The 23 Best Gifts For Gamers, From Portable Consoles to Streaming Essentials
RS Recommends
From VR to consoles, here’s how to impress the gamers on your gifting list
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.
With game consoles getting more power, and the rise of streaming, there’s never been a better time to be a fan of video games.
If you’re shopping for a gamer (or looking to indulge a little yourself), this guide has everything you need to get the most out of this hobby. We’ve made sure to include accessories for PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC gamers, while also recommending the latest VR headset.
If you’re looking for more inspiration, we even spoke to Zack “Drazah” Jordan of the LA Thieves for his recommendations. Zack personally loves gaming gear made by JBL, so if you’re looking for an easy way to upgrade your system, we’ve recommended some options for JBL below. As for the most anticipated games of the year, Zach is most excited about Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II Year 2. “There will be new maps, guns, modes and many more things coming that will change how the game is currently played, ” he added.
While a release date isn’t confirmed for the game, you can catch up with other Call of Duty titles to get up to speed. Finally, Zach recommends SCUF if you’re looking for something more personalized. SCUF offers personalizable Xbox and PlayStation controllers, letting you personalize everything from the color of the controller skin itself to the joystick.
Our guide also covers gear necessary for game streaming, so if someone in your life wants to take that more seriously, we’ve got you covered.
-
Nintendo Switch Lite
Image Credit: Amazon The Switch Lite is Nintendo’s latest portable console. It can play any game from the original Nintendo Switch library — including popular titles from the Legend of Zelda, Mario, and Animal Crossing — franchises, but can’t be connected to a television.
Nintendo says the Switch Lite gets up to seven hours of playtime per charge, but that can change depending on the title you’re playing, and your brightness settings.
-
Meta Quest 2
Image Credit: Meta The Meta Quest 2 is one of the best headsets we’ve tested — and it’s a must-have gift for gamers.
The Meta 2 is an independent VR headset, which means it doesn’t need to be plugged into a computer to work. You can connect it to a computer to use the headset to play PC-only VR games.
Setting it up is easy, but requires a Facebook account. You should be up and running in about 10 minutes. The Quest 2 can play any previous- generation Oculus Quest game, so the game library has hundreds of titles already.
-
HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless
Image Credit: Amazon With a battery life of 300 hours, the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless has one of the best battery lives on a gaming headset we’ve ever seen.
This headset is completely wireless and is compatible with both PCs and PlayStation 5s. Unfortunately, there’s no support for Xbox — although that’s the only con we could find.
The sound quality is amazing and they might be the most comfortable pair of headphones we’ve ever tested. The padded headband is adjustable too, allowing you to adjust your fit. You’ll also get a detachable mic included for collaborative gaming or e-sports as well as onboard audio controls for volume and mic monitoring.
-
Edifier G2000
Image Credit: Amazon Edifier’s G2000 speakers were designed with PC gamers in mind.
The speakers have a modern, angular design, and were designed to provide clear sound with rich bass. The speakers are angled slightly upward, so sound is directed directly toward your ears.
You can customize the look of the G2000s by switching between one of 12 different LED lighting setups, which can illuminate your room even when the lights are off.
-
Logitech C922x Pro Stream Webcam
Image Credit: Amazon Logitech’s C922x is a full HD webcam made specifically for people who stream games.
It can broadcast a 720P video at 60FPS (frames per second), to make you look super smooth, and has automatic light correction to compensate for a dimly lit room. The camera’s autofocus will make sure you look clear if you move around, and its built-in mic will record and stream clearer sounding audio than the one built into your computer.
If someone you know wants to get more serious about streaming games, gift them this webcam.
-
Sony X90K
Image Credit: Amazon This built-for-PlayStation Sony TV has low input lag and HDR tone mapping, making this one of the most useful gamer gifts.
It’s also got google TV built-in, and support for ArPLOay 2 if you want to cast your home videos this holiday season. If you know a gamer looking for a po2erful big-screen TV, choose the Sony X90K.
