The holiday season has begun in earnest, and the clock is ticking on your gift-giving obligations. While I’m sure the list for what you want rolls out the door and down the street, coming up with ideas for others is tough. That’s where I come in, with my personal picks and a rock-solid who’s-who of the hardware, peripherals, and games that every gamer worth their thumbs wants.
Aside from the inescapable minefields that are always going to be individual genre tastes and preferred controller colours, you really can’t go wrong with what’s presented below. Worst-case scenario: gravitate to those gift card options and slap them into an amusing pop-up and/or scratch ‘n’ sniff bit of foldable cardboard. People who don’t appreciate those probably don’t deserve presents in the first place.
My Top Picks
Before we get into the usual fare, here’s some stuff that’s burning Rudolph nose bright on my radar.
Seagate FireCuda 520N SSD
The facts: every gamer hungers for yet larger storage that’s blisteringly fast. You pretty much can’t go wrong with this one. The FireCuda 520N is an ultra-small, reliable, high-capacity NVMe SSD that will hold and shift data like greased lightning.
This was the year where I saw an explosion in not only Steam Deck (grey) import sales but also the official launches of some third-party competitors to Valve’s venerable handheld. What they all have in common: base models with humble storage that can be cost-effectively supersized with your choice of a 2230-S2 M.2 form factor SSD.
That being said, my choice is Seagate’s FireCuda 520N SSD as the perfect storage upgrade for the aforementioned PC handhelds, plus it’ll work like a charm in a Microsoft Surface, your laptop, and a ton of other compact devices. Better yet, it offers an impressive read/write speed of up to 5,000 MB/s for the 2TB capacity and up to 4,800 MB/s for the 1TB model.
Espresso Premium Bundle
In this bundle is an award-winningly thin 15″ monitor (touchscreen version), a microfibre display case, a magnetically attachable / foldable stand, and an espressoPen. The name of the game here is ludicrous portability and easy connectivity.
If you have an artistic bend or the simple desire to have an incredibly well-built, ultra-portable second screen for on-the-go work, welcome to the Espresso range of products. I’ve tested one of these bad boys on an overseas trip and was mightily impressed with its low weight, crazy-thin footprint, durability, and willingness to connect with whatever screen I had available out in the field. (Impressively, it’ll power up and play nice with 1000s of devices using nothing but a single USB-C cable.)
If you refuse to take the massive productivity hit that comes with downgrading to a single screen for your complex day-to-day tasks, this screen truly is a brilliant solution. Better yet, it can be augmented further with either a cleverly designed magnetic base stand or a dual-purpose screen protector/stand. Lastly, there’s the extra option to get your sketch or ‘Shop on with the touchscreen variant and a specialised espressoPen stylus. For a talentless hack like me, that means next-level adult colouring book fun! I love this thing and now refuse to work remotely without it.
1TB
PlayStation 5 – Disc Edition (slim)
Also available in a cheaper Digital Edition variant (with an additional controller) for an RRP of $769. The difference here: no disc drive hanging off the side. That said, you can purchase one of those down the track (for $159) and easily snap it in.
Every holiday season (if we’re lucky), there’s a new console SKU that is the hot item to buy—the rough hardware equivalent of a Turbo Man. This year, it’s the PS5 Slim, a revision that practically everybody saw coming, though it still wowed us with its svelte sexiness and some clever surprises.
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of this itty-bitty and dispel some misconceptions. This is not PlayStation’s answer to the Xbox Series S—these innards are just as beefy as your OG PS5. If anything, the blueprint has been improved with an additional USB-C port on the front (which makes charging and VR-ing easier), plus there’s the hybrid nature of this beast. If money or stock levels prevent your purchasing a disc version, simply get the cheaper digital variant and upgrade it with a disc drive at a more opportune time. Brilliant!
Table of Contents
- Nintendo Switch
- PC
- Xbox
- PlayStation
Best Nintendo Switch Console Gifts
If you are able (and you’re lucky enough to find it in stock), there is no better gift to open up than a brand new console!
Switch OLED console + MK8 Deluxe +NSO 3 mths
This bundle is in the perfect way to start your Nintendo Switch journey. You get the Switch version with the sexiest screen tech, one of the best multiplayer-friendly must-haves on the system, and access to Nintendo’s online ecosystem.
Switch OLED Zelda TotK
Just wrapped in a fetching Hylian design.
![Switch Console [Neon Blue/Red]](https://assets-prd.ignimgs.com/2023/12/04/51vklrdrkyl-ac-sl1200-1701653909501.jpg?width=200&height=130&quality=20&dpr=0.05)
Switch Console [Neon Blue/Red]
The old faithful original version.
Best Nintendo Switch Game Gifts
Games are a great gift and will go well with a brand new Switch.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Wonder looks and plays like the true next step for 2D Mario platformers. Wonder effects change each stage in both surprising and delightful ways, the Flower Kingdom makes for a vibrant and refreshing change of pace, and Elephant Mario steals the show.
