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If you’re looking to get a loved one something video game related for Christmas you need to read this first, to save money and potential embarrassment on the big day.
Buying video games as gifts has got a lot more difficult over the last few years. The central problem is that the majority of people buy games digitally nowadays and that’s not great when it comes to wrapping up presents for under the Christmas tree. Of course, that doesn’t matter if you’re getting someone a new console, but that’s an expensive present and not an impulse purchase.
Besides, if your loved one wants a new console, you’ve probably already heard about it from them. Either way, we’ve tried to lay out the current situation for each format and what their prospects are for the future. That’s in addition to some of their best games from this year and any essential accessories.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that the next generation of consoles is already being teased by Sony and Microsoft, with the PlayStation 6 and next gen Xbox expected to launch in 2027 or 2028. The Switch 2 was new this year though, so there won’t be anything brand new from Nintendo for at least seven or eight years.
PlayStation 5 gifts for Christmas 2025
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The idea of console generations is not a formal designation but while Nintendo fell out of synch a while ago, new PlayStation and Xbox consoles have traditionally always launched at almost exactly the same time. The PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, turn five this winter and that’s just when you’d expect the first whispers of a replacement to start coming through.
However, the decline of Xbox as a hardware brand – which we’ll get into in a moment – has left Sony in an unusual position and given the PlayStation 5 free reign for now (neither Sony nor Microsoft consider Nintendo to be a direct competitor). So, despite the PlayStation 5 being at a point in its life where sales should’ve peaked, they’re actually going up.
Even if the PlayStation 6 is released in 2027, support for its predecessor is likely to continue for many years, if not the whole of the next generation. Especially as Sony is rumoured to be planning a new portable console that is roughly equivalent in power to the PlayStation 5.
At the moment though there are three hardware options for the PlayStation 5, with the Digital Edition being cheaper because it doesn’t have a disc drive, and so can’t play physical games. The PS5 Pro is more powerful but the difference it makes is negligible and something only a hardcore gamer would care about.
PlayStation 5 – £479.99 (£468.19 at Amazon)
PlayStation 5 Digital Edition – £389.99 (£379.95 at Amazon)
PlayStation 5 Pro – £699.99 (£668.00 at Amazon)
Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S gifts for Christmas 2025
Microsoft might be worth $4 trillion but their attempts to dominate the video games industry have consistently fallen short. Their most recent attempt to outmanoeuvre (or, rather, outspend) Sony was to buy Call Of Duty maker Activision Blizzard. But not even that worked out, as the most recently entry, Black Ops 7, has been the most unpopular in years.
Even before that it’s been clear that Microsoft is deprioritising its hardware offerings, as it instead focuses on selling its games on both Xbox and PlayStation. As a result, it’s very hard to recommend buying an Xbox Series X or S unless you already have an Xbox console and are heavily tied into the ecosystem.
This is certainly not the moment to be jumping in for the first time and, in any case, it can be quite difficult to find stock, as Microsoft seems increasingly unconcerned about hardware sales. They didn’t even bother to offer any major discounts during Black Friday.
Although they both play the same games, the Xbox Series X is more powerful than the Xbox Series S, although the difference is small. However, like the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition, the Xbox Series S does not have a disc drive and is digital only.
Xbox Series X – £489.99 (£479.99 at Amazon)
Xbox Series S – £299.99 (£289.00 at Amazon)
Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 gifts for Christmas 2025
Since the Nintendo Switch 2 only came out in June, it’s not something that’s going to get any more than a minor discount this year. The official Mario Kart World bundle, where you essentially get the game for half price, is great value, but Nintendo makes no promises about it still being available beyond this year.
The Switch 2 is backwards compatible with the original Switch, so if you own the older device then all (or at least 99%) of your games will work on the Switch 2. That also means the Switch 1 will be supported for at least few years and that you can pick up some good deals on it this year, if the cost of the Switch 2 is too rich for your blood.
Although very little is known about Nintendo’s plans next year, the Switch 2 is the fastest-selling console of all time, so its support will clearly last for a very long time. It is expensive though and most of its games are at least £10 more than their equivalents on the Switch 1. There’s also only one model at the moment, even though a Switch 2 Lite – that doesn’t connect to the TV – is likely within the next two years.
Nintendo Switch – £259.99 (£249.95 at Amazon)
Nintendo Switch OLED Model – £309.99 (£272.45 at Amazon)
Nintendo Switch Lite – £199.99 (£189.88 at Amazon)
Nintendo Switch 2 – £395.99 (£385.00 at Amazon)
Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle – £429.99 (£409.00 at Amazon)
Video game gift cards for Christmas 2025
The games listed below are amongst the most popular of the year, but we’ve limited our selection to titles that are easily available in a physical edition. That rules out some indie games, despite them being amongst the most critically acclaimed of the year, so Hades 2 is in, but Arc Raiders is not.
