Shopping for a gamer can be complicated. The good news: There’s so much to choose from. The bad news: There’s so much to choose from.

It’s even worse when you consider all the different kinds of gamers out there, from those who pledge allegiance to the PC crowd(opens in a new tab) to Nintendo(opens in a new tab) purists (and everyone in between). It isn’t easy finding just the right gift to add to their setup. But if you nail it, you won’t find anyone more grateful than a gamer.

When shopping for a gamer, first determine your desired price point. As far as budget-friendly options go, you can usually grab a few games for under $100 and call it a day. Accessories like controllers and charging docks are another great mid-range price option. The next step up will be things like gaming consoles or even a gaming laptop, which will run you at least a couple hundred dollars. If you're looking to go all-out and treat the gamer in your life to a truly epic gift, a brand new PC rig and setup could clock in at a couple grand.

We’re here to help you get some ideas for the gamer in your life and narrow down your choices so you can find the perfect fit. We’ve found some of the best gifts, from the hottest games of the past few years to consoles, accessories, and more. Here are our picks.

Credit: Santa Monica Studios

'God of War Ragnarok' (opens in a new tab)

Best 2022 PlayStation exclusive

The sequel to one of 2018's very best games is finally here in "God of War Ragnarok." Witness the final chapter in Kratos' and Atreus' Norse saga and join them as they take the fight to Odin with some familiar friends, and perhaps some new ones (foes, too). Will they be able to avert Ragnarok, the end of days? Find out in one of 2022's absolute must-play titles.

Buying Options

$69.99 from PlayStation Store

Credit: Guerilla Games

'Horizon Forbidden West' (opens in a new tab)

Best for open-world fans

"Horizon Forbidden West," the sequel to 2017's "Horizon Zero Dawn," is a true open-world gamer's game. A gigantic world to explore, a bevy of side quests, off-the-beaten-path discoveries — there's a ton to do. It's all tied together with an engrossing narrative, wonderfully written characters, and extremely satisfying combat mechanics. Who's ready to fight some robot dinosaurs?

Buying Options

$69.99 from PlayStation Store

Credit: From Software

'Elden Ring' (opens in a new tab)

Best for gamers who like a challenge

2022's Game of the Year Award winner is a truly special experience from "Dark Souls" and "Bloodborne" developer From Software. Exploring The Lands Between has your created character (called a "Tarnished") discovering hidden areas, battling dangerous creatures, and working toward the ultimate goal of repairing the shattered Elden Ring and becoming the new Elden Lord. It's a grand adventure, and one you shouldn't miss out on (especially if you enjoy challenging combat encounters).

Buying Options

$59.99 from Amazon

Credit: Naughty Dog

'The Last of Us Part I' (opens in a new tab)

Best for narrative game fans

"The Last of Us Part I" didn't necessarily need to happen, but we're happy it did. The original game is a critically acclaimed masterpiece — and is still arguably in great shape for how long ago it was released — but who are we to say "no" to a ground-up remake of one of the all-time greats specifically for the PlayStation 5? If you haven't already played "The Last of Us," this is unquestionably the best way to experience it for the first time.

Buying Options

$69.99 from PlayStation Store

Credit: Gameloft

'Disney Dreamlight Valley' (opens in a new tab)

Best for cozy gamers

Cozy gamers prefer experiences that allow you to bundle up under a nice blanket and just chill, and "Disney Dreamlight Valley" is the epitome of a cozy game. Basically an "Animal Crossing" clone, "Dreamlight Valley" drops you into a world populated by some of the most beloved Disney characters of all time — a world that needs rebuilding. Help the residents of Dreamlight Valley with various quests, nurture the local plant life, construct new homes, and meet new (yet recognizable) faces along the way. Time for some warm, fuzzy feelings.

Buying Options

$29.99 from Gameloft

Credit: Nintendo

The Nintendo Switch OLED (opens in a new tab)

Best Nintendo Switch

Nintendo's bestselling portable console has been a hot gift ever since the first iteration came out in 2017, and this year is no exception. The latest model is an absolute beaut with a larger, prettier OLED display, enhanced audio, and a sturdy new kickstand that makes it even more tabletop-friendly. It's also packing double the storage of the standard version, so your recipient won't run out of room for their games as quickly.

