Last year you bought your kids a new console, what are you going to do this year?

Let’s say you were one of the lucky ones who managed to get a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X at the end of last year. First of all, congratulations. This result is no small feat, as these consoles were nearly impossible to find in 2021, but it does leave a big question: What will you be buying this year?

Last season I was a hero and the envy of many; Today you have to face high expectations. You probably won’t find a player gift as amazing as the last, but you can find lots of fun, or at least practical gifts, for those who already have the latest console at home.

Accessories

The most immediate option is to give them props for what you bought from them last year. Did you manage to get the PS5? Purchase a charging station for the DualSense Controller. Is the giveaway for anyone who already owns an Xbox X Series? Consider something like a Seagate hard drive to increase their console storage space. The options here are limitless, third party materials allow you to be as creative as you want. For example, if you know someone used their X Series to play Forza Horizon 5, you could give them a Logitech G923 steering wheel and pedal combo.

If you don’t want to fight, the easiest option will always be consoles. This can be a great way to give a more personalized gift that was not included with the original device. For those who own a PS5, Sony has released two new colors for DualSense. For those who appreciate the Xbox, there are many other options. Our favorite Xbox controller is the Turtle Beach Recon, which comes with a built-in audio mixer, perfect for those who use voice chat a lot. You can also take advantage of the Xbox Design Lab to design a console for a more personalized gift.

games

Games are another idea to go with, as long as you don’t repeat an idea that already exists. For PlayStation, Deathloop, Ratchet & Clanck: Rift Apart are two very popular titles this year. Returnal is a great exclusive game that has gone unnoticed and will also make a good gift.

For those who have an Xbox, it can be a bit more complicated, especially if they have a Game Pass. They already have games like Microsoft Flight Simulator and Psychonauts 2. You can always look for titles that aren’t included in the service, like Battlefield 2042. And if they don’t have a Game Pass subscription, a free month will make them happy.

controller for your phone

Just because you have a console doesn’t mean you’ll always play games on it. Today, thanks to advances in streaming and the cloud, many games can be enjoyed on almost any device. With PS5, you can stream console game to your phone; With Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, subscribers get instant access to select Microsoft games in the cloud. So, if you want to increase the portability of the player, then the phone controller is a great gift.

You have several options. One of our favorites is Razer’s Kishi, which can easily be paired with your iPhone or Android phone to turn them into virtual handheld consoles. Others like Backbone, are considered by many to be the best portable console available today.

default option

If you want to do something more creative, you can always turn to virtual reality. While we don’t recommend getting this PS VR early before the new version is released, there are other options. Our recommendations? Oculus Quest 2. This lightweight device is a wireless projector that doesn’t require a computer connection and definitely feels like a more expensive gift than it actually is.

Of course, if money isn’t an issue, you can also buy something like the HTC Vive or the Valve Index. These devices are heavier and more impressive. Other than that, Quest 2 will be a less painful cost that anyone interested in VR will appreciate, and it’s always fun trying to get Grandma to use it for a year-end get-together.

If all this isn’t enough, buy an arcade-type machine!

Perhaps all this is not enough for you. You were a champion last year and you want to outdo yourself no matter what. If you really want to impress someone, why not buy them an arcade-style machine? Many companies make versions of classic dressers that you can easily assemble in your home.

If you want to give someone a classic they love, check out Arcade1Up, which features machines based on classic games like Mrs. Pac-Man, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time and many more. Another recommendation is iiRcade. This game does not come with a single game but it connects to a store that is constantly updated where the user can choose what he wants. New titles are added every month to the already great options, like the indie hit Dead Cells. We guarantee that your loved ones will not expect such a gift.