PGH: Practical gifts that came too late for Christmas

Posted January 21, 2009 by Murray.

Some people just don’t know how to run a business. Why would you make a product that is so perfect as a Christmas gift and then put it on store shelves two weeks after gift-giving season has ended?

If you, like these silly business people, somehow missed the winter holidays and now need a belated Christmas present for a gamer friend, here are some more stuff to add to the list I wrote a few weeks back:

7-in-1 USB Charging Cable
Don’t let the name fool you, this doesn’t charge USB at all. Rather, it connects to any USB port and drains your computer of power in order to charge an assortment of things, potentially simultaneously. For a low, low price of $7 USD, this cable will save you valuable packing space and will allow you to recharge through your laptop whenever conventional power plugs are unavailable. It can recharge any portable game system, including all PSP models, DS models, and even the GBA SP. How handy!

Riff Rocker USB Guitar Controller
This is an inexpensive ($20 USD) guitar controller that works for the game, Frets on Fire. While perfect for the travel conscious individual, it has been getting some bad reviews, mainly due to how your hand would cramp up while using this tiny axe. My recommendation? Put it down on your lap and play it like a piano.

AK Rock Box Gaming and Storage Ottoman with Drum Lift
This awesome piece of furnishing can be found on Amazon, which makes it even more convenient. While it may cost  as much as Rock Band ($185 USD), it can be invaluable in a small apartment, where there is storage space and organization to be gained. Aside from holding both guitars and more, the drum lift element of the ottoman allows you to quickly unload and adjust the drums so that you can jump into the game in a matter of minutes.

CES has wrapped up recently and I’m sure there are lots of other cool gadgets and useful items showcased. If you see something that should belong to this list, be sure to share!

Tagged as DS Lite, dsi, Frets on Fire, GBA SP, Guitar Hero, Nintendo, Rock Band