Detective work you can do at home
- Check the console. Know the exact model before buying anything. Our console guide shows how to tell them apart.
- Look at their wish list. Steam wish lists are often public, and some people keep Amazon lists too.
- Ask their gaming friends. The people they play online with know what they're waiting for.
- Listen for complaints. "My controller keeps drifting," "I'm out of space," "my headset's broken." Those are gift requests.
Gifts that fix a complaint
| If they've said… | Give |
|---|---|
| "My controller is drifting" or "my stick is broken" | A new official controller for their console. See our drift guide. |
| "I have to delete games to install new ones" | A storage upgrade that fits their console. See console storage. |
| "My headset died" or "nobody can hear me" | A headset. See headset vs. mic. |
| "I can't play online" | A membership for their console |
| "I want to play in bed" (PS5) | A PlayStation Portal. See gifts for PS5 owners. |
These gifts land well because they show you were paying attention, and they're used every day.
Games to play together
If you'd like to share the hobby, a two-player game is one of the most thoughtful gifts you can give. These are designed for exactly that:
Split Fiction
A wildly inventive co-op adventure. The free Friend's Pass means only one of you needs to own it. Rated T for Blood and Gore, Crude Humor, Language and Violence.
Check price SIBTG verdictIt Takes Two
A co-op adventure about a couple, which makes it a natural gift between partners. Rated T.
Check price SIBTG verdictOvercooked! All You Can Eat or Mario Kart World
Lighter, shorter sessions that work for any skill level. Overcooked is on most platforms. Mario Kart World is on Switch 2, with assists for a new player.
Overcooked Mario Kart WorldMore ideas: our couples co-op guide and family game night picks.
If you want to give a game
New releases are risky, because gamers often pre-order or buy on launch day. If you do buy a game:
- Confirm they don't own it. Their friends or wish list will tell you.
- Know what's coming. Grand Theft Auto VI arrives November 19, 2026 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, and many fans pre-ordered. Check our GTA 6 hub before you buy.
- Use their taste. Story fans: RPG and story picks. Sports fans: this year's sports games.
- Or give credit with a note. "This is for the game you keep talking about" is thoughtful, not lazy. See gift card vs. physical game.
Back to the main gift guide.
Quick answers
What's a good gaming gift for a boyfriend or girlfriend?
Something that fixes a problem they've mentioned, like a new controller, more storage or a headset, or a two-player co-op game you can play together. If you don't know their taste, store credit with a note naming the game it's for works well.
What games can couples play together if one person doesn't game?
Split Fiction and It Takes Two are designed for two players and are excellent for couples. Split Fiction's Friend's Pass lets the second player join without buying a copy. Both are rated T. For something lighter, Overcooked or Mario Kart World work for any skill level.
How do I find out what games my partner wants?
Check whether they have a public wish list on Steam, listen for games they mention, or quietly ask a friend they play online with. Their friends usually know exactly what they're waiting for.
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