Not impressed by the big names in our gaming gift guide? Perhaps you want something a bit more under the radar, a game or two by smaller developers with the money going to a good cause? Well, that’s a bit demanding of you, but we’ve got a few limited-time pay-what-you-want bundles that include some of the best games of the year.
The sexiest of the bunch is the Humble Indie Bundle 4 for PCs which has killer platformers like Super Meat Boy, Shank, and Bit.Trip.Runner. There’s also the bullet hell of Jamestown, and the atmospheric shadow realm of NightSky HD. Together they would retail for $100 and you get them all for whatever you feel like donating. You can then break down your donation among the American Red Cross, Child’s Play Charity, the game developers, and maybe a tip for the organizers of the bundle. The average total donation is currently $5.33 and if you pay more than that you get Cave Story and Gratuitous Space Battles along with the others. Most of these games are worth at least that much, and if you’re feeling extra generous you can gift the bundle to a deserving gamer in you life.
If the Humble Indie Bundle gives you a taste for PC gaming, the Little Big Bunch has the acclaimed Frozen Synapse along with four others. The caliber of the game isn’t quite as impressive as the HIB, but since you can name your price, it still makes sense.
And if helping charity or supporting independent artists doesn’t do it for you, you can look like you spent a ton of money when you actually spent $1. That way you can be a cheapskate without being a grinch.
This article appears in December 16 • 2011.