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If you’re not a gamer yourself, it can feel next to impossible to know what to buy for the gamer in your life. To help you find a winning gift — whether they have a huge following on Twitch or just play for themselves — we talked to podcasters, gamers, games journalists, professional D&D players, analysts, and streamers about the consoles, games, collectibles, and accessories they’re wishing for this year. (I also combed through our archives to find products gamer celebrities can’t live without.)
We’ve arranged these gifts by category, so it’s easy to shop for everyone from the sibling who just wants a new console to the budding Twitch streamer plotting to fill their room with LED-light strips. And if you’re shopping for the non-gamers on your list, we’ve got plenty of guides for them as well.
Update on December 9, 2024: Added some new gift ideas; updated prices and checked stock for all products.
Controllers and accessories
Into the Aether co-host Brendan Bigley says this is one of the best controllers he owns. It works with the Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and PCs, as well as iPhones and Android devices.
Bigley also likes the company’s more console-friendly controller, which even comes with a dock.
If they do all their gaming on their phone, get them this controller, which will give them Xbox-quality controls while they’re on the go.
Twitch streamer joshseki says that when he doesn’t use this mousepad, which is popular in the first-person-shooter community, he immediately notices the difference in his gameplay.
This webcam has intelligent auto-focus and exposure adjustment, so they don’t have to worry about fiddling with things mid-game. I’ve been using mine for video meetings for the past year, and its compact design doesn’t look too clunky atop a monitor.
Joanna Nelius, a former laptop reviewer at the Verge and a lifelong gamer, says this keyboard is a “mechanical keyboard done right.” It has low-profile switches and a translucent back side that gives it a nice ’90s aesthetic.
Twitch streamer Ashewyn says these stylish cables, which can help tidy up a desk and give it a little flair, are a perfect small gift for the mechanical keyboard aficionado in your life. They come in a variety of colors, too, so you can get one that’ll match the rest of their desk décor.
This gaming monitor comes in three sizes, with two options for refresh rates. It’s a staple in joshseki’s three-monitor setup.
I’ve been using this palm rest, which goes right beneath my keyboard, for extra wrist relief. It makes typing for long sessions far less strenuous, and it’s just as great for extended online matches or all-nighters in their favorite game.
The wired connection will ensure their mouse doesn’t die in the middle of a match. Kyle F, a tech TikToker and gamer, says its lightness makes it easier to play with, too.
For a wireless option, get them the Basilisk V3 Pro, whose ergonomic design and responsiveness are appreciated by many gamers.
“Once I started streaming, it became very apparent very quickly that I needed a bunch of buttons,” T-Pain told us. He likes the Elgato Stream Deck XL, which he uses to stream on Twitch and to control lighting and music cues on his podcast.
Consoles
Bigley says this Game Boy Advance SP-like console, which can emulate games all the way up to the PSP’s, has the most “it factor” of any console this year.
Whether they have a vast library of games on Steam or are just dipping their toes into PC gaming, this handheld console will let them do it all on the go.
For gamers who want to play old school games on a Switch-size screen, this Android-powered handheld (which Bigley recommends for a gamer who has everything) is great for playing classic games through emulators.
If they’ve been dropping hints about wanting to dive into the world of VR, Meta’s new budget-friendly headset nails all the basics with as few compromises as possible.
The latest version of ASUS’s well-liked lightweight gaming laptop would make a very generous and thoughtful gift for a PC gamer who wants to game from anywhere.
For those who have yet to hop on the PS5 train, Sony’s latest upgrade is its most powerful yet.
If they’ve already got a PS5, they may appreciate this portable gadget that lets them play games remotely from that console as long as they’re on a network with a solid connection (and not necessarily the same network for both devices).
If they want a more unique handheld, Stephen Hilger, co-host of the gaming podcast Into the Aether, loves this funky gadget that Bigley gifted him. “It’s really exciting to have something devoted to being very simple,” he says. The Playdate is already on backorder, and shipping in December, so if this seems right for your recipient, you’ll want to order sooner rather than later.
Headsets
This headset pairs style with impressive sound; it even has on-device audio adjustment. “It’s an amazing gaming headset that is amazingly comfortable, that has stunning immersive sound at a fantastic price,” says Kahlief Adams, host of the gaming podcast Spawn on Me.
