8Bitdo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller<\/h3>\n<\/h4>\n
$60 at Amazon<\/u><\/a>$60 at Best Buy<\/a>See more options<\/a> $399 at Valve<\/u><\/a> $26 at Amazon<\/u><\/a>$40 at Books-A-Million (BAM!)<\/a>See more options<\/a> $45 at Amazon<\/u><\/a> $100 at MIYOO<\/u><\/a>$77 at Amazon<\/a>See more options<\/a> $292 at Walmart<\/u><\/a>$339 at Adorama<\/a>$350 at Lenovo<\/a>See more options<\/a> $269 at Grid Studio<\/u><\/a> $49 at Amazon<\/u><\/a>$70 at Verizon<\/a>$70 at Walmart<\/a>See more options<\/a> $40 at Groupon<\/u><\/a>$44 at Walmart<\/a>$50 at HSN<\/a>See more options<\/a> $90 at Amazon<\/u><\/a> $100 at Amazon<\/u><\/a> $40+ at My Arcade<\/u><\/a> $199 at Panic<\/u><\/a> $34 at Amazon<\/u><\/a>$45 at Tractor Supply<\/a>See more options<\/a>See 9 more<\/a> The 8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller<\/a> is a versatile alternative to Nintendo\u2019s Switch Pro Controller that also works easily on PC. It connects over Bluetooth, a wireless dongle, or a USB cable and notably uses magnetic Hall effect sensors<\/a> in its joysticks, which means it\u2019s much less susceptible to developing the dreaded \u201cstick drift<\/a>\u201d than traditional controllers. While it might feel a little<\/em> cramped for those with particularly large hands, its shape doesn\u2019t have any weird curves or quirks, and all its inputs are appropriately crisp to press. Battery life is solid at 20-ish hours, too, and the whole thing comes with a slick charging dock. If dad wants to get hardcore, 8BitDo\u2019s companion app<\/a> offers a wealth of customization options, such as adjusting the sensitivity of the triggers or assigning macros to certain buttons. 8BitDo sells a few cheaper variants of this controller as well, but those sacrifice the Hall effect sticks, among other features. \u2014 Jeff Dunn, Senior Reporter, Buying Advice<\/em><\/p>\n $60 at Amazon<\/a>Explore More Buying Options$60 at Best Buy<\/a> Busy dads, especially one with younger kids, probably don’t have much time to sit in front of a gaming PC. That’s where the Steam Deck<\/a> comes in handy. Valve’s handheld gaming system<\/a> puts a ton of games into their hands, and it has enough power to play most indie titles and some AAA ones. Mostly, though, we found it to be a great way to clear out a PC gaming backlog<\/a> \u2014 perhaps as they\u2019re holding a little one who will only nap in their arms.<\/p>\n With the Steam Deck, they can carve out slices of gaming time when they have time to breathe. I’ve personally found it very useful in that wonderful period right after putting the kids down to sleep. They can play PC games in bed without moving a muscle! And if they already have a PC, they can also stream demanding games directly from it. \u2014 Devindra Hardawar, Senior Reporter<\/em><\/p>\n $399 at Valve<\/a> The Game Console 2.0<\/em><\/a><\/em>is a good coffee-table book for any dad who enjoys looking back on gaming\u2019s history. It\u2019s a visual tour of more than 100 different consoles, from the Magnavox Odyssey<\/a> to the PlayStation 5 to less-remembered fare like the Tapwave Zodiac<\/a>. The author, Evan Amos<\/a>, is best known for taking many of the stock photos of gaming hardware you\u2019d find on Wikipedia (and beyond), so it shouldn\u2019t be a surprise to hear that the shots in his book are consistently clean and sharp. Each console has some light yet interesting background detail, and Amos neatly organizes the systems he documents by console generation. It\u2019s not the deepest dive into the industry\u2019s past, but it should be a pleasure for any gaming enthusiast to flip through every now and then. \u2014 J.D.<\/em><\/p>\n $26 at Amazon<\/a>Explore More Buying Options$40 at Books-A-Million (BAM!)