Some games, such as the excellent Blue Prince, are available as physical copies, but only as expensive special editions from specialist retailers like Limited Run Games and iam8bit.
So, if you want to gift a game that’s not available physically, or you actively want to give a digital copy, then your choices become more limited. You could simply hand over some cash or an IOU, but there is also the option of a gift card.
These are available from the online stores of each of the major formats, on websites such as Amazon and GAME, and can often also be found in supermarkets. There are also gift cards for specific games such as Fortnite and Roblox, should your intended gift recipient be into those.
Another alternative is a subscription to online services such as PlayStation Plus, Nintendo Switch Online, and Xbox Game Pass. It’s not a very exciting present to give but it is undoubtedly useful and something many gamers resent paying for themselves.
Best video game Christmas 2024 gifts for PS5, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch 2
Hades 2
Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC
Age rating: 12
Although fellow indie sequel Hollow Knight: Silksong is not available physically, Hades 2 is – at least on Nintendo Switch 2. The roguelike action game is one of the best releases of the year but, as you can see from the prices below, it’s a lot cheaper to buy it digitally, although that does make it more of a collector’s edition.
£24.99 (£34.99 at Amazon)
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and PC
Age rating: 18
The other problem with physical copies of indie games is that they tend to have short production runs and while this is still available on Xbox, from Amazon, it’s very difficult to get hold of on PlayStation 5. That’s because it’s widely tipped to sweep the boards at The Game Awards this year, as one of the best role-playing games in years.
£44.99 (£41.40 at Amazon)
Split Fiction
PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC
Age rating: 16
A great choice for Christmas, as not only is it one of the best games of the year but it’s a co-op only game, that you have to play with another person – either online or split screen. It’s a bit too much for younger players, or those without any video game experience at all, but find the right partner and it’s a ton of fun.
£44.99 (£42.99 at Amazon)
Donkey Kong Bananza
Nintendo Switch 2
Age rating: 7
Arguably the best game on Switch 2 so far, this is the latest game from the creators of Super Mario Odyssey, but it’s not really a platformer in the traditional sense. Instead, it’s designed around Donkey Kong’s immense strength and his ability to smash almost everything in his way, pummelling even the scenery itself into rubble.
Price: £58.99 (£49.95 on Amazon)
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and PC
Age rating: 18
Even given the popularity of its predecessor, this was a much bigger hit than anyone expected. It’s a historically accurate role-playing game set in 15th century Bohemia and while that might not sound interesting to anyone but history buffs it’s basically Skyrim without the dragons, but with a better script instead.
Price: £44.99 (£42.99 on Amazon)
Monster Hunter Wilds
PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and PC
Age rating: 16
Although there’s questions over its longevity, Capcom’s online co-op game has been the best-selling game for most of 2025. It’s the same basic set-up as Monster Hunter: World but with improved graphics and, for better and worse, more involved storytelling.
Price: £64.99 (£17.67 on Amazon)
Shinobi: Art Of Vengeance
PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and PC
Age rating: 12
Sega’s first attempt to revive one of its classic Mega Drive era franchises is a near perfect evolution of the original action platform formula, with neat cartoon visuals and a refreshing lack of seriousness. It’s not too hard either, unlike many retro themed games, and bodes well for other similar revivals in the years to come.
Price: £24.99 (£34.20 on Amazon)
Super Mario Galaxy 1 + 2
Nintendo Switch
Age rating: 3
Although there are updated Switch 2 versions of a number of Switch 1 titles, including The Legend Of Zelda, Kirby And The Forgotten Land, and Super Mario Party Jamboree, the best re-release of the year is these two old Wii games, which are arguably the greatest 3D Mario games ever made. They’re technically Switch 1 games but thanks to backwards compatibility they also run on the Switch 2.
Price: £58.99 (£44.95 on Amazon)
Absolum
Nintendo Switch
Age rating: 12
Another one of the year’s best indie games, this is a fantastic update of the 2D scrolling beat ‘em-up formula, from the makers of Streets Of Rage 4. The same publisher also put out Marvel Cosmic Invasion this year, which is also a lot of fun, but Absolum is the one that evolves the concept into something with a bit more depth and variety.
Price: £22.49 (£29.99 on Amazon)
Mario Kart World
Nintendo Switch 2
Age rating: 3
Just to reiterate, if you get the Switch 2 bundle with Mario Kart World you’re effectively getting the game for half price. That’s a deal so tempting that there’s almost no one that owns a Switch 2 that doesn’t also own this game. Its open world is a little underwhelming, but the new Knockout mode is a great addition and makes for a compellingly different experience to Mario Kart 8.
