50+ gift ideas that gamers would actually want as gifts
Level up your gift-giving game.
By
Leah Stodart
,
Leah Stodart
Senior Shopping Reporter
Leah Stodart is a Philadelphia-based Senior Shopping Reporter at Mashable where she covers and tests essential home tech like vacuums and TVs, plus eco-friendly hacks. Her ever-evolving experience in these categories comes in clutch when making recommendations on how to spend your money during shopping holidays like Black Friday, which Leah has been covering for Mashable since 2017.
Read Full Bio
Dylan Haas
, and
Dylan Haas
Lead Shopping Reporter
Dylan Haas is a Lead Shopping Reporter for Mashable, where he covers all things gaming, laptops, fitness, and shopping events like Black Friday and Prime Day. Before joining the team at Mashable, Dylan received a B.A. in Communications from Pace University and contributed to publications like Paste Magazine, Bandsintown, and others following a brief stint as a marketing and management assistant in the music industry.
Read Full Bio
Haley Henschel
on
Haley Henschel
Senior Shopping Reporter
Haley Henschel is a Chicago-based Senior Shopping Reporter at Mashable who reviews and finds deals on popular tech, from laptops to gaming consoles and VPNs. She has years of experience covering shopping holidays and can tell you what’s actually worth buying on Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day. Her work has also explored the driving forces behind digital trends within the shopping sphere, from dupes to 12-foot skeletons.
Read Full Bio
Editors and writers independently select products unless marked Sponsored or Promoted. Sponsored content is a paid ad, while content marked Promoted is chosen by Ziff Davis leadership. We may earn an affiliate commission if you buy through our links. Promoted cards do not include input from individual authors.
Shopping for gifts for gamers is a double-edged Master Sword. On the one hand, there are so many cool games, consoles, and accessories to choose from. But that's also the tricky part: There is so much gaming-related merchandise to choose from, to the point where you might feel under-leveled for the "simple" task of picking that just-right gift — especially if they're a long-time player who already has all of the obvious gaming gear. That's where we come in.
To help you on your side quest to find a respectable present for someone who loves video games, we've compiled a massive list of more than 50 gamer gift ideas for 2025 — including a bunch of games we've played and products we've tested ourselves. If you're gifting on a budget, you'll do well with a few months' worth of their favorite video game subscription service or a copy of one of the best video games of 2025 (recommended by Mashable's own Alex Perry). Leveling up over the $100 mark expands your options to high-end peripherals, while $200 and above unlocks current-gen consoles, or if you're really nice, a whole new PC.
Of course, mega fans of specific franchises can never get too much displayable merch. We've peppered in some collectibles, stocking stuffers, and Christmas gifts that they may not have yet, like Nintendo-themed LEGOs or a Diablo-themed Tarot deck.
Topics Gaming Nintendo PlayStation Xbox
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Credit: Drop
A custom keycap
A custom keycap adds some extra pizazz to an otherwise standard gaming keyboard. Drop has an ever-changing selection of limited-edition artisan keycaps (including space bars) from respected brands like Craftkey and Dwarf Factory, ranging from $20 to $65. The "Lord of the Rings" collection is kind of a must-have for any Tolkeniest.
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Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / Dell
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Credit: Lego
The LEGO Super Mario Game Boy
Some version of the humble Game Boy likely has a special place in the heart of any '90s or early 2000s gamers. And LEGO and Nintendo linked up just in time to give you the perfect gift idea: The LEGO version of the very first Game Boy. It's a 1:1 scale replica that comes interchangeable lenticular screens and brick-built Game Paks.
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Credit: Marvel
'Marvel Cosmic Invasion'
Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch and Switch 2
Just released on Dec. 1, 2025, "Marvel Cosmic Invasion" is hot off the press and an imminent staple for any Marvel head. It's a nostalgic nod to the classic heroes of weekend morning cartoons, complete with delicious retro visuals. Is it the most challenging fighter game? No, but everyone needs a break from "Street Fighter" sometimes.
