Generic gamer gifts are a waste of money. For example, t-shirts that say things like “Eat, Sleep, Game, Repeat” are impersonal at best and tacky at worst. Imagine buying a book lover a shirt that says “I Like Reading.” The gamers in your life don’t need more socks, mugs or keychains. They make fine stocking stuffers, but that’s about it.
The problem is that gamers can be picky about their hardware and the titles they play, so surprising them with a video game or a new monitor is risky. You don’t want to buy a game for the wrong console or get them a janky third-party controller.
The best gaming gifts are the ones that come from the franchises they actually like. You get bonus points for getting them something that blends two of their interests, such as a video-game-inspired cookbook. When in doubt, leave it to the professionals. We hand-picked over 30 gaming gifts from popular AAA and indie titles.
Quality prints and lights are great for gaming rooms. If the intended recipient is picky about their home decor, go for something more subtle, like hand towels.
This is original artwork by Punch It! Graphics, a retro sci-fi artwork store run by a small, independent graphic artist based in Oregon. It’s made to look like a vintage movie poster, complete with character headshots, a tagline and credits.
In Minecraft, Axolotls are passive aquatic mobs that players can catch and breed. This officially licensed light, which features five colors and two light modes, looks just like its in-game counterpart.
Inspired by games like Elden Ring, Dark Souls and Bloodborne, these 100% cotton hand towels feature red “You Dried” embroidery on a dark background. They’re styled after the iconic “You Died” message.
At 14 inches tall, this light-up desk lamp is a 1-to-3 scale replica of Halo’s legendary Sangheili melee weapon — the energy sword.
Figurines and plushies are among the best gamer gifts. Since they’re budget-friendly and small, they’re low-risk and high-reward.
Made with 100% PP cotton, this one-foot collectible plush is as huggable as it is cute. It’s designed to look like the giant gordo slime you can find in-game. The face is embroidered, not printed, so it will hold up well over time.
The Vault-Dweller Variety Pack features iconic flavors from the Fallout franchise, including Nuka-Cola Cranberry, Quartz and Quantum. It comes with a magnet bottle opener and collectible caps.
The 9-inch plush version of 343 Guilty Spark is perfect for Halo fans. Its reversible sequins change from blue to orange, mimicking its in-game counterpart.
Subtle gaming apparel features small decorations that only fellow fans will recognize. It’s great for adults who want to show their love for a game without wearing character art.
Inspired by the Astra Militarum, this military-style rucksack is inconspicuous enough that you won’t look out of place wearing it to school or work. You can choose from a range of regimental colors and insignia.
This isn’t a generic “I Paused My Game to Be Here” t-shirt. The minimalistic design mirrors Skyrim’s inventory, which displays the armor rating, weight and value of each piece of apparel.
This Pip-Boy replica is the perfect gift for Fallout fans. It features a built-in FM radio, retro minigames and an LED flashlight. The customizable content library features items from Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas. When you’re not wearing it, it becomes a nightstand alarm clock.
If you want to get a laugh out of a Baldur’s Gate 3 fan, get them this canvas tote bag featuring a fan-created graphic. It’s best for those who like the character Astarion.
Board games offer a fun, interactive twist on the video games people love. Sometimes, companies even adapt popular in-game minigames for tabletop. These are among the best gaming gifts because they allow gamers and non-gamers to find a shared interest.
The Sims Board Game features iconic characters, artwork and locations from the game. Each player gets a needs tracker, just like a real Sim. This game is family-friendly and easy to learn, making it perfect for a casual family game night.
Gwent is a minigame from The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. It’s been specially adapted for tabletop. This five-deck set features over 400 playing cards faithfully reproduced from in-game designs. It includes all cards from the game — no expansion packs or boosters needed.
This cooperative board game closely follows the original game’s storyline and gameplay loop, making it the perfect gift for Stardew Valley fans. The full-color illustrated cards feature items and characters from the game.
