The Holiday season is coming up, which is why we’ve put together a list of the 25 best gaming gifts on the internet!
It can be tough trying to figure out what to buy people at Christmas time or what to give a loved one during Oseibo or for a Birthday.
What do you give the person who has everything? What are the best gaming gifts to buy a moody teenager? Do kids still read? Do gamers drink hot beverages from ceramic receptacles?
We’ve got something for everyone in the list below. All of the products are brand new and come with the Retro Dodo enjoyment guarantee (which basically means that we’d love it if someone bought them for us!)
Scroll away, and happy shopping!
1. Game Boy: The Box Art Collection
Bitmap Books make some of the best gaming books of all time, and Game Boy: The Box Art Collection is one of the greatest coffee table books around.
This book contains 372 pages of perfectly captured images showcasing the box art that kickstarted the handheld gaming industry. Take a trip down nostalgia boulevard as you read up on detailed information on the games and characters that have made Nintendo a household name.
Bitmap books have even had the Japanese titles in this collection translated into Romaji, which has never been done before! With a silver protective cover and some of the best artwork known to gaming kind, this is one gift that won’t fail to put a smile on someone’s face.
2. PS5 DualSense Wireless Controller
The PS5 release date is just around the corner, and no doubt many young kids and big kids alike will have the new next-gen console on their best gaming gifts wish list.
Having a second PS5 DualSense Wireless Controller in your collection is great for co-op games or just as a backup for when one controller runs out of juice. It’s such a slick remote and a great present for any soon-to-be PS5 owners.
With haptic feedback, a built-in microphone and dynamic trigger effects, the PS5 remote is set to provide a whole new way to play. We can’t wait to get ours!
3. Super Mario 3D All-Stars
If you’re buying for a Nintendo fan or someone who might soon be getting a Switch, then you need to get them Super Mario 3D All-Stars. Not only is it a collection of three of the best Super Mario Games ever made, but it’s also a limited edition product, which means it might be worth something one day.
Play through Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and Super Mario Galaxy, all on one cartridge! That’s a collection that still blows my mind even after playing it!
This game will only be around until March 31 2021, so it’s soon going to become a piece of gaming history!
4. ELAGO Game Boy Accessories
Next up on our list of the best gaming gifts are two Game Boy inspired products for any Apple fan.
That’s the Airpods and Apple watch kind, not the fruit.
The Elago Game Boy Airpods Case and Game Boy Apple Watch Stand are the perfect small gifts for the person who has everything. Whether placed on a nightstand, work desk, or in a home studio, they are a subtly nerdy gift or the tech-obsessed individual.
And they’re also a practical way of keeping your gadgets safe and scratch free too!
5. Tubbz Rubber Ducks
You might not realise it, but even gamers need to wash sometimes. Whether you keep them by the bath or next to your favourite console, these Tubbz Rubber Ducks are a great gift to give any game or movie lover.
From Gandalf to Robotnik, Solid Snake to Resident Evil’s Claire Bedfield, there’s a Tubbz duck for everyone.
I’m a massive Lord of the Rings fan, so I’m hoping my best mate (work colleague) Brandon is going to send me some over as part of my Christmas bonus…
6. Halo Infinite
Next up on our list of the best gaming gifts is a must-have game for anyone wishing for an Xbox Series X this Holiday season.
The Master Chief is back in a brand new adventure on the new Microsoft console! Halo games have the best multiplayer action of any shooting game, almost Goldeneye-esque, and the campaigns are always immersive and addictively engaging.
Halo Infinite sees the Master Chief confronting the most dangerous and ruthless foes that he has ever encountered. Humanity’s fate hangs in the balance, and with new armour and more firepower than you can shake a rocket at, it’s time to explore the entirety of the Halo ring.
This is the biggest Halo game ever, and it’s one that I will certainly be getting on release day!
7. Sega Mega Drive Mini
At Number 7 on our list of the best gaming gifts is the legendary Sega Mega Drive Mini, a nostalgic blast-from-the-past featuring some of the best Sega titles ever made.
We’re huge fans of the Mega Drive (or Genesis if you’re reading in the US), and this mini classic console comes pre-loaded with all of the games that we grew up with.
From Sonic the Hedgehog to Landstalker, the Mega Drive Mini has all of the best Sega Mega Drive games that you know and love. And thanks to the HDMI out and clearer graphics, it’s a great way to get the younger generation into classic gaming!
8. Nintendo Switch Lite
This is a product that needs no real introduction. The Nintendo Switch has won the award of ‘Best Console Of The Year’ in 2018, 2019, and 2020, trumping both Xbox and Playstation in sales.
The Nintendo Switch Lite has been a much-sought-after console since its release, especially through the Covid-19 pandemic where gaming was pretty much all anyone could do! It’s a scaled-down version of the switch with no TV hookup element, providing dedicated handheld play for gamers on the go or those who like to kick back in bed.