<\/a> Microsoft’s pitch with Game Pass Ultimate<\/a> is hard to pass up. For $15 a month, you get access to a large library of Xbox and PC titles, including day-one releases from Microsoft studios. Now that new game prices have crept up to $70, Game Pass Ultimate seems like a better deal than ever. It’s a useful way to dive into new and older games, and it’s also helpful for keeping kids busy once they turn into little gamers. If they end up liking a particular title, there are discounts if dad wants to permanently add something to their library.<\/p>\n Game Pass Ultimate also unlocks Xbox cloud streaming, which I’ve found to be useful on the road (all you need is a laptop and an Xbox controller to get some playtime!). It’s also helpful for previewing a game quickly, without waiting for it to be downloaded and installed. Progress is also stored on Microsoft’s servers, so dad can also pick up and keep playing if they choose to download a cloud title eventually. \u2014 D.H.<\/em><\/p>\n $45 at Amazon<\/a> If your dad knows his way around emulators \u2014 or if you\u2019re willing to set things up for him \u2014 the Miyoo Mini Plus<\/a> will be a charming way to return to the classics. This is a cute little handheld that\u2019s built like a modern Game Boy, with four face buttons, a quartet of back buttons and a 3.5-inch display that\u2019s pretty decent for a handheld that\u2019s often priced around $60. It can emulate older consoles like the Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, PlayStation 1 and Game Boy Advance without issue, so if your dad wants to go back and play NHL \u201894<\/em>, Chrono Trigger<\/em> or any of the old Pok\u00e9mon <\/em>games on the go, it should serve him well. Battery life checks in around five hours, depending on screen brightness.<\/p>\n Just remember that retro gaming handhelds<\/a> like these, particularly ones from lesser-known Chinese companies, aren\u2019t known for being user-friendly out of the box. It\u2019s worth watching a setup guide<\/a> to ensure you\u2019re getting the most out of Mini Plus before gifting one. Also note that you can get this device at Amazon<\/a> if you want faster shipping, but it\u2019ll usually cost extra. \u2014 J.D.<\/em><\/p>\n $100 at MIYOO<\/a>Explore More Buying Options$77 at Amazon<\/a> SteelSeeries’ previous high-end gaming headphones, the Arctis Pro, were some of the best we’ve ever heard. The company’s new Nova Pro<\/a> headsets improve on that design with better sound quality, and a plethora of new adjustment options. They also support 360-degree spatial audio on Windows PCs and the PlayStation 5. We’re recommending the $350 wireless model since it allows for more freedom \u2013 useful for parents who may also need to rush off to console a crying child at night \u2013 but if they don’t mind a cable the $250 wired model sounds just as good. And if dad would prefer a headset he can use in more ways than one, our best gaming headsets guide<\/a> has a ton of all-purpose options. \u2014 D.H.<\/em><\/p>\n $292 at Walmart<\/a>Explore More Buying Options$339 at Adorama<\/a>$350 at Lenovo<\/a> If dad has a soft spot for classic gaming hardware, a frame from Grid Studio<\/a> might be a nice way to spruce up his space. This is a company that deconstructs classic gadgets and neatly showcases their individual components in a piece of wall art. Each part is labeled for good measure. For gaming specifically, the selection includes consoles like the original Game Boy<\/a> and PSP<\/a> and controllers like the Wiimote<\/a> and Sega Dreamcast pad<\/a>. (Several non-gaming gadgets are available, too.) These don\u2019t come cheap, and they might make dad cringe if he fancies himself a preservationist, but Grid\u2019s artwork generally strikes the right balance between a nerdy nostalgia trip and tasteful decor. \u2014 J.D.