Buying Options

$349 from Amazon

Credit: Nintendo

A Nintendo Switch Pro controller (opens in a new tab)

Best 'traditional' Switch controller

Nintendo figured some people might not be on board with its Joy-Con controllers, which is why the Pro Controller exists. This is the controller built for traditionalist gamers; if your recipient's gaming history includes Xbox or PlayStation, they’ll be happy with its familiar layout. It’s wireless, too, so they won’t have to be tethered to a Switch system for it to work.

Buying Options

$69.99 from Amazon

Credit: Harper Paperbacks

'Blood, Sweat, and Pixels' (opens in a new tab)

Best for gamer bookworms

We know what you're thinking: A book on a gaming gift guide? First of all, books are good! Second of all, this is a book about not only games, but also the people who build them and the sacrifices they make (for better or worse) to supply us with entertainment. If you like video games at all, this is a must-read.

Buying Options

$17.99 from Amazon

Credit: Backbone

Backbone One (opens in a new tab)

Best for cloud gamers

Cloud gaming isn't technically new, but it is becoming more popular than ever. The Backbone One is a great way to try it out, allowing you to remote play games from your console via the internet on your mobile device. We can't lie, it's a pretty cool feeling being able to play games on your phone that you usually wouldn't be able to without the power of a console. So far, they make them for both iOS and Android devices.

Buying Options

$99.99 from Backbone

Credit: Valve

A Valve Steam Deck (opens in a new tab)

Best for portable PC gaming

An extremely exciting rival to Nintendo's lineup, the new Valve Steam Deck is a powerful dual-mode console that'll let your recipient play their entire Steam library from anywhere (and with no internet connection); it's basically like a gaming laptop and a Switch had a baby. AAA games and indie titles alike run no problem — plus, it's got all the functionality of a modern gamepad (as well as two touchpad-style surfaces for stuff that doesn't work as well with controllers). Talk about a game-changer.

Buying Options

$399 from Steam

Credit: Sony

A PlayStation DualSense Edge controller (opens in a new tab)

Best for the cutting-edge gamer

The DualSense Edge is Sony's answer to Xbox's Elite controller, and while it hasn't been released yet, we know it's going to be a hot item to pre-order. The new controller features customizable thumbsticks, remappable inputs, and programmable back buttons. Plus, you'll get all the fantastic haptic feedback features from the original DualSense controller.

Buying Options

$199.99 from Sony

Credit: Microsoft

The Xbox Series X (opens in a new tab)

Best for Microsoft disciples

The fourth coming of Microsoft's flagship console is a beast of a next-gen machine, with upgraded hardware that offers "some of the most impressive performance possible in gaming outside of very expensive PC setups," Mashable's Kellen Beck wrote. (There's a 12 teraflop graphics processor under its hood — she's beefy.) Its loading speeds leave its predecessors in the dust, while crystal-clear 4K resolution, ray tracing, and high frame rates make games run like a dream.

Buying Options

$499 from Microsoft

Credit: Microsoft

An Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 (opens in a new tab)

Best Xbox controller

Finding better ways to play isn’t just limited to game design, but also hardware. Sure, the wireless controller that comes with the Xbox Series X/S already works great, but you can’t fine-tune its settings or change out any components if you’re unhappy with it. Enter: the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, a premium controller your gamer friend can customize to their liking. It's got adjustable resistance and hair-trigger lock settings; swappable thumbsticks and paddle shapes; and remappable buttons — plus, they can save up to three different profiles.

Buying Options

$179.99 from Amazon

Credit: SteelSeries

The SteelSeries Arctis Pro (opens in a new tab)

Best gaming headset

The SteelSeries Arctis Pro is a killer multiplatform headset that will let the gamer in your life enjoy the full audio of explosions and revving engines without disturbing anyone around them. Its deceptively lightweight design features a Hi-Res audio system with DTS Headphone:X 2.0 surround sound and premium drivers, plus breathable ear cushions (for comfort) and Prism RGB lighting (just for funsies). A bidirectional, noise-canceling microphone makes group play easier than ever.