-
Microsoft Elite Series 2 Controller
Image Credit: Amazon Know someone who games on the Xbox Series X or PC? Microsoft’s Elite Series 2 Controller will be the best gift they receive this year. The controller’s standout feature is the ability to swap out its joysticks and D-Pad with components that better suit your play style. The Elite Series 2 feels great in the hand, with a luxe finish fitting with the name “elite.”
We’re recommending you get a bundle that includes both the controller (which comes with interchangeable accessories) and a microfiber cleaning cloth. A controller is as important to console gamers as a mouse and keyboard are to PC players and using the Elite Series 2 will give the gamer you gift it to an edge over the people they play with.
-
Shure MV7 USB Podcast Microphone
Image Credit: Shure Shure’s MV7 USB microphone is the ultimate gift for any aspiring game streamer.
The mic can be connected directly to a computer (Mac or PC) and record extremely detailed audio. The microphone’s app (Windows and macOS) lets you adjust its volume, and switch modes based on how far away it is from your mouth. Volume controls are also built into a touch panel on the microphone for easy-access mid recording.
-
LEGO Super Mario Adventures
Image Credit: Amazon If they love building with LEGO, it doesn’t get any better than this Super Mario Adventures kit. They can build their own Mario course and get Mario to collect virtual coins as he goes through the course.
Mario’s LEGO figurine even has a color sensor plus LCD screens allowing it to display over 100 instant reactions to movement, according to the brand. They’ll also be able to rearrange the course as they wish and even add to this LEGO set as time goes on.
-
Logitech G Cloud
Image Credit: Amazon Logitech’s G Cloud is a gamechanger for gamers who want portable, lightweight cloud gaming device.
You can access multiple cloud gaming services through this portable gaming console, including Xbox Cloud Gaming and NVIDIA GeForce Now. You’ve even got a Remote Play feature, which allows you to stream games from the Xbox or Steam app — a great gamer gift for the on-the-go gamer.
-
Beat Saber Rock Mixtape
Image Credit: Meta Beat Saber is one of the most popular VR games, where you hit music notes to the beats of your favorite songs. The game has launched many mixtapes over the years, including an Electronic Mixtape and even a Lizzo Music Pack.
Now, the game has released a Rock Mixtape, with classics like ‘Eye of the Tiger, ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine’ and ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ featured on the tracklist. If they love rock tunes and want to jam out to something new on the game, get them the Rock Mixtape now.
-
SteelSeries Prime Wireless Gaming Mouse
Image Credit: Amazon A low latency mouse is an essential tool for any serious PC gamer, and the wireless version SteelSeries’ Prime delivers the goods. Its optical sensor is sensitive enough to respond to the slightest movement.
Bluetooth causes latency (a delay) in the time it takes your computer to register a mouse movement and make the appropriate changes, which is why SteelSeries opted to bundle the Prime Wireless Mouse with a USB dongle. You get the freedom of a wire-free desk without giving up performance.
If you know a competitive online gamer, this mouse would make a wonderful gift.
-
Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini
This wireless keyboard boasts up to 200 hours of battery life and durable keycaps, capable of enduring your all-night gaming sessions.
It is also powered by Razer Chroma RGB, allowing you to customize the lighting on this keyboard to match your gaming setup. If you’re looking for a gamer gift capable of long-term use, gift the Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini.
-
JBL Quantum One
Image Credit: Amazon This noise-cancelling wired headset features multiplatform compatibility, including support for both Xbox and PlayStation users.
It’s got memory foam ear cushions for comfort and features active noise canceling to intelligently block out conversation or distractions around you. It features surround sound too for an immersive listening experience, and RGB customization to get this headset to match your gaming setup.
If your giftee is in need of a gamer-approved set of noise cancelling headphones, this is it.
-
Controller Charger for Nintendo Switch
Image Credit: Amazon This multi-charging accessory is a great gift for Nintendo Switch owners. It allows you to charge four Joy-Con controllers and two Nintendo Switch Pro Controllers at the same time. LEDs on the front of the charger will turn green when a controller is fully charged, so you know it’s good to go.