Price: £66.99 (£59.99 on Amazon)
Ghost Of Yōtei
PlayStation 5
Age rating: 3
Once again, Sony has only one major first party title out for Christmas, and that came out three months ago now. This sequel to Ghost Of Tsushima is very good; it’s basically f Red Dead Redemption in the samurai era, so it’s not doing anything terribly original, but the graphics are fantastic and the combat a lot of fun.
Price: £69.99 (£59.95 on Amazon)
Battlefield 6
PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and PC
Age rating: 16
If this hadn’t been a hit EA probably would’ve mothballed the whole franchise but in the end it turned out to be a bit of a triumph, with back-to-basics gameplay and a straightforward modern day setting. The end result is the most commercially successful entry in the series ever, with the game doing the seemingly impossible of beating Call Of Duty: Black Ops 7.
Price: £69.99 (£52.99 on Amazon)
Silent Hill f
PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and PC
Age rating: 18
Not a game you want to put on in front of the rest of the family on Christmas Day, but it is one of the best games of the year. Not only an effective horror game but a very thoughtful one as well, as hapless teenager Hinako struggles not just with monsters of the id but the restrictive attitude towards women in 1960s Japan.
Price: £69.99 (£59.99 on Amazon)
Assassin’s Creed Shadows
PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC
Age rating: 18
Despite all the controversy in the run up to its release, this turned out to be one of the best Assassin’s Creed games in years. There’s a reason fans have been calling for an entry to be set in Japan and controlling ninja Naoe and samurai Yasuke fits perfectly with the series’ formula. The graphics are great too, in what may be Ubisoft’s best-looking game ever.
Price: £69.99 (£57.22 on Amazon)
Ninja Gaiden 4
PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and PC
Age rating: 18
Bayonetta developer PlatinumGames had seemed like a spent force, but this was a very welcome return to form for the studio. It doesn’t stray far from their usual third person combat shtick but it’s a fantastically in-depth and nuanced action game, that while a little difficult for more casual gamers is exactly what existing fans were looking for.
Price: £59.99 (£59.99 on Amazon)
The Outer Worlds 2
PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and PC
Age rating: 18
Microsoft’s console aspirations may have been dashed this year but in terms of first party video games they have done very well, especially with this excellent role-playing sequel from the makers of Fallout: New Vegas. Funny, with tons of depth and some memorable companion characters, this is the best first person role-player for several years.
Price: £59.99 (£59.99 on Amazon)
Call Of Duty: Black Ops 7
PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and PC
Age rating: 18
Microsoft has had only one major hiccup this year, in terms of games, but it’s a doozy. Not counting Modern Warfare 3, which was originally only supposed to be DLC, this is the worst Call Of Duty in over a decade, with a terrible campaign and lacklustre multiplayer. We’ve kept it on this list because it’s still popular and you’re bound to know someone that wants it.
Price: £69.99 (£52.95 on Amazon)
EA Sports FC 26
PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC
Age rating: 3
By comparison, this year’s EA Sports FC is merely ordinary, with a small number of welcome tweaks and improvements but nothing much else to recommend it over last year’s games – other than, of course, the peer pressure of always having the latest version and being part of the Ultimate Team scene.
Price: £69.99 (£37.84 on Amazon)
Video game accessories for Christmas 2024
If your generosity doesn’t stretch to a new console, and you don’t know what games to get someone, the other alternative is accessories, such as controllers and headphones. They’re not the most exciting present to give or receive but, like online subscriptions, they are a mundane necessity that many gamers will be glad not to buy themselves.
There’s a lot of new Switch 2 peripherals in particular, that new owners might not have had a chance to get yet, especially the official camera and the Pro Controller.
Similarly, most PlayStation 5 owners would be very glad to receive a PlayStation Portal – a portable device that can’t play games on its own but can stream any PlayStation 5 game you own, without having to use your TV. Although it only works when close to the main console and is quite expensive, at £199 (£197.00 on Amazon).
A retro themed alternative is the Atari 2600+ Pac-Man Edition, which is a fully working version of the 80s console with special Pac-Man livery. It costs £129.99 (from Smyths) but it’s a good option if the recipient is a veteran gamer.
Alternatively, there’s always the option to go for more of a novelty gift. Most famous games – and many obscure ones – have a wide range of merchandise, including apparel and action figures, which can be found in places like Forbidden Planet or online on Amazon and elsewhere.
If you dig around you can often find something unique and unusual, such as gaming fragrances inspired by 80s home computers like the ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64. We admit we haven’t smelt them ourselves, but they’re available at AUK if you want to give them a try.
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