At the end of the holiday season you might find yourself giftcard rich. Target, Amazon, and other retailer IOUs are sitting in our wallets and online accounts just waiting to checkout. If you don’t know what to do with that gift card balance, check out a few ideas you might not have considered.
Spider-Man Miles Morales: Wings of Fury (Titan Books)
Based in the world of arguably one of the best video games 2020 has to offer Spider-Man: Wings of Fury is the prequel novel that expands on ideas hinted at in the game. Published by Titan Books, this prequel novel tells the story of how Miles’s best friend learns his web-swinging secret and puts the new Spider-Man in his first major test against the Vulture and his new apprentice. While it fills in a few gaps, the book also expands on what sets Miles Morales apart from Peter Parker. Readers will get a look at the struggles that happen when the mask is off. It’s a powerful lesson that feels right to be told in 2020. You can find Spider-Man Miles Morales: Wings of Fury at most bookstores or on Amazon.
X-Men: The Art and Making of The Animated Series
One of the best documentaries of 2020 wasn’t on Netflix or in theaters. X-Men: The Art and Making of The Animated Series tells the complete story of Marvel’s struggles in animation and how an unlikely pair of animators brought mutants to FOX Kids Saturday mornings in the 90’s. Packed with over 150 pages of behind the scenes art and stories behind every episode, fans of the beloved cartoon will learn things they never knew about their favorite mutants. If you pick this up, don’t settle for a digital version get the gorgeous hardcover edition.
Dungeons & Dragons Forgotten Realms Drizzt & Guenhwyvar (Hasbro Pulse Exclusive)
Fans and collectors can finally add one of the most popular and recognizable Dungeons & Dragons characters to their action figure collections with the Drizzt Do’Urden figure
2 figures, 10 accessories, 6 cards, and Icewind Dale die.
· A drow from the Underdark city of Menzoberranzan, the third son of Matron Mother Malice of House Do’Urden — born on the eve of battle
· The highly poseable, fully articulated Drizzt and Guenhwyvar 6-inch-scale figures feature premium deco, inspired by the Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance video game
· This Drizzt action figure comes with 10 character-inspired accessories, including 2 swords — Icingdeath and Twinkle — and the Figurine of Wondrous Power
· This Hasbro Pulse exclusive action figure 2-pack features custom artwork created by the talented comic book and concept artist Max Dunbar
· This Dungeons & Dragons Forgotten Realms Drizzt & Guenhwyvar action figure set is available exclusively through Hasbro Pulse, and comes with 6 cards and an oversized Icewind Dale d20.
PlayStation PULSE 3D Wireless Headphones (Sony)
If you’re lucky enough to have your hands on the PlayStation 5 with Dualsense controller, you’re still not taking full advantage of the latest tech. Not only will you need a 4K Television set for the best visual possible but you’ll also need Sony’s Pulse 3D Headset to get the full range of audio offered by the system. If you’ve ever seen a move in a Dolby Atmos theater then you have an idea of what 3D audio is. As you see the game on screen elements of the sound design follow the action with pinpoint precision. If you don’t have the Pulse headset you’re only getting 3/4’s of the PlayStation 5 experience.
Disney Jungle Cruise Adventure Game (Ravensburger Games)
If you want a simple strategy game anyone can pick up then Ravensburger’s take on the iconic Disney ride might be what you’re looking for. Players transport a boatload of cargo and passengers down the river to Jungle Navigation Company Headquarters. There, company president Alberta Falls will appoint one family of passengers as temporary caretakers—and your new bosses—while she goes on a much-needed sabbatical. Be prepared to lose passengers and cargo to dangers hidden in the jungle, but don’t worry—you’ll find more along the way. Find clues along the river to see which family Alberta has chosen. Transport the most valuable boatload of cargo and passengers to Headquarters to win. It’s a game with enough elements to be fun yet not get lost in rules and minutia. Ravensburger has put out some winners in 2020 but Jungle Cruise Adventure Game is its most universal offering.
