The 18 Best Gaming Gifts, According to Our Editor With 15 Years in the Industry

With no new consoles announced, all of the core consoles will make for great gifts, but the Switch 2 is the newest kid on the block, and thus the one that will likely stay active the longest. The Switch 2 was a significant tech improvement over the original Switch when it launched last year, and Nintendo has launched a substantial number of exciting exclusives over the past year, many of which are truly all-ages experiences: Kid-friendly, so families can play worry-free, but with the innovative gameplay and polish that will hold an adult’s attention.Lately, I’ve been playing Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave, the latest entry in the long-running strategy RPG franchise. That’s on the niche side for a Nintendo game, but there’s a wide array of fun, distinctive games, like Pokopia, the Pokemon habitat-builder; Donkey Kong Bananza, a platformer you can literally break apart piece by piece; and Mario Kart World, which brings some huge changes to the long-running classic racer.And, while the Switch 2 will not be able to play GTA VI (at least not at launch), it will get its mega-blockbuster this November: a remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, a game that most critics and fans of a certain age put up among the best games of all time.Earlier this year, HP folded its two gaming PC brands–Omen and Victus–into HyperX, the PC gaming peripherals brand it purchased back in 2021. That means HyperX makes PCs now! I’ve always been a huge fan of the brand, which was best known for headsets but also made good keyboards and mice, among other things, so I was excited to see what the first HyperX PCs could do.The HyperX Omen 15 is a capable mid-range gaming laptop equipped with either a Ryzen 7 or Intel Core i7 CPU, an Nvidia 5060 GPU, 16 GB of RAM, and 1TB SSD. The display is a 2.5K (2560 x 1600p) IPS panel with a 180Hz max refresh rate, which is more than enough to handle what a 5060 will throw at it. At a time when gaming PC prices are shockingly high (note the conspicuous lack of a desktop or GPUs on this list) I think this is a solid machine from a trustworthy brand, which is really all you can ask for at a time like this.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowAll gaming PCs are expensive this year, but the handheld gaming PC market has gotten especially out of control. If you want to be nice to someone and splurge nearly $2,000, the new model I’ve seen this year is MSI’s Claw EX AI+. It’s the first handheld furnished with Intel’s Arc G3 Extreme processor, a chip made specifically for handhelds instead of laptops. That has made it both more performant and, crucially, power-efficient than most of the handhelds I’ve seen and tried. And, unlike a Steam Deck, it is Windows-based out of the box, which makes it easier to use Steam, Xbox Game Pass, and all the other storefronts without any tinkering.If you’re willing to spend top dollar to buy the most bonkers version of a gaming peripheral, SteelSeries is usually a good brand to look at. After designing and redesigning its impeccable multi-platform headset, the Arctis Nova Pro, the brand has turned its attention back to the controller, and released a new, equally impressive Xbox-style gamepad, the Aeon Pro.SteelSeries took a lot of the features from the Arctis Nova headset and ported them over to the Aeon Pro. There’s a charging dock with multiple inputs so you can hot-swap between Xbox and PC on the fly. It also comes with a pair of replaceable batteries (the same ones in the Nova Pro/Elite), so you can always switch batteries and keep playing. Even if you forget to use the dock, you will never run out of battery with this controller.You also get all the standard features you’d expect on a premium controller—swappable hall effect analog sticks, four customizable rear paddles, adjustable trigger travel–it features sublimely clicky mechanical buttons and balanced weight in your hand. At $260, this is the very definition of a giftable controller: It’s more money than anyone would want to spend on a controller themselves, but a daily player will absolutely appreciate the luxury of owning one.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowLow-profile gaming keyboards, which feature less “travel” or a smaller distance from unpressed to fully bottomed out, are an acquired taste. Mechanical keyboards, with longer travel, tend to be more comfortable, but many players are comfortable with low-profile keys because they feel more like a laptop keyboard and/or because the keys are optimal for “hair trigger” settings that cater to twitch reflexes. When a quick action is all that stands between you and certain death, a low-profile keyboard might be the difference between a dodge and your demise.Razer does well with just about everything, but I find myself recommending the brand’s keyboards about as often as anything, and its newest low-profile option really worked for me this year. With adjustable actuation and other features that allow you to really optimize for the fastest possible response, it’s a high-performance keyboard for players who want to go all in on multiplayer performance.In the same vein as the Aeon Pro, SteelSeries has reinvented its mouse line with a four-pack of new mice: The Rival Pro, Rival Pro Mini, Sensei Pro, and Sensei Pro Mini. That sounds like a lot of mice, but really it comes down to two shapes: The more ergonomic Sensei and the more streamlined Rival, both of which come in a standard or lighter “mini” size. (Mini mice are better for small hands, of course, but also preferred by “claw” players who hold their hand above their mice for quick-clicking.) While they are different, I’d say both Sensei and Rival have a decidedly competitive build, which is why I’d specifically recommend Rival Pro.Like the Aeon Pro controller, Steelseries has ported over its swappable battery system (though the mice have smaller puck-sized batteries), but the big innovation is a new, faster wireless connection, which they call “Ultra 8K wideband.” 