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Prepare to 1UP anyone who dares to give a gaming gift this year.
The Nintendo Switch is a great console to give those who are more ~reserved~ a chance to connect with others when they feel like it. You can play games like Legend of Zelda Link's Awakening on your own or join a friend to play Luigi's Mansion 3 game. This product is a winner for everyone!
Promising review: "The Switch is Nintendo's best device since the N64. I use my Switch every day. I commute by train so this has been perfect for me. There has never been a handheld this good. The transition to and from docked mode is seamless. The battery life is also pretty decent. Overall, it is a great device. Nintendo's back!" —Arjun S. Kahlon
Get it from Amazon: Nintendo Switch for $299 (available in grey or neon blue/red), Nintendo Switch Lite for $199.96 (available in four styles).
Learn about the difference between the two products with my breakdown here.
It's time I come clean and let you guys know that my husband is obsessed with video games — as are all of his friends. We have one friend who started playing Smash when it was released at midnight until 7 a.m. If that doesn't convince you, then just know it's officially the top-selling video game on Amazon for 2018.
Promising review: "This is another top-notch Nintendo game! Every single fighter from every Smash Bros. game is back! Smooth animation, great graphics — if you think of it, only Mario Kart 8 and Smash Bros. on Wii U have had 1080p graphics for Mario...so this is a real treat! A huge single player campaign that will take you 20-30 hours to complete. The online I tried on launch day was smooth without any lag. A must own for any video game fan!"—EFYevan
Get it from Amazon for $59.88.
My husband keeps his in his work bag so he can play while commuting on the subway — it has been a game-changer. He has this exact case (and is very picky) so I promise you it's a good one.
Promising review: "Great to carry around your Switch without fear of damage. I have a USB-C cable, Samsung power adapter, HDMI cable (6ft), Joycon wrist straps, and the FastSnail HDMI Type C Hub Adapter so I can play on the big screen. I think I can fit one more pair of Joycons (and straps) so i can get 4 player Mario Cart. With all that stuff in this case, there is little to no pressure on the Switch. But you can't just throw it all in, you need to purposefully place the items to make sure there is no pressure on the screen or joysticks." —DanA
Get it from Amazon for $10.10+ (available in 10 colors).
My husband uses this as his main screen for when he's playing games like Fortnite or Call of Duty on his PC. He loves how seamless the gameplay look compared to most standard monitors that top out at 60hz. Two thumbs up from my household!
Promising review: "I picked this monitor out because I'd heard of the brand through watching eSports and I wanted to support a company that supported one of my interests. I expected to get a 'normal monitor' experience and pay a slightly higher price for quality build. I was very wrong, the difference between gaming on this monitor and a regular one is night and day. Games feel entirely more 'tactile' and real time. I am better able to place shots, see what's going on, and I feel like I have better control over my character. It is bright and crisp, colors are vivid, and the action is unlike anything I've played on before. If you are any kind of gamer or power-user on your PC I cannot recommend this monitor enough. I will never again think of displays as just interchangeable peripherals; even with a very high end gaming PC, you are not having the full experience unless you have a monitor that is comparable with this one." —Spybreak
Get it from Amazon for $199+ (also available in 27-inches).
Promising review: "I've built two custom PCs and I used the NZXT Hue on both. This product offers professional looking lighting to a custom pc build and is extremely easy to install." —Brian M. Clarke
Get it from Amazon for $79.99.
Get it from Shop BuzzFeed for $19.95 (available in women's sizes S–2XL and two colors).
Promising review: "It's octagonal and has a skull on it so I was a bit skeptical at first. I run a concave high on my right stick and wanted a convex mid for the left. The skull design feels really good and the octagonal shape does not get in the way. It feels and plays great. Kinda surprised! I put these on the left of both my controllers and put my highs on the right." —Bill Jenkins
Get them from Amazon for $17.99.
I cannot begin to tell you how many times I've heard my husband say, "Where we landing?!" and naively think that he's speaking to me, but in reality he's just addressing his friends on Fortnite. He, and any Fortnite fanatic, would thoroughly receiving this poster to hang on their wall.
