The 54 Best Gifts for the Gamer in Your Life
The PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X turn a year old this holiday season, and they’re joined by a newcomer, the Nintendo Switch OLED. New "Halo" and "Call of Duty" games are coming, and computer gaming powerhouse Razer just keeps pushing the envelope when it comes to hyper-powered laptops.
This all means that there’s a video game gift option for everyone on your list, whether you’re shopping for a newbie gamer (check out "Warioware!") or an experienced team-based first-person shooter badass with their own monogrammed headset ("Back 4 Blood" and "Far Cry 6" will be for them). There’s an endless sea of gaming options out there, each catering to the growing collection of gamers.
Need a role-playing game where you can lose hours on end? Check out "Tales of Arise." Sports game? "NBA 2K." And in case you're looking for a throwback experience that reminds you of the 1990s? "Metroid Dread" is the way to go.
Not sure exactly where to start? That’s where this guide of gifts for gamers comes in. We’ve got a little bit of everything in here for you, from major gaming purchases (peep that new Razer) to stocking stuffers for the gamer who dares to open up their console (check out that PS5 hard drive). So scroll on—but don’t spend too long here. You (and your gift recipients) have far more fun actually playing these games than reading about them.
Nintendo upgrades its classic portable Switch to a device with a larger, more lustrous screen, and yes, it does change your gaming. New titles like "Metroid Dread" and even longtime classics like "Zelda: Breath of the Wild" look stunning on the brighter, larger screen while a sturdier kickstand closes a design hole from the original Switch.
No year is complete without a defining zombie game. And this year, that’s "Back 4 Blood," a cool title that has you teaming up with three teammates to battle through a post-apocalyptic world filled with “Ridden.” It’s a team-based game with wild amounts of replayability, so buckle up and enjoy the ride.
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Play as Selene in a unique adventure that sees you crashland on a mysterious planet, experience defeat, and continually return. Each time, you’re equipped with more knowledge and skill. "Returnal" is easily one of the PlayStation 5’s sleeper hits—and a must-own for any PS5 owner.
The latest iteration of Ubisoft’s open-world shooter sends you to a fictional version of Cuba to take on perhaps the most fearsome "Far Cry" villain yet, Anton Castillo (played by the brilliant Giancarlo Esposito). It’s a unique and liberating adventure, and it’ll have you wielding some of the best weapons yet in the series.
Sports gaming’s preeminent franchise returns with a loaded next-gen title that lets you build a franchise over decades. The best part: You can do this for an NBA or a WNBA squad. Tweaked on-court physics make every rebounding battle feel intense, and the core gameplay mechanics continue to hold up excellently.
There are gaming monitors, and then there’s this absolutely stunning 49-inch curved screen, which manages to look crystal-clear even when the "Call of Duty" bullets start flying feverishly. That’s thanks to a 1ms response rate. You’ll love the curve too: It immerses you in the action like never before.
Hardcore gamers have been pining for a third "Metroid Prime" title. Until then, "Dread," which draws inspiration from the original platforming and exploration days of "Metroid" on the early Nintendo consoles, will tide them over. "Dread" plays like an old-school Metroidvania title with one tweak: There’s a sense of urgency because you’re being chased by an especially fearsome foe.
When Link landed on the Wii in Skyward Sword years ago, the game took plenty of getting used to, thanks to the Wii’s unique motion controls. The remade title on Nintendo Switch solves that with a more natural control scheme, and the updated visuals help this latest Hyrule adventure feel that much more immersive.
Sony’s baseball video game franchise remains the defining way to experience baseball in a video game. A loaded franchise mode (that finally allows guys to evolve into two-way players) heads the package, and stellar gameplay will keep you coming back for months and months.
There are video games. And then there’s this unique shooter from Bethesda, which has you unraveling the mystery of protagonist Colt and taking down a series of baddies before your time loop runs out. The kicker: Somebody else just may jump into your game to prevent all of this.
