Christmas 2023 Gift guide recommendations

With just a week before Christmas, the pressure is on to get it all prepped.

Here are some gift recommendations within the Entertainment and gaming sphere that could help.

(Note - some of the listed items have been sent to Darren's World of Entertainment for use and trial).

PlayStation Plus membership

PlayStation's subscriber service has run for many years now, with many gamers getting the benefit of accessing regular games and optional services for higher subscription levels.

While it's fair to note that the price for the basic level has gone up amid complaints the service isn't offering the value in terms of access to monthly games of quality, paying just a little more for the higher tiers provides more value.

Taking a leaf out of the Xbox Game Pass service to a degree, a major bonus is the access to the catalogue and trials which allow you to play from the depth of the catalogue and from Sony's vaults.

Plans range from $126 a year to $250; monthly options are also available.

Xbox Game Pass membership

While there's always a rivalry between PlayStation and Xbox as far as its community is concerned, it's worth noting this subscription service continues to grow in value thanks to its access to Day One releases of big titles on Xbox.

Over the past year there has been an increase in the depth and range of the catalogue as well as the chance to play big release games like Starfield from Day One thanks to a membership.

It's the range of the catalogue here that gives PlayStation a run for its money, and while titles are being added throughout the months, it's the simple fact that subscribers can play big games at the same time as everyone else that the service is growing in popularity.

Xbox Game Pass prices start from $12.95 a month

Technics A800 

When it comes to headphones and wireless earbuds, the market is awash with product all fighting for your hard-earned cash.

The Technics A800 over ear headphones give wireless noise cancelling requirements a run for their money, with high-res audio and a comfort fit good enough reason to see you use them for the 50plus hours Technics claims you can use them for. It's about immersion of sound, and these headphones deliver.

With seamless switching to flick between work, music and calls, there's really no need to use any other headphones or headsets for your daily life.

Technics AZ60M2 

Wireless earbuds offer much these days, but the Technics range has been working on ensuring premium call quality as well as musical audio fidelity.

With a simple press of touch sensors and an app on your phone, the control of these sleek earbuds is in your hand in more ways than one. 

Offering up to 24 hours of battery time with noise-cancelling features engaged, these are earbuds to use for the whole day rather than just for a few work elements - Technics has always been ahead of the game, and with minor tweaks in their technology that have significant impact throughout, the bar has clearly been raised.

Technics AZ60M2 retail from $250

Ooni pizza oven

Finally as New Zealand's summer kicks into gear, the idea of outdoor entertaining is back on the menu. 

Ooni's Pizza oven may predominantly only cook pizzas (you can do wraps at a push), but given how quickly they're done while connected to the gas, they're essential for bigger gatherings where you want to spend time entertaining rather than worrying about catering.

From under 2 minutes, the oven can fire out a pizza and for families that like to eat together the idea of prepping taking longer than cooking is not a bad thing at all.

Ooni's Karu 12 pizza oven retails from $599.

JBL Boombox 3

A ghettoblaster that's just a Wifi speaker in many ways, the chunky JBL Boombox 3 weighs in at over 6.7kg, but produces a sound as big as its weight.

While speakers on the side vibrate with the music's bass as it sounds off, the kit gives out a cool quivering look as the Boombox 3 sits on a table. It's enough to ensure it's the life of a party, but given its hefty price tag, you may be asking people to bring a plate to any do you throw over summer.

JBL Boombox 3 retails from $650

PlayStation Pulse Explore Earbuds

Moving into the wireless world and taking examples from the Pulse headphones, PlayStation's first foray into this techno world are all about boosting the gaming experience.

Using planar magnetic drivers, the cool white earbuds channel deep bass to help you feel each epic in-game encounter.

Comfortable and lightweight, these can not only be used for gaming but also everyday life should you want to as well, thanks to clear, crisp audio and a solid microphone.

Perhaps the only downside is the battery life - but as with most technology these days, it's a stumbling block every provider has to overcome.

Marvel's Spider-Man 2

A PlayStation 5 exclusive that packs in both the fun of Spidey and the 21st century sensibilities of Miles Morales and the widening Spidey Universe, Insomniac Games' sequel is well worth swinging out and buying.

Packing in fan villain favourite Venom and a deep storyline of acceptance and growth, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 doesn't get wrapped up in just its story - its in-game mechanics of swinging and web-slinging are also masses of fun and may see you wanting to keep playing long after the main storyline is wrapped up.

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is exclusive to PlayStation.