Holiday Gift Guide

Offering 32 levels of increasing difficulty, GoChess boards are real, tactile chess boards that integrate light-up spaces on the board to communicate potential moves, teach strategies, and offer hints for improvement. You can also use an integrated app to play real-life opponents online. This latest version of the impressive tech features a visual style inspired by the Harry Potter films, particularly the famous scene of Wizard Chess, with pieces modeled to look just like those in the film. If the wizarding world isn’t your cup of tea, GoChess also offers boards with similar functionality but classic chess piece shapes.

$350 | particula-tech.com

The Xbox Ally X has several features that could make it your go-to portable gaming PC solution. The side grips emulate an Xbox controller, which feels comfortable and playable in-hand. The ability to boot directly into the Xbox Full Screen Experience is also a big deal and makes for a far more integrated experience with your Game Pass and Xbox PC library than we’ve had with prior devices. The 1080p screen boasts a 120 Hz refresh rate, which looks strong at this seven-inch size. Battery life is between two and three hours, which is a problem – but it’s a problem that all these handheld PCs still have at this point. Overall, the Xbox Ally X is an impressive piece of hardware that justifies its hefty price tag if you’re ready to take the plunge. 

$1000 | xbox.com

While it’s not clear why this stunning new build isn’t called the Black Pearl, longtime pirates should have no illusions; this is the definitive LEGO version of the classic movie ship. While enterprising captains will have to deal with some repetition and an awful lot of black pieces, the construction process is nonetheless a ton of fun, especially with some fascinating angles used to create the tapered shapes that define the ship’s form. You get eight mini-figures drawn from the films, including an awesome green angel who acts as the figurehead up front. Hidden chambers for booty, multiple display options, and an imposing silhouette make this one of the standout sets for the year.

$380 | lego.com

Wingspan has earned significant praise in the board gaming community since its release in 2019, thanks, in part, to its elegant flow of play and attractive nature-themed art. Finspan manages a rare feat, maintaining much of what was fun in that earlier game, but streamlining and speeding up play in meaningful ways. The new game migrates to an aquatic theme, all about fish and the ocean. The mechanics of gameplay have also evolved, featuring a slick approach to strategic card placement where bigger fish eat smaller ones.

$50 | stonemaiergames.com

If your holiday gift receiver recently purchased Nintendo’s new console, or if that’s the big present that will make their day, it’s likely they’re still looking to kit out their Switch 2 with additional controllers for multiplayer. If that’s the goal, it’s hard to beat the price point here, especially with some premium features like hall-effect modules in the thumbsticks for greater precision, and two mappable rear buttons. The lighter plastic weight and touch help explain the affordability, but with some cute Mario-themed visual designs on offer, we don’t think Player Two is going to mind.

$40 | powera.com

We’re big proponents of the value of eye strain relief for gamers, as many players likely spend a lot of time staring at a combination of screens across their work and personal lives. The investment in a solid pair of blue light-blocking glasses can do wonders for limiting eye and head pain. Gunnar’s Tioga line is among the best we’ve tested, with fiber-reinforced wood frames and scratch-resistant mineral glass lenses. If the price tag is a barrier, Gunnar offers excellent options with similar levels of eye strain protection using more cost-efficient materials, including licensed nods to games like Assassin’s Creed or Diablo.

$250 | gunnar.com

Presuming you’ve already spent the money to lock in a great gaming TV, one notable way to enhance the visuals onscreen (for games, movies, or anything else) is the addition of a backlight. Govee’s newest is a great choice, offering simple setup and a robust feature set. Using a small camera that hangs above the top of your screen, and light strips that mount to the back of your display, the device monitors and adjusts colored lights onto the space behind the TV in real-time. We were especially impressed by the system’s ability to dynamically adapt to bright or dim room settings without additional tweaking. For those longing for the next way to enhance the visual immersion of your screen time, it’s well worth a look.

