Pop Culture Stocking Stuffers for Dad

The 2018 Holiday Season is upon us, and RCM will help you find the perfect gifts for Dad! Below is a listing of video games, movie/TV Shows, and board games that should appeal to the wide range of geeky dads. We’ve selected items that will be fun for dad himself, as well as items that can be shared and enjoyed with kids and the whole family. Finally, a list of gift ideas just for Dad himself – consume them responsibly!

NOTE: Some on the links below are affiliate links and some are not. None of these items are sponsored. We encourage everyone to #ShopLocal and #ShopSmall whenever possible!

Video Games

Red Dead Redemption 2
(PS4, Xbox One)
Rated: Mature, $59.99
The follow-up to the iconic Red Dead Redemption, this open world western game is actually a prequel to the first and follows the misadventures of outlaw Arthur Morgan and a young John Marston. Read my review of RDD1 here.

Amazing Frog
(PC)
Not Rated, $15.99
This open-world sandbox game set in a world of wacky frogs and their town is a favorite game of family-oriented Youtube gaming channels. A great game to play with your young kids.

Cuphead
(PC, Xbox One)
Rated: Everyone, $19.99
A devilishly hard side-scrolling shoot-em-up with a unique 1930’s animation feel. Supports two player co-op play so you and a kid or friend can play together.

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle
(Nintendo Switch)
Rated: Everyone, $35.00
A turn-based tactical shooter (?!) crossover starring Mario, Luigi, and friends versus the Rabbids from the Raving Rabbids franchise.

Spider-Man
(PS4)
Rated: Teen, $59.00
This open-world action adventure game has been called one of the best superhero games ever made. The web-crawling mechanics combine perfectly with the open world model of New York City.

Mega Man 11
(PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch)
Rated: Everyone, $30.00
The latest entry in the classic Mega Man series. Captures all the nostalgic elements of the classic games from the 90’s.

Pokemon: Let’s Go!
(Nintendo Switch)
Rated: Everyone, $60.00, releases 11/16/18
The first Pokemon game exclusively for the Nintendo Switch. Comes in Pikachu or Eevee versions, with exclusive pokemon in each version. Also compatible with Pokemon GO, you can transfer pokemon between games.

Super Smash Brothers Ultimate
(Nintendo Switch)
Rated: Everyone, $60.00, releases 12/7/18
The fifth in the Smash Brothers franchise, this crossover fighting game features characters from virtually every Nintendo game as well as several other franchises and is surprisingly complex despite its light-hearted nature. Up to 8 players can compete at once!

Nintendo Labo Kit
(Nintendo Switch)
Rated: Everyone, $66.00
Part game, part craft project; choose between 2 different RC cars, a piano, fishing road, toy house, motorbike, and piano to make and play!

NES Classic, $59.99
SNES Classic, $79.99
Playstation Classic, $99.99 (Releases 12/3/18)
Relive your retro gaming days with these mini-versions of your favorite consoles of yesterday! Each comes pre-loaded with various classic games. Show your kids what games were like back when you were little!

Movies/TV Shows

Alfred Hitchcock the Ultimate Collection
Blu-ray, $65
A collection of the Master of Suspense’s most famous works, including Rear Window, Vertigo, North by Northwest, Psycho, and The Birds.

Studio Ghibli Film Collection
DVD, $59.99
A collection of animated classics from Hayao Miyazaki that will delight and enchants adults and kids alike. Includes classics such as My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, and Spirited Away.

Universal Movie Monsters Collection
Blu-ray $115.49, DVD $63.26
A monstrous (see what I did there?) 30 disc collection of classic monster movies including Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy, The Invisible Man, The Bride of Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, The Phantom of the Opera, and the Creature from the Black Lagoon.

Avengers: Infinity War
(Blu-ray $22.99, DVD $14.39, Prime Video $19.99, 4K $22.34)
This crossover event of the Marvel Cinematic Universe teams almost every Marvel superhero as they attempt to stop Thanos from killing half the universe. Warning: young kids may need some consoling at the end, depending on who their favorite hero is.

Avatar – The Last Airbender: The Complete Series
Blu-ray $29.99, DVD $27.86
The complete series of Avatar: The Last Airbender follows the newest Avatar Aang as he and his friends attempt to stop The Fire Nation from conquering the world.

Transformers: The Complete Series
(DVD, $59.99)
Go back to the original cartoon series that spawned it all! Though they’ve gone through many changes, the original series is still perhaps the best, and a great gateway to the other cartoons, toys, and movies.

Cowboy Bebop Complete Series
(Prime Video $19.99)
The iconic anime series that introduced anime to many Americans. Frenetic action, memorable characters, an eclectic Jazz soundtrack, and a great price.

Board Games

Pandemic
Pandemic: Legacy Season 1
2 – 4 Players, Suggested Age 13-15
The classic co-operative game, players take on various roles to contain and hopefully eradicate a worldwide pandemic. Pandemic: Legacy improves on the original by providing a campaign that takes multiple plays, with the results of previous games influencing future events.

Forbidden Island
2 – 4 Players, Suggested Age 10 – 15
A fast co-operative game, players take on the roles of treasure hunters with different abilities as they must work together to collect treasure and escape the island before it floods.

Love Letter
2 – 4 Players, Suggested Age 8 and Up
A great game to introduce young players, players take on various roles to remove their rivals and successfully send a love letter to the princess.

Scythe
1 -5 Players, Suggested Age 14 and Up
Set in an alternate history 1920s Europe, players control factions which produce resources, build economic infrastructure, and use giant diesel-punk mechs to fight and control territory.

King of Tokyo
2 – 6 Players, Suggested Age 10 and Up
Play as giant creatures such as mutant monsters, rampaging robots, and adorable aliens and battle to control the city of Tokyo.

Dungeon Crawl Classics
Suggest Age 12 – 15
A stripped-down, old school Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game with dozens of modules intended to be finished in a single, short play session. Here’s more about why we think playing D&D is important.

No Kids Allowed

Spirits

Johnny Walker – White Walker
Johnnie Walker has released this limited edition whisky inspired by the hit TV series and novels.

Irons One
A local distillery at Lowe Mill; features handcrafted small batch whiskey. It can be tough finding some this time of year, but if you do, you’ll have leveled up in the gift giving arena.

John Emerald Distillery
A distillery located in Opelika; features a wide selection including gin, whiskey, rum, and vodka.

Beer & Cigars

Old Black Bear
Restaurant/taproom located in Downtown Madison. You can also buy their beer locally at many supermarkets. Read our review.

Salty Nut
Located at Campus 805, this local brewery features a wide variety as well as many seasonal offerings. Stop by and get a growler for home!

Rocket City Craft Beer
Features a rotating selection of craft beers on tap, and a large selection of cans and bottles to take home.

Vintage Cigar Lounge
A well-stocked humidor with knowledgeable staff makes this a great place for cigar newbies as well as aficionados. Also features excellent cocktails in a luxurious speakeasy-style lounge.

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Sam Chow

Sam Chow was born and raised in the Mississippi Delta. A 5th grade field trip to Space Camp started his lifelong love of technology and engineering. He juggled working in Huntsville while studying for his engineering degree at Mississippi State and moved here full-time in 2001. He and his lovely wife Connie were married in 2006 and currently have a five year old and a nine year old, a dog, and a cat. In his spare time he enjoys training and watching mixed martial arts, watching old foreign films, reading, and video gaming.