Christmas gift guide for gamers: Best headsets, handhelds, game pads and retro gifts

If like me you’ve left your Christmas shopping to the last minute, don’t panic, there’s still enough of time to get all of your gifts delivered before the big day.

Of course, it helps if you know exactly what you’re looking for, which is where Express Online comes in. 

If you’re struggling to come up with gift ideas for the gamer in your life, we’ve put together a list of some of the must-have gaming gadgets for 2021.

Whether you’re after a brand new console or something a bit retro, read on for our picks of the best gaming gifts.

Nintendo Switch OLED…

While it’s not the 4K device some fans were hoping for, the OLED Switch is undoubtedly the definitive version of the Nintendo console. Whether you’re buying somebody a new Switch or looking for an upgrade, this is the model to get.

As the name suggests, the Nintendo Switch OLED Edition features more vibrant colours and a higher contrast compared to the current Switch and Switch Lite, not to mention a bigger screen. Other improvements include a wider adjustable stand for tabletop mode, as well as a LAN port for improved online performance.

With 64BG of internal storage, the Nintendo Switch OLED Model can hold more games – although you’ll probably still need an SD card if you download lots of games. Finally, the Nintendo Switch OLED Model features improved audio thanks to the beefier speakers.

MG-X Compact Mobile Gaming Holder For Xbox…

With Xbox Game Pass fast becoming the essential gaming subscription service, a decent mobile phone controller is the latest must-have accessory. The MG-X Compact Mobile Gaming holder turns your Android phone into a next-gen gaming handheld.

As you can see from the image above, the quality MG-X has all the same features and functions of a regular Xbox pad, including shoulder buttons and textured grips.

It’s perfect for enjoying the likes of Halo Infinite, Forza Horizon 5 and Sea of Thieves on the go.

Oculus Quest 2…

One of my favourite devices of the past year, the Oculus Quest 2 is smaller and lighter than the original virtual reality headset, and features a new colour scheme. With a built-in Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 processor, it’s also slightly faster than the old Oculus Quest, and can display up to 50% more pixels than the first generation device.

The best thing about the Quest 2 – compared to the PSVR and HTC Vive, for example – is that it’s completely wireless and untethered, so you get a full 360 degree experience.

It’s also home to a ton of fantastic games, from Resident Evil 4 VR and Sniper Elite to Beat Saber and Vader Immortal. You can even plug it into your PC to enjoy high-powered Steam VR releases like the excellent Half Life Alyx.

EPOS H6PRO headphones…

If you’re sick of hearing bullet fire, explosions and screeching tyres blasting out of your TV every night, then it might be worth buying a loved one a decent pair of gaming headphones. The EPOS H6PRO headphones come in two distinct flavours, one that cancels external noise and another that doesn’t.

Both headsets look great and sound even better, featuring detachable boom microphones, cushioned headbands, memory foam ear pads, and adjustable ear cups.

Better yet, the EPOS H6PRO headphones work with pretty much every gaming device under the sun, including PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch and PC.

Nacon Revolution Xbox Pro wired controller…

Available from Argos for £89.99, the Nacon Revolution X Pro Controller is half the price of Microsoft’s Elite pad, and very nearly as good. It’s a feature-packed pad that’s fully customisable, both in terms of button layout and actual components.

Indeed, the controller itself comes bundled with all kinds of optional extras, from additional weights to replacement thumbsticks. It also has an extensive suite of mapping tools, which are available through the free companion app.

PS5 DualSense Charging Station…

The PS5 DualSense controllers are exceptional game pads with tonnes of unique features. Chief among the innovations are advanced haptics and adaptive triggers, which add to the immersion when used to their full potential. 

The only drawback is that DualSense controllers eat up batteries like they’re going out of fashion. This is where the officially licensed PS5 DualSense charger comes into play. The nifty charging dock provides juice for two controllers at the same time, ensuring you never run out of battery again.

Evercade Retro Handheld Premium Pack…

If you or a loved one appreciates the classics, then the Evercade Retro Handheld will make a wonderful gift. Much cheaper than a Nintendo Switch, these retro handheld consoles support a variety of 8 and 16 bit games.

Each themed Evercade cartridge comes with a selection of classic games, such as the bundled Namco collection which features Pac Man, Galaxian, Dig Dug and Mappy. There are also cartridges containing old Atari games, Codemasters releases, and even modern indie hits like Xeno Crisis and Tanglewood.

While the games are largely from a bygone era, the console itself is full of mod-cons, including HDMI connectivity, up-scaled graphics, and game saves.

OWC Envoy Pro Elektron SSD…

While certain developers have done an admirable job of bringing file sizes down, the PS5 still has a problem with game storage. If you’re looking for a simple solution that can be plugged directly into the PS5, then the OWC Envoy Pro Elektron SSD is a fine choice.

While you can’t play games directly from the SSD, this ultra fast hard drive is perfect for moving files to and fro. It’s a lot quicker than constantly re-downloading your stored games, which makes it a convenient solution for anybody with a vast library of digital downloads.

Official PlayStation Console Christmas Jumper / Ugly Sweater…

Get into the festive spirit with one of these delightfully ugly Christmas jumpers from Just Geek. We’ve picked out the Sony PlayStation Christmas jumper, but there are designs for Street Fighter, Sonic the Hedgehog, Fall Guys and Skyrim.

Just Geek’s Christmas jumpers aren’t just limited to gaming franchises, with everything from He-Man to Gremlins, Star Wars to Rocky. I particularly like the Shaun of the Dead jumper.