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Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable
The SteelSeries Arctic Nova 7 Gen 2 wireless headset
Xbox, PlayStation, PC, Mac, Nintendo Switch, smartphone
The cushy Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 headset is the latest version from SteelSeries. The upgrade brings 50+ hours of battery life and real-time audio customization through the Arctis app. Over 200 game-specific audio presets lead to endless sound personalization. Speaking of which, the headset retains its remarkable audio performance that also transfers to the ClearCast Gen 2 microphone for crystal-clear communication.
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Credit: Xbox Game Studios
'Ninja Gaiden 4'
Just released in Oct. 2025, the electrifying new sequel in the 'Ninja Gaiden' franchise will scratch the brain of anyone with a soft spot for combat games. Taking place in Cyberpunk Tokyo, 'Ninja Gaiden 4' meshes gore and a neon color palette to build what Mashable contributor George Yang calls "a standout action game in 2025."
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Credit: Bandai Namco
'Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree' vinyl collection
"Elden Ring" is always packed with dramatic orchestral bangers. And if your giftee is a mega fan, Spotify isn't the best way to listen to the soundtracks. This exclusive collector set offers over two hours of music from "Shadow of the Erdtree" across five galaxy-pressed discs, all encased in a unique full-color sleeve that deserves to be displayed.
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Credit: Abrams Books / Mashable composite
The 'Video Game of the Year' book
Written by Jordan Minor, senior analyst at our sister site PCMag, "VGOY" dissects the most influential titles across 40 years of gaming history. (Spoiler: Something managed to beat out "Breath of the Wild" for 2017's slot.) Colorful illustrations and over 75 guest blurbs supplement Minor's voicey and thoughtful essays.
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Credit: Govee
Govee smart color-changing hexagon lights
Hexagonal LED panels would be the perfect first addition to a gaming setup in its early stages or a sick complement to any RGB light strips they already have. They can build whatever design they want with this pack of 10, then sync the lights to their games or music via WiFi.
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Credit: Embark
'Arc Raiders'
Xbox, PlayStation, PC
"Arc Raiders" has only been out since Halloween 2025 and is already being dubbed one of the best PC games of 2025. Naturally, that's a title every PC gamer should have in their stash. While everyone is commenting on how satisfying the crisp gunplay is, the internet seems to be even more impressed with how pleasant the online community has been.
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Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable
The Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle
2025 is the first year in a long time that there's been a drastic new Switch bundle to gift — because the Switch 2 is finally here. Nintendo kept its classic Mario Kart bundle for the 2025 holiday season, this time with the highly-anticipated "Mario Kart World." They'll get to play 16 brand-new original tracks (and drive on the walls).
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Credit: Adams Media / Mashable composite
'The Unofficial Sims Cookbook'
This cookbook contains over 85 recipes (plus corresponding photos) for well-known dishes from 'The Sims" — everything from lobster thermidor to baked Alaska. It's geared toward aspiring chefs at a range of skill levels. Shpansa!
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Credit: Logitech
The Logitech G Yeti Orb USB mic
PC, Mac
This baseball-shaped USB mic from Logitech's gaming line (which ditched the "Blue" branding) is aimed at gamers who are just dipping their toes into streaming. It sports an RBG logo with customizable lighting and comes with its own stand.
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Credit: Kojima Productions/PlayStation
'Death Stranding II: On the Beach'
PlayStation 5
Hideo Kojima is back with a more palatable, more polished sequel to the original from 2019. "'Death Stranding 2' is a much more confident take on the ultimate masculine power fantasy of being emotionally unavailable and pondering public infrastructure projects. Its personality shines through where it didn't in the first game, and it's going to stick with me as much as anything I played this year," Perry writes. As the cherry on top, its boss fight music slaps.
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Credit: Stardew Valley
'Stardew Valley: The Board Game'
Now in its third print run, the "Stardew Valley" tabletop adaptation gives fans of the cult-favorite farming sim a new way to feed their obsession. "It’s a lot tougher than its namesake but that’s okay, as that’s a necessary step up for a fun board game," said IGN (also owned by Mashable's publisher, Ziff Davis).