Namco’s "Tales" franchise returns with plenty of fast-paced action-RPG combat (the "Tales" staple). That’s bolstered by an immersive art style you won’t help but love and one of the most fantastic storylines in the franchise’s history.
Introducing the "Aliens" video game you’ve been waiting for. "Fireteam Elite" merges cooperative gameplay with a unique sense of fear and dread: You and your team of marines aren’t so powerful since you have no clue where the aliens will come from. Each mission builds on the next, and a solid progression system leaves you plenty of replay value.
Capcom takes its storied franchise in a new direction, picking up after the events of "Resident Evil 7" and casting you as Ethan Winters again. It’s an atmospheric thriller in a new way, and it’ll make you jump and drop your jaw at least a few times during your playthrough.
It’s been two decades since this title dominated the PC. Now it makes its way to mainstream consoles for the first time, complete with a visual update that only makes the action darker and more creepy. Either way, you’ll battle the devil in fast-paced action—and have a blast.
Hideo Kojima’s masterpiece game gets the next-gen treatment and now you’re solitary adventure through a post-apocalyptic, disjointed world as Sam Porter-Bridges is even better. New stealth sequences bring intrigue to the title—and call back to some of Kojima’s "Metal Gear" roots.
The latest fast-paced adventure from Sony’s favorite intergalactic heroes is zany and fun, and it’s as electric as they come. It introduces a new mechanic, the idea of instantaneous portals to other worlds, and that enlivens gameplay that was already plenty of fun anyway. The end result: All-ages fun for everyone.
You could sit on your couch to game for hours on end, or you can lounge in this black-and-green gaming throne from Razer. This chair includes everything, leaving you cushioned armrests for your wrists, plenty of lumbar support, and multi-layered, synthetic foam construction.
Here's a different kind of adventure: Play as detective Takayuki Yagami and work to unravel a mystery filled with conspiracy and intrigue. Yes, it involves combat, but the other features shine as you look for clues, tail possible leads, and make your way around a beautifully rendered Japan in a cinematic adventure.
Forget big, adventurous games that take weeks upon weeks to complete and fall in love with the quick-bite minigame again! "WarioWare" bundles 200 microgames, some meant for you, and some taking advantage of the unique characteristics of the Nintendo Switch to get you playing with a friend instantly.
Phoenix Wright’s "Ace Attorney" games have always done well stateside, so Capcom brings a different attorney in this Switch adventure. You’ll meet a new cast of characters that you’ll come to love while still solving mystery after mystery. No, this isn’t a shooter and it’s not a sports game, but once you embrace its unique deductive logic challenges, it is an absolute blast!
Play as the son of Hades, Zagreus, in a unique dungeon crawl adventure that has you fighting to escape from the underworld. Along the way, you’ll meet a host of mythical characters who grow in power—and die many times. After each death, you come back stronger a gameplay convention that leads to plenty of fun and invention.
Namco’s psionic adventure takes you to an instantly immersive anime world. Fast-paced, versatile action drives the entire experience. And while the narrative doesn’t completely make sense, it does captivate you, partly because of the fantastic anime world.
The challenge of the PlayStation 5? Storage! Sony’s machine can only hold so many games, but Samsung’s handy T7 solves that, delivering 2TB of data in an ultra-tiny, sleek-looking package that practically fits in your wallet. Store PS4 games on it for play on your PS5, and even take it with you when you head to somebody else's console.
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CD Projekt Red’s blockbuster was one of the disappointments of 2020. But after a year of work, it’s gradually coming along, less buggy and more stable—and that means you can appreciate the things it gets right. What does it get right? A detailed, futuristic world, and while the story isn’t perfect, it is fun.
The magical game on the PlayStation is back and completely remade with a newly immersive battle system and updated visuals that put the blocks of two decades ago to shame. All that but the game still retains so much charm and spirit that you’ll be dying for more when the adventure finally ends.
