I went in intending to grab one thing and came out mentally justifying half a library refresh. That is usually how these weeks go. If you have ever told yourself you are absolutely done buying games this month, you are among friends here.
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This Day in Gaming 🎂
In retro news, I’m celebrating the Aussie birthday of a rare and expensive bird, the SNK Neo Geo CD. Released in limited numbers in Oz around the $600 ballpark ($1,299 in ’25 bux), this bad boy delivered near-perfect arcade-quality games, though it was a “budget” alternative to the hilari-expensive, cartridge-based Neo Geo AES. Being CD-based marred this unit with lonnng load times, though the gruelling wait for Metal Slug, Samurai Shodown, and Fatal Fury was always worth it. Here’s a shot of the beast I sold a kidney and a lung for. Laser: still going strong.
Aussie birthdays for notable games.
– Neo Geo CD launch, 1994. eBay
– Kirby & the Amazing Mirror (GBA) 2004. eBay
– WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 (PSP) 2006. eBay
– Harvest Moon DS: Sunshine Islands (DS) 2010. eBay
Nice Savings for Nintendo Switch
- Mario Kart 8 Del. (-25%) A$59 Still the gold standard for pick up and play multiplayer, with immaculate track design and endless replay value thanks to its absurdly polished handling.
- Minecraft (-27%) A$29 A creative sandbox that somehow keeps reinventing itself, whether you are building dream houses or falling into lava five minutes in.
- Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance (-60%) A$40.30 A far stronger version of an already excellent JRPG, with smarter pacing, added story paths, and punishing combat that demands respect.
- Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age (-48%) A$41.30 Political fantasy with MMO inspired systems that still feel fresh, especially if you enjoy tinkering with party roles and gambits.
- No Man’s Sky (-60%) A$31.90 A redemption story turned content monster, now packed with systems, expeditions, and space weirdness worth getting lost in.
- Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy (-37%) A$47 Courtroom melodrama at its finest, with absurd cases, great character arcs, and that unbeatable feeling of yelling objection.
Banger Must-owns
Bucketlist stuff
Or gift a Nintendo eShop Card.
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Exciting Bargains for Xbox
- EA Sports FC 26 (-55%) A$44.90 A slick presentation and refined match flow make this an easy recommendation if you play even semi regularly.
- Assassin’s Creed Shadows (-57%) A$47 Stealth focused Assassin’s Creed with a strong sense of place and some genuinely smart systemic design.
- Mafia: The Old Country (-48%) A$47 A moody crime story that leans into atmosphere over open world bloat, which I appreciate more every year.
- Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (-61%) A$42.70 Bigger, bolder, and more confident than Fallen Order, with excellent level design and proper Star Wars swagger.
- The Callisto Protocol (-69%) A$31.20 Visceral sci fi horror that looks incredible, even if it occasionally prioritises vibes over mechanical depth.
- Diablo IV (-73%) A$30 The best the series has felt in years, especially now that seasonal updates have smoothed its rough edges.
Xbox One
- Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth (-70%) A$34.40 A joyful, heartfelt RPG that balances absurd humour with surprising emotional weight.
- Unravel Two (-85%) A$4.40 A beautiful co op puzzle platformer that communicates warmth without saying a word.
- Dave The Diver (-45%) A$16.40 Part restaurant sim, part deep sea adventure, and entirely impossible to stop playing once it hooks you.
Must Plays to Own
Timeless crown jewels
Or just invest in an Xbox Card.
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Pure Scores for PlayStation
- Alan Wake 2 (-70%) A$27.20 A fearless, experimental horror sequel that constantly messes with expectations and absolutely nails its tone.
- Returnal (-43%) A$71.70 Brutal, beautiful, and mechanically sublime, especially if you enjoy roguelikes with AAA polish.
- Octopath Traveler II (-52%) A$40.90 Gorgeous pixel art and refined turn based systems make this a huge step up from the original.
- Hogwarts Legacy (-45%) A$59.90 A love letter to the wizarding world that nails atmosphere, even if you are only casually invested.
- Final Fantasy XVI (-35%) A$54.90 A bold tonal shift for the series, with spectacular boss fights and a confident narrative voice.
- Hitman World Of Assassination (-48%) A$55 One of the best stealth sandboxes ever made, offering near infinite replayability through player creativity.
PS4
- God Of War Ragnarok (-72%) A$30.70 A blockbuster sequel that somehow balances bombast with genuine emotional payoff.
- Mafia: Trilogy (-56%) A$44 Three classic crime stories bundled together, rough edges and all.
- Far Cry 6 (-57%) A$43.10 Familiar open world chaos elevated by a fantastic villain and a stunning tropical setting.
All-Timers Worth Tracking
Not current, but amazing
Or purchase a PS Store Card.
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Purchase Cheap for PC
- Metaphor: ReFantazio (-55%) A$51.70 Stylish, confident, and packed with personality, this feels like Atlus firing on all cylinders.
- It Takes Two (-80%) A$9.90 One of the smartest cooperative games ever made, designed around communication and shared discovery.
- Detroit: Become Human (-90%) A$5.90 A branching narrative showcase that is still fascinating to dissect, especially with friends watching.
- Octopath Traveler (-60%) A$35.90 A beautiful modern take on classic JRPG structure, with a stunning soundtrack to match.
- Silent Hill 2 (-62%) A$38.90 Psychological horror royalty, still unmatched in how deeply uncomfortable it is willing to be.
Or just get a Steam Wallet Card
Legit LEGO Deals
Just like I did last holiday season, I’m getting festive with the LEGO section. In Mathew Manor, my sons and I are again racing / rating 2025’s batch of LEGO Advent Calendars. Basically, we open the City, Harry Potter, Minecraft, and Star Wars ones daily and compare the mini-prizes for “Awesomeness” and “Actual Xmas-ness”. 2024’s winner was the Lego Marvel one, but, weirdly, there’s no 2025 equivalent. So it’s anybody’s race this year.
Here are the cheapest prices for the four calendars we’re using. Score them yourself or just live vicariously through our unboxings.
Adam Mathew is a passionate connoisseur, a lifelong game critic, and an Aussie deals wrangler who genuinely wants to hook you up with stuff that’s worth playing (but also cheap). He plays practically everything, sometimes on YouTube.