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Credit: Western Digital
A WD_BLACK P10 Game Drive SSD
A beefy SSD will ensure that your recipient never has to delete games from their precious library to make room for new installs. The WD_BLACK P10 is available in several capacities (from 1TB to 6TB) for consoles and PC.
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Credit: Viture
A pair of Viture Luma Pro XR glasses
Best smart glasses
Compatible with certain smartphones, laptops, and handheld PC consoles (including the Switch 2 — the Switch's first VR experience ever), these smart glasses are basically a portable and wearable 120-inch TV.
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Credit: Nintendo
'Trails in the Sky: 1st Chapter'
Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and PC
The beloved "Trails" RPG series gets a full ground-up remake that can be played on any version of the Switch. The animation's gorgeous, the unique combat style rocks, and it's the perfect mix of low-stakes but still ridiculously fun. "It's a massive commitment, but I have truly loved playing through the series this year," Perry reflects.
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Credit: Meta
A Meta Quest 3
Meta's most recent wireless mixed-reality headset nabbed a Mashable's Choice Award for its sleek design, ergonomic controllers, automatic play mapping, and full-color passthrough. "[It] had me ducking behind my chair and fighting fuzzy alien creatures who’ve crashed into my dining room," said tech editor Kim Gedeon.
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Credit: Blizzard Entertainment / Mashable composite
'Diablo: The Sanctuary Tarot Deck and Guidebook'
A sick find for a witchy gamer friend, this deluxe box set contains 78 beautifully illustrated tarot cards embellished with scarlet foil (plus a companion guidebook). The arcana designs are all inspired by Sanctuary, the hellish world where Blizzard Entertainment's best-selling "Diablo" series takes place.
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Credit: The Pokémon Center
A die-cast Poké Ball replica
Need a gift idea for someone who loves Pokémon? The Wand Company's die-cast Poké Ball replicas are the ultimate collectible for die-hard trainers. 15+ options span multiple generations: Opt for the classic Poké Ball or Great Ball, get cutesy with the pastel Heal Ball, or surprise them with the brand new Safari Ball. Reviews consistently call out the craftsmanship, noting that they're weighty (not cheaply made) and beautifully painted.
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Credit: Jackbox
The Jackbox Party Pack 11
Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PlayStation, Mac, PC, Apple TV, Fire TV, iPad
The latest iteration of Jackbox's popular party games collection brings five brand new games spanning trivia, joke writing, and undercover detective work — all guaranteed to turn a boring night in to a friendship-ruining competition (in the most fun way possible). They each support up to eight players, who tune in via phone or tablet.
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Credit: Logitech
The Logitech G502 X Plus mouse
Mashable's favorite gaming mouse comes in a premium wireless version "boasting up to 120 hours of battery life," per contributor Ashley Keegan. It features customizable RGB lighting, an ultra-accurate sensor, and some hybrid optical-mechanical switches for quick and tactile clicks.
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Credit: Xbox
A custom Xbox Wireless Controller
A personalized gift is one surefire way to guarantee you aren't gifting a duplicate. Design them a one-of-a-kind Xbox Wireless Controller in the online Xbox Design Lab. Details down to the grips, triggers, and D-pad can be customized with over 30 colors or shimmering hues, plus cool patterns for the main body. We're partial to the swirly "vapor" options.
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Credit: LEGO
A LEGO Piranha Plant
One of LEGO's most iconic Super Mario building sets is a miniature, posable version of the cute-but-chompy Piranha Plant, complete with its own green p̶o̶t pipe. It contains 540 pieces and is meant for ages 18-plus.
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Credit: Razer
The Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pro wireless headset
Nothing nails the cutesy gamer aesthetic quite like gaming headphones with kitty ears. The Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pros are the only wireless version of the series, and the only pair with RGB ear cups. They come in white, black, or pink, and there are two more budget-friendly (wired) versions as well.
