Sponsored Content

Get geared up for gaming this holiday season

Get geared up for gaming this holiday season
View 1 Image
1/1

The holidays are fast approaching and with that comes the prospect of some well earned downtime, or should we say well earned gaming time. It's no coincidence that the two biggest names in console gaming have just released their latest hardware, and both the Xbox One and PS4 are now available to buy at Best Buy. Read on for a look at these consoles and other top gaming gift ideas.

PlayStation 4 Console

The long-awaited PlayStation 4 is now in the wild, bringing with it 10 times the processing power of its predecessor, the PS3. The PS4 packs 8GB of GDDR5 RAM, a 500GB hard disk drive and a single-chip custom processor that integrates an octa-core AMD Jaguar CPU and an AMD Radeon GPU. On the multimedia side of the equation, the console sports an in-built web browser, 2 x USB 3.0 ports and HDMI output in addition to the BD/DVD Drive and the ability to stream content from the likes of Netflix and Hulu Plus. Outside of the box itself, perhaps the most interesting new trick in Sony's bag is the DualShock 4 wireless controller which features a multitouch touchpad designed to open up new gameplay possibilities, an in-built speaker and 3.5mm jack for your headset, baked-in motion sensing and a new "Share" button to ensure your friends are well aware of your latest gaming triumphs.

Xbox One Console

One million Xbox One's were sold in its first 24 hours on sale, and Microsoft has certainly gone all out to make its all-in-one gaming and media center an attractive proposition to holiday shoppers. The Xbox One packs 500GB of onboard storage, an 8-core processing unit, 8 GB DDR3 RAM, a Blu-ray drive and 3 x USB 3.0 ports. The console comes bundled with the new, more accurate Kinect motion sensor with to voice control and the handheld wireless controller has been redesigned for enhanced grip and faster response time, as well as receiving a haptic feedback boost by virtue of additional rumble motors. On the media front, TV integration is added to the ability to stream content and browse the web and you can easily switch between feeds or multitask using split-screen functionality.

Nintendo 2DS

Nintendo has ditched the clamshell form factor and provided budget conscious shoppers with a way to enjoy some of its most popular games with the release of the 2DS. Featuring two displays, the Nintendo 2DS is compatible with the extensive library of over 2,100 DS and 3DS games (without the 3D, of course), including favorites such as Animal Crossing: New Leaf, New Super Mario Bros. 2, Mario Kart 7, and The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds.

Call of Duty: Ghosts

Call of Duty: Ghosts is the latest instalment in the Call of Duty series with a single player campaign that sees a force of U.S. Special Operations personnel – or "Ghosts" – put to the test in an alternate timeline following the nuclear destruction of the Middle East. The series has always prided itself on adrenalin-packed set pieces and challenging multiplayer, and the latest installment is sure to be no different with developers Infinity Ward delivering a new next-gen engine and a host of new multiplayer game modes.

Disney INFINITY Starter Packs

It wasn't so long ago that interacting with your favourite Disney character meant making the trip to that famous theme park in Anaheim. Those days are long gone, and Disney's INFINITY Starter Packs makes it possible to mix with Mr. Incredible, Captain Jack Sparrow or Wreck-It Ralph from the comfort living room. Available on Wii U, Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and PC platforms, the Starter Pack merges movies and video games in interactive worlds called pPlay sets that are brimming with of challenges and adventures. The Starter Pack includes three character figures, three Play Sets, a Power Disc and a set of unique Web codes.

This post is brought to you by Best Buy.