Promising review: "Wooooow. Print quality is fantastic. It arrived well-packaged, a day earlier than expected. I framed it in 'frameless' glass and it looks fantastic. Fortnite fan should love the Llama! Thank you." —annapolprior
Get it from FineArtUSA on Etsy for $8.99+ (available in 12 art print sizes, 5 canvas sizes, 5 framed sizes, and 4 wall decal sizes).
Promising review: "Love, love, love it!!! I purchased this microphone when I upgraded from a laptop to a desktop gaming console (which did not have a built in microphone like my laptop did). I needed this microphone for gaming and video editing purposes. My main concern from other reviews was that I would not have a crystal clear voice unless I was very close to the microphone. This is NOT true. I sit comfortably in my chair, a good two feet away from the mic and people online say my voice sounds crystal clear!!! I even tested playing music in the background while talking and my friend could not hear any background noise! Amazing!" —Brandon
Get it from Amazon for $41.99 (available in black and white).
Ah, memories. I recall playing the first version of the game on my PlayStation 2, forcing my siblings to watch me tackle challenge after challenge and discover Disney characters along the way. Now gamers like myself can lounge around in pants themed around their fave game! What a world.
Get it from BoxLunch for $19.92 (available in sizes XS, S, XL).
Now this is a gadget that will earn you the title of Best Gift Giver. With a single click any gamer will be able to cycle through two different devices without having to unplug ANYTHING. Convenience is key, people.
Promising review: "I purchased this splitter for use with my television and a PlayStation Vita TV console and Nintendo Wii U console. I ran out of ports, so a splitter seemed to be the perfect solution, much better than unplugging devices every time I needed to switch. This product is simple to use: plug the two sources into one side and the output location in the other, and you're done! It can also be used to split one device to two locations, like displaying a video game or television show on two different monitors. There is a small button you press in the center of the splitter to switch between the output selections. The video quality was good on the display even though it is going through the splitter. Overall, I highly recommend this product to anyone who runs out of HDMI ports on their television. I didn't find any flaws with the product. 5/5 stars." —Zero Ehxe
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
Promising review: "I use it for jogging! very nice pack, gets me compliments. I safely store my phone and keys in it." —ganondorfmain
Get it from BoxLunch for $23.92.
Are you ready, Player One? You're about to gift the best bathing experience thanks to this lil' controller! It's made with ingredients like baking soda (gotta get that fizz-in), sunflower oil, avocado oil, and fragrance oil to create a unique bath they'll enjoy maybe just as much as when they beat you in Mario Kart.
Get it from iBeautyGifts on Etsy for $5.
I gifted this coffee table book to my husband a few years ago and it's still one of his most prized possessions...not to mention it has been given a five-star rating by over 2.5K Amazon customers. Let that sink in for a sec. OK, great. Now add this to your cart and making your Zelda-loving buddy happier than they've ever been.
Promising review: "The Legend of Zelda Hyrule Historia is simply awesome, jam-packed with the history of Hyrule and the official chronological of the games! And a in-depth look at the Legend of Zelda franchise! The book within itself is gorgeous with oversized pages and much more. Definitely a buy for the average or hardcore Legend of Zelda fan." —Mike Alvarisi
Get it from Amazon for $21.10.
Those were the days, amiright? These coasters would make for a perfect stocking stuffer for any gamer who remembers the struggle of using these cartridges.
Promising review: "I have had these for awhile now and felt like a review is in order. I've been using these throughout my house and as an avid retro gamer these fit right in. I've been surprised how resistant they are to beverages leaving moisture, or if I need to rinse them off from a drop/spill. They don't seem to wear down or fade at all." —Amazon Customer
Get a set of eight from Amazon for $9.99.
Promising review: "I bought this for my son, who wanted to decorate his room as a Minecraft room. This works as both decor, and as a toy. He can take it down, carry it around and play with it, use it as a flashlight, and hang it back up on the wall when he goes to bed at night. We have had this for several months now, and it looks (and works) good as new! Battery life is what you would expect from any flashlight being used often." —AspenLiv
Get it from Amazon for $21.96.