$180 | us.govee.com

The opening salvo to translate Brandon Sanderson’s sprawling fantasy worlds into the tabletop role-playing sphere is underway, and there’s very good reason to be excited by this initial outing. The Handbook focuses on establishing the core rules of the new role-playing system, which will feel familiar (but distinct) to players migrating from other foundational d20 mechanics like those in D&D and Pathfinder. The book establishes the fictional framework from the Stormlight Archive novels and outlines clear plans to expand the rules into other worlds of the cosmere. If you’ve read Sanderson’s books and found yourself longing to craft your own adventures in the unique worlds and magic systems he concocts, this is your chance.

$60 | cosmererpg.com

Few fictional conflicts occupy the collective fan consciousness like the infamous snow planet battle of The Empire Strikes Back. The tension and excitement of the extended sequence haven’t faded, even 45 years after first showing in theaters. This new board/miniature hybrid game capitalizes on the fondly remembered encounter in an excellent two- to four-player competitive experience. Players play cards, roll dice, and deploy across the icy terrain, controlling either the Rebel Alliance or the Empire as they vie for a win. Well over a dozen unique scenarios add replay value, but you can also build the whole thing as a campaign, where wins and losses in a given scenario affect how things start out next.

$60 | store.asmodee.com

There’s an ever-increasing variety of chairs to explore for those whose work and leisure involve long stretches in front of a desk, and an equally wide spread of price points. For those willing to invest some serious coin, the new LiberNovo Omni has a variety of features that stack it up against even more expensive luxury brands. The dynamic back and arm rests adjust as you move and lean back, offering support no matter your position. And a rechargeable battery-charged lumbar allows for a full recline and spinal massage/stretch – ideal for decompressing during the minutes between rounds of your favorite new game release.

$848 | libernovo.com

Long a mainstay of the gaming scene, Lara has gone through multiple sequels, reinventions, and redefining moments across her many adventures since her original appearance in 1996. This new PVC statue stands just over nine inches in height, and interchangeable accessories offer customized display options; go for the classic twin pistol look, or trade out for the climbing axe that brought new gameplay to her more recent adventures.

$90 | darkhorsedirect.com

Previous versions of the Blackshark have won high praise among gaming audiophiles. The new V3 Pro ups the ante in several ways, making it one of the strongest standalone personal gaming audio options currently on the market, with versions available for PC, PlayStation, or Xbox. Audio delivery is crisp and robust; the mic is exceptionally clear, noise cancellation effectively blocks out ambient noise, and you can run wired or with extremely low-latency wireless options. It also features the remarkably accurate and immersive THX spatial audio, which can be transformative in competitive settings. In short, it’s a stellar headset. However, if the price tag is a hold-up, the standard Blackshark V3 is $100 cheaper, but lacks active noise cancellation.

$250 | razer.com

Whether you can’t wait for Robert Downey Jr.’s impending turn at the role or you’re a longtime comic fan who wants a bit more villainy in your collection, this new helmet looks amazing as both a display piece and a wearable bit of costume fun. The high-quality plastic helmet features metallic paint effects that ensure a comfortable weight and wear while still looking like the “real” thing. Even so, it’s the included fabric hood that really makes the look, draping naturally whether out on the town or displayed on the included stand.

$100 | hasbropulse.com

Great party games don’t need to  cost a ton. This cooperative party game recently migrated from its origin point in Japan; the English-language version is a fantastic choice for your next holiday shindig. Players start the game by receiving a secret number card between 1 and 100. Then, players must give clues about where their number sits on that numerical spectrum through a series of theme-based clues, like “popular movies” or “lies you might be told.” Everyone works together to try to get the secret numbers in the correct order. Playfully exploring how we perceive things around us, and how to communicate indirectly, it’s an approachable and winning formula  for quick card game fun. 

$18 | arcanewonders.com

The sprawling epic of Kratos’ many battles and triumphs spans two decades and over half a dozen complete games. Fans eager to explore that history will find a lot to love in this impressive hardback book collection. The two included tomes chronicle the art and making of the Greek and Norse sagas, respectively, alongside an impressive array of interviews and insights from creators across the last 20 years. It’s a fantastic celebration  of the long-running series and should be a welcome addition to the coffee table of any devoted fan. 