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Credit: Nintendo
'Metroid Prime 4: Beyond'
Nintendo Switch, Switch 2
After 18 years of anxiety surrounding a new "Prime" game, "Metroid Prime 4: Beyond" is here and it's so, so good. The visuals are particularly stunning on the Switch 2, and there are so many captivating scenes to take in on this haunting mystery planet. Plus, the music slaps.
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Credit: Microsoft
An Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription
Cloud gaming
Your recipient gets access to an ever-changing library of Xbox and PC games (including day one titles), a bonus EA Play membership, special discounts, and online multiplayer with a Game Pass Ultimate subscription.
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Credit: Sony
A PlayStation Portal Remote Player
The Portal is a genius PS5 accessory that lets users stream games from their console over WiFi when someone else is hogging the TV. It has its issues (and doesn't do anything a phone can't already do), but its "excellent form factor, good display, and overall usefulness" have Perry reaching for it often.
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Credit: Fangamer
A 'Stray' Cat and B-12 plush set
This thoughtfully-designed plush set represent two precious protagonists from "Stray," Annapurna Interactive's hit indie adventure game (which will soon be a movie). The Cat is about a foot tall and wears a harness, and is accompanied by a B-12 drone mini plush.
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Credit: Laced Records / Nintendo ; Mashable composite
'The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild' deluxe double vinyl
You'll have to preorder the "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" limited-edition deluxe double vinyl, but we doubt any super fan will mind this IOU gift — it is the first Nintendo soundtrack to be commercially released on vinyl outside of Japan, after all, and who knows how fast it'll sell out come June 19? The Laced Records set contains 34 specially mastered tracks on blue and white marble-effect heavyweight LPs, plus gorgeous artwork.
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Credit: Analogue
An Analogue Pocket (if it's in stock)
For a lifelong gamer, nothing's more heartbreaking than their prized collection of old cartridges collecting dust. They'd be psyched to receive the Analogue Pocket: The unique handheld built specifically to play old Game Boy games that are physically in one's possession (not merely emulate them). It's a really neat gift for retro gaming enthusiasts — if you can find it in stock.
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Credit: Nintendo
'Donkey Kong Bananza'
Nintendo Switch 2
"Punching things until they explode is a lot of fun." That's how Perry sums up "Donkey Kong Bananza," another highly anticipated Switch 2 Drop — the first time we've seen DK as a 3D platformer hero in 25 years. He loves the addition of Pauline, and says that "Bananza marries tons of personality with highly destructible environments."
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Credit: Sony
A PlayStation DualSense Edge wireless controller
PS5 players who take their gameplay *very* seriously will adore Sony's high-end gamepad, which adds swappable components, remappable back buttons, and personalizable profiles to its DualSense design (but retains its excellent signature haptics and comfort). It comes with its own protective carrying case.
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Credit: Nintendo
A year-long Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership
The 12-month tier of Nintendo's subscription service unlocks online multiplayer capabilities, over 100 classic Nintendo 64 and SEGA Genesis games, the "Animal Crossing: New Horizons" DLC, and all six waves of the "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe" Booster Course Pass. Waluigi Pinball is a fun enough track on its own to be worth $50, but there are 48 remastered courses all together.
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Credit: Razer
The Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro keyboard
The clickety-clackety BlackWidow V4 Pro is a full-sized mechanical gaming keyboard that's decked out in a ton of features, including dedicated macro and media keys, a command dial, a cushy built-in wrist rest, and pretty underglow RGB lighting. It's a splurge, but it'll be the last keyboard your PC-playing recipient ever needs.
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Credit: SanDisk
A 128GB SanDisk microSDXC Card
The internal memory of a Nintendo Switch maxes out at 32GB to 64GB, depending on the model, so most regular players will need to add more storage eventually. SanDisk's fingernail-sized microSD card is the perfect solution and a nice little stocking stuffer. (Please note: For the Switch 2, you'll need a microSD Express card.)
