Kotaku's Best Last-Minute Gaming Gifts Of 2023
It’s that time of year again! By which I mean, that dread-inducing season when you realize the holidays are mere days away, instead of weeks. Maybe you were planning to give that special someone something one-of-a-kind and handmade. Perhaps you’d planned to make a run to the local mall, only for the sweet, sweet siren song of inside pants to sing you to your rest on the couch once more.
At any rate, you’re running out of time, and the hours grow short, Amazon and other big-box online retailers start to look like your best option. Here’s a roundup of some of our favorite holiday selections this year—all of which should make their way to your doorstep before it’s too late.
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A good mug is always a great gift, assuming the person getting the mug loves drinking tea or coffee. Even better, this mug changes when you pour hot liquid into it, revealing a cute moment from Super Mario Bros.
See the Mario mug on Amazon - G/O Media may get a commission
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Super Mario Bros. Wonder is an absolute delight. It riffs on the series’ sidescrolling formula in innovative ways, and is all the fresher for it. Wonder can also be played cooperatively with a group of four, so it makes for a great family activity right after the presents have been opened.
See Super Mario Bros. Wonder on Amazon - G/O Media may get a commission
Doomguy: Life in First Person
John Romero, co-creator of Doom, Quake, and Wolfenstein 3D, finally sat down and wrote up his autobiography, and it’s filled with new, untold stories about how these games were made and what it was like (basically) inventing a new genre.
See Doom Guy: Life in First Person on Amazon - G/O Media may get a commission
Large desk/mouse pad
If you know someone who loves gaming on PC at their desk, you should definitely check and see if they have a large desk pad or mouse pad. If not, get them one! These soft, padded mats are so nice. I love mine as it lets me use my mouse more freely and keeps my keyboard from sliding around. It’s also a great place to lay down my phone without worrying about damaging it.
See desk pads on Amazon - G/O Media may get a commission
Tiny Bluetooth controller
This very tiny (and cute) controller from 8Bitdo won’t replace someone’s full-size gamepad anytime soon. But it is effortless to toss into a purse, backpack, or carrying case and lets you game on your phone or tablet with a controller. Perfect for playing emulated retro games while on the go.
See the 8Bitdo Zero 2 Bluetooth Gamepad on Amazon - G/O Media may get a commission
Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1
While the recent collection of classic Metal Gear Solid games from the late 1990s and 2000s isn’t without its criticisms, it still remains the bestway to experience some of the finest, cinematic stealth action games of all time on PS5, from 1987’s Metal Gear to 2004’s Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater.
See. Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 on Amazon - G/O Media may get a commission
HORI Split Pad Pro
If you like playing your Switch in handheld mode but find the Joy-Con form factor lacking, the HORI Split Pad Pro gives you a better grip and bigger buttons. It even has back buttons you can assign to whatever you like. It’s frankly a steal at $50 considering Joy-Cons retail for $80 and feel worse.
See the HORI Split Pad Pro on Amazon - G/O Media may get a commission
Keyboard wrist pad
Take it from me, someone who spends most of their time sitting behind a keyboard: It can screw up your wrists very quickly. This can lead to pain and stiffness.
Luckily, a few years back someone bought me a cushioned wrist pad for my desk and I’ve never gone a day without it since. Provide this same relief to someone you know who spends a lot of time behind a keyboard and they’ll thank you later.
See wrist pads on Amazon - G/O Media may get a commission
Blood, Sweat and Pixels
Disclaimer: This book about how video games are made and the struggles that happen behind closed doors was written by former Kotaku reporter Jason Schreier. Just wanted to be transparent about that. But even if it wasn’t, I’d still recommend this fascinating and informative look into how different kinds of video games are developed.
See Blood, Sweat and Tears on Amazon - G/O Media may get a commission
A cup holder for their desk
I’ve spilled a lot of drinks in my life while playing or writing at my desk. It sucks. Once I got a cup holder, things changed. I was still clumsy, but now I wasn’t knocking over tea or soda onto my keyboard and mouse. And a bonus: You can hang your headphones on a good cup holder. Just one caveat about this gift: Don’t go too cheap, as the cheapest ones tend to be less stable. Still, even a solid $20 or $25 cup holder can be wonderful!
See desk cup holders on Amazon - G/O Media may get a commission
DualSense Edge
Sony’s DualSense Edge offers a significant performance upgrade over the stock DualSense controller. With the ability to remap buttons on the device, replace thumbstick caps, and adjust the trigger response, the DualSense Edge lets you tune the controller to your liking. In our review of the DualSense Edge controller, we said:
The DualSense Edge feels premium. It’s sturdy and weighty in a way that makes the original DualSense feel like a toy. It’s got a glossy, detailed finish to its touchpad that draws the eye. It feels really good in your hands and looks good when you set it down.
See the DualSense Edge controller on Amazon - G/O Media may get a commission
Mad Max
I’m going to use this gift guide to quietly continue my efforts to make more people play the Mad Max open-world action game from 2015. It’s not the best game ever, sure, but it’s a blast that still holds up in 2023 and you can easily pick up a copy on PS4, Xbox One, or Steam for under $20 these days.
See Mad Max on Amazon - G/O Media may get a commission
Super tiny dice
These micro metal dice not only look cool, but they come in a tiny little metal container that is easy to carry around. Why would you want or need that? Well, you never know when you’ll need to roll a D20. Best be prepared at all times, I say.
See the Haxtec Mini Dice Set on Amazon - G/O Media may get a commission
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
If you can’t settle on any one game to get, a new Game Pass subscription or extra months tacked onto an existing one will give someone temporary access to hundreds of new and old games at no additional cost. There’s no discount pricing, so the per-month cost will be the same whether you buy a one-off or in bulk.
See Xbox Game Pass Ultimate at Best Buy - G/O Media may get a commission
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