Halloween has come and gone – and now Christmas is almost upon us. While many are looking forward to the mountains of food and pondering which Christmas markets to visit, it is not too early to start thinking about gifts. After all, Christmas Day quickly comes around. And many people are asking what the best Christmas gifts for gamers are in 2022.
At this time of year, it is always a scramble to think of gifts for the people in your life – especially when you don’t know as much about their hobbies as you probably should.
Be it your partner, your kids, your siblings, or just good friends – it’s difficult to know what they need. That means it’s often best to think outside the box.
If you know a gamer and are struggling to think what to get them this Christmas, don’t sweat it!
We have compiled this list of ten essential items that any gamer would be glad to receive for Christmas. From games themselves to gaming tech – we’ve got all bases covered. And any of these gifts should leave smiles on faces come Christmas morning.
So, let’s run down our top 10 best Christmas gifts for gamers in 2022…
Best Christmas Gifts For Gamers 2022
Before we jump in – there are a couple of things to be aware of.
Firstly, if you are looking to buy a video game as a Christmas gift, make sure you get it on the correct platform. If you buy an Xbox game for someone who only owns a PlayStation, they won’t be able to play it. So be sure to get a sneaky look at which console sits next to their TV.
Secondly, it is important to remember that gaming tech like headphones and keyboards can be pricey. So, before you buy anything, double check what the person might actually want or need. For example, if they have a cheap set of headphones, a more premium pair would make a great gift.
#10 – God of War Ragnarök
Platform: PS5 and PS4
God of War Ragnarök is the sequel to 2018’s God of War. It follows father and son, Kratos and Atreus, as they traverse the nine realms of Norse mythology to stop the impending Ragnarök and uncover the truth about Atreus’ identity as Loki.
God of War Ragnarök is an action-adventure game that received universal acclaim from critics. In their 10 out of 10 review, IGN said the game is “An enthralling spectacle to behold and an even more exciting one to take the reins of”.
An absolute must for any fans of Norse mythology, Ragnarök is likely to win numerous Game of the Year awards. It expertly combines a wonderfully realised world, an enthralling story, and heart-racing gameplay.
#9 – Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 Wireless Gaming Headset
Compatible with: PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Colours: Black or White
The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 is a great mid-range gaming headset. Out of 11,560 ratings on Amazon, it comes in at 4 and a half stars.
The headset offers wireless connectivity, four different audio modes, 3D surround sound, and a 15-hour battery life.
On top of that, the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 also has a “Superhuman Hearing” mode to amplify audio in games. Players can use this to get the jump on their opponents who they will hear coming before they see them.
At £59.99, it is great value. In fact, it is the headset I use on a daily basis. And I couldn’t recommend it enough.
#8 – Mario Kart 8 Deluxe + Wheel Accessories
Platform: Nintendo Switch
If you have just bought a Nintendo Switch or have had one for a while and are after a more casual game that the whole family can enjoy, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a must-buy.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe follows in the footsteps of the insanely popular Mario Kart 64 and Mario Kart Wii by delivering more of the fun-filled racing gamers love.
Players get to pick from a range of classic characters like Mario, Princess Peach, and Yoshi. From there, they can customise their vehicles and race around magnificently designed tracks.
Despite being an updated classic, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe feels fresh and fun. It is a perfect Christmas gift for kid and adult gamers alike.
If you want an even more fun and immersive Mario Kart experience, consider getting the Joy-Con wheel accessories. Players simply slot the Nintendo Switch “Joy-Con” controllers into the wheels and take advantage of the motion control to steer their karts.
These are especially great for kids who want to feel like they are actually driving around the tracks.
For both the game itself and the wheel accessories, this pair still comes in cheaper than most video games in 2022. Which is great value!
#7 – MSI Vigor GK71 Sonic UK Mechanical RGB Gaming Keyboard
These days, having a standard dome switch keyboard (like you get in an office) isn’t enough for gamers. And that makes a mechanical keyboard with RGB (multi-colour) backlighting a perfect Christmas gift for PC gamers.
The MSI Vigor GK71 keyboard uses Linear MSI Sonic Red keys for hair-trigger response times. These will give any gamer the edge in fast-paced games like Call of Duty and Fortnite.
Not only is the keyboard great in games, but it also looks fantastic. Thanks to the MSI Clearcaps, RGB lighting stands out like never before.
Even better, the lighting for each individual key can be customised for maximum personalisation.
