Last Minute Gifts

Remote Wand
Has it always been your dream to control your TV with a flick of your wrist? Try this accelerometer controlled remote, which looks like it’s straight out of Harry Potter—too much so for us, but if you’ve got kids around it’s sure to be a hit. You can command your entertainment components—or almost any remote-controlled device—to do all sorts of things by waving the wand in circles or up and down. Just do yourself a favor and hide it in a drawer when you have a chick over…unless you met her at a LARP event. ($82, TheWandCompany.com)

Microsoft Points
Microsoft Points are always appreciated by Xbox users, who can choose from thousands of entertainment choices via Xbox Live, including games, add-ons, and TV and film rentals. Not to mention Madden NFL Arcade….

PS3 Slim
The Uncharted, God of War, and Killzone series and such exclusive titles as Metal Gear Solid 4 have made the PS3 hugely popular among hardcore gamers. There was just one major problem: It weighed almost 15 pounds, nearly double the weight of the Xbox 360. Now, however, that problem is a thing of the past. Sony recently released 120- and 250-gigabyte versions that weigh in at about seven pounds and are significantly thinner than previous models, leaving you with more room for games. (120- gig: $300; 250-gig: $350)

Madden NFL Arcade
We’re psyched about Madden NFL Arcade, a scaled-back version of the indescribably popular football title. Arcade offers quick, on-the-fly games with four-player co-op and 13 unrealistic “game changers”—such as freezing a member of the opposing team—that enhance the arcade feel. It’s available at the online PlayStation store and via Xbox Live.

Crossfire Remote Pistol for the Wii
We like playing shooters on the Wii, without all the extra buttons of the PS3 or Xbox controller. With the remote pistol from Penguin United ($40), you’ll feel even more like you’re using a real gun. The weight falls on the grip, as opposed to the shells that you slip a Wii mote into, so it balances nicely in your hand. There are “A” buttons on both sides, which our left handed tester appreciated, and the other buttons (except “+” and “-”) are easily accessible, but not so accessible that you hit them by mistake.