The Pitch’s 2023 holiday gift recommendations for the gamers in your orbit
Kansas City gamers have a serious problem: 2023 gave us way too many games to play. Whether the game player in your life is into shooters, RPGs, platformers, strategy, adventure, or fighting games, this year brought no shortage of stellar experiences to get lost in. Now, with the holidays at our doorsteps, you’re probably looking for the best video game presents for your friends and family. It wasn’t easy, but we did our best to sort out 2023’s best games and gaming accessories.
Looking for a better controller to improve your friends’ Call of Duty skills? We can help. Need a fun multiplayer game to crack open at a party? Look no further. Do you need just one more person to tell you to play Baldur’s Gate 3 before you finally give in? We’ve got you covered. PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC players will all find something to love in our list.
DISCLAIMER: You’ll be able to find most of these games and accessories at your local retailers. However, some titles are only available on digital storefronts like the PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, Nintendo eShop, and Steam. In the case that a game is not available to pick up at the store and you still want to surprise your loved ones with a pre-chosen gift, we recommend using each store’s respective gifting options. You can find a few links to instructions for popular digital gift methods below.
In the case that digital gift options are unavailable, gift cards are another great way to surprise your loved ones. If they’re not sure what to buy with their gift cards, we’ve got plenty of great games to choose from here.
–PlayStation
–Xbox
–Nintendo eShop
–Steam
For The Die-Hard Action Fan
Metroid Prime Remastered
This is easily one of the safest purchase options in our guide. Since its release in 2002, Metroid Prime has cemented itself as one of the most important and timeless video games ever made. In fact, its tight sci-fi gameplay holds up so well that Nintendo remastered the experience with vastly improved visuals, sound, control options, and more earlier this year. Samus Aran’s debut first-person adventure story game is a must-play, and thanks to Metroid Prime Remastered, there has never been a better time to dive in.
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
Price: $39.99
Lies of P
Lies of P is a terribly named gem that found a solid amount of success a few months back. Despite its bizarre title, Lies of P is actually a dark retelling of a familiar tale: Pinocchio. Yes, the “P” is short for the name of the little wooden character we all know. However, in this grim alternate universe version of the classic fable, Pinocchio is a fully armed puppet who is tasked with tracking down their creator, Geppetto, and saving the city of Krat. It’s a badass facelift for an otherwise cutesy, classic story with a Bloodborne-like world and Dark Souls-like gameplay. What’s not to love?
Platforms: PC, Mac, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X | S
Price: $59.99
Final Fantasy XVI
Yeah, Final Fantasy XVI is the 16th entry in Square Enix’s long-running RPG series, but don’t let the big number sway you. You don’t need to know a thing about the world of Final Fantasy to get some enjoyment from this all-out action game. The story channels Game of Thrones while pummeling players with a healthy dose of epic set-pieces every few minutes. Heck, even the first few minutes see players take control of a giant monster battle that we could only ever imagine in our dreams. One step into this world, and your loved one will never look back. It’s really that good.
Platforms: PS5
Price: $69.99
Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1
The Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 is a bundle of three of the best story-driven stealth-action games ever made: Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, and Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. Better yet, the pack also comes with two other classics, Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake. Solid Snake and Big Boss’ stories are crammed with twists and turns with gameplay that encourages careful planning and quick thinking. These remasters, admittedly, could have been given more love in terms of new or improved features but are a much-needed gateway into a franchise that has kept fans enthralled for decades. The value is undeniable.
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X | S
Price: $59.99
For The Future Astronaut
Planet of Lana
Let’s be honest, if your loved one is a gamer, they’ve probably already played through Starfield a dozen times. Instead, Planet of Lana offers a breezy trip through a crumbling world that puts an emphasis on story and atmosphere. Watercolor visuals paint every corner of a universe that is as bleak as it is beautiful, while puzzle adventure gameplay ties it all together. Both dream and nightmare, Planet of Lana is a space trip with a lot to give for every kind of gamer.
Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X | S
Price: $19.99
The Invincible
If Planet of Lana is heads, The Invincible is tails. Story and atmosphere are just as vital here as they are in Planet of Lana, but instead of taking place in a hand-painted, sci-fi world, this adventure sends players to the desolate planet of Regis III. Based on Stanisław Lem’s novel of the same name, developer Starward Industries’ recently released space game has players suit up as Yasna, an astrobiologist who is searching for her lost crew. The lonely, retro-futuristic settings of Regis III put story on a pedestal with stunning visuals that aim to capture and keep your attention as the mystery unravels itself. If your friends are looking to lose themselves on a strange world, then this might be the space adventure for you.
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X | S
Price: $29.99
Dead Space Remake
There is no other way to put it–playing Dead Space feels like living in a nightmare. You play as Isaac Clarke, an engineer sent to help out with a giant mining ship known as the USG Ishimura. Isaac arrives with a crew, but after a brief interaction with some flesh-eating zombies with knives for hands, Isaac finds himself wandering the ship’s cold metal halls alone. There are a million things that made the original Dead Space stand out when it originally launched in 2008, and now, with this year’s remake, we have what might be the definitive version of this story. It’s one of the scariest action-adventure thriller games of all time, but it’s also a creative take on survival horror with brutal sci-fi combat that no one has ever truly replicated.
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X | S
Price: $69.99
Starfield
OK, yeah, you should buy your friends and family Starfield. It’s Bethesda Game Studios’ latest sprawling RPG adventure, and although a bit divisive, its quality is unquestionable. While games like Fallout 3 and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim give players one dense world to explore, this space experience offers thousands of planets to pick apart. There is spaceship travel, a smorgasbord of weapons, unique civilizations, fascinating characters, an enthralling story, and much, much more. The only reason you shouldn’t pick this one up is if the person you’re buying for already has it, and honestly, they probably do.
Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X | S
Price: $69.99
For The Smartest In The Room
The Talos Principle 2
Easily one of the best puzzle experiences in years, The Talos Principle 2 sets players loose in a futuristic world that prides itself on a laundry list of tasks that aim to push your brain to its limit. Gravity and mind transference puzzles add to the series’ already impressive list of mechanics, but what makes this sequel a thoroughly mind-bending experience is its setting and subject matter. This follow-up story takes place in a city of robots where choices matter, and thankfully, you don’t really need to have played the first game to fully understand what’s going on in the sequel. It’s an endless sea of well-thought-out puzzles to enjoy.
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X | S
Price: $29.99
Viewfinder
Video games like Portal revolutionized the puzzle genre back in 2007. Viewfinder doesn’t quite reach the highs of classic games like that, but it comes damn close. Instead of blasting portals to solve brain-teasers, players will find themselves snapping photos and using them to find answers for perspective-based riddles. Testing the limits of such a creative mechanic never gets old, especially when it allows players to solve puzzles in a variety of ways. You’ll always feel like a genius—and a stellar photographer—no matter what Viewfinder throws at you.
Platforms: PC, PS5
Price: $24.99
Cocoon
Cocoon is one of this year’s biggest surprises. This otherworldly puzzle adventure game sees players travel to worlds within worlds, with each new location bringing new elements to wrap your brain around. It’s a gameplay loop that is designed to keep your mind working, and it pulls it off so well. This is one of those games that you need to see to fully understand, and even then, you might not understand exactly what you’re looking at. Make sure to watch the trailer above for a better look, but just trust us when we say that this alien puzzle game is absolutely worth your time.
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X | S
Price: $24.99
For Those In Need Of A Power Trip
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
If there is a game in our guide that needs no introduction, it’s Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. This sequel to PlayStation’s 2018 giant builds on Peter Parker’s story with a host of new features. Peter can now glide through New York City like he’s Superman, and he’s got the power of the symbiote suit and some gnarly robot legs to help him beat down crime, too. The story is bigger and, dare we say, better this time around. Oh, we forgot to mention: you can now play as Miles Morales in this game too, and he’s got his own suite of superhero abilities. Even if your loved one isn’t the world’s biggest Spidey fan, it’s hard to beat the feeling of swinging through one of the most famous cities in the world.
