Gamers are a diverse group that can span all ages and genders. The one thing they have in common is a shared love of video games. When buying the best Christmas gifts for gamers in your life, it helps to know what platform and type of game the gamer prefers. PC gamers will have different needs and preferences than those who play on console; a survival game lover might be interested in different things than someone who mostly plays puzzle games.
That said, there are a few gifts for gamers that will go over well for almost any gamer. Anything that improves a player’s comfort while gaming is sure to be a hit. Many gamers are also proud to wear their identities proudly. So gamer merchandise reflecting their status is always a popular choice. If you do know what platform a player users, the possibilities increase greatly. Buying some high-performance tech and accessories to boost gaming performance can make for a gift that will be used and appreciated for a long time.
Top Christmas Gifts for Gamers
We’ve pulled together suggestions that would appeal to a variety of people; some are specific while others are more general. No matter which option you choose, the gamer in your life is sure to appreciate these thoughtful gifts. Browse our top 10 suggestions of the best Christmas gifts for gamers below for inspiration.
BENGOO G9000 Headset
Our top choice for a gaming headset is the BENGOO G9000, which is compatible with any gaming platform from PlayStation to Xbox to PC and even Mac. This top-seller is affordable despite its robust functionality, and it qualifies for Amazon Prime free shipping.
The headset offers noise-canceling over-ear padded headphones with stereo subwoofer sound ideal for high-intensity gaming where directional sound gives you an edge on the competition. The noise-isolating microphone provides high-quality transmission with minimal background noise to ensure ease of communication with your team. If you’re shopping for a social gamer who plays team games online or simply wants to be fully immersed in the game world, this is an ideal headset.
The headset comes in blue and black, red and black or desert camouflage. Every design features a padded headband, universal compatability, volume control and LED lighting around the ear cups.
Elgato Game Capture HD60 S
Game capture and streaming is increasingly popular as sites like Twitch.tv and YouTube explode with gamer-related content. Whether your favorite gamer is trying to break into the pro leagues, wants to produce quality “Let’s Play” videos or just wants to capture game play for later review, the Elgato Game Capture device offers a robust solution for recording and streaming game play from any console device.
Recording and screen-sharing is easy for PC gamers, but console gamers face the added hurdle of needing a device to capture the visual and sound. Some consoles offer this functionality automatically, but the graphics and sound can be low-quality and affect performance. The Elgato Game Capture device side-steps this problem by recording everything on the player’s screen without affecting performance.
The HD60 utilizes built-in livestreaming capabilities to broadcast to any available channel. It offers 1080p quality at 60fps and can support adding a webcam or overlay to the final output. It can accept input from PlayStation 4, Xbox One and any unencrypted HDMI data. All output will be HDMI and fed to the internet-enabled device of your choice.
Sceptre 27″ Curved LED Monitor
A curved monitor provides an immersive wrap-around view that draws computer gamers deep into the game world, and the Sceptre monitor offers premium graphics and VGA speakers to bring any game to life.
The 27″ curved display provides a 1800R angle at a 1920 x 1080 resolution. It’s created with blue light shift to limit eye fatigue in long gaming sessions, and the 5 millisecond response time ensures seamless transitions and optimum performance.
The built-in speaker completes the immersive experience for gamers, but the monitor works just as well with headphones. The monitor can be wall-mounted at an angle or kept on the desk to match the aesthetic preferences of the gamer.
Super NES Classic Edition
Return to your roots with this Super NES reboot that allows you to enjoy all of the games you played on the original Super Nintendo while benefiting from more modern tech. This is the perfect gift for a nostalgic gamer or a younger player who craves a taste of older games.
The Super NES Classic Edition looks and feels like the original 90s console, but it’s a bit smaller. It comes pre-loaded with 21 games, so you don’t have to worry about buying fussy cartridges. Some of the well-known games included in the system are Donkey Kong Country, Super Mario World, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and the never-released StarFox 2.
The console measures just 3 x 8.9 x 6.5 inches and weighs less than two pounds. It comes with two controllers to play the multi-player games.
Pac-Man Connect and Play
If your favorite gamer has a soft spot for old-school classic arcade games, they will love this. The Pac-Man Connect and Play is a fun and fully functional gaming console, which brings the arcade experience right into the living room.
Released for the 35th anniversary of the original Pac-Man, this system from Bandai is designed in the shape of an 8-bit Pac-Man hero. It is fitted with a joystick and buttons. It offers plug-and-play functionality for any television and is easy to set up.
