Anime News Network's Holiday 2016 Gift Guide

Games

Attack on Titan

Attack on Titan is one of the biggest anime phenomenons of recent years, and it's surprising that it's taken this long to get a full-featured adaptation on a home console. But this game from the Dynasty Warriors people at Koei Tecmo makes up for lost time with a dynamic gameplay system that brings to life humanity's last, desperate struggle, letting you swing through the air and reign murder upon the monstrous Titans. It transcends the lackluster gameplay of many licensed titles with a smart adaptation of the show's action scenes, making it perfect for any fan of the anime.

Platform: PlayStation 4 / Xbox One / PC

Retail Price: US $59.99

Shopping Link: Amazon / Steam

Stardew Valley

If the otaku in your life is an old-school Harvest Moon fan, then there's no better way to celebrate your holiday of choice than with the gift of Stardew Valley. The indie darling came out of years of loving craft from its one-man developer, and is the best rendition of the farming RPG formula since Friends of Mineral Town. With tons of content, frequent updates, and a lively modding community, this is the perfect gift for anyone who dreams of the quiet life.

Platform: PC

Retail Price: US $14.99

Shopping Link: Steam

Final Fantasy XV

We're just a day away from the release of this blockbuster, and it's promising to be a tremendous follow-up to one of the most venerable franchises in Japanese gaming. With a brand-new cast of characters, an epic adventure, amazing visuals, and darn nice car, this promises to be the biggest release on the gaming calendar. Be the hero this holiday, and pair your favorite otaku with prince Noctis for a tremendous journey.

Platform: PlayStation 4 / Xbox One

Retail Price: US $59.99

Shopping Link: Amazon

World of Final Fantasy

If the Final Fantasy fan you're shopping for already has a line on the new main series installment, then perhaps you should consider giving the gift of its endlessly charming little cousin, World of Final Fantasy. With a wonderful combat system that hearkens back to old-school JRPGs and an endless list of cameos from franchise favorites, it's the perfect choice for any long-time gamer. Whether they have fond memories of Cloud, Tidus, Magitech Armor, or the Warrior of Light, they'll find a lot of fun here.

Platform: PlayStation 4 / PlayStation Vita

Retail Price: US $59.99

Shopping Link: Amazon

Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 Collector's Edition

It's a tale as old as time—or at least as old as English-translated anime. Yes, Dragon Ball is still going strong, and the Collector's Edition of this latest Xenoverse title will have your giftee going Super Saiyan in no time. With the Time Patroller's Guide, a soundtrack CD, and a 12-inch Saiyan Goku figure, it's a terrific deluxe package. That's to say nothing of the game itself, which sees you creating your own character from a series of Toriyama-approved parts and setting out on an original adventure.

Platform: PlayStation 4 / Xbox One

Retail Price: US $149.99 (Collector's Edition) / $59.99 (Standard Edition)

Shopping Link: Amazon

Overwatch

The heroes of Overwatch have taken the world by storm, and it's with good reason—this is one of the most finely crafted online action games ever created. The colorful cast of lovable comic characters are the veneer over a tightly-balanced, fast-paced shooter that rewards teamwork and strategy over headshots and kill counts. There's a very good chance you already play it. If you need to fill out your team, what better way than with a little holiday generosity? Your giftees get one of the year's best games, and you get to stop matchmaking with randos. It's a win all around!

Platform: PlayStation 4 / Xbox One / PC

Retail Price: US $59.99

Shopping Link: Amazon

Senran Kagura: Estival Versus - Endless Summer Edition

If the otaku in your life lives for fanservice but you haven't quite reached the “shopping for body pillows” stage of your relationship, then you can't go wrong with the buxom cast of Senran Kagura. While there's been no shortage of titillating game releases this year, Estival Versus is the title that best supports that crassness and lewdity with solid gameplay, so that when the novelty of the lovely female cast wears off you're still left with an entertaining brawler. The Endless Summer Edition includes a soundtrack CD, art book, and a random selection of “pin-up cards.”

Platform: PlayStation 4 / PlayStation Vita

Retail Price: US $39.99

Shopping Link: Amazon

BlazBlue: Central Fiction Limited Edition

If there's a fighting game fan on your shopping list, you can do far worse than the gift of the technical, intricate battles of BlazBlue. Central Fiction is the most refined version of the game yet, with more than 30 playable fighters and new mechanics to add even more nuance to the action. The Limited Edition also adds a soundtrack CD, art book, and Nendoroid figure of Noel Vermillion. The perfect package for your most competitive of otaku.

Platform: PlayStation 4 / PlayStation 3

Retail Price: US $89.99 (Limited Edition) / $59.99 (Standard Edition)

Shopping Link: Amazon

Nitroplus Blasterz: Heroines Infinite Duel

If you're looking for an anime fighter that won't break the bank this year, then look no further than Nitroplus Blasterz. This all-female fighting game pulls in characters from as diverse properties as Fate/stay night, Senran Kagura, and Psycho-Pass, leading them into all-out battle against each other in a surprisingly deep, satisfying combat system. It's certainly the most surprisingly good brawler of 2016, and will make an excellent addition to fighting fan's collection.

