Games to Gift

An actual game can be the best gift of all — if you pick one they’ll play and can actually run. The trick is matching the game to the person and their console, and knowing that a “great game” for a hardcore player is often the wrong gift for a beginner. These lists do that matching for you.

The two things that matter.First, the console: a game bought for a PlayStation won’t run on a Switch, so check what they own before you buy. Second, the vibe: a calm, cozy game and a fast, competitive one suit completely different people. We call out both on every pick, and we show the official ESRB age rating so you can match it to the recipient — important if you’re buying for a child.

Not sure they even like “gamer” games? Start with our games for non-gamerslist — gentle, no-pressure titles that win people over. Buying for a couple? The co-op games for couples list is full of games two people play together, even if one of them barely games.

Worried about the mechanics of gifting a digital game?Don’t be — it’s easier than it sounds, and we walk you through it. See how to gift a Steam game, how to gift a Switch game, or, when in doubt, read gift card vs a game to decide whether a store card is the smarter present. When you truly can’t call it, a store gift card for their console lets them choose — and you can’t buy a duplicate.