pay more.
We have three guides this year, in addition to this one we also have $50 and under and $100 and under. That should account for budgets of all sizes. One final reminder to double check prices with your retailer of choice as they may change at anytime. Here are the categories we have:
Headsets
Video Games
Computer Accessories
Controllers
Lego, Toys and More
So with that done, let us begin.
At first glance, the G321 Lightspeed headset looks like it will be another bulky gaming headset, there is a lot of material around it after all, but you would be wrong, it is light. It is so light in fact, that upon taking it out of the box, I assumed I had left something behind. The lightness does not impact the sound quality, as the larger ear cups allow for larger speakers. The headset does not have the most battery life, around 20 hours, but considering how light it is, that is a trade off I am willing to take. It does support both wireless and Bluetooth, so you can use it on multiple devices, if you want.
Turtle Beach have been on a bit of a resurgence of late, dropping the expensive price tag and instead investing in quality at affordable prices. The Stealth 600 range is up to its 3rd iteration and it shows, as they are some amazing headsets. The unique shape of the ear cups means anyone can wear them, without feeling like the tops of their ears are getting crushed. Couple that with the ability to swap between Bluetooth and Wireless with the press of a button, and insane 80 hours of battery, you end up with a headset that will keep you gaming for a long time.
For years now I have been wearing SteelSeries headsets almost exclusively, for one very important reason, they are comfy. They also deliver great sound and a good amount of battery life, which does not hurt. The Nova 3P and Nova 3X are headsets designed for modern platforms, P for PlayStation and X for Xbox, but you can use them across devices. The real benefit for these headsets is that with your mobile device, you can easily swap EQ presets, to adapt to any game you are playing from a list of over 300 game presets. This includes Call of Duty to F1, Fortnite to Elden Ring and even Microsoft Flight Simulator.
Video games
Donkey Kong Bananza
RRP: $109.95
Available on: Nintendo Switch 2
Where to buy: Amazon | EB Games | JB HiFi | The Gamesmen | Big W
It had been quite a number of years since we got a 3D Donkey Kong game, the last one did no favours, but Bananza came out swinging. DK and Pauline venture down into the core of the planet, discovering themed layers as they descend, including ice, food and even trash. The games big hook is that almost every part of each layer can be destroyed and there are secrets buried everywhere. The game supports two players, if you need that as well.
Ghost of Yotei
RRP: $124.95
Available on: PlayStation 5
Where to buy: Amazon | EB Games | JB HiFi | The Gamesmen | Big W
Sucker Punch did such a great job with Ghost of Tsushima, that they dove right back into that world and now we have Yōtei. At its core, the gameplay is mostly the same, but the story of revenge and then exploring the world is what sets it apart. Set within the area now known as Hokkaido, players will get to see vibrant landscapes and encounter rich culture and histories, as they seek to provide justice to those who murdered your family.
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds
RRP: $99.95 - $109.95
Available on: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X - Also digitally on PC and Nintendo Switch 2
Where to buy: Amazon | EB Games | JB HiFi | The Gamesmen | Big W
The Sonic Racing series had taken a few years off, but sped back this year with CrossWorlds, a game where the track you start on, may not be the one you finish on. Players get traditional cups and courses, but of course can be transported to all-new tracks in the middle of the race. A heap of post launch support is happening, including free and paid DLC, and of course it is a multiplayer title.
Doom: The Dark Ages
RRP: $119.95
Available on: Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5 - Also digitally on PC
Where to buy: EB Games | JB HiFi | The Gamesmen | Big W
The DOOM series is one of the longest running in gaming, but they don’t deliver games all that often, so when a new one arrives, people pay attention. The Dark Ages acts as a prequel to the recent DOOM and DOOM Eternal titles, so you won’t need to have played those to enjoy this one. There is a rich and gore filled campaign to enjoy, but you can also step into the Ripatorium. This is an arena where players can test their skills against hordes of enemies, or create their own challenges.
The Pebble 2 Combo comes with a mouse and keyboard, both designed to keep the Pop design going, you can also get other variants of the keyboard on their own. What is different about this is that there are a few colours and operating system versions. We are showing the black and pink, but there are also blue and grey. The black here is designed for Mac users, with the Option and Command keys front and center. The Pink is a dual OS device, having Option and Start on the one button. But you can use any device on any OS, just know the buttons may not line up. Perhaps the best part, you can pair it with 3 different devices and swap between them at any time.
While we are showing just the Fami Edition of this keyboard, there is also a NES version, a Xbox green version and a MechaBreak blue version. Much like other 8BitDo products, every key on this board can be programmed to do whatever you want it to and of course, you get a pair of giant Super Buttons, which are also programable. The typing motion on these keyboards is one of the softest I have ever experienced on a mechanical keyboard, but it still has that satisfying clank. The nice thing, the battery will give you around 200 hours of use, ensuring it can last longer than any gaming session you can throw at it.
