Our gaming picks for a happy holidays.
The holidays are soon upon us, and whether you’re shopping for a die-hard gamer or a tech enthusiast, finding the perfect gift can often be a challenge (or a hassle). But, we've curated this guide packed with some must-haves for the season—spanning accessories, games, and gear that any gaming aficionado should appreciate.
ATOM CRKD Controller
This dinky Bluetooth controller is perfect for chucking in your bag, ready to go for any impromptu gaming sessions, and at just $20 it's super easy to recommend.
GAMEBABY by BitmoLab
This is a really interesting little case that's perfect for those who like to play games on their phone. At first glance it's a regular case, but when you want to play something you swap the case round to the front of your device and it essentially doubles up as a controller, adding tactile buttons to your phone screen. It's currently available for both the iPhone 15 Pro Max and 16 Pro Max. If you're one of the countless folks who have dipped their toes into using Delta on iOS, this is worth a look.
Killswitch
If you need to protect your Steam Deck, or know someone who does, then this option from dbrand is well worth a look. It offers a great level of protection for your portable, and adds in neat features, such as a kickstand. It's also available for the ROG Ally and Ally X.
Play Nice: The Rise, Fall, and Future of Blizzard Entertainment
Gaming journalist Jason Schreier takes a deep dive into Blizzard's rather storied and turbulent history. A great pick for any reader looking for an in-depth, behind the scenes account of one of the biggest names in gaming.
Game Pass Ultimate Subscription Gift Card
If you've got a gamer in your life who plays Xbox, wherever that may be, then giving the gift of endless gaming is always a safe bet. Those you gift this too can dive into a massive library of games across PC, Xbox Series S | X, and on the cloud. No boredom here.
AYANEO Pocket S
The Pocket S from AYANEO is a slick Android gaming handheld with a premium look and finish. It's probably one of the best ways to play games on Android.
Vampire Survivors Vinyl
There's nothing more festive than an OST from a vampire slaying roguelite, right? Well, new-wave meets nostalgia in this epic riff-laden vinyl soundtrack from Poncle's hit game. Garlic optional.
Grid - Game Boy Color
Grid Studio have a whole range of rad wall art featuring real, retro gaming hardware, taken apart and mounted so that you can see all that's inside. It's a neat way to pay homage to any particular console or handheld you have fond memories of. A great nostalgic gift — and if the Game Boy Color ain't your vibe, there's countless others including SEGA controllers, PlayStation picks, and much more.
Video Game of the Year
...or to give it it's full title — Video Game of the Year: A Year-by-Year Guide to the Best, Boldest, and Most Bizarre Games from Every Year Since 1977. It's a superb year-by-year rundown of the history of gaming, brought together by Jordan Minor. A coffee table book that's as entertaining as the games it celebrates.
Anker 737
Look, a battery isn't the most exciting of gifts, but when you pitch it as "more time to play games" it may get a bit more buy in — and this 24,000mAh option is one of the best ways to extend your playtime. In our testing with the Steam Deck, we came away impressed.
SanDisk microSD Card
Storage is good. More storage is even better. This card is a cheap way to add a ton of space to your devices. Load up!
Elgato Stream Deck MK. 2
Power users will get a kick out of this. It's an easy way to add a bunch of extra keys to your desk, allowing quick access to additional functions, shortcuts, and more. Great for streamers, YouTubers, and those a little bit obsessed with macros and productivity hacks.
Razer Kishi Ultra
This neat mobile controller can transform your smartphone into a portable gaming machine you'll actually want to use. When going up against stabbing a screen with your fingers, this clearly has better ergonomics and actual button feel — ideal for streaming Game Pass titles or getting into the Apple Arcade library on the go.
Steam Deck OLED
The de-facto king of handheld gaming PCs, and if you're super lucky you may still be able to grab the limited edition white one. If you know someone with a hefty Steam library, this is a no brainer. Portable gaming perfection.
...and finally, buying a subscription to overkill premium and supporting independent media is the smartest gift you can buy yourself. 😉
All prices correct at time of publication.