Mariah Carey may not want a lot for Christmas, but I do!

As an avid gamer of more than 30 years (actually closer to 40, but that makes me feel really old), I like the retro stuff as much as the latest blockbusters and high-tech hardware.

This is reflected in the Christmas gift guide below, which contains everything form powerhouse game consoles and premium headsets, to primitive video games that fit in the palm of your hand.

If you’re looking for some video game gift ideas for Christmas, then Express has everything you need (and everything I want). 

PS5 Pro

Thanks to some fantastic in-game updates and aggressive discounted around Black Friday, the PS5 Pro has quietly become one of the most sought after consoles this Christmas, and a real must-have for gamers who want the optimal PlayStation experience. Indeed, it’s £609.99 at the time of writing and likely to receive another discount in the post-Christmas sales if you’re happy to wait until Boxing Day.

The PS5 Pro uses a combination of increased horsepower and AI-driven upscaling technology called PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) to deliver visual enhancements and performance boosts. For the most part, this increased power means you can play more games at 60 frames-per-second and with a higher resolution, all the while enjoying visual flourishes like ray-tracing.

The 2TB hard drive is another benefit, giving you more than double the amount of usable storage, meaning you can download more games at any one time.

PS5 DualSense

From Cosmic Red and Starlight Blue to Astro Bot and Ghost of Yotei versions, PlayStation 5 fans have lots of choice when it comes to secondary controllers.

My favourite, however, is the 30th Anniversary Edition PS5 DualSense controller, which features a colour scheme inspired by the original PlayStation.

You can order the Anniversary DualSense exclusively from the PlayStation Direct website, where it’s priced at £49.99 until December 20.

Other controller variations can be purchased from retailers like Amazon and Argos if you’re running out of time before Christmas.

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite

Another luxury product that will set you back a lot of cash, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elites are the best gaming headphones I’ve ever tried – and you would hope so at £599 a pop from Argos.

The headset features custom 40mm Carbon Fiber Speaker Drivers, Hi-Res Wireless Certified audio, two separate batteries for almost unlimited battery life and best-in-class active noise cancellation.

But arguably the headline feature is the fact that it supports up to four inputs simultaneously! A masterclass in connectivity, the headset comes with a small GameHub device that makes it possible to play in-game audio at the same time as listening to Discord chat and playing music through a smartphone – for example.

They also look pretty swish, especially the Sage and Gold pair that combine style with comfort.

Nintendo Switch 2 and Mario Kart World Bundle

The Nintendo Switch 2 will definitely be a popular pick this Christmas, especially with games like Donkey Kong Bananza, Metroid Prime 4 and Kirby Air Riders to choose from.

The Switch 2 provides the same kind of experience as the original Switch, albeit with a bigger, better screen and more power under the hood. The Switch 2 can be played like a handheld, or you can plug it into the dock and play on your TV like a traditional console. Likewise, you can detach the JoyCon controllers for impromptu multiplayer on the go.

Speaking of JoyCons, the detachable controllers are bigger and better than their OG counterparts, and can even be used like a PC-style mouse. 

The Mario Kart World bundle is the best value option, giving customers the console and a copy of the newest mascot racer for £409.99 from Argos.

G’AIM’E Time Crisis Gun

Like a true Christmas miracle, G’AIM’E has essentially brought a dead genre back to life with the release of the Time Crisis Gun, which is still available to purchase in time for Christmas from the official website.

The G’AIM’E Time Crisis Gun is every bit the plug and play device it claims to be, requiring no complicated software updates to get started. Simply plug the game box into your TV, attach the gun and/or pedal to the device, switch it on and start playing those classic lightgun games. 

There are a few different bundles available, but I would recommend the Premium package, which contains a gun, a pedal for reloading, and a console containing four lightgun games (Time Crisis, Point Blank, Steel Gunner and Steel Gunner 2).

It’s just like the arcades, and a perfect experience to share with family and friends over Christmas.

Rubik’s WOWCube

A modern twist on a classic puzzle, the Rubik’s WOWCube is a fascinating device that features the familiar rotating cubes of yesteryear, only this time each side contains four digital screens packed with all kinds of gadgetry.

In addition to being able to twist and turn the cubes, each individual block contains gyroscopes that sense directional movement in a 3D space. This enables the developers to create some wholly unique experiences that can’t really be found elsewhere. Cut the Rope, for example, sees players twist the device to move the rope holding the piece of candy, all the while moving blocks to open routes to Om Nom, before twisting it one final time to cut the rope and complete the stage.

It comes with ten built-in games (including a version of a traditional Rubik’s Cube puzzle), while additional games can be downloaded as paid and free apps from the store. This includes an interactive graphic novel that tasks players with connecting the pieces of each scene, as well as an innovative crossword game, a gamified chemistry app and lots of addictive picture puzzles.

The only drawback is that it’s not cheap, costing a whopping $399 from the official website. US readers can still get it in time for Christmas if they order now, but UK fans will have to wait for international shipping, or for the WowCube to be available on Amazon.

Nacon REVOSIM Sim Racing PC Pure Bundle

At £699 from Argos, it’s a lot of money, but if you can afford it, the Nacon REVOSIM Sim Racing Bundle offers unmatched authenticity and realism for racing fans on PC.

The REVOSIM bundle features a powerful direct drive, load-cell brake and aluminium pedals for the ultimate racing experience.

