Getting a gift for the gamer in your life can be a tricky endeavor. Not only is there a big, confusing range of systems, platforms and preferences to wade through, but it’s very likely that your gamer has already bought just about everything that they’d want. We’re not exactly the most patient bunch, after all.
In this guide, I’ll offer some real gamer advice to ensure this year’s gift isn’t collecting dust by spring. And, when in doubt, there are always gift cards and subscriptions to their favorite online gaming service. Just make sure to keep the receipt.
A game everyone can play
There are a ton of great video games out on the market — most of which your gamer probably bought on launch day and has already dumped a ton of time into, like “Baldur’s Gate 3” or “Starfield.” But some of my favorites around the holiday season are games that you can share with friends and family.
On that front, there’s nothing better than the wonderful “Jackbox Party Pack” games that come on just about every platform — including just about every console, computers, app stores, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV. The games range from about $15 to $30 depending on the edition and platform. Each installment comes with a collection of party games like trivia, word games, puzzles and — my favorite — drawing games. The best part is that anyone with a smartphone can join in on the fun, meaning the game scales very well with a big group of people and is perfect for an easy, low-barrier party game.
For more traditional, controller-based games, I’d recommend games like “It Takes Two” (a great two-player, story-driven game with unique challenges), “Human Fall Flat” (a zany puzzle game with intentionally wonky controls), “Overcooked” (a kitchen management game that can test the strength of your relationship in the harder levels), “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredders Revenge” (a reimagining of the classic beat-em-up games from the arcade) and pretty much any game featuring Mario like “Super Mario Party” Or “Super Mario Brothers Wonder” (both exclusive to the Nintendo Switch).
A new controller
Speaking of multiplayer games, it’s hard to go wrong with a new controller. They get grubby, wear out and can unfortunately be on the receiving end of frustration — especially after just dying to the boss on the umpteenth try or getting skunked in a particularly cutthroat game of “Super Mario Party.” It’s also always nice to have a spare controller on hand for multiplayer and couch co-op games.
With the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and Nintendo Switch all well into their life cycles, there’s also a bounty of fun color combinations on shelves to add a bit of personality to your gaming experience. Xbox even has the Design Lab, where you can order a completely custom controller starting at about $70, where you can swap just about any color and finish (just beware that the lead time is about three to four weeks, but you can get them a gift code).
Both PlayStation and Xbox also offer high-end upgraded controllers for that extra-special gamer in your life. With better build quality, extra buttons and other customizable features, these pro controllers command a hefty price tag — starting at about $130 and ranging up to $200 — but also make for a markedly nicer gaming experience. The Xbox Elite Series line of controllers is particularly great, with just about every part of the controller, from the joystick surfaces to the travel of the triggers, open for on-the-fly customization. Plus the Xbox Elite Series works very well with PC and Mac. It also feels sturdy enough to hammer in a tent stake if push comes to shove.
A five-pound bag of their favorite candy
This one really goes without saying. Typically, you can find the big bags on the top shelf in the candy aisle, but there is also a huge variety of big bags of candy on Amazon (I personally love those fizzy hard candy Zotz). Also, freeze-dried candies, which can be found frequently at local holiday expos and candy shops, are always a fun stocking stuffer.
A real-deal paper and cardboard game
Going back to the theme of getting something everyone can have fun with, consider an IRL game from a local shop. This one can vary a ton depending on how much experience with board games people have and their tolerance for learning new rules. There are certainly plenty of board games more complicated than the most chunky of video games that, at least in my experience, are more likely to gather dust than, say something easy to pick up like “Sushi Go.”
Games are always changing, so I’d recommend heading into your local game shop like Bosco’s to see what they have in stock.
A Lego set
I know it may be a long shot, but is the gamer you’re shopping for also a fan of “Star Wars,” “Jurassic Park,” superheroes, architecture or cool cars? How about “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark,” “Back to the Future,” or Mario and classic gaming systems? If, by any chance, your gamer meets one of those categories, then there’s a Lego set for them. I’m a particularly big fan of what Lego has been doing with more display-oriented sets like the “Star Wars” sets of iconic scenes from the original trilogy, as well as the helmets.
Building sets can also be a fun group activity — though working on the same set can be a bit of a headache, so get two! There’s also a great line of Lego flower arrangements that are great desk additions.
Just remember, as Indiana Pacers forward Myles Turner put it so eloquently: “I build Legos. I don’t play with Legos.”
Matt Acuña Buxton is a long-time political reporter who has written for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner and The Midnight Sun political blog. He also authors the daily politics newsletter, The Alaska Memo, and can frequently be found live-tweeting public meetings on Twitter.
