The Wishlist: 13 Best Gifts for the Gamer in 2024

At first glance, it’s hard to tell the difference between a serious streamer and a hardcore gamer, which has opened up a world of new gift options. Do they want a great microphone or the latest controller? A keyboard or some premium headphones? Maybe they want both, and that makes it even harder to find the perfect gift for dedicated players. But fear not, as we’ll guide you with a tight selection of tech, gear, and everything in between. Plus, if the gamer you’re shopping for happens to be yourself, there are still plenty of top-notch picks here to choose from. 

GENKI Saya Carry EDC Gaming Bag

Fans of gaming and all things EDC can tote their tech across town with this city-ready sling, boasting a sleek, katana scabbard-inspired design. Crafted from premium materials, the Saya Carry combines a sling bag, tech pouch, and console case, and is designed with modern handhelds in mind, be it a Switch or Steam Deck. It’s equipped with a magnetic Fidlock slider for a quick-draw experience that snaps your console back into place to keep it secure, as well as a Find My-compatible global tracking card to keep it extra safe. GENKI even packs in the Saya Swipe, a signature alcohol-free spray with an attached microfiber cloth to keep screens clean.

Available in two colors and build options, choose from a green-tinted nylon ($100), equipped with orange lining and composed of water-resistant Nylon 500D, or the sturdy Cordura-crafted black, made with waterproof Cordura 1000D ($120) for extra durability.

The Year’s Biggest Games

We narrowed down three of 2024’s best gaming releases at a range of prices, so there’s a little something for everyone. Old-school gamers are sure to get a kick from the crazy, scary, spooky Silent Hill 2 remake or this hilarious Mario RPG, while Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is perfect for any aviation enthusiast, ushering in the next generation of flight sims with stunning graphics and scale. 

Razer Viper V3 Pro Wireless Gaming Mouse

A five-star, streamer-approved mouse from one of the tech space’s biggest brands is the perfect gift for any PC gamer, especially when it packs a lightweight 54-gram design. This wireless accessory comes with larger mouse feet to make slides smoother and pronounced finger grooves for a secure fit, assuring reliable performance no matter what they’re playing.

ASUS Rog Strix Scope II 96 Wireless Gaming Keyboard

ASUS’ gaming sublabel’s wireless keyboard comes equipped with three connection options (Bluetooth, WiFi, and USB), hot-swappable key switches, and pre-lubed keyboard stabilizers for smoother typing. Late-night gamers will surely appreciate the array of RGB lights and sound-dampening foam to keep typing quiet without sacrificing performance.

Therabody Smart Goggles

Perhaps this isn’t the first pair of goggles you’d expect to see, but it’s the one they need. Eye strain is no joke, and Therabody’s smart goggles can help players unwind, relieve tension, and even treat headaches after a long gaming session using strategic heat and vibration across the eyes and temples.

Analogue 3D

Anologue’s retro-inspired consoles and handhelds harken back to simpler times, and their love letter to the Nintendo 64 is perfect for old-school gamers. The new 3D can play all of the iconic console’s games in 4K — that’s 10 times the resolution of the original graphics. While we know no one likes to be the person who says, “Your gift is on the way,” keep in mind that Anologue’s gear sells out quickly, but any nostalgic player will be happy to wait for this.

LEGO Icons: Pac-Man Arcade

Consider this interactive model a two-for-one gift. LEGO’s brick-built Pac-Man Arcade is perfect for the kid at heart, letting them embrace the absolute icon that is the famous yellow circle while acting as its console. Coming in at 2,651 pieces, it’s no small feat, making for the perfect group or family gift that can get everyone involved.

meta qUEST 3s hEADSET

Here, we have an actual gaming headset with the brand new Meta Quest 3S, capable of turning any environment into a personal playground. Apple’s Vision Pro might be tempting, but at only $300, the Meta Quest serves as the perfect entry into VR, boasting a Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 with 8GB RAM and up to 2.5 hours of battery life. There’s also a wide range of games to choose from, so the whole family can enjoy it. 

Logitech g aSTROX Headphones

Engineered to take on any console or PC setup, Logitech’s premium Astro A50 X gaming headphones feature proprietary 40mm drivers for unrivaled audio separation and precise timing. No matter their console of choice, gift them a multi-system connection capable of pairing with PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC devices up to 40 feet (!) away.

LG 45GR65DC-B Ultragear Curved Gaming Monitor

Curved monitors are all the rage in the gaming scene, and if you want to see what the hype is all about, this pick from LG is a great choice. It’s a 45” curved (1500R) UltraGear QHD monitor with plenty of gaming-friendly features; it even supports up to 95% of the DCI-P3 color gamut and works alongside VESA DisplayHDR 600; in short, the graphics look good!

Samsung The Freestyle Projector 2nd Gen

For gamers who don’t want to be confined to a screen, the updated Freestyle Projector features the Smart Gamer Hub, which can connect to Steam in seconds so they can start playing from anywhere, anytime. This option opens up endless possibilities and can shake up multiplayer scenarios thanks to its built-in speaker and portable power compatibility. 

Herman Miller aERON Gaming Chair

If you’re looking to splurge on the gamer in your life, look to Herman Miller for the most reliable chairs in the game. The furniture giant’s famed Aeron Gaming Chair also has a sleek and refined look, unlike the average angular and loud options out there, with an adjustable tilt and seat angle for custom support and breathable suspension to prevent overheating.