The one-minute decision
| If… | Give |
|---|---|
| They've named a specific game, you know the console, and it has a disc drive or cartridge slot | The boxed game |
| You know the platform but not what they own or want | Store credit for that platform |
| Their console has no disc drive (Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X Digital, PS5 Digital Edition, PS5 Pro without the add-on drive) | Store credit or a game sent digitally |
| They're a teenager | Store credit, usually. Teens tend to know exactly what they want. |
| They play online with friends but don't have a membership | A membership |
| You don't know the console at all | Find out first. See how to check. |
When a boxed game wins
A boxed game is the better gift when you're confident about it. It's something to unwrap, it can be lent to a sibling or friend, and a sealed copy can be returned if you guessed wrong. Physical games can also be resold or traded in later, which digital games can't.
Two cautions. First, not every box contains the game: many Switch 2 games come as Game-Key Cards, which unlock a download, and some other boxed games contain only a download code. Second, the shift away from discs is accelerating. Sony has said it will stop producing physical discs for new PlayStation games starting in January 2028, though existing disc games stay available. For a gift this year, physical is still a perfectly good choice.
When store credit wins
Store credit is the right gift more often than people think, especially for older kids, teens and adults who already game. It never lands on a game they already own. It can go toward exactly what they want, including add-ons and sale games. And it works on consoles with no disc drive.
| Platform | Buy this | Works on |
|---|---|---|
| PlayStation | PlayStation Store gift card | PS4, PS5 and PS5 Pro |
| Xbox | Xbox gift card | Xbox consoles and the Xbox app on PC |
| Nintendo | Nintendo eShop card | Switch, Switch Lite, Switch OLED and Switch 2 |
| PC / Steam Deck | Steam gift card | Their Steam account |
You can find digital and physical versions of all of these at major retailers, for example PlayStation Store cards, Xbox cards, Nintendo eShop cards and Steam cards.
The forgotten option: a membership
Each console has a paid membership. For most paid games, it's required to play online, and the higher tiers add a rotating library of games. If they play online and don't already have one, it's a genuinely useful gift.
| Membership | What it does | Official US price (checked October 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch Online | Online play on Switch and Switch 2, plus a library of classic games | $19.99/year individual, $34.99/year family. The Expansion Pack adds more: $49.99 individual, $79.99 family. |
| PlayStation Plus | Online play on all tiers. Extra and Premium add a game library. | 12 months: Essential $79.99, Extra $134.99, Premium $159.99 |
| Xbox Game Pass | All console tiers include online play. Higher tiers add more games. | Monthly: Essential $9.99, Premium $14.99, Ultimate $22.99 |
Many free-to-play games, like Fortnite, can be played online without a membership. Our subscription vs. ownership guide goes deeper on which tier is worth it.
Memberships auto-renew on the account they're attached to, so many people already pay for one without thinking about it. Ask before buying, or a gift membership may just extend one they already have. That's still useful, but less exciting.
Gift card rules that trip people up
- Match the country. PlayStation Store codes have to match the account's region, and Nintendo eShop cards only work in the country or region they were sold for. If you're buying for someone abroad, buy the card from a store in their country.
- Buy from a major retailer. Cheap codes from unofficial resale sites can be invalid or revoked. The FTC also warns against buying gift cards from online auction sites, because they may be fake or stolen.
- Check the packaging. In a store, make sure the protective sticker is intact and the PIN isn't exposed. Keep the receipt and a photo of the card.
- Gift cards usually can't be returned. Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart and GameStop all treat gift cards or digital codes as non-returnable. See store return rules.
Gift cards are for gifts, not payments. The FTC is blunt about this: no real business or government agency will ever tell you to pay them with a gift card. If someone asks for gift card numbers, it's a scam.
How to make a gift card feel personal
- Pair it with a small physical gift, like a controller grip, a game-themed mug or a charging stand for their console.
- Name the game it's for. "This is for the new Zelda" turns credit into a gift. Ask a parent or friend what they've been talking about.
- Send a game directly instead of credit, on platforms that support it. Our guide on how to gift a digital game explains how on each platform.
Back to the main gift guide.
Quick answers
Do video game gift cards work in any country?
No. PlayStation Store and Nintendo eShop codes only work on accounts from the matching country or region. Buy the card in the same country as their account.
Will a PlayStation gift card work on a PS4 and a PS5?
Yes. PlayStation Store credit goes onto their account and can be spent on games for either console.
Will a Nintendo eShop card work on a Switch 2?
Yes. The eShop is shared across the original Switch and the Switch 2, so the credit works on both, as long as the card matches their account's region.
Is a game subscription a good gift?
Often, yes, if they don't already have one. A Nintendo Switch Online membership is inexpensive, and PlayStation Plus or Xbox Game Pass unlock online play and a library of games. Check whether they already pay for one first.
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