The Nintendo Switch Lite comes in four colours; turquoise, pink, yellow, and grey, and plays all of your favourite Nintendo Switch games. There are no Joycons to charge up or cables to attach; it’s essentially a modern Game Boy Advance!
9. Game Boy Heat Changing Mug
Watch Super Mario Land load while you’re brewing a cup of tea!
This Game Boy Heat Changing Mug is an inexpensive gift for gamers who always have a hot beverage on the go. This officially licensed 295ml mug is perfect for coffee, hot chocolate, or a chamomile tea for those stressful levels.
I don’t need to sell it to you; you’ve all used a mug, and you know how useful they are at holding hot things.
I know gamers have hot reflexes, but even we don’t try to scoop cappuccino into our mouths with our bare hands!
10. Bengoo Gaming Headset
If you live with someone that loves gaming but you don’t love listening to it, then this Bengoo Gaming Headset might be one of the best gaming gifts that you come across on your travels through the internet.
Over 47,000 people have left reviews for this product on Amazon, and it’s a Number 1 best seller! With ambient noise isolation, acoustic positioning precision, and a noise-isolating microphone, this headset is one serious bit of kit!
The Bengoo Gaming Headset works on all consoles including the Switch, so it doesn’t matter what platform your gift recipient games on. Open up a whole new world of possibilities while giving yourself the gift of silence!
11. Gaming Charging Station
Buying headphones or a headset? This Gaming Charging Station is the perfect item to pair them with!
If you’re looking for the best gaming gifts for tech-hungry, electricity-sapping gamers, then this power charging setup will keep them happy and charged up for hours on end.
It features three USB ports, two AC plug sockets, and a stand for storing your headphones. It’s a neat little unit that keeps everything tidy and in one place.
Never leave the house with an out-of-charge-device again!
12. PlayStation Icon Music Reactive Light
The PlayStation button symbols are instantly recognisable worldwide. Whether you’re new to Sony gaming or have been a fan since the early days of the best PS1 games, this PlayStation Icon Music Reactive Light is one of the best gaming gifts to have in your home.
Forget boring old desk lamps; this light has three different settings to liven you your space. Users can have each colour lit up at the same time or chose a colour chasing mode.
It’s also music reactive, so crank up your favourite tunes and have an impromptu rave in your bedroom!
13. Sceptre Curved Gaming Monitor
This next entry in our list of the best gaming gifts is perfect for any PC gamers out there. The Sceptre Curved Gaming Monitor has a refresh rate that works more than three times faster than normal monitors, giving gamers instant transitions and crystal clear images that appear as fast as their reactions.
FreeSync eliminates tearing and stuttering, and the built-in speakers provide perfect audio for conference calls or online gaming with friends. It even comes with a ‘blue light reducing’ mode to reduce eye fatigue!
With multiple HDMI ports and superior picture quality, this curved gaming monitor is a gift that is hard to beat!
14. Pokémon Super Deluxe Essential Handbook
We’re all excited about the new Pokemon game that is set to drop soon, and what better gift for fans who are eagerly awaiting the new release than this Pokémon Super Deluxe Essential Handbook.
If you have made it your mission to catch ’em all ever since Pokémon Red and Blue appeared on the scene back in the ’90s, then you’ll love this Poké factbook. With information on over 800 popular characters from the series, it’s a bonafide treasure trove of Poké-knowledge!
Why not sit together as a family and decide which Pokémon you will catch first when Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver drop on the Nintendo Switch!
15. Xbox One S 1TB
There is no better time to buy an Xbox One S 1TB than right now. The price is low, there are tonnes of games out for the system, and it’s still one of the most powerful consoles of all time.
The Xbox One S is far more than just a games console. It provides users with 4K Blu-ray, 4K video streaming, and HDR viewing. You can stream 4K movies straight from Netflix, Youtube and Spotify too!
Games look amazing on this console, and it’s one of the best ways to play titles such as Rocket League, Fortnite, or Sea of Thieves.
Don’t want to shell out for the Xbox Series X? Get a Series S instead and enjoy one of the most impressive consoles on Planet Earth!
16. Hyrule Historia
I am a huge fan of the Legend of Zelda series, and Hyrule Historia is a book that I have left major hints for my girlfriend to buy me. It’s essentially a book that holds tonnes and tonnes of information about the Zelda series, from the original NES game right through to Skyward Sword.
It’s crammed full of lore, character sketches, and information about the ‘Hero of Time’ timeline.
In short; if you know your Gorons from your Gerudos and love a good trading seuence, then this is the book for you.
Plus, it was written by Shigeru Miyamoto himself, which makes it a must-have for fellow Nintendoids!
17. Fortnite Calendar 2021
This next entry in our list of the best gaming gifts is the ultimate gift for any Fortnite fan. What better way to show your love for one of the biggest games of all time than by decorating your bedroom with twelve high-quality pics.
The Fortnite Calendar 2021 features twelve iconic Fortnite Outfits. You can kick back with, Riptide, The Scientist, Catalyst, and nine more legendary looks from this epic game.
