Help / Advice for a Christmas Gift...

katyboo123

My OH has joked about wanting a PlayStation every year for Christmas since we've been together (5 years). We don't have kids and tend to go a bit wild at Christmas on each other and spend a fortune (I was very lucky to get an Overlocker last year - make of that what you will :rotfl:)...

Anyway, this year, I am getting her some big presents and the usual stocking fillers, plus I always make her some home made goodies too (like to be a little bit thrifty) but I really wanted to surprise her with a PlayStation too...

Now before I go on, I am not looking to buy a PS4, or even a PS3 necessarily... I need advice on buying a second hand / refurb model, with a couple of controllers (I need to get in on the action - who am I kidding this is really for me too!!! :j) and a couple of games, probably racing games, or two player stuff like fighting (I am thinking vintage original street fighter in my head )... plus maybe something that she can do on her own (Tomb Raider - is that still cool??).

I'm planning on setting up our spare room for her like a 'gaming' room. We already had a gaming chair given to us by a friend, there's a futon in there for guests (how fancy do I sound!) and I am going to make some band t-shirts that we have from gigs in to cushions. I've managed to get a second hand (slightly damaged) plasma TV to go in there, I might even be able to get a mini fridge and some coca-cola in glass bottles... and I plan to stick a bow on the bedroom door on Christmas eve... cool or rubbish idea????????

My budget is probably around £100; but I'd go a little higher if need be. Any ideas or advice?!

StuC75

Sounds a good idea, the approaching Next Gen Launches is likely to result in prices lowering on the current xbox \ ps3.. More so when traded in.. If you go the pre-owned route then look for what kind of guarantee is given.

ITonyI

If you want to go the pre-owned route, GAME usually have a good deal or two and consoles come with a 1 year warranty. If it fails in that time then it shouldn't be a hassle to get it replaced by the store.

On console choice I'd personally recommend a PS3 if you want to try out online features whilst keeping it low-cost. Whereas both consoles offer online features, a lot of those on the Xbox 360 (such as playing games online) are locked behind a subscription fee, whilst PS3 remains free. Otherwise, if you're not interested in online then either console should do you nicely

As said by StuC75, with new consoles releasing next month, there should be some really bargains about soon!

Gordon_Hose

I'd second going to Game and buying a pre-owned PS3. After November 29th there will be loads of choice due to the trade in's once the PS4 is released.

PS3 you won't have to pay to play online and will be supported for a while yet.

JimmyTheWig

Get yourself to a car boot sale or ask / keep an eye out on local Facebook groups or Freegle/Freecycle.
We were recently given a PlayStation (PS1, if you like) for free from a Facebook group complete with controllers and a few games.

DCFC79

OP your idea on sprucing the room up sounds quite good/nice.

If it were me Id try and source a PS3 for the best price possible, more of a chance if you wiat until end of next month as been mentioned.

meeshpeesh

You may be tempted to opt for the cheapest option of a 12gb slim. This may suit your needs but just so you know you'll only be able to fit a few games on there at a time (you'd have to delete game data to make room for new ones). So if you manage to find one that has slightly more space for a little bit more cash it's worth it.

Tomb Raider is most definitely still cool the reboot is really good but still in the expensive stage, if you're looking for cheap there are some collections of the older TR games knocking about. All the Lego games are good for 2 player games, I'm always trying to get my boyfriend to play with me but he's only interested in FIFA

I'm afraid I don't know much about racing games, they only one I've played is Burnout Paradise but I don't think that's 2 player!

The whole room idea sounds amazing btw, especially the band t-shirt cushions, I may steal that

gboom2000

If you want retro, get a fat PS2, it'll play PS2 and most PS1 games. Cheap, loads of fun and doesn't require a data update everytime you turn it on.

katyboo123

All so helpful! Think I will wait until after 29th November and see what deal I can get on a decent sized refurbished PS3 from Game. If out of my budget, then I will go for the PS2, as you say it's 'fun' which is all we're looking for, she's not a serious gamer.

Thanks so much everyone

DCFC79

Lets hope she likes it, its being done a small budget ( for the console ) and the best part is I like the idea of the cushions made out of the t shirts.

JimmyTheWig

DCFC79 wrote: »

the best part is I like the idea of the cushions made out of the t shirts.

I like the part where she's going to tie a ribbon around the door - it's like she's giving her GF a whole room!