<\/em><\/p>\n $269 at Grid Studio<\/a> The Razer Basilisk V3<\/a> is a comfortable and responsive mouse for any dad who does a lot of PC gaming. The top pick in our best gaming mouse guide<\/a> has a sturdy frame that should fit all but the smallest of hands and well-sized buttons that are satisfying to press. While it\u2019s not the lightest mouse, and won\u2019t be the absolute fastest for twitchy shooting games, it tracks smoothly and accurately. And outside of games, the fact that its scroll wheel can tilt side-to-side and swap to a free-spinning mode makes it a handy option for navigating large documents and Excel sheets. Just note that, like many gaming mice, it\u2019s made for righties first. \u2014 J.D.<\/em><\/p>\n $49 at Amazon<\/a>Explore More Buying Options$70 at Verizon<\/a>$70 at Walmart<\/a> You know your dad\u2019s tastes better than us, so if there\u2019s a particular game you think he would enjoy as a Father\u2019s Day treat, go get it. If you want a suggestion for a recent game that could scratch that nostalgic \u201cold man\u201d itch, though, consider the Switch remake of Mario vs. Donkey Kong<\/em><\/a>. As we note in our review<\/a>, this is a charming puzzler with the kind of polish you\u2019d expect from a first-party Nintendo project. It\u2019s a spiritual successor to Donkey Kong<\/em><\/a> for the Game Boy and very much not a 3D platformer in the vein of Super Mario Odyssey<\/em>, so Mario doesn\u2019t move with the same freedom here. But its mini-challenges are (mostly) thoughtfully constructed, starting out simple before stretching out with complications. There\u2019s a \u201ccasual\u201d mode if things get too tough, and none of it is overlong<\/a>, either. Some may consider that last point a ding, but we\u2019d rather gift a weekend or two of pleasurable brain teasers than some infinity-hour game that\u2019s designed to dominate lives. \u2014 J.D.<\/em><\/p>\n $40 at Groupon<\/a>Explore More Buying Options$44 at Walmart<\/a>$50 at HSN<\/a> The Switch is a wonderful device, but it\u2019s not the most ergonomic thing out there. If dad has complained about this before, a Satisfye ZenGrip<\/a> can help him stave off sore wrists and tingly fingers while running around Tears of the Kingdom<\/em><\/a><\/em>or Super Mario Odyssey<\/em><\/a>. This is a molded, hard plastic grip that slots around a Switch and makes it feel more like you\u2019re holding a very wide Xbox or PlayStation controller instead of a flat rectangle. It won\u2019t make the buttons feel any better, and it certainly adds a bit of bulk, but it\u2019s solidly constructed and sized for medium or large hands. Unlike many other Switch grips, the design won\u2019t scuff the console when removed, plus it leaves enough room for the Switch\u2019s fans. Satisfye sells grips for all three Switch models in various colors as well as bundles that pair the accessory with a specially designed case. \u2014 J.D.<\/em><\/p>\n $90 at Amazon<\/a> If dad likes to game on his phone, the Backbone One<\/a> will give him a more natural way<\/a> to play. This is a mobile gamepad that attaches directly to a phone\u2019s Lightning or USB-C port and works with any game that supports controllers. It has all the inputs needed to play modern games, and while its buttons won\u2019t feel as luxurious as a full-size pad, they\u2019re still responsive and properly spaced given the size constraints. The contoured grips are comfy to hold over time, plus there\u2019s a built-in headphone jack and charging port for your phone. For beefy mobile games or streaming PS5 and Xbox games, it\u2019ll be much less fiddly than touch controls. \u2014 J.D.