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With the holiday season, it might be a good time to start thinking about getting a very good gift for friends and family. However, if the people in your life are gamers, then we’ve got you covered with a selection of top picks Shop Billboard can recommend.
We rounded up the best holiday gifts for all sorts of gamers. Regardless of whether they’re a gaming vet with all of the best consoles, or they’re a newbie to gaming and want to get a good start, we’ve gathered some of the best gift ideas.
Shaped like an old school Game Boy from the ’80s, the Paladone Gameboy Heat Changing Coffee Mug, which is priced at just $15, is a great way to start your morning with a good cup of joe and a reminder of your younger days when your top priority was to spend the day trying to saving the princess.
On sale for $22.99 (was $29.99), the Exquisite Gaming, Call of Duty: Monkeybomb Gaming Controller Holder is one of the best places to keep a controller when it’s not being used… to play Call of Duty. Instead of luring enemies to their doom, it peacefully holds a gaming controller with style.
For the gamer on the go, the 8Bitdo Micro Gamepad Mini Controller, which is priced at $24.99, is a ultra portable Bluetooth controller that’s pocketable and ready to play. It connects to just about any smartphone, tablet or Nintendo Switch console, so gamers can have a little bit more precision away from their home consoles.
Ideal for a home console setup or as office decor, the Super Mario Icons Desk Light, which is priced at $28.32, shows off love and affection for the Mushroom Kingdom from Nintendo’s Super Mario Bros. It features a mushroom, star power, and fire flower that lights up a room and a gamer’s nostagia.
On sale for $32.49 (was $49.99), Split Fiction for Sony PlayStation 5 is a purely two-player game where players have to coordinate with each other to go on an adventure through various genres and time. Play as a pair ultimate game for couples.
Although the original Nintendo Switch is a great gaming console, playing in handheld mode for long stretches can start to feel uncomfortable. Enter the Hori Nintendo Switch Split Pad Pro, which is priced at $48.28. Not only are they easier to grip and more comfortable in hands, they also provide larger analog sticks, action buttons and triggers for a better gaming experience.
For the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 gamer in your life, the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, which goes for $49.88 for a 12-month subscription, is the best way to play Nintendo games on the internet with multiple player access, wide selection of retro games from NES, SNES, N64, Sega Genesis and other old school consoles and included expansion packs from popular games, like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
Best for adults 18 and up, the Lego Game Boy Set features more than 400 Lego pieces to build an exact replica of the Nintendo Game Boy, which was originally released in 1989. There’s even a game slot for the included game cartridges, Super Mario Land and The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening.
A remake of the 1997 classic N64 game, Star Fox for Nintendo Switch 2 is an update with new console controls, high definition graphics and immersive audio. It’s a sci-fi adventure with a modern twist. The game is priced at $59
One of the best games of the year is a modern remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for Nintendo Switch 2. On sale for $59.88 (was $69.99), the game features modern gameplay, enhanced graphics and audio, quality of life updates and other features. This ideal for any Nintendo fan for the holiday season.
Instead of hauling its charging dock to another location, just bring the Nintendo Switch 2 with Genki Covert Dock 3, which is priced at $69.99. It’s small, very portable and shaped like a traditional charger, but it also makes it possible to play Nintendo Switch 2 games from the handheld to a TV or monitor.
Starring Rahul Kohli, SAROS for PS5, which is on sale for $59.95 (was $69.99), is a sci-fi adventure action shoot ’em up that follows Arjun Devraj, a Soltari corporation enforcer, investigating a lost mining colony and quickly discovers that shape-shifting aliens might have something to do with it.
Fan of Capcom? Super Pocket: Capcom Edition, which goes for $69.99, is a portable gaming device that features 12 built-in games, including Street Fighter II: Hyper Fighting, Final Fight, 1943, Strider, Ghouls ‘n Ghosts and others.
On sale for $74.99 (was $79.99), XBOX Game Pass is one of the best ways to watch a wide variety of games online, like Batman: Arkham Knight, Battletoads, Fallout 4 and others, for one price. It gives giftees access to online multi-player too.
For the PC gamer, the RK ROYAL KLUDGE S98 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard, which is on sale for $75.99 (was $89.99), is smooth and clicky, while it’s best for precision gaming. It also features a handy smart display and knob for quick settings and keyboard info.
To add more games to the original Nintendo Switch, the SANDISK microSD Card: Super Mario Super Mushroom Edition, which goes for $75.99 for a two-pack ($37.99 each), features 128GB of storage capacity per card.
For a great stocking stuffer, the My Play Watch Retro Gaming Arcade Smartwatch, which goes for $79.99, lets gamers play the classic game of Tetris on the go. It’s also a functional watch with Tetris pieces as the numbers on the watchface.
Priced at $79, the Nothing Ear (a) Wireless Earbuds are ideal for gaming on the go. They’re sleek and stylish design makes them pop, while their long battery life of up to 42 per charge gives gamers play longevity when out-and-about town. Plus, these earbuds are noise-canceling for peace and quiet while gaming.