Platforms: PS5
Price: $69.99
RoboCop: Rogue City
RoboCop is an unstoppable force in this year’s latest movie spinoff, which takes place in between the events of the second and third movies. While fans of the ‘80s action series will definitely get the most out of this venture in the world of games, you don’t need to be too familiar with RoboCop lore to have a blast as you tear through the bad guys of dystopian Detroit. It’s downright ridiculous how powerful RoboCop and his arsenal of weapons are from the get-go, but that’s kind of the point. It’s simple, unrestricted, bloody action, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X | S
Price: $59.99
Resident Evil 4 Remake
Resident Evil 4 star Leon S. Kennedy isn’t exactly known as an all-powerful lead character. He begins this adventure with little more than a pistol. However, by the end of Resident Evil 4, players will have amassed a collection of weapons and bonuses so glorious that Leon can be unstoppable. Assault rifles, snipers, shotguns, mine launchers, the list goes on. God, you can even access a rocket launcher with infinite ammo if you play your cards right. Resident Evil 4 and this year’s remake are fantastic and even difficult if you want them to be, but they can also make players feel unkillable.
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X | S
Price: $59.99
For The Gamer Searching For Hidden Gems
Dredge
You know that sinking feeling you get when you’re in a boat, looking over the edge, and you’re unable to see the seafloor? On the surface, this exploration adventure game looks like little more than a fishing experience with soft visuals. What starts as a serene trip into the ocean quickly turns into a Lovecraftian ordeal with terrible beasts that are ready to tear your little tugboat apart. With vibrant waters and dark demons lurking beneath the depths, there’s nothing quite like Dredge.
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X | S
Price: $24.99
Bomb Rush Cyberfunk
Bomb Rush Cyberfunk is, basically, “vibes: the game.” In this Jet Set Radio spiritual successor, you play as a graffiti writer named Red. You can the rest of the Bomb Rush crew embark on a cell-shaded journey with killer tunes and one of the slickest movement systems in games. You can roller-skate, skateboard, and bike your way across All City while racking up combos by performing stylish tricks. It looks almost as good as it feels to play, which, as you can tell from the trailer we’ve provided, is quite the compliment.
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X | S
Price: $39.99
World of Horror
World of Horror is developer panstasz’s attempt to turn legendary artist Junji Ito’s iconic horror style into a full-fledged video game. It works astoundingly well as a point-and-click adventure with roguelite elements that are sure to keep you coming back again and again. The small-town setting and pixelated style might make World of Horror seem unassuming on the surface, but in reality, this is a monster of an indie game that has been overlooked by far too many.
Platforms: PC, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5
Price: $19.99
Venba
Venba tells the story of an immigrant woman, her family, and the role food plays in their lives. You’ll be able to sit through this entire experience in, at most, two hours, making for a brief but touching outing that spans across years of this family’s life. More than anything, though, Venba offers an opportunity to explore Indian Canadian culture through a vivid lens and savory gameplay, making for a focused experience and one of this year’s very best games.
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X | S
Price: $14.99
For The Wannabe Dragon Slayer
Baldur’s Gate 3
Developer Larian Studios sought to create the ultimate Dungeons & Dragons video game, and they succeeded. This massive turn-based RPG adventure tells an intriguing story, but the real draw comes from its unrestricted freedom. You and, if you want, your friends can interact with this world and characters in nearly any way you want. It leads to moments that are equally funny and epic, resulting in an experience that truly mimics the joy of leading a campaign with friends. Many have already started calling Baldur’s Gate 3 one of the best video games of all time, and it’s hard to argue against them.
