Gift Ideas: 10 Awesome Gaming Extras

Buying a gift for a gamer is super easy — if he doesn’t have many games. But there’s a good chance the gamer on your list has already played through some of the year’s biggest hits, which can leave you floundering for ideas.

Good news! Gaming culture extends far beyond software. There are loads of accessories and extras that will make you a holiday hero. Check out these 10.

Netgear Nighthawk X6 AC3200 router: $300
Whether you play on an Xbox One, 3DS, or iPhone, it’s critical to have a fast Wi-Fi connection to get the most out of your gaming device. In the past year, a slew of devices using the blazing 802.11ac protocol arrived. Netgear makes several excellent ones, including the burly Nighthawk X6 AC3200, which offers three separate Wi-Fi bands and speeds of up to 3.2 Gbps. A cheaper option: Netgear’s R6300 Smart WiFi Router ($200).

Buy it for: The hardcore multiplayer gamer who keeps complaining about Internet speed.

Loot Crate subscription: $13.37/month
Beer of the month club is so 2010. Instead, give the gift of geek with Loot Crate, which sends out a monthly batch of geek-friendly goodies ranging from T-shirts to game-centric phone cases to figurines to — why not? — Pop Rocks. The point is, you never know what you’re going to get, but it’s guaranteed to be fun.

Buy it for: Eclectic geeks with a willingness to try new things.

Portal 2 Inter-Spatial Earrings: $13
If the gamer on your list prefers something glittery, break the space-time continuum with these killer earrings. The silver-plated enamel jewelry uses the power of portals to whisk a little character through your jaw. GLaDOS herself would be proud to wear these. If, you know, she had ears.

Buy it for: Bold, fashion-forward gamers with pierced ears.

Astro A40 Headset: $200 and up
Perfect for both multiplayer matches and keeping the din to a minimum, a high-quality headset is indispensable. Astro offers a wide range of sets, but our fave is the A40 series, which combines great quality and comfort at a sub-$300 price. Want to spend less? The HyperX Cloud headset ($65 at Amazon) from Kingston is preferred by several professional gamers and offers terrific sound quality on a variety of devices.

Buy it for: Audiophiles, parents who don’t want to wake the kids, or kids who don’t want to wake the parents.

Retro gaming cartridge pillows: $25
Blending nostalgia with a comfy place to lay your head, these pillows replicate old NES gaming cartridges. You’ll get two, both promoting the nonexistent but perfectly plausible games Lava Jump and Unicorn’s Revenge.

Buy it for: Anyone, really. Who doesn’t need a few spare throw pillows?

Corsair Vengeance K70 keyboard: $120
Serious PC gamers need serious hardware, and a good gaming keyboard can make a good player into a great one, with programmable keys and macro recording. Corsair’s K70 line is built extra sturdy to withstand abuse. If you want a little more style, opt for the Razer BlackWidow Chroma Mechanical Gaming Keyboard ($170), which also offers flashy backlit keys to improve visibility in dark rooms.

Buy it for: PC gamers on the verge of going pro.

Wii U High-Capacity Battery: $35
It’s been a terrific few months for the Wii U, but one of the system’s persistent shortcomings is the awful battery life of the Wii U Gamepad. As it happens, Nintendo offers a higher-capacity option that will significantly extend the life of the second screen, giving you up to eight hours of playtime. Have an Xbox One instead? Then check out Energizer’s 2X charging system ($30), which comes with two rechargeable battery packs and a handy stand.

Buy it for: Absolutely anyone who owns a Wii U.

Razer Deathadder Chroma mouse: $70
Accuracy is everything to die-hard PC gamers. Peripherals like the Razer Deathadder Chroma have much more precise sensors and smoother movement options, plus this particular pointer features grippy rubber sides and some cool mood lights.

Buy it for: Strategy and shooter gamers.

Dungeons and Dragons: 5th Edition Starter Set: $20
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the seminal role-playing game, and Wizards of the Coast has gone all out to celebrate. The excellent Starter Set is a great way to get your feet wet with the new rules, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. A new Player’s Handbook, Dungeon Master’s Guide, and Monster Manual ($50 each) are also available for those willing to dig deeper into the dungeon.

Buy it for: A geeky friend you’d like to (form a) party with.

Moga Rebel Premium iOS Gamepad: $80
The first round of iOS gamepads weren’t that impressive, but now that manufacturers have had a little more time to work with them, they’re becoming real considerations. The Moga Rebel Premium is best suited for an iPad, but it conveniently comes with a slot that locks your iPhone into place for play sessions on that device. Another option, though one we haven’t tested, is the new SteelSeries Stratus XL ($70), which has gotten decent reviews as well.

Buy it for: An iOS gamer who can’t stop moaning about terrible touchscreen controls.

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