Alas, the holiday season is soon upon us. While that’s usually a good thing for students, it’s a rough time for anyone working in retail, and a stern reminder to all that 2018 is quickly drawing to a close. It’s not all bad, of course: holidays mean gift-giving, and it’s one of the most important times of the year for gamers. Sure, you wouldn’t normally go out and splurge on a PS4 Pro or a new graphics card for your gaming PC, but, hey, ‘tis the season!
That may not exactly be a healthy way to manage your finances, but the fact of the matter is that, with Black Friday here and Christmas not too far off, it’s time to scour the internet to see what you want Santa to bring you… or what’s cheap enough fit the office secret Santa budget this year. Yes, thank you for the cat-ear headphones, Susan. They are adorable, if not a little demeaning.
That said, savvy shoppers will really have to keep an eye out during this season, as inexpensive, quality video game-related gadgets are often few and far between. That’s not to say that you won’t be able to get your hands on some great gear, but the era of third-party peripherals seems to slowly be coming to an end. Yet, for those unwilling to shell out $800 for a brand new VR headset, don’t fret, we’re here to warn about 19 video game gadgets that are a waste of money (and 11 that are worth splurging for).
30 Waste Of Money: Nintendo Labo
We’re not quite sure what Nintendo was thinking when they unveiled the Labo in July of 2018. They may have been eager to re-attract the interest of young kids following the disaster that was the Wii U, but the price tag for most of these so-called DIY kits was more than most parents were likely willing to spend on cardboard. Sure, users could make their Switch do all sorts of cool things, and cardboard pianos and fishing rods are cool for a moment. Yet, the product just doesn’t justify the price tag, and there’ a huge risk of a spilled drink or careless kid totally ruining the thing.
29 Waste Of Money: Xbox One Remote
Is Microsoft still desperately trying to market the Xbox One as an all-in-one media device? That scheme didn’t win anyone over in 2013, and it certainly isn’t going to now. This $25 backlit remote is supposed to allow for seamless navigation of the Xbox dashboard and is likely intended for consumers who aren’t all that familiar with video game consoles. If only Microsoft had bundled some sort of controller device alongside the console.
Unfortunately, it seems like we may be years away from some technology, so the Xbox One Remote will have to do for now. That’s some major sarcasm, by the way. Microsoft, just… why?
28 Worth Getting: PSVR
When modern VR headsets first hit the scene sometime around late 2014, they seemed to many like an expensive gimmick destined to fade. Sure, companies like Sony and Facebook seemed interested at the time, but the technology was prohibitively expensive, and a lack of available games didn’t make it seem like a great investment in the first place.
That said, in October 2016, Sony shocked the world with its surprisingly well-done virtual reality technology. It may not perform quite as well as some of its competitors—especially on standard PS4 hardware—but it’s a great buy for newcomers looking for an inexpensive start to their virtual reality journeys.
27 Waste Of Money: Steam Controller
Valve really tried to turn their Steam Machine dream into a reality. Yet, try as they might, PC players just wouldn’t bite. They seem to have failed to understand that the entertainment center real-estate market has already been cornered by video game consoles, and that a vast majority of PC players aren’t ready to console-ize their beloved battlestations.
The Steam Controller offers tons of customizable options and really can be retrofitted to work with any game, but it came with such a steep learning curve that nobody was willing to put up with the thing.
Just try playing CS:GO with this thing—I dare you. If you plan on playing PC games with a controller, odds are you have something lying around which will plug in and play more efficiently than Valve’s weird touchpad controller.
26 Waste Of Money: Nintendo Switch Joy-Con Wheel
Mario Kart Wii was a huge success when it released in April of 2008 and made popular the notion of cramming Wiimotes into plastic peripherals to simulate driving, golfing, boxing, or anything else. Nintendo seems to have made an attempt to recapture that magic with the release of the Nintendo Switch Joy-Con Wheel in conjunction with Mario Kart 8.
Now, Mario Kart 8 is an absolutely tremendous entry into the long-running cart racing series, but it’s definitely made worse by this circular piece of plastic. While the Wii’s wheel was novel, this thing is much too small and difficult to use. You’re almost certainly at a disadvantage with this thing in your hands.
25 Worth Getting: Hyperkin SmartBoy
Hyperkin is known for making some pretty hit-or-miss products, and they’re relatively infamous for their Retron series of clone consoles. That said, they certainly aren’t incapable of delivering some great video game themed products. One such accessory is the Hyperkin SmartBoy, a phone addon which you didn’t know you needed until now.
