Checklist · 19 picks · 4 categories
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Nintendo fans are easy to love and surprisingly easy to shop for, as long as you match the gift to how they play.
I pulled these picks from Engadget's Nintendo gift guide, COGconnected's Nintendo holiday guide and GameSpace's Nintendo guide, and only kept things at least one of them recommended. The list covers Switch 2 accessories, games, and desk or shelf extras for the fan who already owns everything with a mushroom on it. One practical tip: check whether the person has a Switch 2 or the original Switch before buying. Some games and accessories only work on Switch 2, and Engadget notes that Switch 2 needs microSD Express cards, not standard ones.
Who this is not for. If the person mostly plays on PlayStation or PC, skip this list and try our gamer gifts page instead.
| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller | splurge | $50-100 | Switch 2 owners who play docked | 2 outlets agree |
| amFilm Auto-Alignment OneTouch Screen Protector for Nintendo Switch 2 | budget | $15-25 | Switch 2 owners who want easy install | 1 outlet |
| Belkin Switch 2 Case with Integrated 10,000mAh Power Bank | mid | $50-100 | fans who play on the go | 1 outlet |
| SanDisk 256GB microSD Express Card | mid | $50-100 | anyone who downloads a lot of games | 1 outlet |
| Joy-Con 2 Wheel Set | budget | $15-25 | racing game fans and party hosts | 1 outlet |
| snakebyte Quad Charge S2 | budget | $25-50 | households with four-player game nights | 1 outlet |
| Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Controller | budget | $25-50 | a spare controller for guests | 1 outlet |
splurge controller
Best for Switch 2 owners who play docked
Engadget's Nintendo gift guide picks it for docked play, and COGconnected calls it one of the most comfortable controllers available and an essential Switch 2 accessory.
2 outlets agree. Engadget nintendo gift guide pick. TechRadar best premium controller for Nintendo Switch 2.
$50-100
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budget screen Protector
Best for Switch 2 owners who want easy install
Nintendo Life calls it a budget-friendly choice: 9H tempered glass with an anti-fingerprint coating and an auto-alignment kit that it says takes about 30 seconds to install.
Picked by Nintendo Life budget-friendly pick.
$15-25
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mid travel case
Best for fans who play on the go
Engadget's Nintendo gift guide picks this rigid carrying case with a built-in battery pack.
Picked by Engadget nintendo gift guide pick.
$50-100
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mid memory card · 256GB
Best for anyone who downloads a lot of games
Engadget's Nintendo gift guide picks it as practical storage, since the console's built-in space fills quickly.
Picked by Engadget nintendo gift guide pick.
$50-100
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budget racing wheel
Best for racing game fans and party hosts
GameSpace's Nintendo guide picks it because it turns Joy-Con into steering wheels for a more arcade-like driving feel in racers.
Picked by GameSpace nintendo gift guide pick.
$15-25
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budget charging dock
Best for households with four-player game nights
GameSpace's Nintendo guide picks it because it charges up to four Joy-Con 2 controllers at once and keeps them organized.
Picked by GameSpace nintendo gift guide pick.
$25-50
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budget controller
Best for a spare controller for guests
COGconnected's Nintendo holiday guide lists it as a third-party accessory with a range of designs that suits gamers who need extra controllers.
Picked by COGconnected third-party accessory pick.
$25-50
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mario Kart World | splurge | $50-100 | Switch 2 owners who like racing | 1 outlet |
| Donkey Kong Bananza | mid | $50-100 | platformer fans with a Switch 2 | 1 outlet |
| Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 | mid | $50-100 | Mario fans who want a classic | 1 outlet |
| Hollow Knight: Silksong | budget | $15-25 | players who like challenging side-scrollers | 1 outlet |
splurge game · Switch 2
Best for Switch 2 owners who like racing
Engadget's Nintendo gift guide recommends it for Switch 2 owners who do not have it yet, expecting a long lifespan like the previous Mario Kart. COGconnected lists it among its must-play Switch 2 titles.
Picked by Engadget nintendo gift guide pick.