Multi-controller chargers are also available for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One controllers.
-
Backbone One
Image Credit: Amazon The iPhone has one of the most robust gaming libraries available right now, and Backbone’s One Controller lets you play them the way they were meant to be played. The accessory basically turns Apple’s phone into a Nintendo Switch, with triggers, buttons, and joysticks that making playing games more comfortable when compared to tapping a screen.
In our experience, Backbone’s One feels and works better than most companies’ first-party controllers, and it’s the only way we recommend serious gamers play titles like Fantasian, Chrono Trigger or Sayonara Wild Hearts. If you’re shopping for someone who almost exclusively games on their phone, this is hands-down the best gift you can give them in 2022.
-
SAMSUNG 49” Odyssey G9 Gaming Monitor
Curved gaming monitors provide a more immersive gaming experience, and this one from Samsung is one of the best.
Its top features include a 240hz refresh rate and support for both NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync. Get this gamer gift for the e-sports enthusiasts in your life.
-
The Game Console 2.0
Image Credit: Amazon The Game Console 2.0 is one of the rare video game books that we recommend for any fan of the medium, regardless of which systems they play now, or had as a kid. Evan Amos breaks down the hardware of 100 consoles spanning several decades, giving readers a literal inside look at the components that make the system work.
The first edition of this book was a personal favorite because of Amos’ distinctive photo style, in which different components of the console or accessory’s hardware is stacked on top of one another. You can see an example in the image above that features the NES controller. This new edition covers the latest game consoles, which were released after the first version of this book was printed.
-
Corsair iCUE LT100 Smart Lighting Tower Starter Kit
Image Credit: Amazon Aesthetics are a big part of gamer culture, which is why Corsair’s iCue LT200 Smart Lighting Starter Kit makes an excellent present. The tall light bars look fantastic on either side of a computer monitor, and Corsair’s software makes it easy to change their color to meet your favorite gamer’s mood.
This kit comes with a pair of lighting towers, but you can add even more using an expansion kit to really trick out a room. The gamer you get these for won’t help but feel cool each time they boot up a console or PC game.
-
The Haymaker
Image Credit: Haymaker The sound quality on The Haymaker puts most other gaming headphones to shame, whether you’re using them for gaming or just listening to music. They also come with a wide variety of connectivity options, which means you can connect them to your PC, tablet, Nintendo Switch console or even your Playstation 5 or Xbox Series S/X.
Other features include dual noise cancelation, customizable RGB lighting, touch controls and a comfortable design —allowing for long hours of gaming.
-
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II
Image Credit: Amazon Call of Duty is an almost essential game for every gamer and Modern Warfare II is an excellent campaign to spend hours on.
This is a cross-gen bundle, meaning it can work on both Xbox One and the newer Xbox Series X/S but the game is also available for PlayStation users. You can play the single-player campaign or enlist your friends to play co-op.
With cutthroat action and improbed combt, this is one of the best first-person shooter games you gift right now.
-
Genki ShadowCast
Image Credit: Amazon Game streaming is more popular than ever thanks to popular platforms like Twitch, and the Genki ShadowCast makes it easier for the gamer you know best to join in on the fun. This accessory allows you to connect a game console to a computer’s USB-C to capture footage. The ShadowCast supports 1080P (Full HD) streaming at 60 frames per second. This is an excellent stocking stuffer for someone who wants to stream games, but doesn’t know where to start.
-
Nvidia GeForce Now
Image Credit: Facebook / GeForce Now Nvidia’s GeForce Now service allows you to stream AAA games to your PC, tablet, or phone without requiring you to assemble and maintain a traditional PC Rig. GeForce Now lets subscribers play a set of popular games and titles they’ve purchased on Steam anywhere, anytime.
If their internet connection is strong enough, the gamer you gift a subscription to shouldn’t be able to tell the difference between streaming the game and playing it on actual hardware. The ability to pick up and play the latest games on any device regardless of its power level is nothing short of revolutionary; this gift can give the gamer in your life a true taste of the future.
