If you take reports from 4Chan, Reddit or any other social media platform that’s rife with trolling seriously, you’d believe that gamers are actually the most oppressed group in society. Now, I’m not talking about people who play Candy Crush on their iPhones (filthy casuals), I’m talking about your raccoon-eyed, pale skin friends with eSport aspirations.
But it’s wrong for me to stereotype; Chad and bro gamers exist too, right? So do women gamers, trans-gamers, octogenarian gamers, gamer dads, gamer mommies, and gamers with disabilities. According to statistics, there are at least 2.2 billion of us on the planet.
But we can be a finicky bunch and being the most oppressed group in society doesn’t help either. Even the current American president (at the time of writing this article), Donald Trump wants to curb violent video games because he believes it contributes to a “culture of violence”. Judging by these comments, in the future, it may be harder to get a copy of the next installment of GTA than it is to get an actual assault rifle.
So the best way to cheer us up is with a gift. But what do you get us (when over half the world doesn’t even really get us)? If you’re stumped for gift ideas then this guide is designed to help you. In it, we’ll discuss seven of the best gift ideas for gamers.
Top 7 Gift Ideas for Gamers
Gaming is a culture. If you’re outside of the culture, it can be a bit hard to understand the members of said culture. Whether the gamer close to your life is your offspring, a romantic partner, a close mate, a potential romantic partner or your college professor, you want to get them a gift that will leave a lasting impression.
Something that says: “Hey, I get you”. This guide is guaranteed to give you at least one gift idea. Gamers are different and thus we have different tastes. So this list should cater to all tastes and wallet sizes.
#1 Gift Cards – For Every Gamer
Did you know that Friendship Day is celebrated on the 1st Sunday of each August? Some people also consider August to be Friendship month. It’s not too late to get your gamer friend an awesome gift.
The safest bet you have is a gift card from their favorite digital distribution platform. This allows them to choose what games or apps they want to buy for themselves. It’s a little impersonal but you really can’t go wrong with it unless you buy a gift card for a platform they don’t own or play on. We’ll be focusing on the types of gift cards you can get for console gamers, PC gamers, and even mobile phone gamers.
Gift Cards for Console Gamers (Peasants)
If they own an Xbone, you can purchase an Xbox digital gift card and have it emailed directly to them. Microsoft still sells physical Xbox-live gift cards. These can be purchased from offline brick and mortar stores like GameStop. They can also be purchased from an online retailer like the Amazon Store.
However, If the gamer close to you heart owns a PS4 (the superior console), then your best bet is to buy them a digital cash card. There are two types of cash cards and they are as follows:
PlayStation Store Gift Card: These allow you to purchase games, downloadable content, full-length digital movies, music, themes, etc. You can also use them top up your wallet and purchase PlayStation Plus subscriptions too. You can purchase a gift card that’s worth as little as $10 and as much as $75.
PlayStation Plus Digital Cards: These digital cards allow you to unlock PlayStation plus membership. You can get them in the forms of 1-month, 3-month, and 12-month digital membership cards.
PlayStation gift and cash cards can be purchased from the PlayStation website. Once again, you can also purchase them from other online retailers such as Amazon.
If your giftee has a quirky personality and is a free spirit, then chances are they own a Nintendo Switch. Nintendo offers eShop gift cards in the form of $10, $20, $35 and $50 digital codes. These gift cards can be purchased through online stores like Amazon, BestBuy, Walmart, and Target. They’re also purchasable from brick and mortar stores such as Dollar General, Safeway, 7-Eleven, etc.
Gift Cards for PC Gamers (The Master Race)
If your favorite gamer owns a PC, firstly I would like to commend them on their taste. Purchasing a gift card for a hard-core PC gamer is a little trickier, considering all the online digital stores and distribution platforms available to them.
Steam is the most popular, with over 1 billion accounts and over 90 million monthly users. It’s available for Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android and Windows Phone. Steam Gift cards can be purchased from and sent to your friends through Steam.
Once again, gift cards can also be purchased from Amazon (since they practically sell everything). Steam wallet codes and gift cards can also be purchased from offline retail stores such as Walgreens, Best Buy and GameStop.
Windows 10 users may be familiar with the fact that Microsoft sells games through the Microsoft Store app. Earlier we mentioned the Xbox Digital Gift card. This card can be used interchangeably and be redeemed through the Microsoft Store. Where you can purchase games, downloadable content, apps, themes, etc.
Origin is probably one of the least-loved online stores and DRMs for PC gamers. EA doesn’t have a good reputation among gamers right now. Hopefully, they will be able to build back some faith when they release Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.