Buying Options

$179.99 from Amazon

Credit: Nintendo

A Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership (opens in a new tab)

Best for nostalgic gamers

To the delight of '90s kids everywhere, the latest Nintendo Switch Online tier includes access to a library of classic retro games (along with the "Animal Crossing: New Horizons" DLC, for all the wannabe Nook Inc. employees out there). Highlights include Nintendo 64 titles like "Super Mario 64" and "Star Fox 64," with online play for up to four players, and as well as SEGA Genesis throwbacks like "Sonic the Hedgehog 2" and "Ecco the Dolphin."

Buying Options

$49.99 / year from Nintendo

Credit: Sony

A Playstation 5 (opens in a new tab)

Best for Sony die-hards

This large-and-in-change Sony console also nudges players closer to the cutting-edge PC experience, said Mashable's Adam Rosenberg. Much-improved load times give it a zippier feel than previous generations, and there are two graphical modes for a smidge of customization, which is neat. ("Fidelity" gets you ray tracing, 4K output, and 30fps, while "Performance" swaps that for 60fps with less impressive visuals.) The new DualSense controller it comes with is a huge draw itself — PCMag straight-up called it "revolutionary."

Buying Options

$499 from Sony

Credit: Corsair

A Corsair gaming keyboard (opens in a new tab)

Best for PC gamers

Just one malfunctioning key could be the deciding factor in a "League of Legends" match. The Corsair K100 RGB is the kind of premium keyboard every gamer will be thankful to get. Its ultra-smooth Cherry MX Speed Silver switches provide blazing-fast feedback, so there’s little to no delay from input to on-screen action, and built-in Stream Deck support means it's ready for your gamer friend's Twitch debut.

Buying Options

$249.99 from Amazon

Credit: Gunnar

Blue light-blocking glasses (opens in a new tab)

Best for handling eye strain

Staring at a screen for hours on end isn’t good for anyone's eyes. Gunnar Optiks' patented glasses help in cutting down the strain caused by blue light, thus helping to reduce headaches, eye fatigue, and potential sleep problems caused by too much screen time. They're specially designed for gaming, but they're sleek enough to be suitable for other settings, too (like the office), and come in three styles.

Buying Options

$69.99 from Amazon

Credit: Corsair

A Corsair gaming mouse pad (opens in a new tab)

Best mouse pad that will last

A hard mouse pad like the Corsair MM800 RBG Polaris won't impede any mouse movements — in fact, your gamer giftee might actually start noticing some faster action on their screen while they move their cursor around its micro-textured surface. (Bonus: It's also way more durable than the soft/cloth variety.) If they're in need of an extra USB port, the MM800 sports a built-in USB pass-through port as well.

Buying Options

$69.99 from Amazon

Credit: HTC

An HTC Vive Pro 2 (opens in a new tab)

Best for high-end VR gaming

Looking for a big-budget present for a VR aficionado? Get them an HTC Vive Pro 2: This headset features a glorious 5K 120Hz display with an immersive 120-degree field of view, plus a special interpupillary distance adjustment dial that can help minimize eye fatigue when they play for hours on end. They'll have a five-meter by five-meter space to enjoy full-body motion with the included base stations — and with SteamVR support in addition to the Viveport app store, it's basically impossible for them to run out of games.

Buying Options

$1,399 from HTC

Credit: Logitech

A Logitech G502 Hero mouse (opens in a new tab)

Best customizable gaming mouse

The bestselling Logitech G502 HERO is everything a gamer could want out of their trusty mouse sidekick. Its advanced optical sensor picks up super precise movements, and its sensitivity can be adjusted over a huge range for a faster or slower response (depending on the user's preference). And for everyone who likes their hotkeys, the G502 HERO has 11 programmable buttons and onboard memory for up to five ready-to-play profiles — no need to fumble all over the keyboard to activate an ability in "Overwatch 2."

Buying Options

$79.99 from Amazon

Credit: GTRacing

A gaming chair (opens in a new tab)

Best for all-day players

Comfort matters — just ask any gamer. (You don’t see streamers on fold-out chairs while playing "Valorant," do you?) That’s why it’s worth investing in a decent gaming chair. Our pick is the GTRacing GT890M, the design of which is perfect for anyone who's into long raids and late-night boss fights. It's got two built-in Bluetooth speakers for immersion, a cushy seat, and a removable headrest pillow — and if you really want to kick back, the chair reclines, too.