At just over £100, this keyboard is a bit on the pricey end. However, it looks and performs like a premium product should. And, as a gift, it is bound to make any serious PC gamer happy this Christmas.
#6 – Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
For nearly 20 years, Call of Duty has been the biggest name in gaming. Every year, the series’ annual releases are top hits as Christmas gifts. And this year’s entry is bigger than ever.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is the latest game in the long-running first-person shooter series. In just three days, it broke series records by earning over $800 million dollars.
Its name might sound familiar because it is a reboot of the 2009’s Modern Warfare 2. But make no mistake, this is Call of Duty for the modern day.
CoD is universally popular with adults and kids alike. It goes without saying that it will be the must-have video game this Christmas.
#5 – Nintendo Switch Sports
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
Cast your mind back to Christmas 2006 and 2007. The incredibly popular Nintendo Wii had just been released and with it came the hilariously fun Wii Sports. Many hours were spent with family enjoying tennis, boxing, bowling, and baseball in Wii Sports.
Nintendo Switch Sports is the new iteration of that classic game. And it will be a blast for the whole family this Christmas.
The game features six sports: tennis, bowling, football, volleyball, chambara, and badminton.
The Nintendo Switch uses the same (but improved) motion technology as the Wii did. And with that, it recaptures the magic of the classic game in 2022.
#4 – Meta Quest 2 VR Headset
Compatible with: PC
Virtual reality is a relatively new technology and it is on the cutting edge of gaming.
The Meta Quest 2 VR Headset is widely regarded as one of the best all-round VR gaming headsets. It provides total immersion with a high-resolution display, 3D positional audio, hand tracking, and haptic feedback.
With over 250 titles to explore, the Meta Quest 2 provides the complete VR experience at a relatively good value starting price of £399.
While that might sound pricey, it is sure to blow the socks off of any gamer new to VR. As a result, it is one of the best Christmas gifts for gamers this year.
#3 – Elden Ring
Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
OK – so, Elden Ring came out back in February. But it isn’t too late for the gamer in your life to check out this Game of the Year contender if they haven’t already.
Elden Ring drops players in the mysterious fantasy world of the Lands Between. From here, they must battle to become Elden Lord by defeating a range of brutally challenging but perfectly designed enemies.
The game holds an astounding 96/100 on Metacritic, placing it among the highest rated video games of all time.
Elden Ring is an absolute must for any gamer to play in 2022. And that makes it an ideal Christmas gift.
#2 – The Callisto Protocol
Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
The Callisto Protocol is the perfect Christmas gift for any gamer who loves survival horror.
It comes from director Glen Schofield and follows in the footsteps of his acclaimed Dead Space series.
The Callisto Protocol is set in the year 2320 on Jupiter’s moon, Callisto. There, players take control of prisoner Jacob Lee as he combats a terrifying alien invasion from the Black Iron prison camp.
The game doesn’t come out until December 2nd, but there is still plenty of time to get pre-orders in now for what is certain to be a must-have gift this Christmas.
#1 – Pokémon Scarlet and Violet + Nintendo Switch Lite
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
Pokémon has been around for decades at this point. But the series is still producing super fun role-playing games that both adults and kids love.
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet follow the usual series formula but introduce a raft of new creatures for gamers to collect and battle. As always, there are two different version of the game – each with minor differences such as exclusive Pokémon.
These new games come with three different storyline routes for players to choose from and progress through. They are: Path of Legends, Victory Road and Starfall Street.
Just like before, Scarlet and Violet will please both long-time and new Pokémon fans. That makes them the perfect Christmas gift for adults who have played for years or kids trying Pokémon for the first time.
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are also the perfect games to go with a brand-new Nintendo Switch.
Thankfully, there is a cost-friendly option for getting the console alongside the games.
The Nintendo Switch Lite is the hand-held only version of the Nintendo Switch – making it more akin to the classic Gameboy than a home console. However, it is still the perfect hybrid.
The Switch Lite costs £199.95 which is a steal compared to the price of most consoles.
If you are still undecided – Gaming Gift Cards
Finally, if none of the games or accessories above fit the bill, it is worth considering gift cards. They are undoubtedly one of the best Christmas gifts for gamers.
When you don’t really know what you are looking at or what someone might want, it can be best to let the person decide for themselves.
Thankfully, the major gaming companies have their own gift cards which can be used in their online stores. This way, gamers can decide exactly what they want to buy themselves.
Did you find our top 10 best Christmas gifts for gamers list useful? Let us know in the comment section below and don’t forget to check out our other gaming articles…
