Gift Guide 2025: Level Up Your Gamer’s Holiday
Navigating the world of gaming to find the perfect present can feel like tackling a final boss without a strategy guide. If you’re shopping for a gamer, you probably know they likely have the specific titles they want, and keeping up with the endless variety of consoles, accessories, and subscriptions can be overwhelming.
Luckily for you, we live and breathe video games. Trying out the latest gear is what we do, so we can tell you what’s actually worth your money.
We’ve put together this gift guide with items we’ve personally tested, loved, and would be thrilled to receive. From nostalgic retro tech to subscriptions that offer a library of games to last until the next holiday season, here are our top picks for cool and thoughtful gifts for the geeky person in your life. Just a heads up, they might not want to leave the house for a while after unwrapping these.
Gamer Gift Guide: Stocking Stuffers
Nintendo Classic Console Backpack Buddies
These charming Nintendo keychains are a great, affordable gift for any Nintendo fan. You can find them in blind bags, which adds a bit of mystery to the fun. Each bag might contain a mini Game Boy, Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64, or other classic console keychain. They’re perfect for decorating a backpack or set of keys and have a nostalgic appeal that any long-time gamer will appreciate.
My Play Watch Tetris
They might have the latest console, but do they have a watch that plays Tetris? The My Play Watch combines the simple functions of a smartwatch, like telling time and tracking steps, with the fun of classic 80s arcade games. It’s a great piece of retro tech that comes in Atari, Space Invaders, and Tetris versions. It’s blissfully free of constant notifications, making it a non-distracting accessory for both kids and adults who appreciate a bit of nostalgia. Playing a quick game of Tetris while waiting in line is a definite plus.
Hyper Mega Tech Super Pocket
In a market flooded with cheap, Game Boy-style handhelds, the Super Pocket stands out. Each of these mini consoles comes pre-loaded with a selection of hits from retro giants like Atari, Taito, Capcom, and Neo Geo. The designs are colorful, charming, and perfectly sized to fit in your pocket. What makes it even better is its compatibility with Evercade cartridges, which opens up a huge library of classic games like Pac-Man, Tomb Raider, and Duke Nukem.
Gamer Gift Guide: Consoles and Handhelds
Lego Game Boy
Building this Lego Game Boy set is a joyful experience for any Nintendo enthusiast. This 421-piece set faithfully recreates the iconic 1989 handheld. Once built, it feels great to hold, with snappy A and B buttons and the satisfying click of the power switch. It even includes replica Mario and Zelda game cartridges and interchangeable lenticular screens that bring classic gameplay scenes to life. It’s an affordable and engaging gift for anyone who grew up with Nintendo.
Backbone Pro Bluetooth Mobile Gaming Controller
The Backbone Pro controller can turn any smartphone into a high-quality gaming device. It builds on the original Backbone One by adding larger, more ergonomic grips, programmable rear buttons, and a Bluetooth mode for wireless play. It’s perfect for streaming Xbox games or playing mobile titles like NBA 2K. For anyone who enjoys gaming on their phone, the Backbone Pro is an excellent gift that offers a console-like experience without the need for a bulky handheld.
Nintendo Switch 2
The Nintendo Switch 2 is a staff favorite for a reason. With a larger screen, faster performance, and bigger controllers that fit more comfortably in your hands, it’s a significant upgrade. It’s a fantastic gift for families, especially with launch titles like Mario Kart World that are perfect for group play. You can even pair your old Switch controllers for multiplayer fun right out of the box, making holiday gatherings much more entertaining.
Gamer Gift Guide: High-Performance Gaming
Lenovo Legion Go S With SteamOS
For the PC gamer in your life, the Lenovo Legion Go S is a standout choice among the many portable PC gaming devices available. It runs on SteamOS, offering a more streamlined experience than Windows-based handhelds. With better ergonomics than the popular Steam Deck and a larger, more vibrant screen, it makes playing PC games on the go a real pleasure. This device is a great way to enjoy a massive PC game library without being tied to a desk.
Sony PS5 Pro Console
If you’re looking to splurge on a gamer who values top-tier performance, the PS5 Pro is the ultimate console gift. This upgraded PlayStation 5 uses advanced technology to run games in stunning 4K resolution without sacrificing smooth frame rates. While the visual improvements are a key selling point, the massive 2TB internal hard drive is also a huge benefit for gamers with large digital libraries. Its slimmer design also looks much sleeker in an entertainment center compared to the original PS5.
Gamer Gift Guide: How to Choose the Best Gifts
When shopping for games or accessories, the most important thing is to know what platform the person plays on. While many gaming headsets work across different systems, controllers are often specific to one or two consoles. PC gamers have more flexibility, but it’s always good to double-check. Paying attention to their favorite franchises or characters can also give you great ideas for apparel and collectibles.
If you’re buying a console, consider getting a bundle that includes a game. This way, they can start playing right away. For a younger gamer, it’s a nice touch to set up the console and install any software updates before wrapping it. That way, they can jump straight into the action.
Finally, you can never go wrong with a gift card. Whether it’s for a specific store like GameStop or for a digital storefront like the Nintendo eShop, Xbox Store, or PlayStation Store, it gives them the freedom to choose what they really want. Subscriptions like Xbox Game Pass, Nintendo Switch Online, or PlayStation Plus are also fantastic digital gifts, offering instant access to hundreds of games.
