The best gaming gifts and merchandise to buy
Give the gift a gamer would love!
Christmas and the end of 2023 are fast approaching and though you may have left it a little late – there's still time to get some presents for the gamers in your life.
Though you can buy the best Xbox, PlayStation, PC and Switch games, more personal knick-knacks are a nice touch and will still make people smile long after they completed a game. If your budget allows, you could even stretch to a console (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch) or VR headset – some of which we have listed down below.
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We have some options for children, too, such as pyjamas and duvet sets to keep the gaming going 24/7. We even have an Xbox mini fridge! Any of these are sure to be well-appreciated and you can be rest assured your loved ones will have a fab Christmas morning.
You can also check our roundup of the best tech gifts and gadgets if you need some extra ideas.
But enough from us. There's barely any time to get these added to Santa's list so read on!
Best merchandise and gifts for gaming fans
Meta Quest 3 VR Headset
Best for: Gamers wanting the best all-round VR experience
The latest and greatest from Meta, the Quest 3 improves upon the already brilliant Meta Quest 2 in just about every conceivable way.
The new pancake lenses make for a much slimmer and lighter design and behind the lenses are two much higher-res displays with a wider field-of-view making games feel even more alive and immersive.
We rated it 4.5 stars in our review, owing to its improved features and comfort that separate it from the rest of the VR pack.
Buy the Meta Quest 3 VR headset with Asgard's Wrath 2 for £448.17 from Amazon
Steam Deck OLED
Best for: Players who want a game-on-the-go PC
This is the Steam Deck you know from 2022. Valve took just about every complaint and criticism of the original quite personally it would seem as the new Steam Deck OLED model improves almost every single aspect to make it the ultimate portable gaming device.
The OLED display makes colours pop with its deep blacks and HDR for games that support it and runs at 90Hz too. The AMD-based chip has been made more efficient, meaning you'll get a little more performance and extra gaming time when paired with the improved battery.
There's either a 512GB model available for £479 or a 1TB model with an etched anti-glare display and fancy carrying case for £569 to choose from. Both perform exactly the same otherwise.
There's also an LCD model for a heavily discounted £349 that will perform very similarly but it won't have the lovely new display or any other improvements.
Buy the Steam Deck OLED from Steam
PlayStation Portal
Best for: PS5 players who have had their television privileges revoked
With all the family round for Christmas, the television might be something of a premium as people insist on watching EastEnders or the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special.
You can avoid all this nonsense and still play your new PS5 games with the PlayStation Portal – Sony's latest streaming device that connects to your PS5 via your home Wi-Fi network.
Stock can be quite hard to come by, however, as it has proved immensely popular. People just don't want to be separated from Spider-Man 2 or the God of War Ragnarok Valhalla DLC it would seem!
Buy the PlayStation Portal for £199.99 from PlayStation Direct
Nacon Revolution 5 Pro PS5 controller
Best for: PlayStation fans who prefer the Xbox controller
Arguments can be made for and against both the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S but, arguably, the latter has the more comfortable controller.
For PlayStation fans who concede this fact, the Revolution 5 Pro controller from Nacon is a perfect choice and features Hall Effect analogue sticks meaning you should never suffer from the dreaded stick-drift.
It does cost quite the pretty penny – but your wrists are priceless.
Buy the Nacon Revolution 5 Pro controller for £199.99 from GAME
Backbone One controller
Best for: Those who love playing on the go
In our 4.5 star review, we explain that the Backbone One mobile controller "is a very handy addition to your gaming arsenal" and that "there's very little not to love about it". This controller shell slides onto your iPhone or Android smartphone and makes playing games on them a joy.
It's especially great for those Xbox Game Pass streaming sessions. Not one to be missed if someone you love is always gaming on their phone, even if it is pricey!
Buy the Backbone One mobile gaming controller from Amazon for £99.99
Meta Quest 2 VR headset
Best for: Those looking to escape into a new budget (virtual) reality
This piece of kit isn't the latest VR headset from Meta but it's still as good as ever and is significantly cheaper than the Quest 3, making it well worth it.
The Meta Quest 2 VR headset promises high-end graphics without the need for a PC. It marked a huge leap between the original Meta Quest headset with a much higher-resolution display and 3D cinematic audio.
You'll need to check out our best VR games guide to figure out what to play on the thing.
Buy the Meta Quest 2 VR headset (128GB edition) from Amazon for £227.00
LEGO Nintendo Entertainment System
Best for: The collectors amongst us
This LEGO set may be pricey, but it is hard to argue that it is not worth every penny as this replica of the original Nintendo console will be the prized possession of any gamer!
