I have a dangerous habit of replaying favorites instead of starting something new, so this list of suggestions usually ends up pushing me over the edge. I've played the vast majority of them, debated the rest, and regretted paying full price for at least two of them in the past.
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This day in games 🎂
In retro news I light a 38 candle cake for Punch-out!!An absolute knockout of the NES classic. I was there in 1987, gripping the controller, looking at those towering sprites through Little Mac's gloves, trying to read the cues and rhythms as if it were a real fight recording. Punch-Out didn't feel like a sports simulator at all. It was a puzzle fest that could throw off your thinking machine if you got it wrong.
What made it so magical was how readable and human it felt. Every opponent was a person, not just a stat sheet, from the tragic fragility of Glass Joe to the stunning screen of Bald Bull. The star kick system rewards patience and pattern recognition, and it's still the most satisfying uppercut in the game this side of D+HP in Mortal Kombat. Finally, defeating Iron Mike Tyson in the endgame made you a schoolyard legend. I can confirm.
Australian birthdays of outstanding games.
– Punch-out!! (NES) 1987. Receive
– Warhawk (PS) 1995. eBay
– WWF no mercy (N64) 2000. eBay
– Tony Hawk 2 (DK) 2000. eBay
– Super Mario Run (iOS) 2016. Receive
Good Savings for Nintendo Switch
These Switch offerings rely heavily on early polish and long-tail value. If you're filling gaps in your Switch library, this is a good place to start.
Or give it as a gift Nintendo Online Store Map.
Exciting Xbox Deals
This cast oscillates between bombastic spectacle and introspective storytelling, and it's that contrast that works.
- 40K Space Marine 2 (-60%) – AUD 43.10 Brutal, hard-hitting combat that finally gives Warhammer fantasy power fans what they've been craving for years.
- Messenger (-80%) – AUD 5.90 A razor-sharp platformer that gleefully turns into something much stranger than it first appears.
- Hellblade II (-75%) – AUD 17.40 An immersive audiovisual experience, best played on headphones, with intense psychological horror and empathy.
- Wild Monster Hunters (-50%) – AUD 57.40 A more dynamic, ecosystem-driven input that makes every hunt feel dynamic and alive.
- Mortal Kombat 1 (-61%) – AUD 29.90 A slick reboot that refines the formula while still delivering some glorious over-the-top violence.
- Dragon's Dogma 2 (-60%) – AUD 43.10 A deep, systemic fantasy that rewards experimentation, patience, and sometimes questionable life choices.
Xbox One
- Hogwarts Legacy (-72%) – AUD 28 A richly detailed magical world that creates atmosphere even if the story isn't safe.
- Bayonetta and Vanquish Bndl (-56%) – AUD 26.10 Two platinum classics that still feel extremely inventive and mechanically sharp.
- Ace Boy 7 (-65%) – AUD 34.50 Arcade-style flight combat, complete with melodramatic storytelling and superb jet control.
Or just invest in Xbox card.
Net results for PlayStation
A vibrant mix of stylish RPGs and blockbuster action is at the heart of this PlayStation selection.
- LEGO Skywalker Saga (-74%) – 23 Australian dollars A huge, playful retelling that finally modernizes the LEGO game structure.
- Persona 5 Royal (-49%) – AUD 48.80 A stylish turn-based game with characters and music that will stay with you long after the credits roll.
- Assassin's Creed Mirage (-70%) – 24 Australian dollars A tighter, more focused Assassin's Creed that remembers why stealth was once so important.
- Rise of the Ronin (-53%) – AUD 59 An ambitious, open-ended samurai action game with flexible combat and meaningful player choice.
- Call of Duty Black Ops 7 (-46%) – AUD 59 Bombastic set pieces and intense gunplay wrapped in the usual blockbuster excess. Solo, okay.
PS4
- Far Cry 5 (-66%) – AUD 34.10 An open-world shooter that combines chaos with a suspenseful cult narrative.
- Monster Hunter World Iceborne Master Ed. (-38%) – AUD 52.80 A massive content update that turned Monster Hunter into something truly mainstream.
- Lego Marvel Col. (-48%) – AUD 47.10 A generous package that covers a lot of Marvel territory, with fantastic plastic charm.
Or purchase PS store map.
Buy cheap for PC
PC players experience the wildest price swings, from free to absurdly cheap packages.
- Warner Bros. 16-Piece Mega Set (-98%) – AUD 20.10 Ridiculous cost, consisting of recognizable franchises and a real waste of time.
- Hogwarts Legacy (-100%) – 0 Australian dollars Free is the right price to finally see what all the fuss is about.
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance II (-50%) – AUD 44.90 A demanding RPG that emphasizes historical realism and player-driven problem solving.
- Inscription (-70%) – AUD 8.60 An unusual horror card game whose goal is to surprise the player.
- Expedition Chiaroscuro 33 (-20%) – AUD 55.90 A vibrant debut RPG with picturesque graphics and a confident narrative voice.
Or just get Steam Wallet Card
Legitimate LEGO Deals
just like me did this last holiday seasonI'm celebrating with a LEGO section. At Matthew Manor my sons and I are racing again this year. LEGO Advent Calendars. Basically, we open The City, Harry Potter, Minecraft and Star Wars every day and compare the mini trophies for Awesomeness and True Christmas. The 2024 winner was Lego Marvel, but surprisingly there is no 2025 equivalent. So this year it's anyone's race.
Here are the cheapest prices for the four calendars we use. Check them out for yourself or simply live through our unboxings.
Adam Matthew is a passionate connoisseur, lifelong gaming critic, and Australian deal maker who truly wants to bring you things worth playing (but also cheap). He plays almost everything, sometimes on YouTube.