8K polling—the number of times the mouse sends signals back to your PC per second, sort of like a “refresh rate” for mice–is now a common claim among high-end gaming mice, but not every mouse delivers it consistently. Steelseries claims that Ultra 8K Wideband, which relies on line of sight between the mouse and a small base station (that also charges the backup battery), ensures a steady 8K connection. And, like all esports mice, it’s incredibly light, about 53 grams.It ain’t cheap, but if your gamer plays a lot of competitive online multiplayer games, like Call of Duty, Fortnite, Valorant, or Marvel Rivals, this is the kind of mouse they’re looking for to get a competitive edge (and show off to their friends).Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowI’ve been known to recommend some incredibly expensive gaming headsets in the past, so this year my most gift-worthy option is a little more reasonable, if not cheap. The newest riff on Logitech’s flagship gaming headset, the Pro X3, offers a great balance of audio quality, mic clarity, comfort, and style. I’ve long been a fan of the advanced EQ and post-processing work that Logitech manages to pull off via G Hub, its companion app, though it still sounds clear and sweet on PS5, where you don’t have access to those fine controls. It’s also the most stylish new headset I tested this year. The black aluminum and faux-leather-coated padding look great on a stream, or even a video call at work.I haven’t played Grand Theft Auto VI yet, but I don’t need to touch it to know that it’s at the top of every gamer’s wish list this holiday season. It’s been more than a decade since Rockstar Games released the last Grand Theft Auto game, but in that time, the series’ popularity has only grown. With the game launching November 19, the hype has reached a fever pitch as release day approaches. Houston Rockets center Steven Adams joked that NBA productivity will drop on launch day. There are a couple of stories out there with advice on how to ask for time off to play.If you haven’t watched the Netflix special about the game, GTA VI follows a Bonnie and Clyde-esque criminal couple in Vice City, which is loosely based on Miami. Like past games, it seems to boast incredibly detailed and cinematic visuals, particularly for an open-world experience where you can go anywhere, do anything and, per the name, steal anyone’s car.Speaking of which, I feel like most people are aware of GTA and its adult themes because of various satires and news stories about the rest of the series, but just in case: This game has a lot of violence, and seemingly some sexual content as well. If you are shopping for a kid, treat access to this game the same way you would an R-rated movie.Shop PS5 Shop XboxAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowI’ve mentioned it already, but GTA VI is not the only game that’s going to set the gaming world on fire this November. Released in 1998 on the Nintendo 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is often touted as the pinnacle of the franchise, bested maybe only by the original Switch’s Breath of the Wild. After nearly 30 years, Nintendo has rebuilt this classic from the ground up. From early previews, it looks like they’ve balanced making a faithful recreation and making some creative changes: Hopefully, that will allow old-heads like me who were there for the original to experience the game again, for the first time. But even if you’ve never played the 1998 game, I fully expect this to be a mind-blowing experience for anyone who gives it a shot.If the Ocarina of Time remake is not enough for your favorite Nintendo fan (or if they’ve already pre-ordered it), there is a lot of new Zelda merch coming out alongside the new game this fall. My personal fave is this backpack, which I checked out at a Nintendo event earlier this year. It’s surprisingly big, 18 by 22 by 4 inches (w x h x d), with a built-in laptop sleeve. Most importantly, it looks just like the shield, and the exterior is made from polyurethane with rubber details, rather than simply painted on, so they won’t rub off or fade.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowEveryone’s heard of GTA VI. Everyone’s heard of Zelda. When you give a gamer either of these gifts, you’ve done right by them, but you’ve also picked the most obvious choices. They aren’t going to know you read this guide. That you put in the work to find a great game for them. One of the biggest surprise hits in a crowded fall game calendar, Blood of The Dawnwalker, on the other hand, shows that you’ve been paying attention to what critics and players have been talking about.This action-RPG about medieval vampires comes from developer Rebel Wolves, which is led by senior staff from CD Projekt who worked on The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077. As Coen, a daywalking vampire, you have to save your human family from a vampire lord. Like The Witcher, this game has a compelling narrative with nuanced writing. There’s a lot to dig your teeth into, so your gamer will be telling you about it for a while.Shop PS5 Shop XboxWe’ve been talking about OLED TVs for a long time, but manufacturers have only put OLED panels in PC monitors for a couple of years. OLED gaming monitors are here, but are generally pretty expensive. If you don’t shop for PC monitors often, you might be shocked when I tell you that this 27-inch, 1440p display is “relatively affordable at only… $570!?But making the jump to an OLED display, like switching to an OLED TV, can be a game-changer. Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technology allows for dynamic brightness control to generate more accurate colors, sharper contrast, and maximize HDR output. Put another way, they make games “pop” in a way that your average LED display just won’t. Alienware has put out a few well-made and relatively obtainable options, including the AW2725DF.