Author: VANAS Team

Top 10 Video Games, Consoles, and Computers to Buy This Christmas

Table of Contents

1. Why this guide matters
2. How to choose: budget, playstyle, and use-case
3. Top 10 video games to gift this Christmas
4. Top 10 consoles to buy this Christmas
5. Top 10 computers (desktops & laptops) for gamers and creators
6. Frequently Asked Questions
7. Final recommendations

Why this guide matters

The holiday shopping season means decisions: new players, returning fans, or someone upgrading hardware. With cross-platform releases, cloud streaming, and a boom in handheld and PC gaming options, the right pick depends on who you’re buying for—casual players, competitive gamers, or creative content creators. This guide lists reliable picks across three categories so you can make an informed choice.

How to choose: budget, playstyle, and use-case

Before you shop, ask three questions:

• Who is the gift for? (kid, teen, streamer, casual, competitive)
• What do they play most? (single-player story games, multiplayer, indie titles)
• Where will they play? (TV, on-the-go, desk)

Price tiers: budget (~$100–$400), mid-range ($400–$1,000), premium ($1,000+).

Now, the lists.

Top 10 video games to gift this Christmas

1. The Last of Us: Remastered / Latest Edition — A cinematic single-player experience with broad appeal for story-driven players. Exceptional for newcomers to gaming narratives.
2. Call of Duty: Modern Entry — For friends who love fast multiplayer and annual esports-style competition. Choose the latest release for active servers.
3. FIFA / EA Sports FC (latest) — The perennial choice for sports fans; great cross-platform play and social gaming value.
4. Zelda-style Open-World Adventure — If a new Zelda title is available, it’s a top gift for Nintendo fans and families who enjoy exploration and puzzles.
5. Mario Kart / Family Racing — A guaranteed crowd-pleaser for parties and families; low learning curve and high replay value.
6. Indie Hit (e.g., Cozy or Critically-Acclaimed Indie) — Indies make great gifts: lower price, unique experiences, and often portable across platforms like Switch and Steam Deck.
7. Elden Ring / Soulslike Masterpiece — For hardcore single-player gamers who relish challenge and deep world-building.
8. A Popular Multiplayer (e.g., Valorant, Fortnite, Apex Legends) — Free-to-play multiplayer titles are great if the recipient enjoys social gaming and streaming culture.
9. Creative/Building Game (e.g., Minecraft, Dreams) — Perfect for kids, creatives, and educators—encourages building, collaboration, and safe online play with friends.
10. A Recent RPG with Strong Reviews — Look for high review scores and cross-platform availability; role-playing games have long shelf life and deep engagement.

Notes: always check platform compatibility (PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch) and whether DLC or subscriptions are required.

Top 10 consoles to buy this Christmas

1. PlayStation 5 (Disc or Digital) — Best for exclusive, cinematic single-player games and strong third-party support. Choose disc if you want used-game flexibility.
2. Xbox Series X — High performance for 4K gaming and Game Pass value; excellent for players who want a broad library without buying every title.
3. Nintendo Switch OLED — The family-friendly, portable choice with exclusive Nintendo franchises and local multiplayer.
4. Steam Deck (512GB or OLED model) — Ideal for PC gamers who want portability; plays a huge Steam library and is highly moddable.
5. Xbox Series S — Budget-friendly digital console for players who want next-gen titles at a lower cost.
6. PlayStation 5 Slim (if available) — A compact PS5 variant can be a great pick for space-conscious gamers.
7. Valve Steam Deck Plus / Deck 2 (if on market) — If Valve has released a next-gen handheld, it’s worth considering for early adopters and PC gamers on-the-go.
8. Retro Mini Console or SNES/Genesis Classic — Nostalgia gifts are great for older gamers and families.
9. Cloud Gaming Subscription + Controller Bundle — For those with good internet but no console budget: combine Xbox Cloud Gaming, GeForce Now, or PS Plus with a quality controller.
10. Handhelds for Kids (e.g., Nintendo 2DS/4th Gen alternatives) — Durable, affordable handhelds are perfect for younger players and travel.

Choosing a console: check exclusives, ecosystem (friends list), and whether subscriptions like PS Plus or Xbox Game Pass fit your budget.

Top 10 computers (desktops & laptops) for gamers and creators

1. Custom Mid-Range Gaming Desktop (RTX 4070 / Ryzen 5 or Intel i5) — Best price-to-performance for gamers who want upgradeability.
2. Razer Blade 16 / Razer Blade 18 (Gaming Laptop) — Sleek build, powerful specs, and great for creators who need portability and performance.
3. ASUS ROG Zephyrus / Strix Series — Strong thermal design and gaming performance; good all-rounder for gaming and content creation.
4. Alienware x-Series / m18 — Premium brand with service and performance for high-end gamers and streamers.
5. MSI Gaming Laptops (Stealth / Raider) — Competitive pricing and strong components; ideal for students and on-the-go gamers.
6. Apple MacBook Pro (M3 / M3 Pro) — Best for creators focused on video, animation, and streaming tools that are well-optimized on macOS.
7. Prebuilt Customizable Desktop (NZXT, Corsair, Origin PC) — Great when you want prebuilt warranty but custom specs.
8. Compact Small Form Factor (SFF) Gaming PC — For limited space: powerful, compact builds that still handle AAA titles.
9. Budget Gaming Laptop (e.g., Acer Nitro / Lenovo Legion 5) — Solid entry-level performance and value for casual gamers.
10. External GPU Enclosure + Laptop — If you own a thin laptop, an eGPU lets you plug in a desktop-class GPU for home gaming.

Buying tips for PCs: prioritize GPU for 1080p/1440p gaming, and CPU for streaming or creative workloads. SSD storage and at least 16GB RAM are recommended in 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What if I don’t know the recipient’s platform? A: Buy a platform-agnostic gift—a game gift card (Steam, PlayStation, Xbox), a subscription (Game Pass, PS Plus), or a popular cross-platform game.

Q: Are handhelds worth it? A: Yes—devices like Nintendo Switch OLED and Steam Deck offer portability and great libraries.

Q: How much should I spend? A: For a solid console gift, plan $300–$500. For a great PC or premium laptop, $1,000+. Games and accessories add $20–$100.

Final recommendations

• For families: Nintendo Switch OLED + Mario Kart or a family-friendly bundle.
• For competitive players: PS5 or Xbox Series X + a fast multiplayer title and a quality headset.
• For creators: MacBook Pro M3 or Razer Blade + a strong external SSD and webcam/microphone bundle.
• For gift flexibility: a digital gift card or subscription service.

Happy shopping—and if you want, I can make a printable one-page checklist or price-compare options across retailers. The new post is saved as content/blog/en/top-10-games-consoles-computers-christmas.md.