Every true gamer needs a fancy mouse! This one has light features that can be customized to WHATEVER color they want, seven programmable mouse buttons, five default DPI levels, and four adjusting polling rate levels. Even if you have no idea what that means, the gamer in your home will simply be in awe over the features.
Promising review: "I was looking for a good budget gaming mouse and this one hit the mark. This mouse has a good feel, fits my hand well, and the buttons have a nice feel as well. They aren't so light that I accidentally press them, but also aren't too heavy. Scroll wheel feels solid and accurate, the rubber coating is grippy and has a nice feel. I also like being able to adjust the sensitivity (DPI) on the fly. This mouse could easily sell for two times the price or more. The styling is also nice without being too gaudy." —Jeff G.
Available from Amazon for $13.99 (available in three styles).
As my husband says, this mouse is "the best you can get for the money." Enough said.
Promising review: "I've had this mouse for about six months and I still haven't run into any issues and I've ONLY used this one. I think the RGB is phenomenal and the weight and speed of the mouse just makes it better. Definitely my main mouse for years to come." —Hafiz A.
Get it from PC Gaming Race for $49.99 (available in two sizes and four styles).
From the moment I put the headset over my eyes I thought "Wow, I never have to leave the house again!!!" From finally getting a chance to handle a lightsaber while battling it out in the Star Wars universe (which comes with the current Oculus Quest bundle!), adventuring in nature via National Geographic, and battling Angry Birds in a whole new way there is so much at-home fun to be had thanks to this system. I'm personally more introverted, but I still enjoy spending time with family and friends. The Quest has been a great way for me to have a good time interacting with my loved ones without feeling overwhelmed by TOO much chatter. I brought it to Thanksgiving and we had a blast taking turns playing with it. More recently my sister and her boyfriend came over and we spent hours giggling watching one another play. Super fun!
Get it from Oculus for $399.99.
Promising review: "Was very surprised how durable and sturdy this book-bag is. Definitively made well and has many pockets and compartments, as well as a spot for a laptop. Well worth the price and I am even considering buying one for myself being that I too am a huge fan of Overwatch. Money well spent, definitely recommend!" —Skinnywolf
Get it from Amazon for $29.
Promising review: "Great and simple design of Twitch logo. A little too snug around my arms (I’m a little more built but even in XL it’s kind of tight from the elbow to wrist) Appealing and stylish color of pastel pink is a great aesthetic to try to incorporate into your style." —Carlo
Get it from Amazon for $45 (available in unisex sizes XS–3XL).
Promising review: "I have never had the camera disconnect during a gaming stream. It is the best webcam I have ever owned. It works well right out of the box and I did not need to mess with white balance, occasionally I just up the vibrancy slider a bit to offset my naturally pale vampire skin. :) It does not lose saturation over time like some cameras do, it keeps its color consistent and sharp and the focus is right on the money and not all over the place." —RexRed
Get it from Amazon for $57.99+ (available in two styles and with or without a tripod stand).
Anyone familiar with the game will easily recognize the "You've met with a terrible fate, haven't you?" quote on this pin. It's pretty in pink, sports the ever-popular Happy Mask Salesman from the Zelda game, and will certainly be a conversation starter for fellow gamers once your giftee pins this to their bag or jacket.
Get it from PinLemonade on Etsy for $10.
My husband spends HOURS (seriously) each night after work playing video games. He was forever complaining about back pain and found himself sitting with terrible posture. Since getting this chair he (unfortunately for me) feels like he could actually sleep at his computer desk. He is forever talking about how comfortable it is and how much more his back feels supported since switching from his old chair. This chair is pricey but if you're someone who spends a lot of time sitting at a desk it's definitely worth it.
Get it from Amazon for $249.99 (available in seven styles).