Platforms: PC, Mac, PS5, Xbox Series X | S
Price: $69.99
Sea of Stars
While Baldur’s Gate 3 successfully pushes RPGs forward, Sea of Stars looks back fondly at the titles that helped pioneer the genre. This gorgeous pixel story follows the Children of Solstice, two protagonists who can harness the power of the sun and moon to perform magic. In between glistening turn-based combat, players can swim, vault, and run across a glistening fairytale world that is brimming with life. It’s a dream come to life with characters and activities to lose hours to.
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X | S
Price: $34.99
Forspoken
If you’ve heard anything about Forspoken in the last year, it probably wasn’t good. Fans had high expectations going into this ambitious fantasy action game, but sadly, after some trailers revealed bits of awkward dialogue and strange characters, players were quick to dogpile on Forspoken. The truth is that while the Square Enix video game isn’t quite game-of-the-year material, it still offers a unique story and jaw-droppingly beautiful combat. It was unfairly judged, but if you’re still not sold, you can bet you’ll see some good deals if you look hard enough.
Platforms: PC, PS5
Price: $49.99
For The Gamer Who Likes To Snuggle Up On A Cold Day
Unpacking
Although Unpacking was released back in 2021, its age doesn’t change the fact that it is the quintessential cozy game. Your goal is to organize your character’s room by, well, unpacking and carefully placing all of their belongings. You’ll follow the protagonist through the stages of their life as their material possessions change with them. Developer Witch Beam created a beautiful marriage between gameplay and story with attention to detail that rivals some of the most polished games of the last decade. It’s probably easiest to describe Unpacking as a relaxing game with light puzzle elements, but in reality, it’s a thoughtful tearjerker packed with love.
Platforms: PC, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X | S
Price: $19.99
A Little to the Left
If you take a magnifying glass to our last game, you get A Little to the Left. Instead of large-scale sorting and decorating, this organization game leans harder into puzzle territory as it asks players to sort household items. The soft art style is emphasized by intuitive gameplay that never intrudes on the chill vibes present in every corner of A Little to the Left. It’s so immersive, in fact, that the developers included an in-game cat that periodically comes by to cause mischief. How could you possibly be mad at them?
Platforms: PC, Mac, Nintendo Switch
Price: $14.99
Fae Farm
If you enjoy Animal Crossing but have grown tired of the slow gameplay and obtuse design choices, Fae Farm might be what you’re looking for. This cutesy farming simulator takes everything farming simulators have done in the past decade and streamlines all of it, making for an incredibly low-stress adventure that you can even play with friends. It’s far from revolutionary, but Stardew Valley fans hungry for another sim game that has just a tinge of action will almost surely find something to love in Fae Farm.
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch
Price: $39.99 (PC) / $59.99 (Switch)
For The Social Butterly
Party Animals
Party Animals lets players join up, dress as cute little animals, and beat the living daylights out of each other. It’s…kind of hard to come up with a better pitch than that. Party Animals is pure, simple nonsense, and it’s a fantastic party game to surprise your friends with.
Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X | S
Price: $19.99
Dead Island 2
You might not have expected to see a post-apocalyptic zombie game pop up under the party game section, but it’s true; Dead Island 2 offers a great multiplayer experience to sink your teeth into. At its core, the sequel encourages players to think on their toes as they sift through torn apart beach houses and littered, sun-soaked roads. Making use of your surroundings to mow through armies of undead is dumb fun, but it’s even better—and goofier—with someone else to do it with.
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X | S
Price: $59.99
Moving Out 2
The essence of moving stresses has been captured and put into video game form—again. The chaos is upped for the sequel, with more bizarre levels and ridiculous obstacles added in every level. You’ll be rewarded for your coordination, but honestly, you’ll probably have more fun if you let your clumsy side take over. As long as you know what you’re getting into, this is another easy title to recommend
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X | S
Price: $29.99
For The PlayStation Player
DualSense Edge Controller
The DualSense Edge is Sony’s premium PS5 controller. It supports changeable stick caps, customizable button mapping, adjustable triggers, and more to ensure ideal comfort and performance. In other words, if your recipient spends hours playing competitive games, they’ve probably already been ogling over one of these for a long time. If you’re cool with meeting its high price point, then this controller is an easy pickup that your loved one will use until the PS6 inevitably rolls around.
