Getting a thoughtful gift for the game-lover in your life isn’t easy. It’s unlikely they need a new console, and there’s a good chance they’ve already purchased all the games they’d want. Thankfully, after years of being stumped for what to buy for our own gamer friends (and years of being asked what we’d want), we’ve put together this gift guide to help you find something special. And hey, if you’re just looking to treat yourself, we won’t tell.
Books upon books
Video games are great, but there’s something to be said for exploring their vast worlds through the magic of the written word, artwork, and even cooking. Whether you’re looking for a visual history of gaming hardware like Evan Amos’ The Game Console or non-fiction deep dives into how video games are made like Jason Schreier’s Blood, Sweat, and Pixels, there’s something for everyone.
Art books are also a great way to get a deeper look at some of your favorite titles from a fresh perspective, and we’d wholeheartedly recommend the following for fans of the relevant titles:
Cookbooks are also a fun way to experience the world of a particular series. The recipe collections from Stardew Valley, Fallout, Persona, and Destiny are among the most consistently popular.
A Poké Plush
There’s a good chance that you’ve dreamed of having your own Pokémon at some point. But the closest you’ll get to that dream is one of the Pokémon Center’s absolutely colossal plush ‘mon. With steep prices, it’d be fair to say it’s an investment in comfort, but whether it’s your favorite Eeveelution, the goofy but lovable Snorlax, or the colossal, 57-inch Wailord, there’s a giant Pokémon plush for you. Just, uh, make sure you have some space.
A Different Kind of Game
We’re living in a sort of “Golden Age” of video game to board game translations, and whether it’s an indie darling or something AAA, there are more options than ever. Just off the top of my head, there’s the Elden Ring board game, the Gears of War card game, and the Slay the Spire boxed games. I’ve had a ton of fun with the Monster Hunter World tabletop adaptation, as well as Divinity Original Sin.
Let’s go, Lego!
Lego has been building up a sizable catalog of video game sets, and many of them are absolutely fantastic. The Lego Game Boy with removable cartridges is a great display piece, as is the Lego Piranha Plant. There are a ton of options for both kids and adults. Lego Horizon Adventures has its own set, and there are too many Mario and Minecraft sets to count. There’s the Fortnite Battle Bus, The Legend of Zelda’s 2-in-1 Great Deku Tree, and those incredible (and very expensive) Lego Pokémon sets, too.
Subscribe to fun
Whether it’s streaming services, meal plans, or just about anything else, subscriptions are a part of daily life – and it’s no different in gaming. PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass offer a slate of games to play as much as you’d like, while Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack offers classic titles from bygone consoles for you to enjoy. It’s the kind of thing you’d love to have someone else buy for you, but can feel a bit spendy to get for yourself.
Careful, it’s sharp
The world of weapon replicas is vast. If you’re looking for a Thorn from Destiny, slick swords from Cyberpunk 2077, or the weapon of choice from your favorite League of Legends Champion, there’s a good chance someone has made a fantastic facsimile of it. Blasters4Masters has a huge selection, including gear from Helldivers, Arc Raiders, Dark Souls, and many, many more.
Paddles, triggers, and swappable Sticks – Oh My!
Finally, if you’re looking for a step up from the DualSense controller on PS5 or the standard Xbox pad, you might want to look into a DualSense Edge or Xbox Elite Controller. Both premium pads offer mappable back buttons and swappable sticks, as well as a handy carry case and internal batteries, but there are third-party options that offer similar functionality. Playing on Nintendo Switch or Switch 2? Check out one of these options, or the fantastic Pro Controller 2.
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