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The holidays are fast approaching, and that means gift research and deals hunting has already begun. It can be quite a task to narrow down what products are worth buying in the world of gaming and tech right now, even if you’re just prioritizing what to get for yourself. You may be a hardcore gamer looking for upgrades that are worth it, or just getting into gaming and looking for some guidance. On the other hand, you may have landed here seeking ideas of what to give the amer in your life. No matter what it is, this holiday gift guide has something for everyone who games.
In IGN’s gamer gift guide you’ll find top picks across PC, consoles, hardware, accessories and of course, the most fun and anticipated video games of the year. Let’s get into our list to see what and where to get everything you need in one place, all available at Best Buy.
Consoles
Let’s start with the big gift idea on gamers’ lists: consoles. If you know the person doesn’t already own the latest consoles (maybe they have older generations or handhelds at the moment) then these are no-brainers. Whether the giftee is Team Xbox, Team PlayStation, or ready to go all-in on PC, these are the best console gifts for the 2026 holiday season.
Xbox X Series
This is the top-of-the-line experience for XBOX fans who want the cream of the crop. If they already have a nice TV or monitor to take advantage of the Series X’s power, this is the version to get versus the Series S below. It includes convenient features such as: Quick Resume, which lets you switch easily between games, backwards compatibility which lets you play four generations of games, and lightning-fast load times, perfect for huge games that require that kind of power. It can easily handle 4K gaming at up to 120FPS, bringing in high resolutions. If the person you’re shopping for has a shelf full of physical games, then this is the one to go with as it has a disc drive and the Series S does not.
Xbox X Series
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Xbox S Series
If you’re looking for an Xbox console that’s smaller and more affordable, the Xbox Series S All Digital console might be the better choice. The Series S has a significantly smaller form factor, doesn’t include a disc drive, and targets 1440p resolution instead of 4K. It’s best suited for younger players as a first console, or for someone who isn’t trying to squeeze out every last pixel.
Xbox S Series
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PlayStation 5 Slim Digital Edition Console – (825GB)
For PlayStation fans, we’d recommend getting your hands on the ever-popular PlayStation 5 Slim Digital Edition console (825GB). Like its name suggests, the PlayStation 5 Slim is the PS5 console but shrunk down in size. Jada Griffin’s IGN review said: “The slimmed-down PlayStation 5 maintains all of its strengths. Extremely fast loading times and a best-in-class controller make it a pleasure to use.” Plus, it’s got tons of storage and a whole backlog of PS4 games (more than 4,000 of them) and new PS5 games available to download from your PS account. It also has the benefits that come with a DualSense® controller, like haptic feedback to immerse yourself in any world you visit. Anyone who loves cinematic, story-driven games would love this console, especially if you have a 4K TV to bring out the new level of realism from your favorite games. Please note this is digital only, so physical games won’t work with this console.
PlayStation 5 Slim Digital Edition Console– 825GB
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Alienware 15.3” 2K Gaming Laptop
In short, this is a high-performing gaming laptop, especially for the form factor and at this price. If the gamer in your life is just getting into PC gaming, or if they’ve been looking for something to take with them on the go, this is an easy win. It’s got an AMD Ryzen 200 Series R7 260 processor with 8 cores and Zen 4 architecture, 16GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 card. In other words, this is a perfect gift for students or dual-users, for someone who needs a laptop for work and/or school, but wants to play games at the end of the day. It’s also a good gift for anyone who travels and doesn’t want a handheld PC like a Steam Deck or Lenovo Legion GO.
Alienware Firebat 15
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CyberPowerPC Gaming Desktop
If you want something powerful for at-home gaming, then this CyberPowerPC is a great option for PC gamers who need a solid setup. This specific version comes with an AMD Ryzen 79800X3D, an AMD Radeon RX 9070 graphics card, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, and 1 terabyte worth of storage. This means it should run games very smoothly for a long period of time, and later on, the PC gamer can decide to upgrade the internals if they want to invest more in their setup. With a desktop PC like this, there are capabilities for streaming or handling games at a higher fidelity, allowing people to upgrade specific components like RAM, CPUs, or graphics cards.
CyberPowerPC – Gaming Desktop
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Gaming laptop vs. desktop
If they need to take it on the go, then a laptop. If they have a desk and want the most power for their at-home setup? Desktop.
Meta Quest 3S 128GB
Now, for the gamer who already has a PC and a console in their life but still can’t get enough immersion, then VR may be an exciting gift for them this year. The Meta Quest 3S is a fully wireless VR headset that can run hundreds of games, including Batman: Arkham Shadow, Beat Saber, and VRChat. And, the Meta Quest 3S is not just for gamers either; it has apps like YouTube and Netflix, allowing users to create a private movie theater in their own living room. It’s an impressive piece of tech that’s all handled on the headset itself, making it easy to get setup and start gaming.
Meta Quest 3S 128GB
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Accessories
Now that we’ve covered the core gamer basics, it’s time to go over some accessories that can support the gaming experience, whether it be late-night gaming on the couch or at the desk. There are so many accessories that people will wishlist and not end up buying for themselves since they may not feel it’s a “need” to prioritize, but trust us, it’s definitely something they would love to have.
Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike Lightspeed Gaming Mouse
If the person you’re shopping for is on a PC, you want to ensure they have a good gaming mouse. And believe it or not, not all mice are created equal. This Logitech G mouse is hands down the one to beat when it comes to performance. It’s super lightweight, comfortable, and most importantly, it’s super fast.
