Why store credit often wins
With younger kids, picking a game is a pleasure. With teens, it's a gamble. They often already own the big releases, many of the games they play are free, and what they actually want is frequently an add-on or in-game item you couldn't pick for them.
That's why store credit for their platform (PlayStation Store, Xbox, Nintendo eShop or Steam) is often the gift a teen will genuinely use. It has to match their console and their account's country. Our gift card guide covers the rules, and how to gift a digital game explains how to send a specific game on Steam and Xbox.
Ask a parent or friend what they've been talking about, then write "for the new Zelda" or "for your next Fortnite season" on the card. It turns credit into a thoughtful gift.
Games teens are playing (E10+ and T)
Marvel's Spider-Man 2
A blockbuster superhero adventure, and one of the most popular single-player games on PS5. Rated T for Blood, Drug Reference, Mild Language and Violence.
Check priceHollow Knight: Silksong
A challenging, beautifully made adventure that many teens love precisely because it's hard. Rated E10+. Good for teens who like a challenge more than shooters.
Check priceThe Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Switch 2 remake)
A remake of one of the most celebrated games ever made, releasing November 5, 2026. It's priced at $59.99 digital and $69.99 physical. A strong gift for a teen with a Switch 2, as long as they haven't pre-ordered it.
Check priceFortnite and Marvel Rivals (free to play)
Two of the biggest online games among teens. Both are free and rated T, with Users Interact and in-game purchases (Marvel Rivals includes random items). The gift here is store credit for their platform, not the game.
Sports games
The yearly sports games are rated E, which surprises a lot of people, and they're a reliable gift for a sports fan:
- Madden NFL 27: PS5, Xbox Series, Switch 2 and PC. Check price
- EA Sports FC 27: all major platforms. Check price
- NBA 2K27: PS5, Xbox Series, Switch 2 and PC. Check price
All three carry In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items) for their card-pack modes. Set a spending limit if that's a concern. And check they don't already have this year's edition: sports fans often buy it at launch.
The M-rated question
Two of the biggest games of the season are rated M (Mature 17+), and plenty of teens will ask for them:
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, released October 23, 2026 on PS5, Xbox Series, PC and Switch 2. Rated M for Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language and Use of Drugs.
- Grand Theft Auto VI, releasing November 19, 2026 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S only. Rated M for Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Sexual Content, Strong Language, and Use of Drugs and Alcohol, among other descriptors. The Standard Edition is $79.99. Our GTA 6 hub covers the details.
Ask the parent before buying an M-rated game for anyone under 17. It's a family decision, and a gift that gets confiscated isn't much of a gift. Our ESRB guide explains what the descriptors mean.
Gifts that aren't games
For a teen who already has the games they want, useful gear is often the better surprise:
- A second or better controller, especially if theirs has started to drift. See controller picks.
- Extra storage, because big games fill consoles fast. See what each console takes.
- A headset for chatting with friends. See headset vs. mic.
- A membership, if they play online and don't already have one.
Our console gamer gift guide and PC gamer gift guide go deeper. Back to the main gift guide.
Quick answers
Is GTA VI appropriate for a teenager?
GTA VI is rated M (Mature 17+) for Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Sexual Content, Strong Language, and Use of Drugs and Alcohol, among other descriptors. It releases November 19, 2026 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. For anyone under 17, it's a parent's decision.
Is a gift card a lazy gift for a teenager?
Not usually. Teens often have specific games, add-ons or in-game items in mind, and store credit lets them get exactly that. Pairing it with a small physical gift or a note about what it's for makes it feel personal.
Are sports games OK for teens?
Madden NFL 27, EA Sports FC 27 and NBA 2K27 are all rated E. They do include In-Game Purchases with random items, like card packs, so it's worth setting a spending limit.
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