Add a bit of pizzazz to a PC gaming rig or a home console setup with the Govee Gaming Light Bars Pro kit, which is on sale for $74.99 (was $99.99). This is a pair of 16-inch smart RGBIC (Red, Green, Blue, Independent Control) LED units that sit on each side of a monitor or TV to add dimension and another layer of immersion to games. The kit is controllable via smartphone.
Although the PlayStation DualSense Wireless Controller is a tried and true pairing with the Sony PS5, these new colorways add some flair to the traditional white console. It comes in Remix Green, Techno Red and Rhythm Blue designs and goes for $83.99.
At more than 400 pages, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Creating a Champion Hero’s Edition hardcover book (on sale for $102.64, was $109.99) is best for any Zelda fan who wants to be immersed in the world of Hyrule. It features artworks, lore, maps and other materials for the iconic game and its DLC packs.
Best for game streamers, the Logitech Creators Blue Yeti USB Microphone, which is marked down to $99.99 (was $139.99), makes it possible to talk to an online audience with voice clarity and depth hands-free when playing video games. At just over three-and-a-half pounds, the microphone is hefty, sturdy, and very stylish of a PC gaming desktop setup, while it features multiple modes for various types of streams and use cases.
On sale for $69.99 (was $79.99), the BACKBONE One Mobile Gaming Controller turns a smartphone into a portable gaming device via USB-C and Bluetooth. Just slide in a phone and get gaming.
Marked down to $96.98 (was $129.99), the ARZOPA Portable Gaming Monitor is a must-have gift for someone who appreciates gaming on the go. Universally compatible with all gaming laptops, iPad, iPhone, and Android devices, this sleek monitor seamlessly adds extra screen space to elevate any portable gaming setup. It’s easy to use, lightweight, and hassle-free; simply plug it in and get to gaming.
With 240 watts of total power, the GENKI Moonbase GaN Desktop Charger is one of the best and most stylish ways to power a PC gaming rig or home console setup, thanks to three outlets and four USB-C ports. It’s compact and smart to know what’s being charged and powered, while the power strip has surge protection, overcurrent prevention, temperature control and safety shutters for additional safety. It comes in moonlight and dark side colorways and priced at $119.99.
Complete a PC gaming set up with the Logitech G502 X Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Mouse, which is on sale for $139.99 (was $159.99). The mouse is comfortable to use with grippiness and precision for online gaming.
A next-generation console calls for a next-generation gaming headset, such as the Sony PlayStation Pulse Elite Wireless Headset, which is priced at $149. It connects easily to the PS5 while also delivering wireless audio that’s immersive and deep. This headset makes it feel like you’ve stepped into the world of any video game, giving you an captivating experience like no other.
For the gamer streamer, the Stream Deck OG 15-Key Control Pad makes for a fantastic gift with easy controls to trigger actions, launch apps and control an entire setup with just a push of a button. It’s very customizable with bright and vibrant LCD keys too. It’s priced at $149.99.
With an impressive design, the My Arcade Atari Gamestation Go, which is on sale for $169.99 (was $179.99), features more than 200 of the best and brightest titles from the Atari 2600, 5200, 7800 and Atari Arcade eras of gaming, including Centipede: Recharged, Balls of Steel Pinball, Berzerk, Frenzy, Pac-Man, Asteroids and much more. It has unique controls, like thumb sticks, integrated paddle, a track-ball and number pad to use for specific games.
Take a blast from the past with the ModRetro Chromatic, which priced at $199.99. It’s a handheld gaming device that has a wide range of indie games, as well as being fully compatible with Nintendo Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges. If the gamer in your life has old Game Boy games laying around your home, then is the best handheld gaming console to give as a gift. It now comes in new transparent colors too with prices starting at $149.99.
For something that’s a bit more portable, the Sony PlayStation Portal, which comes in a new midnight black colorway and priced at $249.99, is a handheld remote player for the PlayStation5. It pairs to a PS5 and mirrors its functions and gameplay, but in a portable handheld via Wi-Fi.
A $250 Sony PlayStation Store Gift Card essentially gets gamers to one year (and then some) access to the PS Plus Premium gaming subscription service for online gaming and multiplayer. It has access to games, like God of War Ragnarök, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Cyberpunk 2077, Horizon Zero Dawn and others.
Priced at $519.99, the Nintendo Switch 2: The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition is designed with some Hyrule panache, thanks to green and gold colorway and Triforce symbols throughout dock, Joy-Cons 2 and the console itself.
Meanwhile, last-minute shopping can be frustrating for the holidays, but it helps to have a plan in place. When shopping online, you’ll want to factor in shipping deadlines so that your gift gets delivered in time. The holidays falls on Friday, Dec. 25, so it’s best to get your gifts shipped as soon as possible, or at least by Dec. 13-14, which is the delivery deadline for most online retailers — like Amazon.
And since the most of these gaming gift ideas are from Amazon, you’ll get it shipped to you for free if you’re a Prime member. Otherwise, your cart has to be more than $35 to get free shipping.
Not a member? Sign up for a 30-day free trial to take advantage of all that Amazon Prime has to offer, including access to Prime Video, Prime Gaming and Amazon Photos; fast free shipping in less than two days with Prime Delivery; in-store discounts at Whole Foods Market and access to exclusive shopping savings during Black Friday in November, as well as other perks. Learn more about Amazon Prime and its benefits here.