$50-100
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mid game · Switch 2
Best for platformer fans with a Switch 2
COGconnected's Nintendo holiday guide lists it among its must-play Switch 2 titles.
Picked by COGconnected must-play Switch 2 title.
$50-100
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mid game · Physical copy
Best for Mario fans who want a classic
Engadget's Nintendo gift guide picks the physical copies of these classics, which were previously hard to get, with improved visuals.
Picked by Engadget nintendo gift guide pick.
$50-100
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budget game
Best for players who like challenging side-scrollers
Engadget's Nintendo gift guide picks this 2D hack-and-slash game because it suits both TV and handheld play.
Picked by Engadget nintendo gift guide pick.
$15-25
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splurge alarm clock
Best for fans who want Nintendo in their bedroom
COGconnected's Nintendo holiday guide lists it under extra goodies as an alarm clock that combines Nintendo franchises with timekeeping.
Picked by COGconnected extra goodies pick.
$100-150
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hidden Pikmin 1,000-Piece Jigsaw Puzzle | budget | $15-25 | pikmin fans who like puzzles | 1 outlet |
| The Legend of Zelda Collector's Chess Set | splurge | $50-100 | zelda fans who like board games | 1 outlet |
| Super Mario Warp Pipe Mug | budget | $15-25 | Mario fans who drink coffee or tea | 1 outlet |
| Yoshi Night Light | budget | $25-50 | yoshi fans and game room decor | 1 outlet |
| Club Mocchi Mocchi Super Mario Bob-omb Plushie | mid | $25-50 | plush collectors | 1 outlet |
| Metroid Prime 1-3: A Visual Retrospective | mid | $25-50 | metroid fans who love game art | 1 outlet |
| Super Mario Bros. Mario Icon Metal Travel Tumbler | budget | $25-50 | Mario fans who commute | 1 outlet |
splurge chess set
Best for zelda fans who like board games
Engadget's Nintendo gift guide picks this USAOPOLY Zelda chess set, and GameSpace's guide calls it a themed centerpiece with Hyrule's characters as pieces.
Picked by Engadget nintendo gift guide pick.
$50-100
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budget mug
Best for Mario fans who drink coffee or tea
GameSpace's Nintendo guide picks it as a practical, instantly recognizable merch gift.
Picked by GameSpace merch pick.
$15-25
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budget night light
Best for yoshi fans and game room decor
GameSpace's Nintendo guide picks it for adding a soft glow to bedrooms or game rooms.
Picked by GameSpace merch pick.
$25-50
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Best for plush collectors
Engadget's Nintendo gift guide picks it for plush collectors and lists other Mario characters in the same line.
Picked by Engadget nintendo gift guide pick.
$25-50
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mid art book · Hardcover
Best for metroid fans who love game art
Engadget's Nintendo gift guide picks this art book for fans ahead of Metroid Prime 4, and COGconnected lists it among its extra goodies.
Picked by Engadget nintendo gift guide pick.
$25-50
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budget travel tumbler
Best for Mario fans who commute
Engadget's Nintendo gift guide picks this metal travel mug, which comes in several character designs including Bowser, Luigi and Peach.
Picked by Engadget nintendo gift guide pick.
$25-50
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means three independent outlets recommend a pick, means one, and limited evidence means none has yet. I research these picks. I have not tested them myself. How I pick · Spot a mistake? A broken link, a wrong price range or an outdated pick: tell me at hello@allsetlist.com and I'll fix it.
Start with something that fits how they play. A Pro Controller suits docked play, a microSD Express card gives them more room for games, and a case helps if they travel with it. Games and desk extras are good if they have the accessories covered.
Not always. Some games and accessories are Switch 2 only, so check the product page before you buy. Engadget also notes that Switch 2 uses microSD Express cards and standard microSD cards will not work.
Merch is the safe lane. Puzzles, plush, mugs, night lights, books and a Zelda chess set all work without any hardware.
USPS's recommended last send dates for December 25 in the contiguous US are December 17 for Ground Advantage, December 18 for Priority Mail and December 19 for Priority Mail Express. Retailers set their own order-by dates, so check at checkout.