For the PC nerds out there, this mouse has the HERO 2 sensor with a max sensitivity of 44,000 DPI, and HITS tech, which can cut down click latency by up to 30 ms. You can adjust the feel and volume of clicking with 6 intensity levels, allowing you to minimize the sound of clicking as well. If the gamer plays shooting or multiplayer strategy games like MOBAs (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena), or any game where every millisecond counts, then this is THE mouse to get.
Logitech G PRO X2 SUPERSTRIKE LIGHTSPEED
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PlayStation 27″ Gaming Monitor
When you think of PlayStation peripherals, you usually think of the DualSense® controller or the PULSE 3D headset. But did you know that they also make a gaming monitor? This PlayStation 27″ Gaming Monitor is super slick, has an HDR-capable QHD screen, and can handle up to 120 Hertz when connected to a PS5, and up to 240 Hertz on compatible devices. Unlike other monitors, it has a built-in DualSense® controller charging hook, making it a clean setup for their desk. DualSense® wireless controller sold separately.
PlayStation 27″ Gaming Monitor
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SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni 2.4 GHz Wireless Over-The-Ear Gaming Headset
When it comes to gaming headsets, the Arctis Nova Pro Omni is the best of the best, both in gaming and daily life. The audio quality on these is excellent, and it features hot-swappable batteries for uninterrupted use. The coolest part, though, is the universal base station, which lets you connect to up to three gaming systems at the same time via USB. This headset also features Bluetooth connectivity, so you can connect to your phone and take it on the go to make the most of the Active Noise Cancellation to keep you locked in.
Arctis Nova Pro Omni 2.4 GHz Wireless Over-The-Ear Gaming Headset
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Turtle Beach Stealth Pro II Headset
If you’re looking for similar performance with a lot of style, check out the Turtle Beach® Stealth Pro II wireless gaming headset. With Hi-Res certified 24-bit/96kHz wireless audio over an ultra low-latency 2.4GHz USB connection, and featuring Dolby Atmos® spatial audio and adjustable active noise cancellation, you’ll hear every moment with incredible clarity and detail.
Turtle Beach Stealth Pro II Headset
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FPS Galaxy Black (Xbox, PS5)
As a little bonus, the FPS Galaxy Black Thumbsticks for XBOX or PlayStation 5 controllers are a great stocking stuffer idea! They make a great add-on to pretty much any gamer’s controller, adding better grip and well, control.
FPS GALAXY BLACK – XBOX
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FPS GALAXY BLACK – PS5
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Video Games
Now for the easy-to-wrap items. We can’t emphasize this enough: Please double-check what platforms your loved ones have before you buy them a game (unless you’re literally the one gifting them the console yourself so you know!) The worst feeling for the gift receiver is getting a physical game for a console they don’t even own, so be sure to double check their preference.
MARVEL’S Wolverine
Best for action adventure and Marvel fans
PlayStation fans have been waiting years for Marvel’s Wolverine. If you’re shopping for someone who is both a Marvel fan and a gamer, or has played any of the Spider-Man games and liked them, OR likes action games in general and owns (or is about to own) a PS5, this is an excellent game to give them. It should be noted that this game is best suited for adults as it has an M-Rating, so it’s not suitable for the younger folks. Wolverine’s linear level structure, focus on melee combat, and stunning visuals make it a no-brainer game to get. It’s got a great cast of X-Men faces and villains, and a stack of accessibility and difficulty options, so it works whether your gamer is a hack-and-slash veteran or just wants to feel like Wolverine.
Marvel’s Wolverine is out now exclusively on PS5, so if you’re going all out on gifts and pairing a game with the PS5 Slim console, this is the perfect game to wrap next to it. © 2026 MARVEL
Marvel’s Wolverine – PS5
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Grand Theft Auto VI
The obvious choice for most everyone
Not much more needs to be said about GTA VI that hasn’t already been said across the internet, including on IGN.com, but if you’re new here and shopping for a family member or friend, here’s what you need to know.
If the (adult) gamer in your life somehow hasn’t pre-ordered GTA VI yet, get it for them now. We can’t stress this enough. GTA VI has been in development for over a decade and is easily the most anticipated game people (like us) won’t stop talking about. It’s THAT crazy of a game and it honestly is more than a game at this point. Even people who haven’t owned GTA before but maybe have played at a friend’s house from time to time will want their hands on this one to not miss out on all the hype (and memes) that will come from this game.
Grand Theft Auto VI – PS5
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Grand Theft Auto VI – Xbox
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The game isn’t released yet, but it’s available to preorder. It launches November 19th on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S which is right before the holidays. Pair this game with a Series X or a PS5, and you’ll be one of the most legendary gift givers ever. And of course, same note as Wolverine: if the title didn’t give it away, Grand Theft Auto has always been a mature series, so make sure it’s the right fit for whoever you’re shopping for.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Best for gamers of all ages
Many gamers believe The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is the greatest game of all time, so when the game was rebuilt for Nintendo Switch 2 just in time for Zelda’s 40th anniversary, it was a huge deal. It’s perfect for the longtime Zelda fan who played the game on N64, or for someone who’s all about adventure and exploring in games and is suitable for all ages. It’s the same legendary adventure through Hyrule – and through time – rebuilt from the ground up with modern visuals and some smart new touches. You can’t go wrong with this one.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
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Also See These Must-Have Console-Exclusive Games
- Ghost of Yotei
- Saros
- God of War: Laufey (pre-order)
- Gears of War: E-Day
- Resident Evil Requiem
- Pragmata
- Onimusha: Way of the Sword
- Control: Resonant
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4
From next-gen consoles and gaming PCs to killer headsets and the biggest games of the year, there’s something on this list for every kind of gamer. Happy shopping and happy holidays!