Here is the official description to show just how great this really is: "The brick-built NES is packed with realistic details, including an opening slot for the Game Pak with a locking function and a controller with a connecting cable and plug. The console comes with a buildable retro TV, featuring a flat 8-bit Mario figure on the scrolling screen, plus an action brick to scan with LEGO Mario so he reacts to the on-screen enemies, obstacles and power-ups just like in the Super Mario Bros. game."
Buy LEGO Nintendo Entertainment System from LEGO for £229.99
Paladone Playstation PS5 Icons Light
Best for: Lighting up a room in style
Light up your room or office in style with these lights that are perfect for any gamer that loves their PlayStation.
They give off a decent amount of light too so they are the perfect mood setter to switch on when you start playing.
Buy the Paladone Playstation PS5 Icons Light from Amazon for £24.98
Xbox Series X mini-fridge
Best for: Keeping your drinks cool while you play your favourite games
The Xbox mini-fridge represents peak marketing. When the Xbox Series X was first shown off to the world, an immediate response by many was that it looked like a fridge. Microsoft went along with the joke and gave the world the Xbox mini-fridge. Greatness was born that day.
Designed to look like the Xbox Series X, this will keep your drinks chilled while you yourself are chilling with a game!
Buy the Xbox fridge from Currys for £69.99
Roblox Backpack with Lunch Box
Best for: Anyone who wants to look cool while out and about
Starting with something from Roblox, one of the biggest things out there in the gaming world.
With this set you get a backpack, a lunch box and a pencil case - all of which are super stylish and will leave your child as the envy of the playground.
Buy the Roblox Backpack with Lunch Box for £38.98 from Amazon
Pokémon heat changing mug
Best for: Sipping tea while looking like a true Pokémon fan.
We love a good novelty mug here at the best of times, but make it a heat-changing one and you have our full attention.
So imagine our excitement at seeing one that is not only Pokémon-related, but one that features the legend that is Pikachu no less!
Buy the Pokémon heat changing mug from Amazon for £16.99
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Donkey Kong Plush
Best for: Fans of gaming characters looking cuter than ever!
You can't go wrong with a plush and there are a countless number of them out there to buy – and that's just ones that relate to the gaming world!
Here is one of the best we have seen: a Donkey Kong that manages to look cool and sweet at the same time.
Buy the Donkey Kong Plush from Amazon for £24.83
POP Games Halo Master Chief
Best for: Those who love the man, the myth, the legend - the Master Chief (and Pop figures)
There are POP! figures out there for almost everything now and the gaming world is full of them - there are even multiple versions of the same character.
This Master Chief modelled after his initial outing in Halo: Combat Evolved is a must-buy for us as just looking at the little fella makes us smile.
Buy the POP Games Halo Master Chief from Amazon for £24.99
LEGO Adventures with Mario Starter Course
Best for: Those who want to build their own world.
Back to both LEGO and Nintendo, we have the LEGO Adventures with Mario Starter Course which is sure to be a ton of fun for everyone!
There are 231 pieces in this set, so you will be kept busy - plus it makes recognisable Nintendo sounds too!
Buy the LEGO Adventures with Mario Starter Course from LEGO for £54.99
Fortnite Reversible Bedding Duvet Cover
Best for: Those who dream of playing Fortnite
Your child can now sleep in style in this amazing bedding and as it is reversible, you can swap it about and change the style whenever you see fit!
Everyone’s favourite moves are here with this officially licensed Fortnite single duvet. Featuring your favourite emotes in a repeating pattern, this Fortnite duvet is the perfect addition to any Fortnite fan's bedroom. Reversible as well, meaning they get two great designs in one.
Buy the Fortnite Reversible Bedding Duvet Cover at Amazon for £21.90
I Paused My Game to Be Here Pyjamas
Best for: Those who dream about gaming while sleeping
Just because it is bedtime, it does not mean that you still can't represent the gaming world while heading off to the land of nod.
These stylish and quirky pyjama set will make turning off the console and going to bed that little easier!
Buy I Paused My Game to Be Here Pyjamas from Amazon
Paladone Xbox Icons Light
Best for: Xbox fans who need some added brightness
Remember that PlayStation light earlier on? Well, this is the Xbox version and it is just as stylish - we may even prefer it.
Like the Sony-inspired version, this too kicks out a decent amount of light and is a great way to get your ambience right for a late-night gaming session.
Buy the Paladone Xbox Icons Light from Amazon for £11.99
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