Origin also has its own version of gift cards. But in true EA fashion, they’re not available from the stores that you’d expect them to be. Instead, you can get digital codes from Origin’s/EA’s store, as well as ASDA and hmv.com. Steam, Windows, and Origin aren’t the only DRM and digital distribution platforms for PC games – just the most popular. There’s also Uplay, Discord, GOG.com, and even the Epics Games store.
If you’re unsure of which service you should buy a gift card for, I recommend that you get it for Steam. The PC gamer in your life is most likely to use it. If they don’t have a Steam account for whatever reason, setting up one is super simple.
Gift Cards for Mobile Gamers (Weirdos)
Phones (and tablets) these days have a crazy processing power, practically enough to match and outdo last-gen consoles. Even though most mobile gamers are looked at with contempt, they matter too. Not all mobile gamers are casual gamers.
Game tournaments for mobile games actually exist. A good example is Supercell’s official esports league which centers around Clash Royale, a real-time strategy game developed for Android and iOS.
In this section, we’re talking about Android and iOS gamers. We understand that consoles like the Nintendo Switch have mobile capabilities but these gift cards are for smartphone and tablet gamers, or anyone who is running an emulator on their computer.
Google Play Gift cards can be purchased from physical retail stores such as Walmart, Walgreens, Target, Best Buy and 7-Eleven. Alternatively, you can purchase digital gift card codes from Amazon and PayPal and then redeem them through Google Play. Once they’re redeemed, the gamer can use them to purchase apps and games for their Android device.
If the gamer is using an iPhone, you can purchase a gift card through Apple’s website. Apple also provides you with the means to physically mail the gift card to your friend or email it with a special message. App Store Gift Cards can also be purchased through a third party such as Amazon.
The best thing about getting your friend a gift card is you don’t even have to use your own money if you’re savvy enough. There are GPT (get-paid-to) websites and apps like PrizeRebel that allow you to get points for partaking in tasks like completing surveys and filling out offers. Be careful though, there are a lot of scummy sites that claim to give away free codes and gift cards.
#2 Headsets and Headphones – For the Audiophile Gamer
I’m always buying new headsets and earphones. I have headsets and earbuds for every occasion. If the gamer in your life is just like me, then they wouldn’t mind owning another pair of great headphones. Headsets basically form part of the outer aesthetic of an elite pro-gamer. What’s a pro gamer without a colorful pair of headsets that match his/her team colors? It’s as much a choice of function as it is a choice of fashion.
A good reason as to why you should buy headsets as opposed to a sound system is because of their portability and their ability to isolate sound and noise (in most cases). All you have to do now is decide whether to get earbuds or a proper pair of headsets. Then you have to decide if you want to go the wired or wireless route, which depends on the size of your budget and the love you have for the gamer you’re buying the headsets/headphones for.
If you decide to get gaming earbuds, I strongly recommend that you stick with wired ones. While the sound quality of wireless earbuds may be on par with their wired counterparts, the mic quality is generally not that great. Picking headsets can be a little tricky though because of how flooded the market currently is. There are so many good headsets to choose from and so many different types.
If I had to recommend any pair of headsets, it would have to be the SteelSeries Arctis 7s. They’re featured on our guides for the best overall gaming headsets, best wireless gaming headsets, best 7.1 headsets, best headsets for PUBG and best noise-canceling headsets.
They work great for consoles, phones, and PCs. Make sure to check out the linked guides if you want to read more extensive reviews about the headsets as well as find some alternatives. If you’re looking for more wallet-friendly options, pay a visit to our guide for the best budget gaming headsets.
Maybe they’re still too expensive for you or maybe your favorite gamer already owns a cornucopia of headsets. Well, headsets come with their own accessories too. While it’s not an extravagant gift, your giftee may appreciate a stand for their gaming headsets. It’s the perfect gift to help them stay organized and it also works as an ornament for decorative purposes.
#3 Gaming Controller – For the Control Freak Gamer
I’m probably one of the few gamers who prefer a controller over a keyboard and mouse when I’m gaming on my computer. This is because it vibrates and adds an extra layer of difficulty. I know I’m weird but maybe the gamer in your life is weird too.
When we’re talking about gamepads to choose, there’s a wealth of options out there. You can read our guide on the best controllers for PC to get yourself oriented. My personal favorite is the DualShock 4, with the Xbox One Elite Series 2 controller coming in at a close second. However, if you’re interested in something more PC-oriented, we recommend you take a look at our Steam Controller review.
We also have an awesome guide that can help you learn how to connect the DualShock 4 to a PC. Maybe you can help your giftee set it up if you decide to purchase it for them.
However, as you may know, the PC isn’t the only system that you can use (third-party) controllers on. If your giftee is primarily a console gamer, you can simply purchase the proprietary controller for that system i.e. A DualShock 4 controller for a PS4 and Xbox Controller for an Xbone.