The original "The Last of Us" was a stunning story video game. "The Last of Us: Part 2" delivers an equally engaging experience, this time casting you as an older Ellie after something tragic happens, then telling a unique story of rage, vengeance, and being made whole again.
Hit the backyard for a unique resource management game that has you lassoing tiny Pikmin to take on giant bugs and other creatures. "Pikmin 3" first arrived in the Nintendo Wii U era, but it plays even better on the Nintendo Switch.
"Nioh 2" once again fuses "Dark Souls"-style combat with an electric pace for a potent and addictive combination. It does this all in an attractive, stylish package that also delivers some of the best boss fights in recent years.
"Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater" was that rare video game franchise that got people into a sport (skateboarding) whether they cared about that sport or not. And nearly two decades later, it’s back and just as captivating and fun as it used to be in this remastered version.
There are video games, and then there’s "Mario Kart Live Home Circuit," the racing video game that comes to life. Set up a course in the living room, pull out the radio-controlled Mario Kart, and, through the wonder of augmented reality, you’ll run your race in real life. It’s addictive and fun, and yes, it may scare your pet cat just a little, too.
You can never get enough of Super Mario. Nintendo goes back to "Paper Mario: The Oragami King" for a unique experience that’s full of humor and challenge. But yes, jumping on enemies still hurts them, keeping this fully authentic to the Mario you know and love.
Who says old school can’t hang? "Streets of Rage 4" is a classic beat-em-up title with upgraded visuals that feel right out of a cartoon. It’s a perfect dose of retro gaming, and yes, it’s just as tough as you remember.
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This elegant platformer tells one of the best stories of gaming this year, and it does so while delivering a beautifully immersive world that you’ll never want to leave.
Marvel’s second most famous Spider-Man gets his own video game in "Miles Morales," and this story is even better than the first, backed by explosive next-gen graphics on the PlayStation 5. It’s an intense experience that’s equal parts cinematic and action-adventure, and it’ll keep you invested for hours on end.
Lose yourself in a fun world that’s the farthest thing from life, a happy-go-lucky vacationing-always island that’s the home to the latest "Animal Crossing." This game is your breath of holiday fresh air, an empty canvas where you can roam and relax. Dive in and enjoy the most relaxing game of the year.
When is a video game console more than a console? When you’re cutting the cord and turning your console into your source of TV cable too. From Xbox One and PlayStation 4 to Series X and PS5, all consoles can handle Sling TV, the streaming TV app that delivers everything from Starz and Showtime to NFL games and news channels. All it takes to get started is a quick gift card.
Meet our ultimate do-it-all gaming headset option. Astro’s A20 works with the Xbox One and Xbox Series X, and if you purchase a simple USB transmitter, it’ll instantly work with a PlayStation 5 and PS4 too. The rechargeable battery gets you 15 hours worth of talk time, more than enough for marathon gaming sessions, and the entire design is near-indestructible, perfect for kids and adults alike.
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Microsoft’s next-gen console is all about versatility, playing everything from classic Xbox titles to Xbox 360 and Xbox One games to brand new Xbox Series X titles, all with the press of a button. The machine is meant to be backward-compatible, even working with your old Xbox One controller for a smooth experience, and it’s perfect for the gamer who already has a solid library of games they don’t want to quit on.
What’s the best part of the Sony Playstation 5? It may be the DualSense controller, a precise bit of wizardry that includes haptic feedback, and a perfect-sized touchpad. Or it might be how PS5 is still compatible with VR experiences via PlayStation VR. Nah, it’s the ultra-fast solid-state hard drive that makes load times near-invisible and powers a machine that delivers next-level visuals, like what you see in "Spider-Man: Miles Morales."
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Your yearly retro gaming gift comes from Nintendo this year. The minds behind Mario resurrect the old feel of portable handhelds that convert into clocks with this tight console, which tells the time when you’re not binging on the original Super Mario Bros. The action remains as fast and furious as ever, making this one of the prime retro gaming gifts for the gamer in your life this holiday.