“Living in an apartment complex with a work-from-home partner, my PlayStation 5 Pulse 3D Wireless Headset is invaluable for quiet gaming sessions,” says Get Played co-host Nick Wiger.
Other gifts
The World of Warcraft fan in your life will love sinking their teeth into Jason Schreier’s latest book. It’s a fascinating, in-depth look into the company that made some of the most well-known games of all time.
Legend of Zelda fans who already have all the games in the series will love this Lego set of an iconic destination in Breath of the Wild.
This book dives into what Red Dead Redemption 2 got right and what it got wrong about the Old West. According to Bloomberg reporter and author of Play Nice Jason Schreier, it’s “a good excuse to learn some interesting history by learning about a video game.”
Bigley says he’s been buying a lot of retro stuff on eBay recently; a gift card’s perfect for the gamer who already has everything and knows what’s missing from their collection.
For the gamer who gets a little heated — and can take a joke — joshseki recommends a handy way to touch grass.
Standing desks aren’t just good for working: They can provide better ergonomics for long gaming sessions. I’ve been using this one for nearly five years, and I still love it as much as the day it arrived.
This lava-lamp-like Bluetooth speaker will look great in the background when they’re streaming or when they’re not. It’s my favorite speaker for after-work jam sessions in my living room.
Even if they haven’t gotten around to decorating their room yet, these easy-to-set-up smart lights can give their stream a vibrant background to start with. This light strip came recommended to us by both Andy To, a video director and creative director, and Twitch streamer Alexander “Alexotos” Medeot.
Twitch streamer Cupahnoodle says Microsoft’s monthly subscription is great for gamers who don’t want to spend $60 on every new game that comes out, since most popular titles are available through the service as long as they’re subscribed.
Ashewyn likes Elgatos’s Wave line of gear, particularly the Wave Neo, which is geared toward people looking to start streaming or upgrade their home office.
Although this card can be used for anything Apple related, if they like gaming on their iPhone, an Apple Arcade subscription will give them a ton of premium games to play. Get Played co-host Matt Apodaca recommends the action-focused roguelike Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate. “It’s basically a TMNT Hades clone and it rips,” he says.
Games
Sony’s new flagship platformer has earned a lot of praise for its charm. “It’s everything every mascot platformer in the ’90s dreamed of being,” says Hilger.
For those who love a good RPG, several gamers I spoke with recommended this year’s sequel to Final Fantasy VII Remake. Its expanded story and open world make it a welcome addition to the series, and its dedication to the spirit of the original FF7 will be sure to keep them dialed in for every second.
Joshseki recommends this pack of 22 story-based horror games for anyone who likes their games with a heavy dose of spookiness.
No game came more recommended to me this year than this highly addictive poker-inspired roguelike. “It makes you think outside the box about what numbers can really do,” Hilger says.
Whether they got to play the old Castlevania games or missed out on the classic gothic horror adventures, help them dive into the past with this collection of all the old games all the way up to the Nintendo DS releases.
Nintendo’s latest installment in its fantasy franchise is the first to feature Zelda as its protagonist, and stands out for its focus on non-combat mechanics.
Schreier called this spiritual successor to Persona 5 one of the best games of the year. “It takes Persona 5’s winning formula and rhythm and puts it in a unique fantasy setting with a job system that I really enjoy,” he says.
The latest in the Tekken series is a must-play for anyone who loves a good fighting game.
“It’s a fantastic secret hunting mystery game that I just loved sinking into,” Schreier says.
If they’re a fan of Paul Verhoeven’s Starship Troopers, this game is about as close as it gets to feeling like you’re part of the team.
Cupahnoodle, who mostly plays horror games when streaming, says this is one of her go-to games in her downtime. “You can literally take it everywhere and there’s always something to do,” she says. “You’re never bored.”
Hilger recommends this game for anyone who likes Final Fantasy Tactics or any other tactical roleplaying game.
Last year, Wiger recommended The Case of the Golden Idol, which received a hefty DLC update in late 2023. Schrier says Case’s winning formula lives on in this year’s follow-up, which will be released on November 12.
If they’re looking for a collaborative way to game screen-free, get them a classic of the genre. Ally Beardsley, a cast member of the D&D web series Dimension 20, says, “It’s very nice to play D&D and not have your phone or any electronics, and the PHB is amazing for that.”
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