The console comes with 12 pre-loaded arcade games including the original Pac-Man and Super Pac-Man. There are also classic lesser-known titles like Galaga, New Rally X and Xevious.
The console requires four AA batteries that are not included in the shipped product. Be sure to pick up a few to include with your gift.
Super Mario Chess Collectors Edition
Sometimes even the most hardcore video game lover can benefit from an analog diversion. This collectors edition Super Mario-themed chess set is the perfect gift for a gamer of any age.
The chess set features hand-painted figurines of favorite Mario heroes and villains. The red team features Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Princess Daisy, Yoshi, Toad and Coin pawns. The green team of villains features Bowser and Bowser Jr, Magikoopa, Birdo, Goomba and Koopa Shell pawns.
The game can be played on the included Super Mario Bros. game board or stored safely in the collectible tin box for display.
Blood, Sweat, and Pixels: The Triumphant, Turbulent Stories Behind How Video Games Are Made
If your favorite gamer is also a book lover, this book is a great gift that provides fascinating insights into the history of video games and how the industry came to the point it’s at now.
The national bestseller written by Jason Schreier follows the behind-the-scenes development of games made by developers big and small. The book focuses primarily on modern game development, looking at the development of games made by big companies like Bioware as well as single-designer indie gaming efforts.
Anyone who is interested in how games are made will enjoy this book. It’s an especially good gift for any aspiring game designers in your life.
The book is available in paperback and ebook editions as well as a digital audiobook or audio CD.
Homall Executive Swivel PU Leather Gaming Chair
PC gamers can spend long hours sitting at the computer desk, and an ergonomically designed chair is an important part of staying healthy and comfortable. The Homall Executive swivel chair was designed with gamers in mind. The body-hugging high back is built to provide ergonomic support, with a removable head rest and lumbar cushion.
The chair comes with a full recline function and locking recline angles between 90 and 180 degrees. The user can decide the perfect angle for personalized comfort. The rolling chair comfortably supports up to 300 pounds and is available in four colors. These are: white with black accents, black, blue with black accents or teal with black accents.
The chair has an adjustable sitting height of between 17.3 to 21.3 inches and weighs just over 42 pounds. It is easy to assemble and can be installed within 30 minutes.
Cohesion XP 2.1 Gaming Chair with Audio
This lightweight and comfortable gaming chair is perfect for cozying up with a console controller and enjoying a long evening of immersive gaming. The chair’s design places it at ground level, with a gently curving back that allows the user to recline comfortably.
This gaming chair comes equipped with two built-in wired receiver audio speakers. This allows for the provision of intimate sound and immersive game play. The chair has both in-line volume controls and a headphone jack. The lightweight construction includes durable fabric over a frame, and the chair can easily be tucked away when not in use.
The chair measure 18.3 x 25.7 x 16.6 inches and is available in black with red accents. The narrow design makes it better for younger gamers, but it still offers plenty of room for some adult players as well. Larger and more heavily padded gaming chairs are available on the market, so you can comparison shop between them to find the right gift for your needs.
Valve Steam Link
Take your PC gaming to the living room with the Valve Steam Link, a device that allows effortless streaming from computer to television.
The Steam Link is a powerful device that streams games from a home PC to a television using the home network. It is also compatible with a variety of controllers including Xbox, PlayStation and Wii-U Pro controllers. Once the system is plugged in, you are able to play any game from your Steam library on your television.
The Steam Link device is a great option for anyone who enjoys the comfort of console gaming but prefers the titles available through Valve’s Steam platform. The affordable adapter allows access to any game in your Steam library. As an added bonus, the portable Valve Link device can be used to stream games to any television. As long as there is a Steam-enabled computer and wireless network available. This makes it easy to play anywhere without having to cart around a stack of games to show your friends. As long as your friend has a computer with Steam access, you are set to stream.
The Steam Link measures just 3.9 x 2.8 x 0.5 inches and weighs less than two pounds. Games stream wirelessly at 1080p. Because video and audio data is sent directly from your computer to the Steam Link, any game on the PC can be broadcast and played on the TV. It’s the perfect way to bring your PC games onto the big screen. Without springing for an expensive monitor or surround sound for your home computer. With this gift, your gamer friends can enjoy the best of both worlds. Through a marriage of the PC and console experiences.