Price: $199.99
PlayStation Plus
This one’s kind of a no-brainer. To play the vast majority of PlayStation games online, you’ll need a PlayStation Plus subscription. You have the option to start or extend your recipient’s PlayStation with one-month, three-month, or even year-long subscription options, but if you’re feeling really spicy, you can look into some of the other PlayStation Plus tiers. The standard Essential tier nets your basic offerings, including monthly bonus games, while the Extra tier sees subscribers gain access to a solid library of modern games. Meanwhile, the pricey Premium tier allows access to everything offered in the previous options while allowing access to old-school classics that you might remember from the original PlayStation, the PlayStation 2, and the PlayStation 3. Even if you don’t grab one of those high-end subs, it’s never a bad idea to extend that original subscription by a few months.
Essential – $9.99/month
Extra – $14.99/month
Premium – $17.99/month
For The Xbox Gamer
Xbox Elite Controller Series 2
The Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 is Microsoft’s take on the premium controller option. With more interchangeable parts and a slightly cheaper price point, this option is essentially a slightly better version of the DualSense Edge. It’ll still cost you a pretty penny, but your loved ones will never put it down.
Price: $179.99
Game Pass
Here is your evergreen holiday gift: Xbox Game Pass. If you can’t pick one game for your loved one, why not get them all of the games? This subscription service comes with a library of titles that range from unforgettable classics to brand-new releases. For example, Starfield, one of the easiest must-buys of the years, came to Game Pass Ultimate subscribers on its launch day for no additional cost – and it’s still there now. It’s long been hailed as the best value in gaming, and there’s a good reason for that. Go ahead and click this link for the full list of titles the service grants access to and then never look back.
Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X | S
Price:
PC or Console – $9.99/month
Game Pass Ultimate (both PC & Console) – $16.99/month
For The Nintendo Switch Enthusiast
Pikmin 4
Let’s be real—if your loved one has a Nintendo Switch, they’ve probably already picked up Super Mario Bros. Wonder and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. What they might have missed out on, however, is the latest entry in the brilliant Pikmin series. The fourth installment in Nintendo’s miniaturized alien strategy franchise brings new mechanics and Pikmin to play with but somehow also manages to be the series’ most accessible title yet. No, it’s not Mario or Zelda, but it’s still great, one-of-a-kind fun for all ages.
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
Price: $59.99
Hori Split Pad Pro Controllers
If your family takes lots of long drives or flights, or if you find your friends have lots of free time when they’re on the go, there is no better Switch accessory than the Hori Split Pad Pro controllers. The joy-con controllers are adorable, but these hefty guys often unparalleled comfort for long playtimes—and they’re cheap, too. The buttons and sticks are bigger as well, so you won’t need to worry about cramped hands after playing through too many runs in Hades. The biggest downside is that, unless you purchase an additional accessory, you can only use the controllers while they’re physically connected to the Switch. Still, it’s undoubtedly worth the tradeoff.
Price: $29.99
Nintendo Switch Online
Nintendo Switch Online is Nintendo’s version of the online gaming offering. With two tier options—the standard subscription tier and the Expansion Pack tier—the service lies somewhere in between Microsoft and Sony’s offerings. Base subscribers gain access to online games but also are allowed unlimited access to a library of classic games from the NES, SNES, and original Game Boy eras. Expansion Pack owners, meanwhile, can also take advantage of a library of Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, and Sega Genesis games as well as a growing list of stellar DLC options. At this point in its lifetime, it’s a pretty good deal, especially if you have a loved one with an affinity for retro experiences.
Price:
Nintendo Switch Online – $19.99/year
Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack – $49.99/year