Best Digital Nintendo Gifts
If you’re not sure what to get, digital subscriptions, online memberships, and gift cards are always appreciated.
Nintendo Switch Online Individual Membership 12
Alternatively, you can score a 12 month Family membership for $54.95.
Best Nintendo Switch Accessories Gifts
Help make a Nintendo Switch owner happy with accessories to make their experiences better.
Switch Pro Controller
Switch’s Pro Controller costs a bit more than comparable gamepads, but it’s a stellar peripheral with great battery life.
Joy-Con Controller Pairs
Available in the following colours: Blue/Neon Yellow, Neon Green/Neon Pink, and Pastels too.
8Bitdo Wireless USB Adapter 2
Got an old Xbox, DualSense or DualShock sitting around? Use it on your Switch with this dongle.
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Best PC Handheld Gifts
The mighty PC platform is a gateway to many a gaming experience. Here are the best ways to maximise the fun.
Valve Steam Deck 64GB
Also available in 256GB and 512GB variants. Or if you’re handy, you can just upgrade the internal SSD yourself.
Best PC Games Gifts
These are the top games to showcase the not-inexpensive innards of your batcomputer.
Baldur’s Gate 3
The ideal mix of crunchy, tactical, old-school RPG combat, an epic and well-written story with complex characters and lots of meaningful choices, and a crazy level of polish and cinematic presentation. 10/10, masterpiece.
Best Digital PC Gifts
If you’re not sure what to get, digital subscriptions, online memberships, and gift cards are always appreciated.
Roblox Gift Card
Available in $10, $25, $50, and $100 denominations.
Best PC Accessories Gifts
The greatest strength of a PC is its modular design and wide compatibility with tons of peripherals. These are some of the best…
SteelSeries Rival 5
With a decent price, lightweight, solid tracking, and extra controls, including a third thumb button and two-way, flickable button, the wired SteelSeries Rival 5 is hard to beat.
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro keyboard
Samsung 990 PRO Series – 2TB
Because everybody loves more storage that’s very, very fast.
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Best Xbox Console Gifts
It’s been a bigger than usual year for Microsoft. Here are the must-owns…
Xbox Series X + Diablo IV
Join the endless battle between the High Heavens and the Burning Hells with the Xbox Series X – Diablo IV Bundle.
Xbox Series X Console
Just the flagship beast on its lonesome. Pair it with a Games Pass subscription maybe?
Xbox Series S 1TB
A smaller beast that still has more than enough grunt to kick out some very decent entertainment.
Best Xbox Games Gifts
These are the top games to show off the envy-inducing power of the mighty Series X.
Starfield
Like Skryim and Fallout 4 before it, there’s still an immense amount of quality roleplaying quests and interesting NPCs in Starfield, waiting to be stumbled across, and the pull to seek it out is strong.
Best Digital Xbox Gifts
If you’re not sure what to get, digital subscriptions, online memberships, and gift cards are always appreciated.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate 3 mths
Get unlimited access to over 100 high-quality games on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles, and Windows 10.
Best Xbox Accessories Gifts
Game gifts always run the risk of that individual taste factor. Peripherals are safer crowd-pleaser choices.
X/S Wireless Controller
Better have another controller for when a friend, or two, or six, drop by for some local multi. Or if you break them when you lose in online multiplayer.
Rechargeable Battery Pack Solution
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Best PlayStation Console Gifts
If you’re of a PSPersuasion, we have the stuff you want right here.
PlayStation 5 Console + Spider-Man 2
Here’s the more versatile disc version of this console, bundled with arguably the biggest PS5 game of the year.
Best PlayStation Games Gifts
These are the top games to show off the considerable grunt of PS5, with some games also available on PS4.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Insomniac refines a successful formula of combat and web-swinging without revolutionising either in major ways, making them comfy and familiar with just enough new tweaks and abilities to elevate them to fun new heights.
Best Digital PlayStation Gifts
If you’re not sure what to get, digital subscriptions, online memberships, and gift cards are always appreciated.
PS gift cards
Also available in $15, $30, $80, $100, and $135 denominations.
Best PS5 Accessories Gifts
For those who like to accessorise, there are two new PS5 DualSense colours, headsets, charging solutions, and more.
DualSense Edge Wireless
Play some Station in style. The DualSense Edge controller puts its customisation front and center with its slick software and intuitive Function buttons, finally giving PlayStation owners an answer to the venerated Xbox Elite.
Pulse 3D Wireless Headset
Enjoy a seamless, wireless experience with a headset fine-tuned for 3D Audio on PS5 consoles.
DualSense Charging Station
DualSense controllers don’t come with the option of replaceable, rechargeable AAs. So having one of these around is mighty convenient.
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Please stay safe on the roads these holidays, and our thanks to Seagate, Sony, and Espresso for the use of their test units.
