The hottest gamer gifts for Christmas 2020

With more families staying at home this winter, Christmas 2020 is going to be all about interactive and immersive video games. If you want to score some points with your favourite gamer, level up your gifting skills with this roundup of the year’s hottest gaming consoles, games, and accessories.

[Photo Credit: DisobeyArt]

• Xbox Series X: Fast, smooth, and incredibly powerful, the just-launched Xbox Series X from Microsoft delivers true-to-life 4K visuals, incredible 3D spatial audio, responsive controls, and a powerful Zen 2 CPU that eliminates lengthy load times. Best of all, the seriously in-demand Xbox Series X is compatible with thousands of game titles from the previous four generations of Xbox consoles.

• Nintendo Switch: Nintendo’s popular console has been a must-have device during quarantine and is a great option for gamers of all ages and skill levels. Whether you prefer playing solo or socially, the Nintendo Switch is a versatile system that can be used on the go or docked to a television set for big-screen gameplay. If you want something super lightweight, consider the Nintendo Switch Lite, a portable handheld device that comes in a variety of fun, bright colours at an affordable price point.

• PlayStation 5: The all-new Sony PS5 is on top of every gamer’s Christmas 2020 wish-list, and it’s easy to see why. The next-gen gaming console boasts a cutting-edge processor that delivers lightning-fast load times and advanced visuals that will create an immersive hyperrealistic gaming experience. Plus, the PS5’s super sleek DualSense controllers are equipped with built-in speakers and haptic feedback technology that mimics real-life sensations during gameplay.

• Retro Revivals: Nintendo and Sega have both released miniature versions of their iconic gaming consoles – a fun throw-back for experienced gamers looking to relive their younger years. The pint-sized Sega Genesis Mini and NES Classic Mini are preloaded with old-school games featuring nostalgic characters from legendary titles like Sonic the Hedgehog, Super Mario Brothers, and The Legend of Zelda.

• Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales: available exclusively for PS5, the second release in Marvel’s blockbuster Spider-Man series is an engaging fantasy game that invites players to step into the role of teenage superhero character Miles Morales. Throughout the game, players progress through a series of challenging levels using their web-slinging skills to swing from buildings and attack enemies.

• Cyberpunk 2077: available for both PS5 and the new Xbox Series X, this immersive role-playing game takes you on a futuristic adventure set in the power-obsessed dystopian metropolis of Night City. Players can alter their character’s cyberwear, skillset, and play style for a highly customized first-person gaming experience.

• GTA V: part action-adventure, part racing game, Grand Theft Auto has been one of the most commercially successful gaming franchises of all time. Eight years after its original release, GTA V is still the go-to favourite for serious gamers and casual players alike; the raunchy action game sends motorists speeding through the violent criminal underworld of the fictional city of Los Santos. Rumour has it an expanded and enhanced edition of GTA V is slated for release on the PS5 in 2021.

• Wireless headsets: Gamers can level up their gaming soundtrack with high-tech wireless headphones that deliver state-of-the-art, noise-cancelling audio. The Arctis Pro Wireless headset from Steelseries is a cult favourite in the gaming community and works with multiple consoles, PCs, and mobile devices.

• Gaming chair: All-night marathon gaming sessions demand a luxurious setup. Dedicated gaming chairs from Secretlab have ergonomic back supports, plush headrests, and built-in audio making them the ultimate thrones for hardcore gamer kings and queens.

• Gift cards: If you’re not sure what to get the gamer in your life, you can’t go wrong with a gift card. One-stop online shop Steam is a user-friendly platform that features more than 30,000 PC games across a wide variety of genres, including blockbuster hits and obscure indie titles. For console gaming, Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo each offer their own branded gift cards in various denominations.