Platform: PlayStation 4

Retail Price: US $19.99

Shopping Link: Amazon

Pokémon Sun and Moon

Not every battle is between angry combatants—sometimes it's between adorable little animals. Pokémon Sun and Moon once again challenge players to be the very best (like no one ever was), but thanks to the immense wave of nostalgia Pokémon Go hit the world with, pocket monsters are hotter than they have been in years. This is also the best rendition of the game we've had in years, with some big formula shake-ups that help to reinvigorate the venerable RPG. There's never been a better time to set your giftee on the path of the Pokémon trainer.

Platform: Nintendo 3DS

Retail Price: US $39.99

Shopping Link: Amazon

Psycho-Pass: Mandatory Happiness Limited Edition

The dark cyberpunk world of Pyscho-Pass can come from the holidays with this special edition of the visual novel spin-off. You can choose between multiple playable characters as you join forces with the show's cast of Enforcers and Inspectors to end the manipulative plans of a rogue AI. It's a short but compelling story, with a wide array of branching paths and obtainable endings. The Limited Edition will bring along all sorts of collectible goodies, from the requisite art book and soundtrack to a microfiber cloth and trio of pencil boards. Pencil boards! Platform: PlayStation 4 / PlayStation Vita

Retail Price: US $69.99 (Limited Edition) / $49.99 (Standard Edition)

Shopping Link: Amazon

Titanfall 2 - Vanguard Collector's Edition

“The latest shooter from the creators of Call of Duty” might not sound like the most otaku-friendly of gift choices, but that's before you mention the giant robots. Of course, anyone can appreciate that fast-paced, futuristic gunplay and jetpack slash grappling hook powered movement options both in online multiplayer and a fully-featured single-player campaign. In a year full of excellent shooting games this one still manages to stand out, and it's an excellent choice for mecha lovers everywhere. The Vanguard Collector's Edition is a pricey but fantastic upgrade, with a 1:1 scale replica helmet, dog tag flash drive, and all the accessories your lucky giftee will need to finish out their future soldier cosplay.

Platform: PlayStation 4 / Xbox One

Retail Price: US $249.99 (Vanguard Collector's Edition) / $59.99 (Standard Edition)

Shopping Link: Amazon

Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE

If there's a Nintendo fan on your list this year, there's a pretty good chance they're clinging desperately to their Wii U, holding out for a bit more life from the doomed system before the next home console hits the market. Help them send out the little system that almost could with Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE, an RPG which takes the deep gameplay systems and modern-day setting of the Shin Megami Tensei games and adds appearances from classic Fire Emblem characters as Mirages to be summoned in battle. It's not quite a real crossover between the franchises, feeling more like a lost Persona game—and that's certainly no slight for JRPG fans. Platform: Wii U

Retail Price: US $59.99

Shopping Link: Amazon

God Eater 2: Rage Burst

What do you get for the Monster Hunter fan who has everything? A game that's not Monster Hunter at all! (Except it totally is.) God Eater differentiates itself from its inspirations by offering a far more fast-paced, immediate combat system that owes as much to Devil May Cry as hunting games. It offers dozens of hours of beast-battling goodness, and if you can grab a (still available) copy of the Day One Edition, it even includes a digital copy of God Eater: Resurrection. That is a lot of god eating goodness.

Platform: PlayStation 4 / PlayStation Vita

Retail Price: US $59.99

Shopping Link: Amazon

Dragon Quest Builders

This Minecraft-inspired Dragon Quest spin-off was one of the most pleasant surprises of the gaming year, offering sandbox gameplay filtered through the lens of a story-driven RPG. That story hearkens back to the very start of the series, challenging you to rebuild a fallen kingdom and teach the language of construction to a land that's forgotten it. Hardcore Dragon Quest fans might be put off by its non-traditional gameplay, but Builders will be loved by anyone willing to give it a shot.

Platform: PlayStation 4

Retail Price: US $59.99

Shopping Link: Amazon

PlayStation VR

PlayStation VR is one of the coolest applications of technology we've seen in a very long time. It costs as much as a new console, but it's still the most affordable VR headset on the market. It's also got one of the stronger lineups of VR games, with Rez Infinite, Thumper, Until Dawn: Rush of Blood, Battlezone, and Batman: Arkham VR all making excellent arguments for virtual reality. Seeing is believing, and giving someone the chance to see the new world of gaming first-hand will put you firmly into holiday hero territory.

Platform: PlayStation 4

Retail Price: US $399.99

Shopping Link: Amazon

The Last Guardian

One of the most anticipated games of the past decade, it almost feels like a holiday miracle that the Last Guardian is coming out at all. A new magical journey from the makers of Ico and Shadow of the Colossus, it puts players in control of a boy in the company of a young griffon, with the pair working together on a journey through a treacherous tower with unknown dangers. This is a late release—not out until December—but it's a story about friendship and trust, and that's just perfect for some holiday gift giving.

Platform: PlayStation 4

Retail Price: US $59.99

Shopping Link: Amazon