Although Microsoft does have more controller options. For instance, you can get the regular Xbox One controller or the aforementioned Elite Series (1 or 2). The elite series 2 is the most high-end controller you can get for an Xbox-One.
These systems also allow third-party controllers which come with their own benefits like additional buttons, a friendlier price and on-the-fly remapping. For instance, if you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to the DualShock 4 (but will give you the same performance), then your best bet is the KINGEAR Game Controller for PS4.
A good alternative to the official Microsoft Xbox One Controller(s) is the HORI Fighting Commander, which also has official Microsoft licensing. It’s got a classic controller design reminiscent of the Sega Genesis gamepad. It also supports custom inputs. It was designed for 2D fighting games (like Street Fighter) in mind. Which means this controller can serve as an addition to any Xboner’s arsenal (not a replacement).
For the Nintendo Switch, you can get the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller which has a more conventional console controller design that is very similar to the Xbox One controller. The best and cheapest third party option you have is the PowerLead Pro Controller for Switch. It’s perfect for the nostalgic gamer and it’s also compatible with Windows PCs.
We like to be inclusive here at Game Gavel. Maybe you’re shopping for a gamer with disabilities. If so, you should look into buying them the . If they already have one, then maybe you can decorate it with an awesome skin from Skinit.
There are a plethora of great skins and controller accessories worth checking out. It would take another guide to go through them all. From rigs, grips to custom triggers; if you can’t afford to purchase a new controller for them, these should still serve as solid gifts.
#4 Games – The Obvious Choice
Buying a game for an avid gamer can be tricky, especially if you’re not a gamer yourself. Games may just look all the same to you. You might be tempted to buy a game simply on the advice of a sales clerk or a colorful cover design. It takes more thought and a bit of research to get the perfect game for your giftee. You need to understand what genre of games he/she likes. You also need to figure out if they already have the game.
It’s easier if the gamer in question is vocal about what game they’re into or what they’re looking forward to. If you’re willing to take the risk, you could pre-order the game and send them the pre-order details as a gift. The best thing about pre-orders is you can get the game at a discounted price. They often come with additional in-game content and they also sometimes come with extra swag like T-shirts, toys, maps and key chains.
Being this proactive could mean that you get the game before your favorite gamer gets it for themselves. But what game do buy them? Firstly, if it’s possible, you need to pay attention to the games they play the most. Ask questions but tread carefully if you plan on surprising them. You need to establish what genres they like the most and which ones you should stay away from.
For instance, you don’t want to get them the latest version of Madden. Even if they enjoy real-life sports, they may not enjoy sports games. Once you’ve established the genre they like, do a little research. Read reviews from gaming magazines and sites (like ours!). We have a wide variety of extensive guides that cover the best RPGs, survival games, turn-based strategy games, first-person shooters, sandbox games and best couch co-op games.
Read through them and take your time to really figure out which game is most suitable as a gift for your favorite gamer. Also, pay attention to what platform you get the game for. You don’t want to make the mistake of getting an Xbox One game for the PS4 or even an Xbox 360 game for the Xbox One. Xbox Ones aren’t backward compatible with Xbox 360 games.
#5 VR Headsets – For the Fully Fledged Escapist
Virtual reality has been the subject of many a science fiction story. VR headsets aren’t something new. As a matter of fact, the first functional VR headset was created in 1968. In the early noughties, as the internet was getting faster and more powerful tech was becoming more available, VR headsets still had many skeptics.
Around the time the PS4 was released, there were rumors circulating about its VR and AR (Augmented Reality) capabilities. Sony needed to outdo Microsoft and the Kinect. While you barely hear any mention of the Xbox One’s Kinect, virtual and augmented reality are still hot topics of conversation among gamers and non-gamers alike.
VR offers you full immersion and escape. Among the current big three console manufacturers, no one has implemented VR as successfully as Sony. The PlayStation VR (aka Project Morpheus) was released in 2016. The PS4 now boasts one of the largest catalogs of VR games.
So if your gamer owns a PS4 of any type, you should definitely consider getting him/her a Sony PlayStation VR system. Most of them come bundled with one or two games. This doesn’t mean Nintendo and Xbox One players are left out in the cold.
As one of the most creative, affordable and kid-friendly gaming console systems, sooner or later Nintendo would have to deliver its own implementation of virtual reality. Nintendo finally delivered in 2020 with the Labo VR Kit.
You can get the starter kit for $39.99, you can then add expansions which cost $19.99 each. Alternatively, you can buy the entire set for $80 to $125. If your gamer has no interest in building and using the kits, you can get them the more comfortable VR Labo 3D VR headsets.
The Xbox One doesn’t have any exclusive VR headset but the Oculus Rift works perfectly on it. The Rift was made for PCs in mind but it can be used interchangeably with the Xbone. If you want a more extensive list of suggestions, check out our guide on the best VR Systems.