$200 | darkhorsedirect.com

In the lengthy quest that is a completed runthrough of Elden Ring, defeating Maliketh, the Black Blade, is a significant milestone. Celebrate your accomplishment with this cozy throw, which measures about 60 × 48 inches, and showcases the mighty beast challenging you to a quiet evening on the couch. While the multi-colored edging fringe looks very lovely, it is most assuredly not sharp and will not necessitate a respawn. Even so, you may be stuck on this boss for a long time, especially during those colder winter months.

$70 | store.bandainamcoent.com

The on-ramp to tabletop role-playing has always been the most significant barrier to entry. Streaming games have done wonders for easing this process, but it’s still a challenge to dive in if your whole group is new to the experience. The latest of many attempts to introduce Dungeons & Dragons, Heroes of the Borderlands may be the most friendly and approachable we’ve encountered, leveraging a board game-like approach of cards and streamlined rules to make everything from running a character to managing combat a breeze. If you’ve longed to try the D&D experiment but fear the walls of text and unfamiliar rules, this release is a great gateway.

$50 | marketplace.dndbeyond.com

Over the last several years, many gaming franchises have received official cookbooks. Some have made sense, while others have not. The Persona franchise falls squarely in the former category, as each game has included enticing food options. Whether you want to chow down like Chie, eat like Akihiko, or improve your Guts ranking by participating in the Big Bang Burger challenge in the comfort of your own home, Persona: The Official Cookbook gives you step-by-step instructions and pictures of the recipes you’ve watched your favorite characters munch on over the course of Atlus’ beloved RPG franchise. Calling cards not included.

$28 | insighteditions.com

Players eager to move into a more immersive simulation of racing have had some great steering wheel options for decades. But the setup needs can be daunting, often requiring a level of commitment that features a mess of additional wires and a seating arrangement that supports pedal play. If you’re not quite ready for that tier of complexity, the Racer is an ideal solution.  It connects wirelessly to Xbox or PC, has an impressive battery life, and also includes  a non-slip lap mount for easy couch play –  an extreme rarity for this kind of accessory. Alongside a soft-textured grip and customizable button controls, it’s a great entryway into simulation racing.

$180 | turtlebeach.com

Hyperbolic paraboloid is a big mathematical word that, when applied to a colorful building and fidget toy, amounts to a three-dimensional saddle shape that can be combined with others of the same to make very cool and unusual structures. Hyptertile sets come with 48 of these small paraboloids that can be linked together to create flexible prisms, boxes, pyramids, and more. There’s a puzzle-like quality to the curved lines of each piece, and the potential to combine endlessly with multiple sets to create truly mesmerizing objects. It’s perfect for your giftee who loves to keep their hands busy and their minds thinking.

$28 | funinmotiontoys.com

We recently got a chance to strap on the Virtuix Omni One’s special foot-tracking hardware and try out the stationary treadmill VR system in our home. While it does not quite deliver the Ready Player One seamless virtual reality experience of making you feel you are walking through virtual environments, it does impressively let you walk or run in place, translating the action of your legs to movement in VR. While it’s for a decidedly niche crowd – those who have longed for a more immersive VR experience at home and an impressive workout from playing online VR shooters and more – the Virtuix Omni One is an impressive piece of tech.

$3495 | virtuix.com

Depending on your local conditions, the new SpyraGravity Water Bomb launcher may need to wait until summer months to test, but warmer climates can enjoy the absurd fun of this backyard blaster right away. The Spyra Gravity loads in reusable water bombs, features an electronic trigger, an LED ammo display, and flings each (soft and non-injury-producing) bomb at 43 feet per second. It’s the very definition of overpreparing for the simple fun of a friendly water battle with friends, with the promise of plenty of laughs at the mutually assured soaking everyone is guaranteed to get.

$87 | spyra.com

For gamers who have fallen in love with the gorgeous aesthetics of Sucker Punch’s latest open-world adventure, this collection of PS5 accessories is worth a close look. Nodding to the same Sumi-e Japanese art style that features prominently in the game, you can customize your gift to how much you wish to spend, including a brand new PS5. We’re partial to the minimal but striking gold-leaf console cover, which maintains the stark white of the PS5’s default look but adds some Japanese art-inspired flair. Just make sure to match your purchased cover to your PS5 model.

$65 and up | direct.playstation.com