Playstation Present ideas

If you need inspiration for present ideas then you cannot go wrong with Playstation. They have something for all ages, budgets and abilities.  We have had many Playstation products and never had them go wrong or been disappointed in them. My oldest son had his first Playstation when he was 3 years old (1999): I remember he used to love playing Crash Bandicoot over and over again. We then upgraded to a Playstation 2 in 2000; we purchased a Playstation Portable for our son in 2005; then in 2008 we decided that the Playstation 3 was the best way to watch Blue Rays as well as the advance in graphics; and finally Christmas 2013 the boys had a Playstation 4. Our teenager loves nothing better than sitting in his gaming chair with his wireless headset on, talking to his friends whilst he plays. So I was very excited to find out just what Playstation had lined up for Christmas.

If you haven’t already got a Playstation 4 will be available in Glacier white (from September 2014). I think this looks really clean and smart. It has 10 times the power of the Playstation 3. There’s access to the Playstation store so you can download games, film, music and apps. A new addition this year is that the Dualshock4 Wireless Controllers are going to be available in Glacier white and Camouflage. My 10 year old tells me that the most exciting feature of these controllers is the touch sensitive trackpad.

Playstation Vita – any parent that has to take their child on a long journey, or has to make them wait too long will be glad of this handheld portable device. If nothing else it will stop your children draining your mobile phone battery. It has a motion sensor meaning that there’s the ability to touch, tilt and steer. It has front and rear cameras. The biggest selling point for me as a parent is that you can connect your PS Vita with your PS4 over WIFI –so you can continue to play your favourite games. This is also good if someone wants to watch the television.

If you have already started to play your game when someone decides they want to watch the television – and you want to finish the level/match etc you are in then the Playstation TV is for you. It is an amazing idea that means you can start playing in one room and then finish it in another. The real benefit I can see for my family is that we can have the Playstation 4 console in the living room, as a family product, whilst shooting games can be played on it from the privacy of my son’s bedroom without having to move it.

ShareFactory

A powerful video editor that allows players to personalise their movies.

Playstation App

This app offers access to a variety of functions that you cannot access anywhere else. Use it as second screen, a tool for managing downloads, enhanced social features and available on both Apple and Android smartphones and tablets.

Big Games this Christmas

Drive Club

This game has a really community feel to it. You create your own racing club with friends and gain points (even when other members are not there). The game adapts to who is playing, setting new challenges. So now even those who feel they are useless at driving can really join in with the fun. The game has so much attention to detail and stunning locations around the World. I can vouch that I do not usually like these games as I always end up getting stuck and going the wrong way, but it still made me want to play it more!

Sing Star Ultimate Party

Staying in is the new going out – so what better way to party than with a Karaoke! SingStar has been revamped with fresh new tracks and the SingStar app that lets you use your smartphone as a microphone! Why not make a video and then share it on Facebook and Twitter.

Little Big Planet 3

Sackboy returns with new friends, Toggle, Oddsock and Swoop, to unravel the mysteries of planet Bunkum. With advanced customisation tools you can create your own levels and games before broadcasting it via the PS4 SHARE button. It was actually Little Big Planet that was a turning point in my oldest son’s life and he decided that he wanted to be a games designer when he was older.

Minecraft

Anyone who hasn’t heard of this global blockbuster must be living on another planet. Now it has the benefit of the Playstation 4’s great graphics and the ability to broadcast their creations with the SHARE button. It has a few surprises and featuring worlds 36 times the size of the previous generation.

Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham

But the must have game in our house this Christmas (if we can wait that long!) is Lego Batman 3. The boys were already Lego and Batman mad, but I think that The Lego Movie has further enhanced this. Once it is available to watch again and again at home I think this will also increase. This follows on from Lego Batman 2: DC Superheroes. Using the power of the Lantern Rings Brainiac shrinks worlds and now the superheroes must travel to each Lantern World and stop him before it’s too late.

For the first time you will be able to battle in space. I think this nicely compliments one of Lego’s top selling toys this Christmas – which is also a spaceship. The Bat-tastic Gadget wheel makes it easier to change characters clothes and abilities at the touch of a button. There are new characters of different sizes. I particularly like the Plastic man who can change into a space hopper, Bend and stretch and a plane. Other characters include: Batman (with Space, Sonar, Power, and Sensor suits), Bat-Mite, Bleez, Brainiac, Superman, The Joker (and illumination suit), Lex Luthor, Aquaman, Superboy, Alfred, Atom, Cheetah, Cyborg (Space, Giant, Stealth, Demolition, Sonar and Magnet suits), Firefly, Flash, Green Lantern, Killer Croc, Wonder Woman, and Robin (Techno, Illumination, Attract and Magnet suits).

 I was invited to Playstation’s Christmas in July Event for which I received a Goodybag. All opinions are honest and my own.