Modeled to look and feel like an original 1989 Nintendo Game Boy, the SmartBoy plugs into your phone and essentially transforms it into a high-res, backlit GameBoy player. The best part is that it dumps roms from actual Game Boy cartridges, so you once again have a use for your collection of ancient handheld Nintendo games.
It only works with the Samsung Galaxy S8, though, so buyer beware.
24 Waste Of Money: Kinect for Xbox One
There’s hardly anyone left who would be willing to defend Microsoft’s Kinect. First released for the Xbox 360 back in 2010, the Kinect wasn’t nearly accurate enough to pull off anything other than the most casual gaming experiences. That said, the powers that be over at Microsoft thought it would be a great idea to forcefully bundle this with the Xbox One when the product launched.
They eventually backed down, and unwanted, used Kinect devices can now be purchased at a major discount. However, at this point, nobody is supporting the thing, and, unless you want to explore the relatively meager selection of Kinect-accessible games in the Xbox One library, this thing is better left forgotten.
23 Waste Of Money: NES Classic
With an asking price of just $60, it’s hard to beat the NES Classic. It’s a stylish little novelty which offers up a great variety of must-have original NES games without requiring an actual console. Retro gaming has taken off over the past couple of years, and these things seem to have released at the right time. That said, Nintendo instated a ridiculous market rarity by refusing to manufacture more than a small number of these throwback consoles when they were first launched. They’ve since amended these issues with a re-release earlier this year, but the offense had already been levied against consumers.
What’s more, the NES Classic is little more than a glorified emulator, a function even the most basic laptops and smartphones can pull off. This retro-rewind should only be purchased by collectors or hardcore Nintendo fans.
22 Worth Getting: PowerA Wireless Nintendo GameCube Controller for Nintendo Switch
This may seem a little ridiculous at first, but, in the spirit of rejuvenating old consoles, what better way could there be to relive the days of the sixth console generation than by playing the Switch with Nintendo GameCube controllers? These purple, oversized gamepads remain the de facto way to play Super Smash Brothers, and tons of Nintendo fans still believe this to be the best controller the company has ever released.
It hasn’t exactly aged all that well, and it isn’t really suited to the dual-stick-centric games of today, but, if nothing else, it’s good for a fun trip down memory lane.
21 Waste Of Money: Razer Wildcat eSports Premium Controller
Razer is pretty famous for their mid to top-tier PC gaming peripherals, and they manufacture some of the best keyboards and mice on the market. Insanely customizable and available in quite literally every shade of the RBG rainbow, just about every PC player should be familiar with this company. That said, most fans of their products were left scratching their heads when they unveiled their “premium” eSports controller. Now, the terms ‘eSports” and “controller” go together about as well as the terms “trackpad” and “MOBA,” but that’s neither here nor there.
The fact is that Razer is charging $200 for what is essentially a third-party Xbox 360 controller with a few added bells and whistles. It’s just a controller, people, let’s not go crazy.
20 Waste Of Money: PokéBall Plus
Pokémon: Let’s Go Pikachu and Let’s Go Eevee seem to be the most controversial games in franchise history: while major gaming outlets seem to have nothing but praise for it over on Metacritic, most fans seem to think of it as a derivative, watered-down version of a 20+-year-old Game Boy game. Yet, for those who love these new pseudo-remakes as much as they loved Pokémon Go, the PokéBall Plus is here to further enhance the experience.
Unfortunately, this weird little peripheral acts as nothing more than a dumbed-down motion controller with an analog stick strapped to it. There’s very little reason to own one of these things, and, at $50, it’s a colossal waste of money.
19 Worth Getting: Xbox One Elite Controller
The Xbox One Elite Controller was something of a joke when it first launched back in 2015. Retailing for $150, it cost more than most people were willing to spend on controllers and was somewhat consigned to none but the absolute Microsoft faithful. What’s more, durability issues have plagued the peripheral and further ruined its reputation.
That said, it's one heck of a controller, and as a luxury item (or gift), they are hard not to enjoy. Sure, it's not for everyone, but it's a cool thing for a gamer to own.
18 Waste Of Money: PDP Official Nintendo Switch Screen Protector
Screen protectors have always been a bit of a gamble: yes, you can dramatically decrease your chances of dropping and smashing your precious device, but are you really willing to put up with all those bubbles and peeled edges? These issues are particularly prudent when it comes to the Nintendo Switch, as PDP’s official Nintendo Switch screen protector is notoriously bad. This is a real problem, as the Switch’s portable nature leaves it prone to all kinds of scuffs and scratches.