Promising review: "I am the proud owner of three of these (so far). They're quiet when on AC power. They have great customization. I've muted the beeps and warnings so if the power kicks off, they just take over without distracting me further. I LOVE the two front USB plugs. I charge devices from them all the time. The LED screen is off by default until you press a button, so other than the dimly lit power button on the front, there's no distracting lights or sounds under normal use on AC power. So, how well do they work? Well, I've owned a lot of UPSes. These are by far much quieter than any I've purchased from APC. They have a true sine wave output (which is amazing!), and the 1500VA is perfect for most electronics. The front screen will tell you how much of a load you have plugged in and even an estimate for how long the unit should run given that load if you lost power. So, no surprises!" —Ramze
Get it from Amazon for $129.95+ (available in four styles).
Do I seem bitter? I swear I'm not! But, I would thoroughly enjoy if my husband would take a break from the countless hours he's been spending on Fortnite to work on a puzzle with me. I mean, it is video game-themed!
Get it from Amazon for $17.50.
This delightful accessory can hold up a controller or be used as a phone stand — so they can watch Ninja's stream without having to stop their own game.
Get it from Urban Outfitters for $24.95.
A handful of these stickers would be PERFECT as stocking stuffers! What are you waiting for? Order a bunch of these surprise pins and hand 'em out to all of your gaming pals.
Promising review: "These stickers are really cool! You get a ton and only maybe 5 of them had duplicates! There are stickers in there that I've never seen anywhere else! Love them!" —StacieL
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
The Legend of Zelda is such a beautiful game — as is this ring! It's essential for the person who wants to subtly show off their love for Link and his quest on a daily basis.
Get it from BlankByBlank on Etsy for $34.25+ (available in sizes 6-8 and in gold or steel).
Promising review: "Adjusting the actuation is great! I can feel the difference in games with their super fast actuation. Typing is just the reverse though, I have a lot of typos with the super fast actuation. Which isn't a problem at all, because you can switch profiles on the fly and have one of the best typing experiences imaginable with super deep 3.6 mm actuation point. It's like having multiple keyboards at once, and being able to change them effortlessly to suit the task at hand." —Egor
Get it from Amazon for $195.
Everyone has a favorite Street Fighter character! Mine is Chun-li (she's a badass), but maybe the gaming fanatic you know likes Vega or Ken. Pick up a slew of these blind boxes for you and your friends this holiday to try and collect the whole squad!
Get them from BoxLunch for $3.49 each.
Anyone who has ever played Animal Crossing knows that Tom Nook is probably the most important special character in the game. I mean, he runs the town shop and is therefore in charge of ALL YOUR SUCCESS. Help your gamer friend pay tribute to his greatness with this tee.
Get it from SideQuestSupply on Etsy for $16.99+ (available in unisex sizes XS–3XL and eight colors).
Whether they're camped out at their computer desk or venturing out into the real world to get snacks for a planned Overwatch gaming sesh, this beanie is sure to keep them cozy and well-accessorized.
Promising review: "I started using this as my main winter beanie! Very soft beanie and the Overwatch symbol on the front isn't hard so it doesn't feel weird on your forehead." —Saphira
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
A new gaming console and three games!? It's nearly too much for one person to handle! If you're looking to really spoil your loved one, this is the way to do it. Just imagine the look on their face when they discover this PlayStation 4 is all theirs — priceless.
Get it from Amazon for $299.99.
Think your friend would appreciate some ambient lighting for the room they game in? Yep, I think so, too. All you have to do is press down on this lil shroom's head to light it up. It even has the "mushroom power up" sound effect from the game! S'cute.
Promising review: "I can’t get over how much joy this little light brings to me. Well worth a purchase!!" —Megan
Get it from Firebox for $19.99.
My husband urged me to add this gadget into this gift guide — so know that it is certified gamer-approved. He was able to program his to play retro video games, so your friend can easily set theirs up to play their favorite old arcade games or PC games! Super cool.
Promising review: "This is a fantastic little kit! Great transparent case that's easy to install the Pi into, and it looks quite awesome! Heatsinks are well made and very easy to install, power cable is absolutely needed and excellent quality. I also love the included documentation and diagrams — very, very helpful! I would recommend this kit to anyone starting off with their first Raspberry Pi." —Ren Cosmo
Get it from Amazon for $74.99.
Whether your friend chose Bulbasaur as their starting Pokémon or went another route with Squirtle or Charmander, as a fan of the game (and show, of course) they are certain to gush over this lil' planter.
