As proven by countless Christmas morning console unboxing videos over the years, video games are some of the best presents that you can get young ones and even grown ups who enjoy a healthy dose of gaming all year round. That in mind, we’ve put together this guide of some of the best gaming presents that you can get loved ones or even yourself for that matter, covering a wide range of products from some of the biggest brands.
This includes consoles, games, accessories, and even some pretty niche products as well. So with that out of the way, get ready to sit back, relax, and take your pick from our handy list—let’s get started!
Gaming Consoles
Let’s start with the most obvious recommendations—the giving of video game consoles as holiday presents is a tradition that started far ba…
As proven by countless Christmas morning console unboxing videos over the years, video games are some of the best presents that you can get young ones and even grown ups who enjoy a healthy dose of gaming all year round. That in mind, we’ve put together this guide of some of the best gaming presents that you can get loved ones or even yourself for that matter, covering a wide range of products from some of the biggest brands.
This includes consoles, games, accessories, and even some pretty niche products as well. So with that out of the way, get ready to sit back, relax, and take your pick from our handy list—let’s get started!
Gaming Consoles
Let’s start with the most obvious recommendations—the giving of video game consoles as holiday presents is a tradition that started far back long before the arrival of the first Nintendo home system, and in 2025 it’s remained pretty consistent as ever. With the exception of the Nintendo Switch (which is a hybrid handheld-home console), we’ve included some of the go-to gaming consoles which should still be discreet enough to hide under that tree.
The PS5 Pro is Sony’s top-of-the-line flagship console, and folks looking for the ultimate gaming experience with all the bells and whistles will definitely want to go for this one.
If you’d rather go for the most affordable system in the lineup, then the PS5 Slim edition offers a no-frills experience and a more space-saving design as well.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is the latest and more advanced version of Nintendo’s hybrid console, and comes with a more powerful processor, a redesigned Joy-Con mechanism, a larger display, and the ability to play newer titles that might not be available on older Switch models, as well as much older Switch games.
The Series X is Microsoft’s top-of-the-line Xbox home console, and supports high-quality visuals at 4K resolution and 120 fps. It can also play both digital downloaded games and physical copies, thanks to the built-in disc drive.
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A more affordable model, the Xbox Series S can still run all your favourite Xbox games, and while it can’t play disc-based games it does make for a better option with tighter budgets.
On-the-Go Action
If you’d rather go for something a bit more portable, then a dedicated handheld gaming system is a terrific alternative. The handheld gaming scene has grown tremendously in the past few years, and there are a ton of great options on the market, each with their own unique charm. Check them out below!
Microsoft’s first-ever handheld console, the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally has a more travel-friendly form factor, and comes with a a 60Wh battery, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of built-in storage. It also features a more powerful processor compared to the Nintendo Switch, and can run PC and Xbox titles.
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The most basic of Nintendo’s current line of systems, the Switch Lite is the most portable of all the first-generation Switch versions. While it came with a smaller screen and lacked the ability to connect to a TV, it was still compatible with nearly all first-gen Switch games, and more importantly could easily fit into most pockets.
The Steam Deck is an incredibly versatile handheld with a wide and impressive library of titles, and its powerful hardware means that you can play your favourite Steam games on the go, which look all the more better thanks to its vibrant OLED display.
Lenovo’s Legion Go S is one of the newest handhelds to hit the scene this 2025, and it runs on a powerful AMD Ryzen chip that lets you play graphically-intensive PC games, with a feature-packed hardware setup including a full set of controls and a smooth 120Hz display.
While it’s not exactly a successor to the PSP and PS Vita handhelds, the PlayStation Portal lets users take their PS5 games on the go, although you’ll need a PS5 console to use its Remote Play feature. PS Plus users can also access their library on the go with the Portal.
Get your Game On
It only stands to reason that a gaming gift guide would include the games themselves (in addition to the consoles, of course). It would probably take us forever to list all the best games on each of the major platforms, but here are some of the must-have titles that should no doubt bestow that Christmas joy onto that lucky recipient.
God of War Ragnarök serves as a sequel to the highly-acclaimed God of War title that came out back in 2018, and continues the story of Kratos as he faces a new set of enemies, far, far away from the shores of Sparta.
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Another highly-praised Sony title, Spider-Man 2 pairs up Peter Parker with Miles Morales as they continue to rid the streets of New York from crime, retaining the slick gameplay and action that the first game was known for.
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Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade
Square Enix’s decision to release the much-hyped Final Fantasy VII Remake series to more consoles was a no-brainer, and the veteran studio has added a ton of new content including changes to gameplay and the overall storyline.
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IN what could be described as one of the more surprising PS5 game releases, Microsoft’s once-exclusive Gears of War franchise makes its way to PlayStation fans in this new remake which still captures the spirit of the original.
Building up on the incredible success of Mario Kart 8, Mario Kart World introduces new tracks, racers, unlockable items and bonuses, and even an open-world exploration mode.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
While it was originally released on the first-generation Switch, Tears of the Kingdom for Switch 2 comes with enhanced graphics and performance, and expands on the lore and gameplay found in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
Donkey Kong Bananza has proven to be one of the most popular games for the Switch 2, showing that there’s still a lot of strength within Nintendo’s more family friendly IPs.
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Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater
Relive one of the most groundbreaking entries in Konami’s spy-action Metal Gear series, now with enhanced visuals and new gameplay mechanics.
Until now, Elden Ring manages to assert is dominance as one of the top soulslike titles, thanks to an impressive combination of intense gameplay, combat mechanics, and breathtaking visuals.
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If you’d rather try out Microsoft’s subscription service instead of buying games individually, then this subscription code for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate might be right up your alley, with access to tons of different games from various developers and studios.
Android Handhelds
One of Android’s biggest strengths has always been its versatility and flexibility—beyond smartphones and tablets, Android’s also been made to work on other devices such as vehicular GPS systems, music players, TVs, and more, and it was only a matter of time before we would see it built into gaming devices. So if you’d rather go for an Android gaming device, then you might want to check out these Android-powered handhelds that you can get right now.
If you’re not familiar with AYN’s offerings, then it’s safe to say that the Odin 2 is among the brand’s best products. The device comes with a powerful chipset in the form of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 with 8GB RAM, and features a 6-inch touch screen with a 1920 x 1080p resolution.
The AYANEO Pocket S comes with a premium design that features a combination of an aluminium chassis and glossy front, in addition to a sharp 6-inch display with a 2K resolution. It also packs up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, allowing users to store more media and games.
The biggest thing that stands out about the Retroid Pocket 5 is its price—at just around 300 bucks, it’s rather affordable but still manages to cram in a 5,000 mAh battery, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 865 chipset, and 128GB of storage.
ANBERNIC makes a ton of different Android-powered handhelds, but the RG Slide stands out because of its rather familiar design that resembles the PSP Go. It also comes with a 4.7-inch display, WiFi and Bluetooth support.
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So there you have it. The holidays are fast-approaching, and it only makes sense to get your gifts ready long before the massive lines at the department store show up, or while online stocks still last. We’re hoping that this list will be helpful, although in case you’re still not sure which video game system or title you can get your loved ones and friends, you can also check out our other gift guides as well:
- Step Up your Game: The Ultimate PS5 Gift Guide for the 2025 Holiday Season!
- Nintendo Switch 2 Gift Guide 2025: Tis DEFINITELY the Season to be Jolly
- X Marks the Spot: The Best Gifts for Xbox Lovers this 2025
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