What to buy for the gamer in your life this holiday season
The holiday season is quickly approaching. However, there’s still time to find the perfect gifts for the gamer in your life! This list has great options for any gamer and can accommodate all budget sizes.
Even if you missed out on some of the Black Friday and Cyber Monday discounts, many retailers still offer deals on some of the top products for gamers. Consider picking up something from our holiday gift guide to deliver a fantastic present!
For the Mobile Gamer – Razer Kishi Mobile Controller
Mobile gaming is growing at a surprising rate worldwide. If you know someone who enjoys playing games on their phone, you can’t go wrong with the Razer Kishi Mobile Controller.
This expandable controller attaches to either side of your phone and essentially transforms it into a small Nintendo Switch. The form factor is comfortable, the buttons feel great, and it really enhances the mobile gaming experience.
It fits many types of phones and is compatible with top games like Fortnite, Minecraft, and Roblox.
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For the Nintendo Switch Owner – Hori Switch Split Pad Pro
Speaking from experience, this is one of the best Switch accessories out there. Hori is known for their high-quality gaming products, and the Split Pad Pro is no exception.
This two-piece gamepad enlarges the standard joy-cons, making the Switch more comfortable to use in mobile mode. Even with the added size, this accessory doesn’t add much weight compared to the joy-cons.
Additionally, you get a pair of back buttons, a true godsend for any games requiring both thumbs to be on a joystick at a time. You lose out on the rumble feature, but the pros greatly outweigh the cons for this Switch gem.
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For the Competitive Gamer who likes Controllers – Xbox Elite Series 2
Playing competitive games like Apex Legends and Overwatch can be difficult with a controller. Still, the Xbox Elite Series 2 makes things a little easier. This pro pad has loads of customization options to give players an advantage over their opponents.
You can save up to 3 custom profiles and 1 default profile, allowing gamers to personalize their experience for different games. The Elite 2 includes deadzone adjustments, button mapping to voice commands, and an impressive 40 hours of battery life.
Similar to the Hori Switch Pad, this controller features back button paddles to level up your performance. The price tag is fairly hefty, but this is a gift that gamers can enjoy for years to come.
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For the Gamer who Loves Board Games – My Top Board Games Right Now
Sometimes you need to disconnect from the digital world and step away from screens. That’s exactly where board games fit into the equation!
These are some of my favorite board games that make excellent gifts for gamers:
- Gloomhaven – this is essentially a tabletop RPG with leveling mechanics, abilities, quests, and a great story. The rules are fairly complex, but once you get them down you have hundreds of hours of gameplay ahead of you. Make sure your gaming friends have enough surface area to play this since the maps and pieces take up a lot of space.
- Settlers of Catan – one of my favorite resource management games. Players construct settlements, gather resources, and build their way to victory in this strategic board game. There’s an element of luck involved, but the game also rewards players who can quickly adapt their strategy to the changing environment.
- Pandemic – this can be a great gift for a gaming couple! It’s a cooperative board game where players try to save the world against various diseases. You can even increase the difficulty level once you feel comfortable with the ins and outs of the game.
For gamers with limited tabletop space, or who want to play board games on their computer, check out Tabletop Simulator. You’ll find hundreds of your favorite board games, many of which are playable with friends online.
For the Gamer who Loves Long Gaming Sessions – Blue Light-Blocking Glasses
I didn’t realize how large of an impact blue light-blocking glasses could have until I tried them out this year. They reduce the strain on your eyes from staring at a screen and can sustain your focus during extended gaming sessions.
You’ll find various prices and styles for blue light-blocking glasses. Make sure to check out reviews to understand how comfortable they are and choose one that fits within your price range.
For the Gamer Looking for their next Video Game – Top Games of 2022
Getting a new game is a fantastic surprise for any gamer. In 2022, we’ve got several well-received titles, praised by critics and fans alike. Check out these titles for inspiration on the next game to add to someone’s backlog:
- Elden Ring – the game is hard, but it can also be so rewarding. Elden Ring is for anyone who loves a challenge and is willing to work to learn the mechanics of a game. If you liked Bloodborne or any of the Souls games, you’d understand a bit of what lies ahead.
- God of War Ragnarok – the 2018 release was a masterpiece, and many in the community say the 2022 entrant is even better. As Thor, you wield devastating weapons against Norse gods in this epic, heartfelt journey.
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II – if the gamer in your life likes shooting games, there’s a good chance Call of Duty will fit nicely in their collection. MW II brings new gun handling, an advanced AI system, and a new gunsmith to the fast-paced shooter series.
For the Streamer in Your Life – Elgato Stream Deck
This might be the best accessory for streamers looking to elevate their setup. The Stream Deck offers one-touch switching of scenes, audio adjustments, launching media, and a compact form factor that looks nice on any desk.
It connects with all your favorite streaming platforms and software, including Elgato, Twitch, and OBS. This is a great gift to add more customization to gaming streams.
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Also consider upgrading the audio quality of their stream with a Blue Yeti microphone. This is one of the highest-rated microphones for streaming, with fantastic sound and a sleek design. It also pairs nicely with your standard streaming software to customize your voice audio to your liking.
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For the Variety Gamer – Gift Card for Online Service
If you’re unsure what to get for a gamer but know that they have a gaming console, gift cards are a no-brainer. These might be the best bang for your buck when it comes to offering a wide range of gaming titles and features. Depending on the console of choice, pick up a gift card for any of these marvelous services:
For the Collector
We all have that person in our lives who loves to collect things. For gamers, most of the collectibles fall into one of two categories:
- Funko Pop figures – small, cute figures of your favorite gaming and pop culture characters.
- Amiibo – video game figurines that pair with Nintendo consoles for in-game benefits.
If you know someone’s favorite game or movie, this is a thoughtful gift that will brighten their room!
Great Stocking Stuffer for Gamers
For anyone who has already picked up large items, there’s always more space for small presents in the stockings. These gifts are simple, small, and perfect supplements to anything listed above:
- USB extension cable – great for gamers who play on the couch. No one wants their controller or headset to run out of juice and then have to stand next to the TV while charging!
- Headphone desk holder – superb present for the gamer who always leaves their expensive headset lying around in random places.
- Amazon gift card – sure, you can use this for millions of products, but we all want to spend money on video game things.
- Steam gift card – Steam is the gamer equivalent of a candy store. Get a gift card to this massive library of games to let them choose their adventure.
- Mouse bungee – it sounds silly, but this thing has actually made a huge difference when playing competitive shooters. The bungee ensures that the wire of your gaming mouse never gets in the way as you are swiping your cursor across the screen.
Get all the best gifts for gamers by joining the Average Gamer community!
If you want to stay up to date on all the top gaming products out there, make sure to join the Average Gamer community! Aside from our merchandise, like sweaters and ebooks, we regularly post the top deals on video game products in our Discord.
What are some of your top gamer gifts for 2022? Join the conversation in the comments section!