Buying Options

$149.99 from Amazon

Credit: Razer

A Razer Blade 15 Advanced gaming laptop (opens in a new tab)

Best gaming laptop

If your gamer wants to play "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II" on the go, they'll need a machine that's packing some real oomph. Peep the Razer Blade 15 Advanced gaming laptop: With the latest 11th-gen Intel Core i7-11800H 8-Core processor and 32GB of RAM, there’s plenty of speed to ensure fast performance for all their gaming needs. And with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 graphics card, they'll enjoy games with some of the most demanding visuals out there.

Buying Options

$2,999.99 from Amazon

Credit: Western Digital

A portable hard drive (opens in a new tab)

Best for extra storage

Since most games have to be installed on console and PC, extra space is hugely important. The WD_BLACK P10 Game Drive is an easy recommendation, providing enough space so that your gamer giftee will never have to delete part of their precious library. It's available in several capacities (up to a whopping 5TB!) that can hold as many as 125 games for Xbox, Playstation, PC, and Mac.

Buying Options

$89.99 from Amazon

Credit: Ubisoft

'Assassin’s Creed Valhalla' (opens in a new tab)

Best game for history buffs

Ubisoft's legendary series goes to the Dark Ages in its latest open-world RPG, "Assassin’s Creed Valhalla." The 2020 smash hit drops players into brutal (but visually beautiful) 9th-century England as a Viking warrior, and with a plate full of choices that influence their fate. (In a first for the series, players can swap the protagonist's gender at will throughout the entire game.) Pointing to its "winning combination of old favorites and exciting new toys," Mashable's Nedd deemed it "by far the best Assassin’s Creed title of this era." Get it for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Stadia, Amazon Luna, or PC.

Buying Options

$59.99 from Amazon

Credit: Capcom

'Resident Evil Village' (opens in a new tab)

Best game for horror fans

Any gamer who loves a good jump scare needs to get their filthy man-hands on "Resident Evil Village," the eighth game in Capcom's first-person survival series. This one picks up right where Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, whisking our guy Ethan Winters away to a macabre and mysterious European village — there, he dukes it out with some unforgettable bosses (see: Twitter's favorite sexy vampire lady) in the hopes of reuniting his family. Per Mashable entertainment reporter Alison Foreman, it's "a sprawling fantasy adventure through a bizarre, fright-filled world unlike any other in the series — totally untethered by any unspoken 'rules' of the franchise." Get it for PS5, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Stadia, or PC.

Buying Options

$59.99 from Amazon

'The Music Of Red Dead Redemption 2: The Housebuilding EP' cover art

Credit: Rockstar Games

'The Music Of Red Dead Redemption 2: The Housebuilding EP' (opens in a new tab)

Best for cowpokes

If you know, you know. This five-track EP from Rockstar features certifiable bop "The Housebuilding Song" and four other previously unreleased songs from "Red Dead Redemption II" by sound engineer David Ferguson and guitarist Matt Sweeney, whose combined résumé includes collabs with Johnny Cash, U2, Adele, and Run the Jewels. The limited-edition, marbled blue vinyl comes with neat jacket art from the award-winning western that's a cool collector's item in its own right.

Buying Options

$17.99 from Amazon

'Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury' screenshot

Credit: Nintendo

'Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury' (opens in a new tab)

Best game for 'Mario' fans

The latest entry in the Mario franchise for Nintendo's Switch platform is actually two full games in one — "Super Mario 3D World" being the reissue of a 2013 Wii U romp around the fairy-filled Sprixie Kingdom; "Bowser's Fury" being a totally new open-world adventure where Mario explores cat-themed islands that have been sludged up by a dark, corrupted version of the turtle-y villain. (Naturally.) They're both great games, said Rosenberg, but the latter's new power-ups economy makes it "something truly different, and all the more special for it."

Buying Options

$59.99 from Amazon

Credit: Microsoft

'Forza Horizon 5' (opens in a new tab)

Best game for gearheads

If the gamer in your life likes things both fast and furious, the stunning new installment of Xbox's Forza racing series is for them. This one takes the Horizon Festival to Mexico and lets players explore vibrant cities, lush jungles, historic ruins, winding canyons, and other ever-changing landscapes in hundreds of the world’s finest vehicles (from Bentleys to a 1940s Jeep). Dynamic seasons, weather events, and new challenges and collectibles make sure no two drives are ever the same.

Buying Options

$59.99 from Amazon

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