In our never-ending quest to find the best technology, toys, board games, and gear, 2023 has already turned out to be outstanding. Whether you’re buying for yourself or looking for a gift for that special someone, we have plenty of options.
Disclaimer: Featured products are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company, GameStop.
Nerf Elite Jr. Explorer
Nerf blasters continue to develop designs in more and more extravagant directions, many of which are not suitable for younger enthusiasts. Elite Jr. line Focuses on simple and safe designs that are easy for kids to enjoy, with lighter weights, smaller hand grips and easy loading. The Explorer can fire four darts before making you spin around to find them, and includes eight darts in the pack – you know you’re missing at least a couple. $13
Star Wars: The Deck Building Game
This cleverly constructed card game for two players has each side take control of either the Empire or the Rebels and work to bring down the opponent’s bases. Each player draws cards from a shared row of revealed options to design a private deck. Some cards are neutral and available to any player, but others are unique to a particular faction and can be sabotaged or bounty hunted to remove their availability. Easy to learn but deep in its strategic potential, this is a worthy entry in a strong recent run of Star Wars tabletop games. $38
Immortal Hulk Diorama Galleries
The Immortal Hulk comic series took the titular character’s rage in exciting directions, focusing on horror and trauma to introduce new aspects to the long-running character arc. The beautifully sculpted diorama perfectly captures the unruly beast at its most ferocious, and at nearly 300 meters tall, it has the presence to dominate the display. 125 dollars
Monaco 5.1.2 Surround speakers
Monaco’s all-in-one sound system offers an excellent solution for a prominent surround audio setup in your cinema space, but with a low complexity that won’t scare relative newcomers to audio technology. The wireless speakers (excluding power cables) use WiSA SoundSend to transmit perfectly synchronized audio from your TV. The sound that supports Dolby Atmos is real, cinematic in scope and rich in distinct sounds from the action on the screen; It’s a particularly ideal fit for a gaming setup. $1,500
BenQ X300oi gaming projector
Projectors have become a great way to display your favorite games, as products like the X3000i illustrate. The 4K output and the intense brightness rated at 3000 ANSI lumens help give excellent picture quality, and you’ll find the HDR performance impressive. Dedicated game modes for FPS, RPG, and sports games help differentiate your experience, but either way, ultra-low lag makes for a big win. $2,000
Sega Genesis Mini 2
The mini console trend may have slowed down, but Sega recently released a follow-up to the Sega Genesis Mini for 2019. This new version delivers a new form factor based on the Genesis Model 2, a six-button gamepad, and a whole new catalog of classic and obscure games that stretch into the CD library of Sega. $100
Coyote & Crow Corebook
Inspired by the indigenous cultures of its creative team, this new RPG presents an alternate history where the last 700 years of colonization never happened; A strange mystical force allowed a completely different civilization to develop. A game of building legends and exploring alternative ways of resolving conflicts, this is a fascinating twist on expectations for gaming groups who want to try something new – no matter your cultural background. 70 dollars
Kobendi
The Shashibo Magnetic Puzzle Box has only gained popularity since its launch, so it’s no surprise that Fun In Motion Toys has a new sequel. Like its cousin, the Cubendi is a folding puzzle box that uses internal magnets for various fascinating configurations. Part fidget toy and part puzzle, the arrangements and options are more complex and challenging this time around – perfect for busy fingers and minds. 25 dollars
Ricoh Theta SC2
Don’t be put off by the SC2’s status as an “entry-level” 360-degree camera. The 14MP 360 photos and 4K video that the camera produces do well for a device at this price point, allowing users to experiment with capturing an image in all directions at the same time. Its compact size and ease of use offer a great way to enter this burgeoning arena of photography and videography. $300
DualSense Edge controller
The DualSense that ships with the PS5 is already an amazing controller. But this pricey upgrade may be worth it for players looking for greater customization and increased input options while retaining all the amazing features of the original. Adjustable profiles and mappable button layouts, multiple stick caps and two half-dome or rear lever buttons – all featured to support flexibility and a premium feel. All the new features hurt battery life a bit compared to the original DualSense, but that’s the worst part of upgrading to what many have described as the best first-party controller on the market. $200
Lego Lion’s Knight’s Castle
Seasoned builders will appreciate the sprawling fort’s many nods to the castle systems of yesteryear and the opportunity to instill a love of the theme in a new generation of Lego enthusiasts. The 4,500 piece long structure features clever engineering twists to get the angles and turns of the wall just right. It contains all sorts of hidden rooms and secrets for emerging storytelling and a display location for the 22 minifigs included. 400 dollars