The same thing happens every year; whether it's a birthday, Christmas, or special celebration, there's always at least one person you have no idea what to buy for. There's so much choice out there on the web that it can become a real minefield when you're trying to decide what to pick, espeically if you've never actually seen the products in the flesh before.
That's where the Retro Dodo team comes in. I've listed 9 of the best gifts under $99.99 that we have in our personal collections or have tested thoroughly through the course of our work. You're getting the seal of approval from nerds in the know, taking the stress out of present buying and helping your money to go further.
All that's left for you to do is enjoy a coffee with your feet up - go on, you've earned it.
NB: All prices are correct as of 27/10/2025 and include current deals
1. G'AIM'E Lightgun With Time Crisis
- Release Date: Shipping Early December 2025
- Price: $99.99
- Where To Buy: G'AIM'E Webstore
- Read Our Review
How's this for nostalgia - a brand new lightgun that works with your existing TV in your living room, complete with Time Crisis, for $99.99.
I know what you're thinking - 'Take our money now', right? This thing is incredible; it uses a 1080p camera that runs on Linux and comes packed with 1GB of RAM. The system boasts a highly accurate AI that can track where you're clicking on the screen too, removing the need for the old-school CRT lines.
The console that the lightgun connects with is super small and looks very much the same size as a PS1 case. You'll get ports for guns and a foot pedal at the front, and a power and HDMI out port on the back. There's even a Time Crisis logo on the top as an extra sleek touch for the die-hard fans.
The lightgun itself feels amazing too. The design is definitely based on the PS1 Namco Lightgun from the 90s, and I'm very happy about that. It's the perfect weight and makes me feel like I'm down at my local gaming bar, except I'm at home in my slippers playing Time Crisis in my living room.
One thing I will say is that this console only comes with one game, which is fine if you love Time Crisis. If you want the pack with 4 games in it, it'll cost you $149, and $199 for a package with four games and an extra gun.
2. 8BitDo C64 Mechanical Keyboard
- Release Date: 2024
- Keyboard Dimensions: 376.6mm wide x 169.6mm high x 46.8mm deep
- Weight: 1050g
- Connection Type: Wireless 2.4G, Bluetooth, Wired USB
- Price: $From $89.99
- Other Available Variants: NES, Famicom, C64, IBM Model M
- Available From: Amazon, 8BitDo
- Read Our Review: C64 Edition Review: A Nostalgic Nod To The Past
There is no better feeling than when you start typing a big paragraph for a book or an article and it sounds like a spider tapdancing on your keyboard. These mechanical keyboards from 8BitDo don't just look the part in your office or game room, but they're one of the most satisfying keyboards to use and are incredibly comfortable when you're sitting down to smash out 5,000 words.
Yes, that is my keyboard, and yes, I use it every single day. I've used it to write a book, I use it to write all of my articles, and it pays homage to the C64, one of the greatest consoles of our time.
This C64 Edition keyboard comes with Super Buttons that you can use to program shortcuts for commands you use on a regular basis like cut, paste, undo, or screenshot. It also comes with a Joystick for controlling games! It's light enough to stick in a suitcase if you're working on the go and has a great battery life, giving you 200 hours off a 4-hour charge!
3. Mangmi Air X
- Release Date: October 2025
- Price: RRP $89.99, with an early bird release price of $79.99
- Where To Buy: MANGMI's Official Website
- Read Our Review: MANGMI Air X Review: PS2 & GameCube Emulation That Works For Under $100
Ps2 and GameCube emulation at a current price of $79.99... at that price, you can't not afford to try this handheld out. I wrote an incredibly in-depth review of this handheld after spending 4 days throwing everything I could at it, and I'm really impressed with it. At that price, it should be able to cope with PS1 and Dreamcast games pretty well, but the fact that it can load up games like The Simpsons: Road Rage and The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and play them like a handheld that costs twice as much is phenomenal.
It comes in three colourways, but this retro Famicom-esque design is by far my favourite. The 5.5" IPS screen is bright, the controls are responsive (Hall effect joysticks all the way), and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 processor provides brilliant results. The MANGMI Air X is great for PSP games, N64 greats, and everything below. Check out my review above if you want the full lowdown on this awesome machine!
4. Atari 7800+ Console & Wireless Controller - HDMI Output
- Release Date: 2024
- Price: RRP $82.84
- Where To Buy: Amazon
Atari are a legendary name in the world of retro gaming, but not everyone has a CRT to be able to hook up the original consoles to play their favourite games. The 7800+ is a fantastic bit of kit that hooks up to your existing monitor or TV via HDMI and comes with a wireless controller - no more being tethered to your console and sitting super close to the screen!
The 7800+is powered by a USB-C cable and comes with a brand new sequel to Crystal Castles called 'Bentley Bear’s Crystal Quest', so you can get gaming as soon as you take it out of the box. It also plays original 2600 and 7800 games, so there are plenty of cartridges out there that you can buy to build your own collection.
I love the look and feel of this console; it's modern but has all the characteristics of an '80s icon. It looks amazing in my office, and I'm willing to bet next month's wage packet that it will look amazing in yours too!