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Credit: Kepler Interactive
'Tchia'
PlayStation and PC
If they've already finished every "Zelda" game, "Tchia" is a "Zelda"-esque open-world game that lets you possess animals in a gorgeous homage to New Caledonia, the small island nation where its lead developers grew up. "The characters are voiced by local actors, the music is done by local artists, and the whole thing has a totally fresh vibe," Perry wrote.
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Credit: Backbone
A Backbone Pro
Best for mobile gaming
With support for apps like Xbox Cloud Gaming, PS Remote Play, and GeForce Now, the new Backbone Pro is an intuitive mobile controller that can turn a smartphone into a portable gaming console.
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Credit: UPspec Gaming
A UPspec Gaming xScreen
Giftees who already own an Xbox Series S will be able to play it anywhere (sans TV or monitor) with the xScreen, an attachable screen with a 60Hz display and built-in speakers. A second version that matches the new Carbon Black Series S is in the works, FYI.
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Credit: Nintendo
A pair of pastel Joy-Con
Available in two combinations (Purple/Green or Pink/Yellow), Nintendo's candy-colored Joy-Con are an adorable alternative to the standard controllers that come with its non-Lite Switches. Plus, it's handy to have some extras for multiplayer games like "Mario Party SuperStars" and "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe." Yes, they work with the Switch 2.
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Credit: Microsoft
An Xbox Series S (512GB)
The Xbox Series S goes disc-free, making it a clutter-less (budget-friendly) way to play all of the next-gen titles that are exclusive to the newest consoles. The edgy Carbon Black version bumps storage to 1TB (same as the Series X). GameStop has it for just $30 more than the original white, 512GB model, which is cheaper than buying a storage expansion card for it.
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Credit: Sony
A PlayStation 5 (Slim) 'Fortnite Flowering Chaos' Bundle
If you want to bump them to the latest-gen PlayStation, the lowest-priced PS5 bundle we've seen during the 2025 holiday season is this PS5 Digital Edition (825GB) paired wtih "Fortnite Flowering Chaos." Other PS5 bundles we've seen under $500 include "NBA 2K26" AND "Ghost of Yotei."
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Credit: Cushion Lab
An ergonomic gaming chair seat cushion
If their uncomfy gaming chair is a frequent venting topic on Discord, you'll be their favorite person upon gifting Cushion Lab's ergonomic seat cushion. The Cloud Cradle is made of a special contoured memory foam designed to relieve muscle tension during long bouts of sitting. The 10,000+ five star reviews tell a clear story of how well it works. Plus, it comes in more than 25 colors.
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Credit: Valve
A Valve Steam Deck OLED
The latest version of our favorite handheld PC gaming console has a brighter OLED screen, a longer-lasting battery, twice as much storage, and a larger fan that helps it run cooler. It's a neat device that can "impressively handle a lot of what you throw at it" and a "worthy revision" to the original Steam Deck, said Perry.
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Credit: Sony
A PlayStation Plus Premium subscription
PlayStation Plus' beefiest membership plan includes hundreds of downloadable games on demand, streamable classics from older-gen consoles, free game trials, online multiplayer, and exclusive discounts.
Leah Stodart is a Philadelphia-based Senior Shopping Reporter at Mashable where she covers and tests essential home tech like vacuums and TVs, plus eco-friendly hacks. Her ever-evolving experience in these categories comes in clutch when making recommendations on how to spend your money during shopping holidays like Black Friday, which Leah has been covering for Mashable since 2017.
Dylan Haas is a Lead Shopping Reporter for Mashable, where he covers all things gaming, laptops, fitness, and shopping events like Black Friday and Prime Day. Before joining the team at Mashable, Dylan received a B.A. in Communications from Pace University and contributed to publications like Paste Magazine, Bandsintown, and others following a brief stint as a marketing and management assistant in the music industry.
Haley Henschel is a Chicago-based Senior Shopping Reporter at Mashable who reviews and finds deals on popular tech, from laptops to gaming consoles and VPNs. She has years of experience covering shopping holidays and can tell you what’s actually worth buying on Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day. Her work has also explored the driving forces behind digital trends within the shopping sphere, from dupes to 12-foot skeletons.
