At a glance
| Platform | Gift a specific game? | Best alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Steam | ✅ Yes, and you can schedule delivery | Steam gift card |
| Xbox | ✅ Yes, to an Xbox friend or by email | Xbox gift card |
| PlayStation | ❌ No | PlayStation Store card or PlayStation Plus |
| Nintendo | ❌ Not through the eShop | eShop card or a retailer download code |
Steam (PC and Steam Deck)
Steam has the most complete gifting system of any platform.
- Open the game's store page and add it to your cart.
- In the cart, choose to buy it as a gift.
- Pick the person from your Steam friends list.
- Choose to send it now or schedule it for a later date, such as Christmas morning.
- Add a short message and complete the purchase.
If they don't accept the gift, Steam refunds it. Steam's refund rule (within 14 days of purchase and under 2 hours played) also applies to gifts, and the money goes back to you, the buyer. Valve updated its gifting options in 2026, so you may also see options like sending by email at checkout. The person still needs a Steam account to redeem the game.
If they keep a public Steam wish list, buy something from it. You'll know it's something they want, and that they don't already own it.
Xbox
Xbox lets you buy many games as a gift for someone else.
- On an Xbox console or the Xbox app on PC: choose the gift option on the game's store page, then pick an Xbox friend or enter an email address.
- On the web store: gifting is by email address.
The person has to be in the same country as you. They'll get a code to redeem on their account. Remember that Xbox digital purchases aren't generally refundable, so be sure about the game before you send it.
PlayStation
PlayStation doesn't offer a way to send a specific game to someone else's account. Your options are:
- A PlayStation Store gift card. It works on PS4 and PS5, and you can tell them which game it's meant for. Buy it in the same country as their account, because codes have to match the account's region.
- A PlayStation Plus membership, if they play online and don't already have one.
- A physical copy, if their PS5 has a disc drive.
Some retailers sell digital download codes for specific PlayStation games. These work like gift cards but unlock one game. Buy them only from major retailers, and check the region.
Nintendo Switch and Switch 2
The Nintendo eShop has no gifting feature. Instead:
- Give a Nintendo eShop card. It works on both the original Switch and the Switch 2, but only in the country or region it was sold for.
- Buy a digital download code from a retailer. Many stores sell codes for specific Nintendo games, which they redeem in the eShop.
- Give the physical version. Most Nintendo consoles take cartridges, so a boxed game is often the easiest Nintendo gift. Just check whether it's for Switch or Switch 2. See how to tell them apart.
Nintendo eShop purchases are final and generally non-refundable, so a code you redeem on your own account can't be passed on. Give the code, don't redeem it.
Before you send anything
- Confirm the platform. A Steam gift is useless to a PlayStation player.
- Check they don't own it already. A wish list is the easiest way.
- Match the country. Codes and gifts are usually tied to the account's region.
- Check the rating if it's for a child. See ESRB ratings explained.
- Keep the confirmation email until they've redeemed it.
Still deciding between a game and credit? Read gift card vs. physical game, or head back to the main gift guide.
Quick answers
Can you gift a game on PS5?
Not a specific game, no. PlayStation doesn't offer a way to send a particular game to another account. Give a PlayStation Store gift card, a PlayStation Plus membership, or a physical copy instead.
Can you gift a game on Nintendo Switch or Switch 2?
Not through the eShop. Nintendo's store has no gifting feature. You can buy a Nintendo eShop card or a digital download code for a specific game from a retailer and give them the code.
Can I schedule a Steam gift for Christmas morning?
Yes. When you buy a game as a gift on Steam, you can choose to send it to a friend right away or schedule delivery for a later date.
What happens if they already own the game I gift on Steam?
They can decline the gift. Steam refunds a gift that isn't accepted, and an unredeemed gift can also be refunded within Steam's normal refund window.
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