5. Pokémon Johto Legends Vinyl
Pokémon isn't just a game: it's a state of mind, a way of life. That's the kind of thing that ultimate Pokémaniacs like the Retro Dodo team would say, anyway, which is why when we're not playing Pokémon or thinking about Pokémon, we're listening to the sounds of Gold and Silver on our vinyl player via the Johto Legends album.
Dive into a one-hour orchestral arrangement of the songs that you listened to while playing through Gold and Silver on the Game Boy Color, reminiscing as you kick back on the couch and ultimately end up reaching for your Game Boy. Plus, the LP looks a little like a Master Ball, which is worth the price in itself!
6. Grid Studios Gaming Art
- Release Date: 2021
- Price: $99+
- Available At: Grid Studio’s Official Website
What do you do with broken tech when you don't want to throw it away? Grid Studios have been answering this for many years now, preserving broken tech in frames with annotations as though they were part of a museum exhibition.
When Brandon first received his sets from Grid Studios back in the day, they were wrapped so lovingly as though we had received Christmas Presents from Santa himself. The attention to detail in these packages is second to none, and they make incredible gifts for loved ones, especially those who already have everything!
All of the pieces are secured to the backboards with no chance of falling off, and the little annotations help you to understand the gubbins of your tech in a much better way. It's nice to have a chance to take a look inside the handhelds and consoles that meant so much to us as kids, and these frames make the perfect addition to any creative space!
7. GKD Pixel II
- Price: $75.99
- What’s In The Box: GKD Pixel II, small strap, manual
- Operating System: Linux-based
- Emulates: Everything up to PS1, N64, PSP
- Battery: 1,800mAh
- Available From: Keep Retro Website
- Read Our Review: GKD Pixel II Review
If you're looking to add a micro handheld into your collection or know someone who loves tiny tech, then the GKD Pixel II will definitely put a smile on their face. It's a handheld with a premium feel thanks to the sturdy metal casing and is small enough to charge up and keep in your jacket pocket, so you've always got a game console with you wherever you go.
Despite being so small, the 2.4" screen is very clear and vibrant, and the buttons all feel very substantial and more than up for a pummeling during games like Street Fighter.
The GKD Pixel II is perfect for playing Game Boy games from the DMG to the GBA. I've spent a lot of time playing Pokémon Fire Red on this thing, and it's incredibly satisfying to be able to just stick it back in my coat breast pocket when I'm getting off the train rather than having to open up my backpack and store something like a Nintendo Switch away.
You can emulate up to PS1 and Dreamcast games on here, which is wild. It claims to be able to emulate Nintendo DS titles, but the screen is so small that it's a farce switching between the two all the time. N64 games don't work great on here either, but if you're after something that can play Crash Team Racing, Sonic Adventure, and a whole host of GBA games, then look no further!
8. The Legend of Zelda Legendary Edition Collection 5 Books Set
- Release Date: 2017
- Price: $79.55
- Available From: Amazon
I think it's safe to say that I'm a huge Zelda nerd. The Ocarina of Time changed my life forever, giving me a love of fantasy adventures and allowing me to escape into a completely different world. It's the series that made me want to become a games writer, and I've loved reading the manga stories of these 5 iconic games over and over again.
You get a whole different experience when you read Ocarina of Time as a comic instead of playing it, and the same goes for the other stories in the collection too. You'll get 5 paperback books, with 8 stories - Four Swords, The Minish Cap/Phantom Hour Glass, Majora’s Mask/A Link to the Past, Oracle of Seasons/Oracle of Ages, and Ocarina of Time.
This is a great present for any Zelda fan who lives and breathes the earlier games. I've become a little disillusioned with Zelda since Tears of the Kingdom released, but I still enjoy going back and reading Majora's Mask or the Minish Cap after a heavy gaming session and marvelling at the drawings!
9. Nintendo DS Lite (Renewed)
- Release Date: 2006
- Price: $90.00
- Available From: Amazon
I'm a big fan of purchasing renewed tech, which is why I've included this Nintendo DS Lite from Amazon as the final item under $99.99. In a world where we don't own our games and there are so many DLC packages or updates required to play content, it's so important to cherish the handhelds and consoles that allowed us to play games straight out of the box without any messing around.
The Nintendo DS is the second-best-selling console of all time for a reason. It has 3,467 games available to purchase and play, and everyone I know had one when I was a teenager. The dual screen gameplay, the clamshell design - they're a brilliant handheld no matter what age you are, with games to keep your brain young or to simply pass the time while you button mash your way to victory. Plus, after you've read The Phantom Hourglass in the Zelda set above, you're going to need a console to go and play the game on, right?
Bonus Stocking Filler: The Throne
- Release Date: October 2025
- Price: £24.99
- Where To Buy: GAMENOOK,
Keeping in the spirit of 'renew and reuse', I want to introduce you to the newest product from our sister company GAMENOOK. It's called The Throne, a stand for your handheld and games that is made completely from recycled plastic. And yes, you can display your renewed Nintendo DS in one too!
We work with small businesses to take plastic out of landfill and the ocean, turning it into stylish stands that allow you to show off your collection. We only have one planet, which is why we organise litter picks and clean up the UK's coastline to get plastic for our products. It's also why we plant a tree for every order we get, too!