Not only is VR great for playing games but it’s also great for watching videos and movies. You can also hook it up to the camera on your drone and give yourself one of the closest feelings to safely flying without a plane there is. Speaking of which…
#6 Drones – Take Gaming Outside
While shopping for the perfect gift for a gamer, we might find ourselves developing creativity stifling tunnel vision. Sometimes we need to think outside ourselves and outside the box.
Remote controlled models aren’t really a fresh hobby. From rock crawlers to remote-controlled aircrafts, R/C models (as a hobby) have been around since the 1940s. Even before then, it was Tesla who was one of the first to demonstrate the first Remote Controlled boat in the late 1800s.
The popularization and refinement of drones have ushered in an age of more reliable and safer unmanned aerial vehicles for hobbyists. Around 2016, the attention around drones had seemed to ebb until VR Drones were introduced.
This meant that you could get a more intense and immersive first-person experience through the power of VR. Not by any stretch of the imagination is video piloting a new fad. Less expensive and more improved tech just made it more accessible.
Earlier hobbyists had to use a camera hooked up to a view screen but with VR drones, you get to feel like you’re actually piloting an aircraft. But if you can’t afford to, you don’t have to get your favorite gamer a VR drone. You can simply introduce them to the world of drones by getting them an inexpensive multi-rotor drone like the Holy Stone HS170.
Another reason as to why drones are perfect gifts for gamers is that the remote controls (for most drones) are built like game controllers. Which means drones are essentially built for gamers.
If you can afford to get a VR drone (or upgrade one) you can open up an entire world of new games through augmented reality. As an example, look at the success of games like Pokémon Go. If you have a young gamer who’s a little reclusive, shy or socially anxious, this might help them socialize more. The popularity of augmented reality and VR drones has taken off so much that you now get AR drone tournaments and races.
If I had to recommend any drone to you with VR capabilities, it would have to be the Force 1 Drone which comes with a pair of VR headsets. Alternatively, if your gamer already has a pair of VR headsets, you could get them the SNAPTAIN S5C Drone. Both are extremely affordable options that any gamer would appreciate.
So get one as a gift to someone else or even to yourself. Remember; if your giftee already has a drone, then maybe get them drone accessories like a landing pad, object launcher or a new controller.
#7 Collectibles and Merchandise – Gamer Swag
Not everyone can afford expensive peripherals or gear, and that’s why getting your gamer collectibles or merchandise, including popular items like Star Wars helmets, may be one of the most thoughtful and budget-friendly options you have at your disposal. In terms of types of swag, you have a large selection to choose from. All you have to do is find the most meaningful items for your gamer. The easiest thing you could do is find swag for classic or vintage games.
This is even easier if you’re getting gifts for an adult who you used to play games with when you were children. As an example, nearly everyone is familiar with Tetris (even gen-z’s) so why not get your gamer a Tetris t-shirt.
If that’s still isn’t general enough for you and you’re still looking for ideas, maybe get them some swag that can apply to nearly any gamer. For instance, a game controller embellished hoodie. Other apparel and accessories include hats, socks, watches, belts, ties, and pajamas.
When you’re looking for gamer themed clothing, there isn’t a real limit to what you can find, depending on where you look. But then again, you shouldn’t limit the type of merchandise you’re looking for. From posters to coffee mugs to entire swag bundles.
Gifting a pair of top-notch gaming glasses is also not a bad idea. I mean, it’s not exactly stylish but your friend might appreciate your effort to protect their eyes.
If your gamer has a hobby outside of gaming, maybe you can incorporate that into the gift you get them. For instance, I’m a fan of figurines and vinyl art toys. So naturally, if you had to get me some merchandise, a figurine of my favorite game character would be awesome. Other decorative merchandise could include mouse pads, stickers/decals, framed pictures, and even wallpaper.
You could also get your gamer comic books and graphic novels that are closely related to their favorite games. If your gamer enjoys The Witcher, get them the entire series of books. The Metro series is also a great read.
If your giftee isn’t much of a bibliophile, maybe you should consider getting them the original soundtrack to their most beloved game. My favorite OST is the Halo 3 Original Soundtrack which was composed by Martin O’Donnell and Michael Salvatori.
We have an excellent guide on the best video game soundtracks of all time. It’s worth a read, particularly if you’re stumped for gift ideas or just looking for something to listen to while you study.
Conclusion
There you have it; these are 7 of the best gifts for gamers. After reading this article, you should have a solid idea of what gift to give the gamer closest to your heart. When you’re shopping for a gamer, remember this very simple rule of thumb: gamers are people too.
It may seem obvious but we gamers can be very alien-like to some people. Also, pay as much attention to detail as possible. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading through this guide and found yourself some helpful tips. Thank you for reading and good luck with your shopping.