It’s that time of the year once again. The holiday season is in full swing, and video games are sure to be some of the most requested gifts for friends and family. Later this week, on Thursday, December 11, we’ll be celebrating a stacked year at The Game Awards (which will be covered here on Men’s Journal with up-to-the-minute updates, news, and more) and also looking forward to what’s coming for video games in 2026.
A lot of stellar video games were released this year, as well as a new console, the Nintendo Switch 2, which has become the fastest-selling console in video game history. With so many excellent choices, here is a guide to help you sort out what to spend your hard-earned money on for your favorite gamers.
Nintendo Switch 2
The Nintendo Switch 2 is likely going to be one of the most requested holiday gifts this year. It has broken virtually every console record in terms of sales and has been generally well-received, despite some controversies, like the Game-Key Cards and the higher-than-expected price tag.
The console is currently priced at $450 for just the console or $500 if there are still game bundles available from earlier this year. The two different bundles include Mario Kart World or Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Both titles saw a mostly positive reception.
Mario Kart World is currently the only Switch 2 exclusive title that costs $80 new, so it’s generally recommended to buy that bundle if you or your loved one is interested in that game. You would ultimately be saving around $30.
Nintendo manufactured plenty of consoles and has had one of the smoothest launches of any modern game console, so it shouldn’t be too hard to find one at your nearest retailer or online. However, if you are interested in a Switch 2, you may want to buy one as soon as possible, as Nintendo has previously indicated that a price increase may be on the table for the U.S. due to the ongoing impacts of tariff legislation.
The Switch 2 is a great console, overall, and it will likely be a hot item this holiday season.
‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’
Leading The Game Awards nominations with a record-breaking 12 nominations, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a great option for any RPG fan. The game received glowing reviews and is widely considered one of the best games released in years. Expedition 33 was the debut game from developer Sandfall Interactive. It was praised for its clever implementation of turn-based combat with real-time dodges and parries, as well as its emotional narrative and sublime music.
Even better, the game is priced at $49.99, instead of the usual $69.99 for most new video game releases.
Xbox Game Pass Subscription
Xbox Game Pass had an impressive year. With day-one releases like Expedition 33, DOOM: The Dark Ages, Blue Prince, and several more, an Xbox Game Pass subscription might be one of the better options for gamers who plan on playing several games into 2026 on Xbox or PC.
Unfortunately, Xbox has increased the cost of Game Pass subscriptions, so it isn’t nearly as attractive as it once was. Nonetheless, it can be a great value for some people, depending on the number of games your favorite gamers plan on playing.
‘Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2’
One of 2025’s biggest hits, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, came out early this year, and it might be another stellar RPG to add to gamers’ collections.
Acting as a thorough medieval RPG simulation, the game is perfect for fans who want to truly role-play as a knight.
PlayStation Plus Subscription
It was a fairly quiet year for PlayStation and Sony, with Ghost of Yotei being the only major first-party release this year.
That being said, a PlayStation Plus subscription would give your gamers access to monthly free games, online play, and some exclusive discounts for future sales.
‘Donkey Kong Bananza’
Nintendo’s biggest game of the year, Donkey Kong Bananza, released to critical and commercial success, exclusively for the Switch 2. Bananza stars the titular Donkey Kong, as he partners up with teenager Pauline in search of bananas and a way home.
Bananza is great fun for all ages, making it an excellent choice for children and adults.
‘Metroid Prime 4: Beyond’
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond was released last Thursday and saw a mostly positive reception, despite becoming the lowest-rated Metroid Prime game.
Fans of the series have been waiting 18 years for this sequel, and while it won’t please everyone, it might be the best holiday gift for Metroid fans.
‘Silent Hill f’
If you are buying gifts for a horror fan, Silent Hill f might be the best horror game of 2025. Featuring a deep narrative, sophisticated atmosphere, and a strong art direction, Silent Hill f may have put the series back on the map.
A recent update added an even easier mode to the game to make it more accessible, so if Soulslike combat isn’t your cup of tea, the game will likely appeal to gamers who love narrative-driven games.
‘Marvel Rivals’ Units
Marvel Rivals just celebrated its first anniversary, and units, one of the in-game currencies, can be gifted to friends and family to buy cosmetics for their favorite Marvel heroes.
The game itself is free-to-play and has proven itself as a worthy Overwatch competitor in the Hero Shooter genre. The game is still going strong, with Rogue set to be released with the start of Season 5.5 on Friday, December 12, finally joining her husband, Gambit, who was the Season 5 character release.
Gift Cards
If you’re unsure what to buy for your favorite gamers, then you can’t go wrong with a gift card. There are several big releases coming in 2026, including Resident Evil Requiem in February and Grand Theft Auto 6 next November (assuming it doesn’t get delayed again).
Or, your gamer may want to use it to buy other great 2025 games, like Blue Prince, Split Fiction, Death Stranding 2, and many more. Better yet, it will allow them to choose if they want their games physically or digitally.