Calendars have always been a ‘go-to’ present when you’re not sure what to buy someone, but this is one that I would feel excited about both giving as a gift and opening up myself!
18. USB Streaming Mic
Any gamers who are looking at taking the plunge into live streaming will love this USB Streaming Mic bundle.
With an extendable boom arm that clamps tightly onto your desk and and a pop filter to reduce sibilance, this kit gives budding broadcasters everything they need to showcase their skills online.
And because it’s USB powered, it’s simply a case of plugging in and hitting the record button. There’s no hard work involved whatsoever, apart from the gaming and winning over a virtual crowd of millions of people, of course.
19. Super Mario NES Light
I know we’ve had one lamp already, but I couldn’t resist including this Super Mario NES Light in our list of the best gaming gifts. It looks so good that I want to pick it up and try to play on it!
This A+++ energy rated light features a scene from the classic Super Mario Bros game, complete with a NES controller attached to the action.
The unit is powered by USB, and the up and down D-Pad controls actually dim and brighten the bulb!
This is the perfect gift for any Nintendo fan and any gamer who remembers the golden age of gaming!
20. Super Mario Bros Game & Watch
Speaking of the golden age of gaming, the new Super Mario Bros Game & Watch handheld provides gamers with a chance to relive one of the greatest portable adventures of all time in colour!
Game & Watch consoles came with one game and one game only. They had a built-in digital clock function and were mostly in black and white. The new Game & Watch console released as part of Mario’s 35th Birthday celebrations breaks the mould, however, coming with three games that are all in glorious colour!
Game & Watch fans can play a remake of the original Super Mario Bros. adventure as well as Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, and Ball (Mario version). That’s three titles for the price of one!
What a bargain!
21. PlayStation T-shirt
Do you know someone that lives and breathes PlayStation gaming? Short of paying for them to get the logo tattooed on their chest, the best thing you can do is to buy them this PlayStation T-shirt so that they can share their love of Sony with the world!
Like the PlayStation controller symbols, the logo is synonymous with some of the best gaming adventures of all time. Just looking at this T-shirt conjures up thoughts and memories of playing Crash Bandicoot or Abes Odyssey ‘back in the day’.
And let’s face it; everyone wears T-shirts, so it’s a pretty safe bet!
22. Sonic Christmas Jumper
It’s time to ditch the Santa jumpers and give Sonic a chance at being merry with this next entry in our list of the best gaming gifts.
The trend for nerdy Christmas sweaters has grown in recent years with the arrival of Star Wars and Die Hard movie designs, and Numskull has the best selection of alternative Christmas jumpers for you to geek out in.
This classic Sonic the Hedgehog image suddenly looks very festive with trees and stars around it. There are certainly a lot more gold rings on this sweater than the five mentioned in the ’12 Days of Christmas’ song, but Sonic does go mad for a good golden ring!
If Sonic isn’t your bag, then Numskull do everything from Harry Potter to Spyro. Ditch the snowy scene and nerd up your Christmas attire!
23. Blood, Sweat, and Pixels:
The Triumphant, Turbulent Stories
Behind How Video Games Are Made
Blood, Sweat, and Pixels is one of the most interesting and insightful books on the video gaming industry that I have ever come across.
Jason Schreier’s writing is both humorous and captivating, offering up a true tale of the ‘overworked underdogs’ and tech-wizard geniuses at the heart of some of the most popular titles in video gaming history.
From classic titles such as Stardew Valley all the way through to your favourite modern games such as Destiny, Uncharted 4, and The Witcher 3, this book holds true, no-holds-barred accounts of what it’s like to work in the industry and the battles that some developers have had to fight along the way!
Not one if ‘you can’t handle the truth’!
24. Freezer Boy Refrigerator Dry Wipe Magnets
Up next on our list of the best gaming gifts is this Freezer Boy Refrigerator Dry Wipe Magnets set!
Turn any fridge or freezer into a Game Boy with these oversized magnets. They’re easy to attach and can be placed on any magnetic surface!
Use the dry wipe pen to write notes or shopping lists on the Game Boy screen, or recreate scenes from your favourite levels if you have Bob Ross-esque artistic skills!
25. Marvel Avengers Gaming Chair
With Massage Function
The final entry on our list of the best gaming gifts is probably one of the most luxurious. How many gaming chairs do you know of that have a built-in massage function or can recline back to 180° when you want a nap?
That’s piqued your interest, hasn’t it!
This Marvel Avengers Gaming Chair With Massage Function is made with high-density moulded foam, Premium PU, and carbon leather for ultimate comfort. It has a sturdy frame, a steady gas-assist lift system for height adjustment, and a lumbar massage function to keep you comfortable through long gaming sessions.
Choose from Spiderman, Captain America, and Iron Man designs! Avengers, Assemble!
Seb Santabarbara has bought every Nintendo console that has ever been released in his 31 years on Planet Earth. His favourite game franchise is Zelda, and he’s patiently waiting for Banjo-Kazooie to come back to the fold. When he’s not playing games, he’s travelling the world in his self-converted camper van.
