Best Nintendo Switch gifts for 2025, chosen by fans for fans

With a certain new console having just been announced, you may be thinking about the best Nintendo Switch gifts. After all, what's a better present - to someone else or yourself - than a shiny Nintendo Switch 2?

These collectibles, that's what. If you're hoping to snag the best Nintendo Switch gifts without spending a fortune, you're in luck; the GamesRadar+ present hunters and I have been busy rounding up goodies your loved one should adore. We've made sure your options include something to suit any budget and interest too, so you should be able to find something that'll put a smile on their face here.

Wondering how we settled on these specific Nintendo Switch gifts? Our team has spent years covering must-have gifts for gamers professionally and as fans, so we've only suggested products we'd actually like to receive ourselves. Besides hands-on experience, we've also cross-referenced user reviews to make sure you're getting the best possible recommendations.

Written by
Benjamin Abbott, Tabletop & Merch Editor at GamesRadar
Written by
Benjamin Abbott

Benjamin handles all of the gifting content at GamesRadar+ and has been covering present-worthy gear here for six years. He's written professionally since 2012 and has played Nintendo games since the mid-'90s. His favorite game is still Super Mario Galaxy, and his first console was the SNES.

Best Nintendo Switch gifts overall

Low on time? Here's a whistle-stop tour of the best Nintendo Switch gifts, keeping strictly to the highlights.

Best Nintendo Switch gifts under $30

If you're keen to get Nintendo Switch gifts as cheaply as possible, these presents should be your first port of call. They're great stocking fillers or Secret Santa candidates.

Best Nintendo Switch gifts under $50

If your budget can stretch a little further, you'll be able to nab the best Nintendo Switch gifts overall. These options are more impressive or long-lasting; they're less of a novelty.

Best Nintendo Switch gifts: Games

Games make up some of the best Nintendo Switch gifts, simply because everyone loves unwrapping a shiny new box. While you'll need to have an idea of which games your recipient already has, these are the hottest titles that any player would be happy to dive into.

Best Nintendo Switch gifts: Accessories

Trying to find the best Nintendo Switch accessories? Your wish is our command. We've listed the most must-have add-ons below.

Best Nintendo Switch 2 gifts

There's a new console on the block, and it'll be arriving in just a couple of months. Rather than being an add-on or revision of the original Switch, Switch 2 is a completely different machine with better graphics, processing power, and more. So, what should you buy someone who wants this device?

Nintendo Switch gifts FAQ

Hands pulling Joy-Cons away from a screen on a surface with a coffee mug, beside a Switch and games on a wooden surface

(Image credit: Future, Nintendo)

What should you buy for Nintendo Switch gamers?

There's certainly enough to choose from when it comes to Nintendo Switch gifts, but I'd recommend making a beeline for a couple of products in particular: the light-up Super Mario mushroom decoration by Paladone, Lego Super Mario character packs, or one of the many licensed t-shirts available from the likes of Amazon. The recipient is unlikely to have these yet, so you avoid the risk of doubling up on presents.

Should you buy games for Nintendo Switch gamers?

While it may seem counter-intuitive, I'd actually suggest avoiding games when shopping for Nintendo Switch gifts. Unless you know exactly what your loved one already has (or they've asked you for something specific), there's a good chance you'll double up on something they own. To avoid disappointment, I'd prioritize merchandise because your loved one is unlikely to have it already.

Is Nintendo Switch a good present?

If you're shopping for someone who loves family-friendly or multiplayer games, Nintendo's home-portable hybrid makes a great present! Or at least, it did. The system is now coming to the end of its life, and a replacement is imminent. With that in mind, I'd strongly recommend holding fire until the Switch 2 is out. We know it'll arrive in just a few months, so you shouldn't have long to wait.

Fortunately, most Nintendo Switch games can be used on the Switch 2. This means you can still stock up on old favorites or carry across your existing collection.

If you're utterly determined to stick with the original Switch, though, I'd probably try to keep things as low-cost as possible. That means opting for the handheld-only Switch Lite or, if your loved one is keen to play couch co-op, looking out for bundles on the normal Switch with games such as Mario Kart (they usually appear every Black Friday).

Should I get a Nintendo Switch 2 instead of a normal Switch?

If your budget can stretch to afford a Switch 2, I'd definitely recommend it over the previous Nintendo Switch. It's an entirely different console with better graphics and a new clutch of exclusive games, so is a better long-term investment. The old Switch will also stop getting games eventually, so it'll become obsolete before long.

However, there is some good news if you'd been considering the original Switch; most of its games are compatible with Switch 2.

Is there a new Switch coming out in 2025?

Yes, there is going to be a Nintendo Switch 2 coming out in early 2025. That means you may want to avoid purchasing the current system, because it's about to become outdated.

Existing Nintendo Switch games are compatible with the Switch 2 though, so fans won't lose their existing collection at the very least. You can also stock up on any games you want now safe in the knowledge they won't be useless in a few months' time.

Can you gift things on Nintendo Switch?

Want to give a loved one a game or add-on through the Nintendo eShop? Sadly, that's not possible - you aren't able to buy a game in the eShop and then give it to someone else's account. The best alternative would be giving the person in question an eShop gift card instead. That way, they can buy whatever they're looking for themselves.


We're also rounding up plenty more options in our guides to the best PS5 gifts and best Xbox gifts, so check those out if you're buying for someone with Sony and Microsoft's consoles.

Benjamin Abbott
Tabletop & Merch Editor

I've been writing about games in one form or another since 2012, and now manage GamesRadar+'s tabletop gaming and toy coverage. You'll find my grubby paws on everything from board game reviews to the latest Lego news.

With contributions from