It's the last Friday before Christmas, and the last thing you want to be doing at this point is walking into a brick-and-mortar store. There's always something you'll forget to pick up for Christmas, but my team and I have got your last-minute gifting covered.
Best-Selling Magic: The Gathering Booster Boxes and Commander Decks are still on offer from yesterday, but maybe you'd fancy a cheeky discounted Yu-Gi-Oh! booster pack instead? I've also got Donkey Kong and LoZ: TOTK amiibo deals, perfect for a solid stocking filler.
Still looking for a good PlayStation 5 deal outside of Black Friday? We've found a PS5 Slim (Disc Edition) with a copy of Black Ops 7 for $469.99, saving $149.99 with free shipping. And of course, we couldn’t leave Pokémon TCG out, the Pikachu Ultra PRO Pikachu-themed playmat is down to $9.99 from $26.99.
Edge of Eternities only released in August, but it’s already available in a great bundle deal that’s ready-made for multiplayer Commander nights. The same goes for the Lorwyn Eclipsed Commander Deck Bundle. One of the standout deals right now is the Commander Masters Play Booster Box, which is currently over $100 cheaper than market value. That said, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Play Booster Box is also under market value on Amazon at $159.99, making it a solid pickup for fans of Universes Beyond.
I don't need to tell anyone about how awesome PS5s are, but the Slim models feature a smaller form factor and improved cooling, meaning this unit should last longer than the original launch model. This is the disc model, so you can choose between a physical or digital game collection.
If you loved MGS 3: Snake Eater back in 2004, it’s time to relive the nostalgia. MGS Delta has been remade in Unreal Engine 5, featuring updated cutscenes, 3D audio, and a choice of old or new control schemes. Snake suffers damage in real time, and the graphics and performance hold up well against today’s AAA titles.
Yunobo unlocks the Sage of Fabric for Link’s Paraglider in Tears of the Kingdom, and it can also give out Cobble Crushers, various rocks, and ores. The Donkey Kong and Pauline amiibo unlocks Pauline's Diva Dress cosmetic early in Donkey Kong Bananza, doubles the drop rate of music discs, and gives explosive golden KONG tiles. Buying both together is cheaper than the standard amiibo price, making them perfect stocking fillers for Switch 2 players.
A good playmat can save your cards from damage over time, since sleeves alone don’t provide much protection. There are plenty of options, but if you’re a Pikachu fan, this discounted playmat ($17 off) is a no-brainer.
Although they're a generation behind the Sony WH-1000XM6, the M5s still have amazing noise cancellation in a best-in-class all-around headphone solution. The WF-C700N wireless earbuds are in-ear, also feature top noise cancellation, and are IPX4 water-resistant for something low-profile while working out. This deal is a no-brainer if you're in the market for some new personal audio equipment.
This controller works via three different connection methods: wired USB, Bluetooth, or via an included 2.4GHz adapter that's perfect for PC gaming. It's also certified compatible with Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, iOS, and Android, with room for three different button layouts and Hall effect thumbsticks and triggers. I've already said it, but I use 8Bitdo controllers over my first-party ones where possible.
The best Black Friday deal on Sony's newest flagship wireless noise cancelling headphones has returned. eBay (via either Buydig or Electronic Express) is offering a brand new pair of Sony WH-1000XM6 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones for just $358.20 after you apply off coupon code "HOLIDAYRUSH". That's a 20% discount off the $450 list price. eBay estimates free delivery before Christmas. Both retailers are authorized Sony resellers, so you get the full manufacturer's warranty.
Deals aside, should you get a Meta Quest 3 or Meta Quest 3S? Here's a specifications comparison table so you can make up your own mind:
FeatureMeta Quest 3Meta Quest 3SDisplay Resolution2064 × 2208 per eye1832 × 1920 per eyeLens TypePancake lensesFresnel lensesField of View (FOV)104° (horizontal) / 96° (vertical)96° (horizontal) / 90° (vertical)Storage Capacity512GB128GBProcessorSnapdragon XR2 Gen 2Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2Refresh RateUp to 120HzUp to 120HzControllersTouch Plus controllersTouch Plus controllersMixed Reality PassthroughYesYesStandalone (Tetherless)YesYesPC VR (Tethered)YesYesSo the quarter-bound The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion Tolkien Illustrated Editions are must-buys in this sale for me, and they are 44% and 46% off, respectively, before the buy one, get one deal comes into play. So that's a total of $191.29 down from $243.63. Bear in mind, at MSRP, both of these books come to $445. That's an insane deal on its own. Other highlights for me are The Legend of Zelda Encyclopedia and A Game of Thrones hardback box set.
When it comes to big-brand gear, I'd always go for a solid refurbished or open-box deal over brand-new products. If it's a brand or retailer worth its salt, these products are pretty much new anyway but can't be sold as such, as they're a customer return or something similar.
With Sonos refurbs, you're getting the same one-year warranty you would with a brand-new alternative, plus they get delivered as new with all the leads and gubbins you'd usually get. It's literally a no-brainer when you're getting over 55% off a Sonos Arc soundbar, for example.
Pokémon TCG stock levels are getting better and better across the board, which means there's more chance of buying off store shelves and a much bigger chance of scalpers losing out. It's a win-win, especially for Pokémon card collectors, as single cards are finding a new floor when it comes to market values.
It's the best time this year to snap up some of those grails you've been eyeing up, so I've found the top 5 chase cards in every Pokémon TCG expansion and base set from the previous Scarlet and Violet era, as well as Mega Evolution, the current era of Pokémon cards. There's some serious bargains to be had here, and I reckon we'll see prices tick back up when Ascended Heroes launches early next year, so don't wait around.
The best deal here for me is the Mega Charizard X ex Ultra Premium Collection that's currently at market value on Amazon and close to MSRP.
- 4 x Phantasmal Flames
- 4 x Mega Evolution
- 4 x Destined Rivals
- 4 x Journey Together
- 2 x Surging Sparks
The main pull of this UPC is the Mega Charizard X ex Mega Attack Rare and Oricorio ex SIR promo cards, which, frankly, are the best couple of promo cards we've had in a big box collection for a while. It also contains Mega Charizard X-themed card sleeves, deck box, damage counter dice, playmat, and a metal coin.
Need to get Pokémon Legends: Z-A sorted for Christmas? Here's the cheapest way: the Nintendo Switch 1 version of Pokémon Legends: Z-A for $44.99 on Woot, then upgrade it to the Switch 2 version for $9.99 via the Amazon digital code service. You're saving $15 compared to buying the usual Switch 2 copy of Legends: Z-A.
Woot also has more discounts on top Pokémon Switch games, such as Legends: Arceus alongside Scarlet and Violet. It's a great time to build up your library if you've got a few Pokémon-sized gaps on your shelf.
Nothing beats cuddling a Squishmallow, and I'll admit that to anyone. Well, getting a $69.99 massive 20-inch Sprigatito Squishmallow for $37.99 definitely beats that feeling, but there's some great deals on the best Pokémon plushies right now (in my opinion, which is correct).
Christian Wait is a contributing freelancer for IGN covering everything collectable and deals. Christian has over 7 years of experience in the Gaming and Tech industry with bylines at Mashable and Pocket-Tactics. Christian also makes hand-painted collectibles for Saber Miniatures. Christian is also the author of "Pokemon Ultimate Unofficial Gaming Guide by GamesWarrior". Find Christian on X @ChrisReggieWait.
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