THIS Sunday is Father’s Day and if you’re panicking about what to get Dad (or the father figure in your life), the GOA team are here to help with some hand-picked suggestions, all tried and tested by us!
Anyone who has an Apple iPhone will know how transferring files from it to a PC or Android device has previously been a pain in the neck best accompanied by e-mailing the photos to the other person one or two at a time, or maybe using something like DropBox, WeTransfer or Google Drive if you want to get a bit fancy.
SanDisk have another solution: The iXpand Luxe USB stick which connects to both USB-C and Lightning.
It works well, it’s simple to use, and it’s very useful – the ideal gift, in other words.
Price Guide: Around AUD$80-$120, depending who has a sale on
BELKIN BOOSTCHARGE PRO 3-IN-1 BLACK WIRELESS CHARGING PAD
A sturdy and sophisticated design, this charging pad is suitable for any situation life throws your way. We can imagine this sitting on anyone’s bedside or office, at home or while away. It’s small but mighty design makes it reliable in both situations.
Though designed for MagSafe iPhones and the latest Apple Watch, the Boost Charge Pro is compatible older iPhones and Apple watch models, although the middle spot is limited to 5W charging. Offering three chargers in one package, this would be a fantastic gift for Father’s Day, it’s a great addition to any tech enthusiasts’ toolkit.
RRP: AUD$229.95
The 8-BitDo Pro 2 controller is for the dads out there who love their retro games. With a great build quality for a third party controller, it is compatible with the Nintendo Switch and PC.
The rumble feature feels great in the hands along with the face of the controller resembling the classic Super Nintendo style. So weather dad loves playing Classic Retro titles on the Nintendo Switch or the latest and greatest on the PC, the 8-BitDo Pro 2 controller will make a great Father’s Day present.
RRP: AUD$89
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: THE COWABUNGA COLLECTION
There’s a pretty good chance Dad probably played Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in the Arcade back in the day. Give him the gift of time travel this year with the TMNT: Cowabunga Collection. Featuring a plethora of nostalgic TMNT Arcade, NES, SNES, Genesis and Gameboy titles.
All your old favourites are included, as well as some hidden gems you might not have heard of. There’s also online multiplayer for select titles and, of course, couch co-op for the kids to join in too!
RRP: AUD$59
LOGITECH GO PRO X SUPERLIGHT WIRELESS GAMING MOUSE
If your dad is the sort of individual that spends copious amounts of time gaming or working on their PC, it’d probably make sense to get him a comfortable, high quality mouse to assist him in clicking heads and/or important work documents.
Weighing in at measly 63 grams, the Logitech G Pro X Superlight Wireless Gaming Mouse is the perfect mouse for basically all conditions, with its superlight nature makes it an absolute joy to use.
It’s simple no frills design makes it a great option for dads who just want a comfortable wireless mouse that gets the job done, while its hefty battery life ensures that he needn’t worry about charging it too often.
It’s not a cheap mouse, but its quality design and game-changing lightweight design make it well worth the price of admission, and a quality gift to boot.
RRP: AUD$279.95
For any fathers out there who love a good tabletop game, Betrayal at House on the Hill comes highly recommended as an ideal Father’s Day gift. A co-op adventure for up to six players, you play as the star of your very own Hollywood horror film (tropes and all), as each room is drawn at random and built out on the table as you go. That means you’re creating an entirely unique experience each time you play it, and the re-playability factor presented throughout is addicting.
Eventually, one of 50 unique scenarios will trigger and you’ll be thrown into a desperate fight for survival. There’s a slight learning curve and strategy to of the game, as Scenarios can pit your closest alliance against you, or transform you into a wild beast seeking blood, but this makes each experience even more enjoyable (the only slight draw-back being the length of each game, as sometimes they can span multiple hours dependent on the scenario). It’s truly the perfect game for any game night!
RRP: AUD$88 (Second Edition)
CALL OF CTHULHU 40th ANNIVERSARY STARTER KIT
If Dad likes mystery, horror, and table-top roleplaying games, then the Call of Cthulhu 40th Anniversary Starter Kit is going to be right up his alley. Containing literally everything he’ll need to get started, including dice, quick-start guides, pre-generated characters, and even a Choose Your Own Adventure-style introductory adventure which can be played solo and serves as an outstanding introduction to the system, character creation and the mythos.
Call of Cthulhu is one of the world’s most popular TTRPGs – it’s been around since 1981, although the fictional universe it uses was created by HP Lovecraft and friends in the 1920s and 1930s.
If Dad wants his TTRPG to be more about investigation and mystery and less about swords and sorcery, answering the Call of Cthulhu might be just what he’s looking for.
RRP: AUD$36.40
BRAUN SERIES 9 PRO ELECTRIC SHAVER
Getting Dad shaving stuff might be a cliche, but if you’ve got a budget and want to get him some really good shaving gear, then the Braun Series 9 Pro Electric Shaver may certainly fit that bill.
Not only can it handle multi-day beard growth, and provide a surprisingly close shave, it also comes with its own charging and cleaning station. No, it’s not cheap, but if your dad takes his personal grooming seriously and is looking for a quality electric razor, this is well worth considering.
RRP: AUD$499
