Anime News Network's Holiday 2015 Gift Guide

Games

Clannad

There are a couple factors that make this visual novel release basically the ideal otaku Christmas gift, so let's run them down:

1. Long-awaited English-language release of the visual novel most fans of the medium will tell you is the most well-regarded example of its kind
2. Unexpectedly high price (fair given the amount of work that goes into localizing something like this, but still unexpected) means many otaku likely decided not to buy right now or will wait for a sale

What this means is that you're not only giving your favorite otaku maybe the most respected and beloved visual novel of all time, you're doing it basically right after release AND springing for something he or she definitely wants but maybe couldn't justify the price tag right away. You will be a Christmas hero – just make sure your giftee has heard of it first.

Also: if you give Clannad for Christmas, you are legally required to package it together with a box of tissues. They won't get through all that dramatic tragedy without one.

Retail Price: US $49.95
Shopping Link: Steam

Undertale

Here's the OTHER perfect gift! Undertale hit the internet (especially among anime fans) like a meteor earlier this fall, and it's already the most talked-about game this side of Fallout 4. This quirky, independently-developed RPG is likely something your giftee has heard of, but maybe hasn't taken the plunge yet, and so you and your $10 and your spirit of giving are here to save the day! This is a fantastic gift or stocking stuffer for just about anyone you know who likes nerdy things, has a PC, and plays video games. You can't go wrong.

Retail Price: US $9.99
Shopping Link: Steam

Sword Art Online Lost Song

Hey, it's a Sword Art Online game! And it's out in time to give to your Sword Art Online-obsessed friends for Christmas! This one got pretty middling reviews – like most Sword Art Online games – but games like this aren't purchased for their groundbreaking gameplay, they're fun diversions for people who already love the show they're based on. Even then, this is supposed to be a pretty big step up from the previous game, with some really stunning vistas on the PS4. Which sounds like a pretty decent Christmas morning to me! It's available for both the PS4 and the Vita, so choose wisely.

Retail Price: US $59.99
Shopping Link: Amazon

Tales of Zestiria Collector's Edition

The latest Tales game – at this point, one of the most prominent JRPG franchises out there – is in stores just in time for Christmas, and although reception was a little mixed among critics, big fans of this series seem to really enjoy it, and some are calling it the strongest Tales game in a little while. There's a cool collector's edition still available, so if you really want to go all out, grab the one in the giant box with the artbook and the figures and the keychains and the DLC and the everything else you could possibly ever want.

Retail Price: US $129.99 (Collector's Edition), US $59.99 (Standard Edition)
Shopping Link: Amazon

Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward

Some say the MMO craze has faded, but anime fans have completely embraced Final Fantasy XIV, a sprawling online world with a new, well-received expansion pack that just came out. This is hands-down the most popular MMO with anime fans – just make sure that if you buy the expansion as a gift, they already have the base game (or get the version that includes the base game). Either way, if your friend or relative has a lot of time to kill and loves Final Fantasy, this is where to send ‘em.

Retail Price: US $19.99 (Base Game can be had for a similar price)
Shopping Link: Amazon

Dragon Quest Heroes Collector's Edition

Dragon Quest doesn't really get a whole lot of spotlight attention in the US, but a new game released earlier this year that might be just the thing for the Toriyama fan in your life. This is a Dynasty Warriors-style brawler with RPG elements, so be warned that it isn't a traditional Dragon Quest game, but most fans of the series should get a kick out of it anyway. The collector's edition is where it's at – check out that plush Slime. He's what everyone wants for Christmas.

Retail Price: US $129.99 (Collector's Edition) $59.99 (Standard Edition)
Shopping Link: Amazon

Danganronpa Another Episode

The Danganronpa series of wildly creative and shocking visual novels has taken hold of anime fandom like few other things have, and there's a brand new game in the series out right now. This one wasn't quite as well-received as the previous installments, but just about every single Danganronpa fan will want to run through this one, so you can't go wrong. Of course, it's a Vita game, which means you need…

Retail Price: US $39.99
Shopping Link: Amazon

PlayStation TV

The PlayStation Vita, considered by many to be a fine handheld console that Sony simply didn't support enough, has a ton of fantastic games (and, in particular, a wealth of games for otaku). The Danganronpa games alone are worth having one for, but who wants to drop $200 on a mostly-dead handheld console? The answer is the now-unbelievably-cheap PlayStation TV, which can be had for as little as $33 and gives your giftee access to just about the entire Vita library (most games are available, some require a handy workaround). It's cheap, it's cool, it's a fantastic gift.

Retail Price: US $39.99
Shopping Link: Amazon

J-Stars Victory Vs+

In some sort of bizarre miracle, this game was released in the US, in stores, even though it's chock full of characters nobody in the US has ever heard of. This is J-Stars Victory, a brawler starring just about the entire roster from Shonen Jump, including characters from One Piece, Naruto, Fist of the North Star, and JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. If the person you're shopping for likes Shonen Jump Comics AT ALL there's likely to be at least someone in here they're dying to play as.

Retail Price: US $39.99
Shopping Link: Amazon

Xenoblade Chronicles X

Here's an easy one: this is the biggest JRPG of the year and it's coming out so close to Christmas it's inside the radius where people stop buying things for themselves because they might get it for the holiday. It's the sprawling sequel to the cult hit Xenoblade Chronicles, and it's the one game a very specific subset of anime fans just can't wait to play. Now's your chance. Seize the day!

Retail Price: US $59.98
Shopping Link: Amazon

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

Are you buying gifts for someone who:

1. Plays video games?
2. Enjoys the Metal Gear Solid series?
3. Somehow hasn't already purchased this for themselves?

If the answer to any of those questions is “yes”, I just finished your shopping for you. Don't worry, it's my pleasure.

Retail Price: US $59.99
Shopping Link: Amazon

Super Mario Maker

Okay, we're gonna wrap up here with my own personal recommendation. We're at the end of this guide, so I can do that now, right? Super Mario Maker is the coolest single piece of software I've purchased in forever, the coolest new game I played this year and if the person you're shopping for has a Wii U and somehow doesn't have this already, go get the nice physical version of it. They'll love it. I loved it. It's one of the most magical and entertaining videogame experiences I think I've ever had. So there you go!

Retail Price: US $59.99
Shopping Link: Amazon