The steering wheel, meanwhile, features an ergonomic shape with grippy thumb rests and clearly defined buttons. It all leads to the most immersive racing experience you can have. Now let’s hope Sony pulls its finger out and brings Gran Turismo 7 to PC.

Intellivision Sprint

Launching just in time for Christmas from retailers like The Game Collection, the Intellivision Sprint is a modern reimagining of the iconic gaming console from the late 1970s.

The Intellivision Sprint features the same design as the classic device, albeit with updated features, such as a HDMI port for modern television sets and a USB-A port for adding more games.

The console also comes with two classic disc controllers, which can be used wirelessly. Needless to say, the Intellivision Sprint launches with 45 built-in games, including the superb Boulder Dash, Tower of Doom and Thunder Castle. Each game comes with two cardboard overlays, which can be inserted into the controllers when you’re playing.

Evercade Alpha Taito Edition

Available for £229 from Argos, the Taito Evercade Alpha Bartop is a mid-sized machine that serves as a great middle ground between something like the Sega Astro Mini that’s a bit too small, and a full-sized Arcade 1Up machine that’s too big.

The Bartop arcade machine comes with ten built-in games, including Bubble Bobble, Cadash, Elevator Action, The Fairyland Story, Growl, The Legend of Kage, The NewZealand Story, Puzzle Bobble, Rastan and Space Invaders. Similar to last year’s Capcom devices, it also contains three swappable marquee panels – Rastan, Bubble Bobble and Space Invaders.

Perhaps best of all, however, is that comes with two Evercade cartridge slots, which opens it up to hundreds of additional games, including classic shooters like R-Type and Truxton, as well as collections from the likes of Rare, Activision and Data East.

Atari 2600+ Pac-Man Edition

As the Pac-Man franchise celebrates its 45-year anniversary, Atari and Bandai Namco have teamed up to release a brand new version of the 2600+, complete with a stunning new design inspired by the pellet-munching mascot.

Available from Argos for £129.99, the Atari 2600+ Pac-Man Edition has much the same functionality as the old 2600+, letting you play original 2600 and 7800 cartridges on modern television sets. This includes the vast majority of old Atari cartridges you may have lying around from the 70s and 80s, as well as brand new Atari releases, including the superb Tiger Heli.

A true collector’s dream, the 2600+ Pac-Man Edition comes with a copy of Pac-Man Double Feature, which contains the old 2600 Pac-Man port alongside a brand new 7800 version. It’s also bundled with a vibrant yellow Pac-Man CX-40+ Wireless Joystick.

C64 Mini – Black Edition

Back in black, the C64 Mini is a small-scale replica of the C64, albeit with HDMI output, multiple USB ports and a classic microswitch joystick in matching colours. 

However, what really sets it apart from similar devices that wheel out the same old games, is the inclusion of 25 modern C64 games from the past 20 years. This includes beloved titles like Sam’s Journey, A Pig Quest, Steel Ranger, and Knight ‘n’ Grail.

Needless to say, you can also take advantage of modern features such as the ability to save your progress, tweak framerates and play in the original 4:3 or pixel-perfect aspect ratios.

As an added bonus, you can even add your own library of C64 games via USB. Get yours now from Argos, where it costs £89.99.

Atari Pocket Player Pro

As you can see, I’m a big fan of retro games, which is why the Atari Pocket Player Pro is such an appealing proposition, especially as it comes with 100 games and only costs around £45 from Amazon.

The bite-sized handheld device comes with a mixture of officially licensed Atari 2600 games, as well as a selection of bonus titles. This includes classics like Canyon Bomber, Gravitar, Haunted House, Tempest and Yars’ Revenge. 

Featuring a 2.75-inch colour screen, the device can be powered by four AA batteries, or by plugging in a USB-C cable.

Super Micro Keychains

Speaking of Atari, Evercade’s new micro-sized playable keychains come in four different varieties, including Asteroids and Centipede versions, which are available for £20 each from Funstock. There’s also a Space Invaders version containing the classic arcade game, as well as a Burgertime edition. 

Featuring two buttons, a D-pad and individual designs, these miniature devices can be attached to your keys and fit in your pocket, sporting 2-inch RGB TFT screens with a resolution of 240×320. 

With additional games on all but the Space Invaders version, not to mention that low price tag, these are genuinely fantastic stocking fillers.

Retro gaming fragrances

When I started thinking about putting together a Christmas gift guide for gamers, I didn’t imagine I’d be writing about perfume and aftershave. However, in a move that caught my nostrils by surprise, AUK is selling a selection of retro-gaming inspired fragrances, which are available for as little as £24.99.

The Retro Gaming Fragrance Collection is said to be inspired by classic machines like the Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum. You’ve got the ‘neon-glow’ punch of the C64 to the ‘bright, buzzy’ scent of the Spectrum, plus a his-and-hers ZX80 and ZX81 selection. There’s even a range of Lady Penelope Thunderbirds fragrances and beauty products.

Far from the musty smells you might associate with retro games, these fragrances are actually surprisingly pleasant on the nose and make a fun gift for the retro gaming fan who has everything.

Greggs Recliner Bean Bag

Speaking of unexpected gaming gifts, I though I’d finish off with the Greggs Recliner Bean Bag, which thanks to its high back support and plush cushioning, is the ideal way to relax and enjoy a marathon gaming session.

You can grab your very own Greggs Recliner Bean Bag from Beanbag Bazaar, where it costs £49.95.