<\/em><\/p>\n $100 at Amazon<\/a> It\u2019s best viewed as a show piece on a shelf rather than something dad would play seriously, but one of My Arcade\u2019s Micro Player<\/a> mini arcade cabinets is an adorable way for him to display a retro favorite. While there are certainly cheaper and more convenient ways to play old games, these 6.75-inch cabinets don\u2019t feel flimsy and generally convey the spirit of each game well. (Just note that the artwork is usually \u201cinspired by\u201d the game in question, not a replica of its original cabinet.) Their buttons are surprisingly responsive and, while the 2.75-inch screen looks washed out from an angle, it\u2019s bright and colorful enough to be usable. There\u2019s a speaker and headphone jack built in, plus each joystick is removable if dad would rather use the mini d-pad instead. The line includes several classics, including Pac-Man<\/em><\/a>, Galaga<\/em><\/a>, Street Fighter II<\/em><\/a><\/em>and Space Invaders<\/em><\/a>, among many others. \u2014 J.D.<\/em><\/p>\n $40+ at My Arcade<\/a> Panic’s Playdate<\/a> won’t ever compete with the Nintendo Switch, or even the PlayStation Vita, when it comes to graphics or the depth of its library. But it’s undoubtedly one of the most intriguing pieces of gaming<\/a> we’ve seen recently. Imagine a super-slim version of the Game Boy with a sharp screen and a cute crank on the side, and you’ve got the Playdate.<\/p>\n While it only has two buttons and a directional pad, most games are built to use the crank, perhaps to steer a surf board as you’re trying to catch some waves, or to direct a bumbling robot as he tries (and fails) to reach his date on time. It’s a limited system (it doesn’t even have a backlight!), but those limitations have led to some truly unique gaming experiences. \u2014 D.H.<\/em><\/p>\n $199 at Panic<\/a> If you\u2019re looking for a tabletop game you can play with your dad (and a couple others), you can\u2019t go wrong with Dominion<\/em><\/a>. Board game veterans will be familiar with it by now, but this is one of the forefathers of the genre known as the deck-builder. If you know video games like Slay the Spire<\/em><\/a><\/em>or the recent hit Balatro<\/em><\/a>, you have a sense of how it works. Two to four players start with the same small set of cards. With each turn, each player draws from their deck, then uses the resulting hand to buy new action, money and other modifier cards from a common market. The goal is to create an optimized deck, one that makes it easier to acquire more \u201cvictory\u201d cards before a certain supply runs out. There are what feels like a million different strategies you can take, a feeling aided by the many expansions<\/a> that have been released since the game went on sale. As things progress, the choices you\u2019ve made in previous rounds build on themselves, and your plans morph accordingly.<\/p>\n It all makes for a game where every decision matters, regardless of who makes it. Rarely will two games play out the same way. It can be tricky to grasp at first \u2014 and it takes a bit to physically set up \u2014 but after a session or two the fog should clear. (To wit: My wife and I have played with her parents, both in their 60s and far from tabletop veterans, for years.) Pretty card art and a helpful rulebook<\/a> add to the appeal. If all of this sounds appealing but you\u2019d like to try the game first, note that you can play the online version<\/a> for free. \u2014 J.D.