Promising review: "I have been wanting one of these for so long! Don't hesitate — it's worth it for that special Pokémon trainer in your life. I cannot wait to put this under the Christmas tree." —Eleanore
Get it from SucculentMonsters on Etsy for $29+ (available in two sizes and four colors).
Featuring the keyblade and token stained glass from the game, this umbrella is magical. Your friend will love having this accessory on hand during the next storm— it'll keep them dry and show off their love for Kingdom Hearts. Fabulous!
Get it from BoxLunch for $23.12.
Featuring Pacman and Blinky, these silver plated earrings are the stocking stuffer the classic video game-lover in your home has been waiting for. They are dainty, can be worn with literally any outfit, and pay tribute to one of the greatest games of all time. What more could anyone want in a gift?
Get it from micpohling on Etsy for $3.80.
In case you were wondering what my living situation is like. Anyways! This headset is lightweight, wireless, padded with memory foam, and will allow the gamer in your home to communicate with their friends easily mid-game. Pretty sweet.
Promising review: "I've had these about 6 months now, and still love them and comment to myself about them all the time. Biggest reason why is obvious, because they're wireless. As many of us know growing up with wired headphones was always a pain with the cord getting in the way and such but wireless tech has come a long way. Besides just the wireless part, they are SUPER comfortable, sometimes I'll forget they are even on my head, they don't fit super tight which is REALLY nice, but tight enough that if you shake your head slightly they aren't going to fall off obviously. Getting up to do things and just leaving them on is just... nice. Sound quality is great, I had a pair of wired Hyper X headphones before these and i would say these are better. Battery life is also great, I leave the Hyper X Logo light off to have the best battery life possible and can go all day without having to recharge them. I will typically re-charge them every night, I am a videographer so I am on my computer quite a bit and also play a few games so needless to say I am in my headphones almost daily" —Colin McEvoy
Get it from Amazon for $129.
Promising review: "Honestly, this kit is what the original starter kit should have been. The story is easier to follow for a newer DM. The adventure is a lot more streamlined. The breakdown of character creation is amazing and simplified. It doesn't just toss you some generic character that you have no connection too. It simplifies character creation and allows you to ease into more complicated characters later on. The cards that come with this kit are something I wish I had when I first started. They help with initiative, conditions, and the sidekick cards and magic item cards are awesome. I would recommend this kit over the original to any person wanting to start playing DnD." —Bryan
Get it from Amazon for $22.03.
Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Bowser and the rest of the gang are all here in this exciting Nintendo version of the classic Monopoly board game.
Promising review: "The game has well-known characters form the Mario and Donkey Kong series, each of them with their unique skills. During the game, the players can buy and sell properties, but also use their skills to make their rivals drop coins on the board that they can later pick up. On top of it, every time a player passes Go, there is a 'boss fight' with special bonuses. After the eight and last boss fight, the game ends and the player with the most points wins, so the game does not last forever. All in all, the feeling in this game feels a lot like Mario Kart, with a mixture of skill and luck. My six year old had no problem to learn the rules, and my wife, who normally does not like board games, found it fun enough to play it with us again." —Ryott
Get it from Amazon for $21.99.
The Sims is my all-time favorite video game. I've played it on a variety of platforms, but nothing compares to the days my best friend and I would settle down in front of my old-school, clunky computer and play for hours (mainly locking our Sims in rooms and setting them on fire, but I digress). This pin is the perfect way to honor that memory — and show people whatever your current mood is.
Get it from jenaiss on Etsy for $5.40+ (available in three grades, colors, as a single pin, two-pack, or three-pack).
I was introduced to this book in college and let me tell you, it was worth the read. It combines sci-fi with classic '80s video games, making it the perfect book for any video game fan. Don't believe me? Check out one of the 13K+ five-star reviews it received on Amazon. If your friend isn't into books, fear not. Gift them the movie version instead!