The new and emerging world of cloud-based gaming starts with Google Stadia, which offers you a premium experience (and everything from "The Witcher" to "Borderlands 3" to "NBA 2K") through a Chromecast unit and a Google Stadia controller. It’s a subscription-based service you can access almost anywhere, and it plays on either your TV or smartphone. And the scary part: It keeps getting better.
This isn’t just a great Nintendo Switch hack-and-slash game. It’s a must-play for anyone who loves Zelda, setting the stage for "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild," still the finest Switch game out there.
EA’s latest Star Wars game lets PlayStation gamers, PC gamers, and Xbox gamers experience the wonder of starfighter combat, dogfighting in a story that manages to be thrilling and continues expanding the Star Wars universe.
The latest device in the new wave of dual-screen smartphones is from Microsoft, and it’s so much more than a smartphone. The Duo blends awesome productivity capabilities—think of it as the smallest laptop you’ve ever used with serious gaming chops. Thanks to the cloud-based features in Xbox’s Game Pass Ultimate, you can game on your Duo with your favorite title, anytime, anywhere. That’s a gift for the Xbox gamer in your life.
Now, that’s a gaming keyboard. Razer’s V3 Pro keyboard untangles you from your desktop with wireless capabilities (so it’s perfect if you’re trying to play on an extra-large display, and it delivers a unique mechanical switch feel that allows you to feel each button-press with accuracy. And for gamers who wear out their keys, here's the best part: A casing that resists keyboard wear, keeping the labeling fresh for years upon years.
Ubisoft’s new game starts with a Zelda aesthetic and then charts its own course through mythology, facing you off against a variety of enemies and a series of puzzles in one of the most exciting new titles in recent years.
Gearbox’s venerable title gets a next-gen makeover with new textures and visuals for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X gamers. Even better, loads of DLC are bundled in, and over the years, "Borderlands" has honed its endgame content too. The end result: Hours upon hours upon hour of shooter game time.
The game that started the incredibly-hard-adventure-game genre returns on the PlayStation 5 in a completely revamped, visually stunning exclusive. And yes, it’s still as devilishly hard as ever.
PC gamers, get ready to fall in love. This 15-incher from Razer gives you everything you need to enjoy major gaming in an on-the-go package, from an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 graphics card that can run tough visuals to a stunning full HD thin-bezel display. Add in a host of ports, and you have a desktop in laptop’s clothing, the perfect laptop gift for the holiday.
This is the ultimate gift for PC gamers and Xbox gamers alike. If you’ve played on a PC, you know all about strategy games, and here, Microsoft brings the "Gears of War" world to a strategy game. Meanwhile, Xbox gamers get to learn all about strategy gaming in a world they love. Get ready to rumble.
Now this is a fighting game. "Mortal Kombat Ultimate" brings you the complete "Mortal Kombat X" roster, including Arnold’s T-1000 Terminator, Rambo, Joker, and Spawn, as well as all the stories of the MK X universe. It all comes together on the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 in an irresistible way.
This super-steady headset works with a bevy of machines from PCs and Nintendo Switches to the Xbox One and PlayStation 4. Ultra-comfortable ear cups and steady sound give you a well-rounded package that’ll leave you ready for any gaming situation—all with a budget-friendly price!
Remember the late Kobe Bryant in this Xbox One X gift set, which also includes the Xbox Series X version of the game. That gets you set up on both consoles, and on the Series X you’ll enjoy even more potent graphics and the first serious revision to the franchise model in several years.
Meet the tiny cable that will open a whole new world of gaming to the gamer in your life and any PC gamer you know. Oculus’ link cable is as simple as they come, but it instantly lets your Oculus Go connect to your PC’s Steam account for top-notch VR gaming. Fallout 4 VR, here you come.
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