The best gifts for gamers who have everything are things that are not games: a soundtrack on vinyl, a building set, a retro console that plugs into a modern TV, a controller or dock upgrade, custom keycaps, a cookbook, or a board game. Pick by what their shelf is missing, not what their library is.
I have played games most of my life, and the people who are hardest to shop for are the ones with a full shelf and a full backlog. Another game is the wrong move. Instead, look for gifts that sit next to the hobby: things to hear, build, eat, display or upgrade. The table below sums up every pick, and the sections after it say who each one is really for.
Gifts for gamers who have everything at a glance
Prices are ranges found on maker stores and big US retailers on November 8, 2026. They move, so treat them as a guide. Subscription prices are set by the platform.
| Gift idea | Best for | Price today |
|---|---|---|
| Game soundtrack on vinyl | Music lovers, nostalgia fans | about $43 for a double LP |
| Game Boy building set | Adults who like to build | about $60 |
| Atari 2600+ console | Retro collectors | about $130 |
| Wireless controller upgrade | Switch and PC players | $60 to $70 |
| Controller charging dock | Anyone with an Xbox pad | $20 to $25 single, $30 to $45 dual |
| Custom keycaps | PC players with a mechanical keyboard | about $40 for a full set |
| Game-inspired cookbook | Cooks who play | $21 to $35 |
| Wingspan board game | Players who want a night off screens | $60 to $66 |
| Switch Online Expansion Pack | Switch owners on the basic plan | $49.99 a year single, $79.99 family |
If you want the standard list of subscriptions, headsets and gift cards, our best gifts for gamers guide covers those. This one is for the person who already owns all of it.
What is a good gift for a gamer who has everything?
Think about the hours around the game. Gamers listen to music, cook, build, collect and argue about old consoles too. A gift that touches the hobby from the side feels thoughtful because it shows you noticed what they love, not just what they own. The nine ideas below follow that rule.
Game soundtrack vinyl
This is my favorite pick on the list, because a soundtrack is the part of a game people carry in their heads for decades. A record turns that into something you can put on while you make dinner. If your gamer has ever hummed a dungeon theme, they will understand the gift right away.
One example is the Hero of Time double LP, about $43, a symphony-orchestra recording of the Ocarina of Time score on colored vinyl. Stock comes and goes by pressing, so order early or gift a photo of the cover. For something lighter, Joystick Jazz is a big-band album of game themes at about $25 to $38, depending on the edition. Skip it if they don’t own a turntable.
A Game Boy you build yourself
If your gamer is the kind who keeps old cartridges in a box, the LEGO Game Boy set is a fun one. It is a build, so it works as an evening project, and it ends up as a shelf piece that looks like the real thing. Adults who grew up with the handheld tend to smile the second they see the box. It is one of those gifts that starts a story about the first game they ever owned.
The set is number 72046, with 421 pieces, and is rated for ages 18 and up. It sells for about $60. Skip it if they want something to play: it’s a shelf piece, so nobody will be playing Tetris on it.
A retro console that plugs into a modern TV
Here is the big swing. The Atari 2600+ is a new console built to run the original Atari cartridges, and it connects to a modern TV by HDMI. If the person you are shopping for still has a few old cartridges in a closet, this gift gives them a reason to dig those out. It is pure nostalgia, and a little silly in the best way.
It costs $129.99. The box includes the console, a joystick, a 10-in-1 game cartridge, an HDMI cable and a USB-C power cable. The power adapter is sold separately, which is easy to miss. It plays most Atari 2600 and 7800 cartridges. Skip it for anyone who wants modern graphics, since these games are simple and short. For a nostalgia buff like me, that is the whole charm. Our look at 90s pop culture and arcade nostalgia shows how strong that pull is for a lot of people.
A better controller for the gamer who has a few already
Most serious gamers own a controller or three, but a good upgrade still lands. The 8BitDo Ultimate 2 is a wireless pad that works with Nintendo Switch and Windows PC, with motion controls and remappable buttons. It is a strong pick for someone who plays on a PC or Switch and has been putting up with a worn-out pad. I like third-party controllers for exactly this reason: they cost less than a first-party pad and often add buttons.
Prices run about $60 to $70 across the maker’s store and a big retailer. Check the exact model before you buy, because 8BitDo sells several versions and each one works with different systems. A wrong match is the most common way this gift goes bad. Skip it if they play on PlayStation or Xbox.
A charging dock that ends dead batteries
This one is a small gift with a big payoff. A dock means the controller is always charged and always has a home, so nobody pulls a dead pad out of a couch cushion on game night. It also looks tidy on a shelf. For anyone who has stood in the living room hunting for AA batteries, it is a relief.