This officially licensed chess set comes with 32 custom-sculpted hero and villain pieces, featuring characters like Link, Zelda, Navi and Ganondorf.
In Cyberpunk 2077, there are 34 tarot cards you can find as you explore Night City, Dogtown and the Badlands. This deluxe box from CD Projekt Red contains 78 cards featuring art from the game. It also includes a guidebook to help you read the cards.
Video game food often looks incredibly appetizing, but, sadly, you can’t eat pixels. That’s why official cookbooks make the best gaming gifts. If the gamer in your life enjoys cooking, baking or cocktail-making, get them one of these books.
Fallout’s official cookbook gift set comes with a Vault-Tec-branded apron. The recipes are based on food you can scavenge or cook in-game, such as Nuka-Cola, Fancy Lads Snack Cakes and iguana-on-a-stick.
This official cookbook gift set comes with a Black-Briar Meadery apron. It features recipes from across Tamriel, including grilled leeks, sweetrolls, Nord mead, juniper lamp chops and horker loaf. The food photography brings the iconic in-game meals to life.
Stardew Valley’s official cookbook is packed with original illustrations and food photography. It contains 50 recipes based on in-game meals and ingredients, such as lucky lunch, blackberry cobbler and void mayonnaise. The recipes are organized by season.
This collection of cocktail recipes and bar snacks features vibrant, full-color photographs. Learn how to toast to the crew of the Normandy with an asari gelatin shot or make Edi’s curry snacks.
Playing Animal Crossing with an Animal-Crossing-themed controller or resting your phone on your Call-of-Duty-inspired stand while you play COD: Zombies just feels right.
This wireless controller has a C button for game chat, mappable quick-action buttons and built-in motion controls for games like Mario Kart. The stars and moon can light up, bringing the custom design to life. Pair it with an Animal Crossing Switch case for a cute custom gift set.
Llambro is a fan-favorite Fortnite skin. This officially licensed headset features Llambro graphics and colors. It even includes a digital code for an in-game emote.
In Call of Duty Zombies, you use the monkey bomb to lure and explode zombies. This 8.5-inch-tall replica can hold a phone, remote or controller.
A coffee table book is the best gift for gamers who want to subtly show off their interests without committing to wall art or home decor.
The Art of Cuphead contains a curated collection of concepts, production work and early ideas that went into the game, including never-before-seen content from the DLC. You get an up-close look at the game’s hand-drawn, frame-by-frame animation.
This hardcover coffee table book has a buckram-textured cover, so it doesn’t look out of place in a classy living room. It features award-winning scripts behind both games and even includes character concept art.
Horizon Forbidden West’s full-color hardcover features artwork and developer commentary, including behind-the-scenes concept art of characters, machines and landscapes.
Each illustration is printed on thick, non-bleed paper, and the pages are perforated so you can easily tear them out. This adult coloring book contains 40 black-and-white line drawings, from portraits to key scenes from the game.
For those with record players, video game vinyls make the best gaming gifts. Gamers can listen to their favorite soundtracks even if they’re not playing the game. Plus, the records themselves make for great conversation pieces.
The harmonic, soothing music from Slime Rancher 2 comes on three LPs pressed on colorful, marbled vinyl. The sleeves feature full-color double-sided artwork.
Red Dead Redemption 2’s original soundtrack was pressed on translucent red vinyl. The 13-track collection is divided across the two LPs’ four sides.
This is the first album ever created for the game’s soundtrack, so it’s sure to be a nostalgic listen. Even people who don’t actively play Minecraft anymore will enjoy this soothing soundtrack. It is pressed on a vibrant green vinyl, matching the iconic grass block.
Persona 5’s soundtrack is widely considered one of the best video game soundtracks of all time. This three-LP collection is made for hardcore fans, featuring gold foil inner sleeves, a 12-month Persona calendar and custom artwork.
This year, get the gamer in your life a gift they’ll actually like, whether that’s a record, a cookbook or a tote bag. As long as you know what games they play, there are tons of great options on Amazon.