The console’s own docking station has been known to scrape the screen from time to time, so it’s disappointing to hear that Nintendo’s officially-licensed screen protection solution isn’t all that reliable.
17 Waste Of Money: Hyperkin Xbox One Duke Controller
Though Microsoft’s original Xbox console was a success which poised the company for market domination during the seventh console generation, it wasn’t without its hiccups. One major flaw was the controller the console shipped with when it was first released: dubbed “The Duke” thanks to its size, this thing was so massive and unwieldy that Microsoft eventually had to design a second controller for the system.
Very few people liked this thing, so it seems odd that Hyperkin would have the audacity to replicate them and release them for the Xbox One. There’s no need to make an already middling console worse via this third-party monstrosity.
16 Worth Getting: Atari Retro Handheld Console
Atari may have a fledgling comeback console in the works, but, for those who just can’t wait to see what they’re cooking up, there’s the Atari Retro Handheld. Made to look like the original Atari 2600—wood grain and all—this little portable platform is a modernized take on the system all 80s gamers grew up with. It comes packed with fifty classic Atari games like Missile Command and Centipede and is the perfect device to have on hand when you’re looking to waste a couple of minutes.
It won’t appeal to absolutely everyone, but it will definitely be a worthy investment for Atari fans.
15 Waste of Money: Turtle Beach Elite Pro 2
Remember the days when multiplayer shooters like Modern Warfare 2 and Battlefield 3 held sway over the gaming populace and every single YouTuber was attributing their skills to their $200 Turtle Beach headsets? Well, we don’t quite live in those times anymore, and Turtle Beach isn’t the only option when it comes to high-quality audio solutions.
Consumers can easily get something of equal quality to the Turtle Beach Elite Pro 2 without buckling under the $250 asking price. Much cheaper headphones can easily give you a leg up on the competition, and the Elite Pro 2 should really only be considered by those dedicated to the brand.
14 Waste Of Money: Neo Geo Mini
It seems that just about every moderately-successful retro console is getting some sort of remake these days, and the Neo Geo—a console which flopped thanks to its ridiculous price tag—is no exception. The Neo Geo Mini is meant to replicate the much larger stand-up arcade cabinets from back in the day, though this miniaturized version is perhaps a bit too small.
It can more or less be held in the palm of your hand, and crowding your fingers around the small control panel isn’t all that pleasant. It comes with a total of forty games, but it’s tough to imagine squinting at the system’s tiny screen for the entirety of an entire campaign. Plus, in keeping with the original console, it’s a little pricey at $100.
13 Worth Getting: Commodore 64 Mini
The Commodore 64 Mini does admittedly sound like a satirical jab at all of the plug-n-play retro console revivals we’ve been treated to recently. In reality, it’s a totally serious product aimed at capturing the hearts of those unfortunate souls unlucky enough to grow up with naught but a C-64 to game on.
Commodore’s successful mid 80’s home computer still has a small yet dedicated fanbase today, and what better way to experience some of the system’s classic titles than in 720p HD resolution? Plus, these games are notoriously difficult to get running on hardware both old and new, so this new console makes some of these games more accessible than they have ever been.
12 Waste Of Money: Nvidia Shield TV
Micro-consoles seemed like a pretty cool concept back in 2013, but, as time wore on, consumers realized that there really wasn’t much of a reason to keep a box running Android firmware beneath their living room TVs. Nvidia Shield TV is admittedly a huge upgrade from something like the OUYA, but that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily worth owning.
The console’s main draw is that it allows users to stream almost any game via either Nvidia GeForce Now or GameStream, and it can also handle 4K media streaming. That said, at around $150, it’s a bit pricey and too heavily reliant on other subscription-based services. We may be headed toward an all-digital future, but, at the moment, this won’t be anyone’s preferred way to play games.
11 Waste Of Money: Retro-Bit Super Retro Trio Plus
Another attempt at re-invigorating past consoles, Retro-Bit’s Super Retro Trio Plus is a throwback console capable of playing real NES, SNES, and Sega Genesis cartridges and is in direct competition with something like Hyperkin’s Retron 3. Unfortunately, the Retro-Bit Super Trio Plus is held back by a few too many issues to justify the $100+ price tag. The emulation, while accurate, is muddled and slow at times, and the HD output is nowhere near as clear as what consumers would get on something like an NES or SNES Mini console.
All in all, it’s alright, but there are better ways of playing classic game cartridges out there.