A lot of keyboards go for everything and while the Apex 3 is not shy on features, it does keep them reigned in. Here you get all the keys you need, including a number pad, but you also get 10 zones of RBG lighting, if that is something you care about. The top right of the keyboard has the metal roller, which you can use as another button as well. The keyboard is also water resistant, so accidental drink spills won’t be a concern. If you need it, the keyboard also comes with a magnetic wrist rest, to help keep your posture correct.
Controllers
PlayStation 5 DualSense
RRP: $119.95 - $134.95
Where to buy: Amazon | EB Games | JB HiFi | The Gamesmen
It is a PlayStation 5 controller, not much to say about it beyond that. These controllers range from $119.95 for your basic colours, up to $135 for the special ones like God of War, Astro Bot or Ghost of Yōtei. The controllers that PlayStation are making this generation are more special than what they have done in the past, sure we have the usual black, white, blue and red, but now there are pearlescent colours and of course the special ones, so there is something for everyone.
BackBone Mobile Controller
RRP: $179.95 - $199.95
Where to buy: EB Games | JB HiFi | The Gamesmen | Amazon
The Backbone mobile controller is the best way for anyone who games on their mobile device, to embrace traditional controls. Now before I go any further, please be aware there is the Pro model of this, with the Xbox variant just announced, those are $300. The Backbone One is the generic option, and is the one you should be looking at. The model you will find in-stores has a USB-C port, perfect for newer phones, but if you are buying for someone with an older iPhone, you will need to find a Lightning Port option.
PDP Riffmaster Wireless Guitar Controller
RRP: $199
Where to buy: JB HiFi | The Gamesmen | Amazon | EB Games
What is this, the mid 2000s? Yes, plastic guitars have made a come back and while Rock Band 4 is supported on both PlayStation and Xbox, the main reason to rock out with one is for Fortnite Festival, which is created by the studio that made Rock Band in the first place (and also the original Guitar Hero). Normally I would say grab the one that looks the best, but they all look the same, except for the action button on them, the top one in the image here is PlayStation, the bottom is Xbox and while they both work on PC, you will not be able to use the PlayStation controller on Xbox and vice versa. The middle one, which was flipped upside for style points is for Nintendo Switch, it is not available in stores locally, but you can order one online.
Ever wanted to travel and take your favourite board games with you, then realise it was not possible to actually do that, well worry no more. The GoDice Play Family Pack gives you everything you need to play classic games anywhere, all you need is a phone or tablet and you are good to go. Each of the included dice are equipped with lights and sensors, so that they connect with your device, removing guess work and looking cool. Even cooler, 10 second on the charger will give the dice about 2 hours of play time and heck if they are flat, they are still dice you can roll.
Welcome to Emerald City, be you a young builder or a fan of the movie, you can now recreate scenes from the Wicked film, thanks to this detailed 3-storey tower toy. With 5 mini-dolls included, this fantasy toy lets kids play out Wicked friendship moments between the Fiyero, Glinda and Elphaba mini-doll figures as they browse the cosmetics shop, buy cakes or grab a drink from the bicycle coffee vendor. For more play inspiration, kids can scan the set’s hidden QR code to access unique online LEGO Wicked content. While not branded for the upcoming movie, you can still enjoy it with that new story.
Commit your own war crimes, in Lego form with Chopper. Move the lever on his back to remotely activate his iconic head movements, pose his arms and legs, fold out a tool from his chest, and more. Chopper’s arms and his center wheel are detachable so he can be displayed as if his arms and wheel have been retracted into his body. This collectible Lego Star Wars build-and-display set is complemented by a standard-size Chopper Lego droid figure, which can be placed on the stand next to the Chopper information plaque to complete an eye-catching centrepiece.
The iconic ship has several interior spaces: a crew’s cabin, kitchen, storage, and an accessory workshop. The model comes with 5 Lego One Piece minifigures. Luffy sits on the sheep figurehead at the front of the ship, below which is a cannon; Zoro relaxes and trains on the deck; Nami controls the rudder at the rear, where her favourite tangerine trees grow on the deck; Usopp climbs the masts and keeps watch from the crow's nest; and Sanji takes pots down the stairs to the kitchen. Includes 4 'Wanted' posters.
Known as B-127 on his home planet Cybertron, Bumblebee is often considered the "little brother" of the heroic Autobots. He may be small, but his courage and determination are immeasurable. Designed with Transformers fans in mind, this detailed interpretation of the iconic 1980s Autobot converts from robot to vehicle mode – without rebuilding!
LEGO DC Batman: Batman Forever Batmobile (so many trademarks) is a collectible building kit for fans of the iconic DC hero. This creative Lego DC Batman kids’ toy is a high-quality gift idea for boys and girls aged 12 and over. This authentic recreation of the iconic car from the Batman Forever film features a moulded windscreen, moving wheels, decorations and a cockpit that opens to reveal a detailed interior. The vehicle also come with a Batman minifigure with its own special stand.
Those are only some of the items we suggest for $200 and under, there are countless headsets we could have included and let us not begin with Lego.
As a reminder, Gift Cards are also viable options and you can pick up retailer specific ones at most places, or opt for either console gift cards or even generic multi-store options. Most supermarkets also stock a range of cards, so if nothing in this list appeals to you, be sure to give those a look.