The 8BitDo charging dock for Xbox wireless controllers runs about $20 to $25. It is officially licensed by Xbox and works with Xbox Series and Xbox One controllers. The dual dock holds two controllers and runs about $30 to $45. Skip it for anyone without an Xbox pad, since it will not fit a PlayStation or Switch controller.
Custom keycaps for a mechanical keyboard
Keycaps are the cheapest way to make a keyboard look brand new. For a PC gamer who spends hours at a desk, swapping the caps is a small upgrade that makes the whole setup feel personal. It is also the rare gift that does not need a new keyboard, as long as you match the layout.
Keychron sells full 140-key PBT sets in themes such as Neon Night for about $40. Skip them if they type on a laptop or a membrane board, since caps only swap on a mechanical keyboard. The sets do not include a keyboard, and they come in ANSI and ISO layouts, which do not mix. ANSI is the usual US layout. Check the compatibility list for their board first.
A game-inspired cookbook
This is the gift for the gamer who also likes to cook, or who would like to. A cookbook of recipes inspired by a favorite game is a lovely way to turn a virtual meal into a real one. It works well as a gift for the whole house, because everyone gets to eat the results.
The Unofficial Zelda Cookbook, by Thibaud Villanova, is a hardcover with more than 50 recipes. It lists at $34.95, and I saw it on sale for $21.36. Note the word unofficial in the title. It is a fan-style book and not a Nintendo product, so the recipes are inspired by the game rather than taken from it. Skip it for someone who never cooks, or it ends up on the coffee table.
A board game for a night off the screen
A board game is a smart gift for a gamer, since it uses the same love of systems and strategy without a screen. Wingspan is my pick here. It is an engine-building game in which you attract birds to your own wildlife preserve, and each bird you add builds a chain of combinations. It rewards the same kind of planning that deck-builders and strategy fans enjoy. Winters in the Mountain West are long, and a game like this makes dark evenings go fast.
It plays one to five players, for ages 10 and up, and takes about 40 to 70 minutes. Designer Elizabeth Hargrave created it, and it won the 2019 Kennerspiel des Jahres award. Expect to pay $60 to $66, depending on whether you get the version with the Swift Start pack. Skip it if their game nights are big and loud; it tops out at five and rewards quiet planning.
A subscription tier upgrade
If your gamer already has a Switch and the basic online plan, the Expansion Pack tier is an upgrade they might never buy for themselves. That is what makes it a good gift. It adds a library of older games, so it speaks straight to the nostalgia crowd.
The Expansion Pack costs $49.99 a year for one person and $79.99 for a family, compared with $19.99 and $34.99 for the standard plans. The Expansion Pack library covers Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, Sega Genesis and Virtual Boy games, plus GameCube games that run only on Switch 2. Skip it if they already pay for it, or if their Switch time is all new releases. If you are unsure which plan they have, ask a friend or family member first. Our guide to Switch 2 games on Black Friday also explains how to spot a real sale if you want to add a game on top.
How do you pick the right one?
Start with what they do besides play. If they love music, buy the record. If they cook, buy the book. If they build or collect, go for the LEGO set or the Atari console. If they spend their time at a keyboard or a controller, pick the upgrade that makes that part nicer. A good match beats an expensive one every time.
Then check three things before you buy: the system or layout it works with, whether it ships in time, and the return window. Holiday orders sell out, and a few of these, such as the vinyl and the keycaps, can go out of stock fast. If this is for a December gift swap, order this week.
Frequently asked questions about gifts for gamers who have everything
What is the best gift for a gamer who has everything?
My pick is a game soundtrack on vinyl, because it is the one thing most gamers do not own and it lets them enjoy a favorite game in a new way. If they have no turntable, go for the LEGO Game Boy set instead.
What can I get a gamer under $50?
A charging dock at $20 to $25, a cookbook at $21 to $35, or a set of keycaps at about $40 all fit. I would take the dock if they own an Xbox controller and the keycaps if they use a compatible mechanical keyboard.
Are retro consoles a good gift?
Yes, if the person has a soft spot for old games and does not mind simple graphics. The Atari 2600+ is the best example, since it uses real cartridges. Skip it for someone who only cares about new releases.
Is a controller a good gift for a gamer who already has one?
It can be, if it fixes a problem they have, such as stick drift or too few buttons. Match the system first, because many controllers only work with one platform. A dock is a safer pick if you are not sure.
Prices are approximate, were gathered on November 8, 2026, and change often; confirm the current price before you buy.
Published November 8, 2026.
