Best gaming gifts 2024: Top ideas for the gamer in your life
Last year was a stellar one for gamers. In fact, it was dotted with unveilings of some of the biggest games; The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Baldur’s Gate 3 and Starfield to name but a few.
The Cyberpunk 2077 expansion hit the digital shelves on September 26, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 launched with a bang on October 20 and the Super Mario RPG remake was very welcome to Switch fans on November 17. And we're hoping 2024 will be no different.
We have seen an evolution in the mobile gaming sphere, the development of both AR and VR as well as AI, cross-platform technology and hints about the next generation of consoles. The latter includes the Nintendo Switch 2 which industry analysts predict will launch in March 2024.
The rise of mobile gaming has led to more mobile-only titles that are tailored for smaller screens as well as faster, crisper and more audio-rich phones that elevate the on-the-move experience. Similarly, revolutionary AR and VR have led to enhancements in every aspect of gaming, from board games to fantasy with more interactive elements, while the hugely-anticipated release of the Meta Quest 3 on September 27 will provide twice the processing power, more realistic imagery and more lightweight tech - and is no doubt on the top of any gamer’s wish list.
This brings us nicely to the task at hand: finding that perfect present for the gaming fanatic in your life.
Shopping for the gadget, gizmo and gaming lover on your list could be as simple as snapping up the latest game (so long as you know which console they use). Maybe this is their first foray into the hi-tech space and it’s a console that they covet. If they’re the kind of person to add a new launch directly to basket, you could get creative with a chair, headset or gaming-themed decor to create a more immersive experience in their gaming space.
See all the inspo you need for the gaming guru below
Meta Quest 3
With better immersive graphics than ever before, the Meta Quest 3 is the latest and greatest VR headset to hit the market. The latest redesign has seen the addition of two GB colour cameras with an innovative depth projector, which gives you the ability to seamlessly blend virtual and physical spaces.
This is mixed reality and the result is transformational. Your living room is digitised and infiltrated with the Stranger Things Upside Down or you can get lost in all four corners of this world and others, whether transported to Venice in Assassin's Creed or into space. As you climb, the possibility of falling feels real, while fighting off invaders in lifelike situations gives the feel of real consequences.
Lightening-fast performance is supported by the Qualcomm Snapdrgon XR2 Gen 2 processor and the 4K+ infinite display will leave you struggling to discern reality from fiction.
Buy now £479.99, Meta
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
An expensive wireless gaming headset, the Arctis Nova Pro offers broad connectivity, noise cancelling on both earcups and microphone, spatial audio compatibility, and an ingenious hot-swappable battery.
Probably best used to pinpoint enemies by their footsteps in games before gunning them down, but there is no reason why this can’t pull double duty between Call of Duty and your, um, duty to the boss over Teams.