<\/em><\/p>\n $34 at Amazon<\/a>Explore More Buying Options$45 at Tractor Supply<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Father\u2019s Day should be a time for dad to enjoy himself, and there are few better ways to unwind than playing a quality game. If you\u2019re looking to treat a dad who spends much of their free time exploring other worlds, we\u2019ve picked out a few gaming-related gifts that should spark delight, from controllers and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":5485,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[55,52,7811,56,48,51,53,47],"tags":[66,63,7812,67,59,62,64,58],"yoast_head":"\n![](\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/xG05BtuF4PklddzTvmd9oQ--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTI0MDtoPTEzNg--\/https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/uu\/api\/res\/1.2\/KxZaJWev4WBjmbKGTmRUJg--~B\/Zmk9c3RyaW07aD03MjA7dz0xMjgwO2FwcGlkPXl0YWNoeW9u\/https:\/\/media-mbst-pub-ue1.s3.amazonaws.com\/creatr-uploaded-images\/2023-05\/bb73ea80-edab-11ed-bdff-8277895f0c0b\")
Valve Steam Deck<\/h3>\n
<\/h4>\n
More options<\/a><\/p>\n
The Game Console 2.0: A Photographic History from Atari to Xbox<\/h3>\n
<\/h4>\n
<\/p>\n
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate: 3 Month Membership<\/h3>\n
<\/h4>\n
More options<\/a><\/p>\n
MIYOO Mini Plus<\/h3>\n
<\/h4>\n
More options<\/a><\/p>\n
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless<\/h3>\n
<\/h4>\n
<\/p>\n
Grid Studio artwork<\/h3>\n
<\/h4>\n
More options<\/a><\/p>\n
Razer Basilisk V3<\/h3>\n
<\/h4>\n
More options<\/a><\/p>\n
Mario Vs. Donkey Kong – Nintendo Switch<\/h3>\n
<\/h4>\n
<\/p>\n
Satisfye ZenGrip Pro Gen 3<\/h3>\n
<\/h4>\n
<\/p>\n
Backbone One<\/h3>\n
<\/h4>\n
<\/p>\n
My Arcade Micro Player Mini Arcade Machine: Pac-Man<\/h3>\n
<\/h4>\n
<\/p>\n
Panic Playdate<\/h3>\n
<\/h4>\n
![](\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/_g1rcDYg1FGn9iwMAl7_dA--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTI0MDtoPTEzNg--\/https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/uu\/api\/res\/1.2\/wS1wMcEvljzWVzzm42NViw--~B\/Zmk9c3RyaW07aD03MjA7dz0xMjgwO2FwcGlkPXl0YWNoeW9u\/https:\/\/media-mbst-pub-ue1.s3.amazonaws.com\/creatr-uploaded-images\/2024-05\/4fddf010-1850-11ef-879e-2c24fde914b0\")
Dominion<\/h3>\n
<\/h4>\n
<\/a>8Bitdo<\/p>\n
8Bitdo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller<\/a><\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/uu\/api\/res\/1.2\/KxZaJWev4WBjmbKGTmRUJg--~B\/Zmk9c3RyaW07aD03MjA7dz0xMjgwO2FwcGlkPXl0YWNoeW9u\/https:\/\/media-mbst-pub-ue1.s3.amazonaws.com\/creatr-uploaded-images\/2023-05\/bb73ea80-edab-11ed-bdff-8277895f0c0b\")
Valve Steam Deck<\/a><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Amazon<\/p>\n
The Game Console 2.0: A Photographic History from Atari to Xbox<\/a><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Xbox<\/p>\n
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate: 3 Month Membership<\/a><\/h3>\n
<\/a>MIYOO<\/p>\n
MIYOO Mini Plus<\/a><\/h3>\n
<\/a>SteelSeries<\/p>\n
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless<\/a><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Grid Studio<\/p>\n
Grid Studio artwork<\/a><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Photo by Jeff Dunn \/ Engadget<\/p>\n
Razer Basilisk V3<\/a><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Nintendo<\/p>\n
Mario Vs. Donkey Kong – Nintendo Switch<\/a><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Satisfye<\/p>\n
Satisfye ZenGrip Pro Gen 3<\/a><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Engadget<\/p>\n
Backbone One<\/a><\/h3>\n
<\/a>My Arcade<\/p>\n
My Arcade Micro Player Mini Arcade Machine: Pac-Man<\/a><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Photo by Jessica Conditt \/ Engadget<\/p>\n
Panic Playdate<\/a><\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/uu\/api\/res\/1.2\/wS1wMcEvljzWVzzm42NViw--~B\/Zmk9c3RyaW07aD03MjA7dz0xMjgwO2FwcGlkPXl0YWNoeW9u\/https:\/\/media-mbst-pub-ue1.s3.amazonaws.com\/creatr-uploaded-images\/2024-05\/4fddf010-1850-11ef-879e-2c24fde914b0\")
Dominion<\/a><\/h3>\n