Promising review: "My dad out of all people suggested this book. He is awesome. I am a '80s and '90s child, grew up on Atari, Nintendo, Sega, PC, and currently PlayStation. I immediately connected with this book and upon reading chapter after chapter gathered that the author is a video game/PC enthusiast. His lingo and style are unique yet he can tell a story to your average dad such as mine who has little or no experience dabbling with gaming." —Jeremy P
Get the book from Amazon for $10.23.
Promising review: "One of the my favorite Funkos that I currently have. Crash Bandicoot's iconic features really standout here. The hair, smile, the shoes, and the one eyebrow that raises higher than the other — they are done perfectly. Overall, I really enjoy this product!" —Edgar O.
Get it from Amazon for $8.78.
I love the look of these trendy cufflinks! They would be a lovely gift for any video game fan who has a special occasion coming up in 2019 (wedding? prom?). Jazz up their wardrobe with a touch of classic Nintendo style.
Get it from ElegantLocketShop on Etsy for $14.99+ (also available with a matching tie clip or lapel pin).
Unless they already have it — then pick one up for yourself to see what all the fuss is about!
Promising review: "The graphics are amazing, sound, voice acting is incredible. A huge leap into the next century for RE2. Deff a lot more challenging, the aiming is in the style of the newer games (RE4,5,6). I would argue its more challenging than the former games because the characters are running in dimly lite hallways while balancing the gun, flashlight. Play the game in the dark of course to get fully immersed in the world and enjoy!" —Michael
Get it from Amazon for $31.99.
Filled with classic games like Sonic the Hedgehog and Spyro the Dragon as well as newer games like Minecraft and Assasin's Creed, this poster is diverse enough to please gamers of all ages. It will definitely present them with a challenge to play 'em all.
Get it from Amazon for $13.10.
From Dig Dug and Frogger to Space Invaders and Galaga, anyone who grew up hanging out in arcades will love the nostalgia that comes with this heartfelt (and super-fun!) gift.
Promising review: "Ordered it thinking it was the 10-inch version I had when I was a kid but I was surprised to see the thing is 3 inches high but still functional!! Super cute, and amazingly, it functions just as the original version! I still want the big one though!" —D. Estrada
Get it from Amazon for $20.47+ (available in four different games).
I have an Arcade1Up machine in my house and not only is it fun and functional, but it's a great conversation starter!
Promising review: "I got to play this at E3 2019 and it was totally bodacious, dude! both TMNT games translated really well to the A1U board. The CP is a bit small, but it'll basically be me and my son button mashing, swapping between turtles so I'm good with that." —SNESYou
Get it from Walmart for $349.
These special grips are designed to help gamers' Joycons fit more comfortably in their hands.
Get it from InnovationThreeD on Etsy for $17 (available in nine styles).
Promising review: "If you're a fan of the game, and your turntable needs a slipmat cover, this is for you! I'm not sure if it matters, but I did think it was a little thin, compared to the slipmat I had previously. But the artwork is fantastic, you could probably have it framed or display it as an art piece if you wanted." —Lance
Get it from Fangamer for $9.
I recently dove back into this game and all I can daydream about is going home to try and get a little closer to defeating Jafar. UGH, IT'S SO HARD — which basically mean it hasn't changed at all. It's still super challenging, filled with great old school Disney tunes and characters, and will leave you wanting to play more and more.
Get it from Amazon for $29.99.
Promising review: "I've been a fan of Pokemon since Yellow version came out on GBA and I loved this cookbook! It's very easy to understand even for someone who's not very good at cooking (me). There's a pretty big variety of food stuff in here, from pizza, to lunch boxes, to deserts! Each recipe has a picture of the finished product and has little illustrations to help with certain steps. Overall, this book was a delight to look through and I can't wait to try make some of the recipes!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $13.49.
If one of your favorite people has a tendency to spend hours gaming after they've already spent the whole work day looking at a computer screen and/or their phone, chances are they are hurting their eyeballs. They will totally benefit from a pair of these blue light-blocking glasses this Christmas.
Promising review: "These glasses are perfect for working on the computer, videos games and even watching movies! I love the pale pink color, they’re very feminine and fit my face just like I’d hoped. I recommend them for anyone that spends time on phones or computers" —Kelly Stagg
Get them from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in seven styles).
Some reviews in this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.