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowI always rankle a bit at the concept of a “gaming TV:” All of the best TVs handle games well. But there are a couple of features that go from “nice to have” to mandatory when I go to recommend a new big screen with games in mind. In addition to the usual attention to color, brightness, and display technology, a higher refresh rate is a must, as is variable refresh rate support. And if there’s a good “game mode” in the settings, that’s a nice plus, too.Giving someone a TV, any TV, is a hugely generous act, but in the spirit of “giving them what they wouldn’t buy themselves,” I’d recommend going all out and giving your gamer the Samsung S95H, the true best OLED of the year when you take price out of the question. It’s expensive, but makes games look absolutely incredible, with tremendous color accuracy, brightness, and the “perfect” blacks of an OLED screen.All of the consoles (and desktop gaming PCs) give you a way to add more storage to your system so you can store more games at a time. Games take up more space than ever, so having the extra storage is convenient: It gets annoying when you have to delete a game every time you want to download something new. I’ll admit, it’s a utilitarian gift–basically the equivalent of buying someone a pair of warm socks–but one that will make any player’s life more convenient.On PC and PS5, we’re talking about an M.2 SSD hard drive, which loads games at high speeds. Xbox has a proprietary expansion card system, which is easy to install. Finally, the Switch 2 relies on high-speed micro SD cards for extra storage. There are many brands for each option, but the differences in performance aren’t huge. The most important thing is compatibility: If it doesn’t specifically state that it works with your gamer’s console of choice, you need to check the specs and make sure. (Or pick any of the options below.)Shop PS5 Storage Shop Xbox Storage Shop Switch StorageAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowOnce upon a time–maybe a decade ago or so–the Blue Yeti was the USB microphone that launched a million podcasts. A long time has passed since then: Blue was acquired by Logitech, and the Yeti fell out of vogue. Well, Logitech has relaunched the iconic audio starter kit under its gaming banner, Logitech G, with new focus on streaming video games and, more specifically, helping streamers automate the technical side of things.The Yeti 2 upholds the original model’s legacy as a stellar starter mic (for streaming, podcasts, or any deskside audio you need to capture), but the new and improved model has some fascinating features, including the ability to detect and adjust your EQ settings based on your proximity to the microphone, and an LED screen that lets you manually change audio settings without digging into menus on your PC (where you already have a lot going on). This is a great pick-up for someone who’s thinking about getting into streaming, or is looking for an easy plug-and-play upgrade that doesn’t require too much finicking to figure out.IKEA launched a fun new line of Xbox-inspired gaming furniture and housewares earlier this year, and there are some great, utilitarian pieces if you’re looking to spruce up your setup. One thing that caught my eye, a potential stuffer, is this controller display box, which gives you a cool way to store your gamepads or use them as decoration. Especially if you’re picking up limited edition controllers, these give you a cool way to show them off rather than simply leaving them next to your TV.While I haven’t tested any of these, I think a lot of the YXSTABY line looks pretty fun. There’s a neat gaming side table, which features built-in storage underneath, an easel-style TV stand, and a D-pad shaped throw pillow. All of these are relatively affordable, too, so they’re great choices if the tech’s looking a bit too pricey.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowNot every gaming gift needs to be electronic. Sometimes it can be a toy where you build a scale model of electronics. The latest in a now long line of game console–based sets, Lego just released a scale model of the original PlayStation, in honor of “over 30 years of play,” according to Sony. Whether you have a gamer in your life who’s a die-hard PlayStation fan, a collector who’s been decorating their space with hand-assembled consoles, or just someone who loves to tinker, building a 1,911-piece PlayStation brick by brick seems like a fun, relaxing way to spend a weekend.If you have someone in your life who can’t stop talking about GTA VI, chances are they’ve already preordered the game. To meet them where they are in their fandom, you have to jump to the next step and get them something that allows them to show off the depth of their fandom. There’s a ton of unofficial GTA merch out there, but realheads accept no substitutes, and PS5 players will be stoked to get a new Vice City-themed DualSense with the “VI” on the touchpad. (Also, depending on how long they’ve had their console, it may be time for a controller refresh, anyway. Analog stick drift is a problem we all learn to live with, but sometimes it's just better to start fresh.)Mike Epstein is a Senior Commerce Editor at Hearst Enthusiast Group, producing reviews for buying guides Popular Mechanics, Runner’s World, Bicycling, and Best Products. Prior to joining Hearst, he was a video game and technology critic for over 10 years, with bylines at IGN, Gamespot, Variety, Lifehacker, Kotaku, GamesRadar, Flavorwire and Digital Trends, among others. Now, he’s a jack of all trades, helping reviewers share everything they know about all kinds of technical gear, from snowblowers, to running shoes and bicycles, and every kind of gadget imaginable.