Christmas is only a week away, and if you’ve left your shopping until the last minute like most of us do, we have you covered! Here are the best gifts for gamers you can get for your loved ones this holiday season, brought to you by the NextPlay team.
Games For The Family
The Nintendo Switch is the first console that comes to mind when the term ‘family-friendly’ is mentioned. The amount of games for all ages on the console well exceeds what can be found on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles.
The Nintendo Switch (OLED Model) White Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Console is a perfect console gift for families that want to enter the Nintendo ecosystem. The bundle comes with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and a 3-month Nintendo Switch Online Membership, which gives access to online play and more. There are a plethora of fantastic games on the Nintendo Switch, including the classics: Animal Crossing New Horizons, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Super Mario Odyssey, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Nintendo has also released some stellar games this year, including The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Super Mario RPG, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and Pikmin 4.
Games For Adults
If you are wanting to purchase a new console for a special loved one, now is the right time. PlayStation has just released the ‘new look’ PlayStation 5. While the hardware itself isn’t improved, the console is smaller and more practical. The DualSense controllers comes in an assortment of colours, as well as the DualSense Edge, for hardcore gamers. Our recommendations for PlayStation 5 games that were released this year are Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Final Fantasy XVI, and Alan Wake II (digital only); but be sure to check out the masterpieces that are The Last of Us Part 1, God of War Ragnarok, and Horizon Forbidden West.
The Xbox Series X|S is discounted almost everywhere at the time of writing, so perhaps that is the console to gift this Christmas? While the Xbox doesn’t have a lot of exclusive games compared to PlayStation and Nintendo, what really sets Xbox apart is Xbox Game Pass. There are thousands of titles available for free, including Starfield, Redfall, Assassin’s Creed, and classics like Banjo-Kazooie.
If a classic console is up your loved ones alley, then the Atari 2600+ is the perfect gift. The Atari 2600+ is a faithful and innovative product in the re-released retro console market. The console can play original cartridges from the 80s and 90s as well as newly manufactured ones in the present day. Any fans of retro gaming will appreciate this gift, and it’s only $189.95. You can read our recent review of the Atari 2600+ here.
Tech For Everyone
The Logitech G range is perfect for any PC gamer or streamer. While the range can be quite expensive, the quality is worth the cost. Our team have been trying out some of the Logitech G products and has had nothing but praise. The Logitech G Litra Beam LX Dual-Sided RGB Streaming Key Light has adjustable height and RGB lights on the rear of the light with 16 million colour combinations. The Logitech G Yeti Orb RGB Gaming Mic is a very cute and practical mic for someone who is starting out in podcasting, streaming or PC gaming – and best of all, it’s plug-n-play.
The Nanoleaf Smart Lighting range will liven up any space. We recommend the Nanoleaf 4D Screen Mirror and Lightstrip Kit and the Nanoleaf Essentials Light Strips Starter Kit, but anything with the Nanoleaf branding will be sure to be a hit this Christmas!
Games We Reviewed 8.5 or Higher This Year
On top of what we’ve recommended above, here are the games we gave a review score of 8.5 or higher. These are games we would recommend to just about anyone (please Australian classification ratings). You can find these games in most retailers with a video game department.
- Dead Space (9/10) | PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
- Hogwarts Legacy (8.5/10) | PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Nintendo Switch
- Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon (8.5/10) | Nintendo Switch
- Resident Evil 4 (10/10) | PS4, PS5, Xbox One, PC
- DREDGE (8.5/10) | PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Nintendo Switch
- Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (9/10) | PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
- Final Fantasy XVI (8.5/10) | PS5
- Starfield (8.5/10) | Xbox Series X|S, PC
- Mortal Kombat 1 (9/10) | PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC
- Assassin’s Creed Mirage (9/10) | PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
- Star Ocean: The Second Story R (8.5/10) | PS4, PS5, PC, Nintendo Switch
Digital Only
- Planet of Lana (9/10) – Available on Xbox
- Viewfinder (8.5/10) – Available on PS Store, Steam
- Baldur’s Gate 3 (9.5/10) – Available on PS Store, Xbox, Steam
Stocking Stuffers
Need a small gift for a niece or nephew? Or just need to fill those stockings with small trinkets? Here’s some ideas!
- Pokemon 8inch Christmas Plush
- Pop! Vinyls
- Digital Store Gift Cards (PlayStation Store, Xbox, Nintendo eShop)
- Steam Gift Card
From the team at NextPlay Australia, we hope you have a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year.
