Tired of predictable presents? Let's liven things up with some classic Nintendo merch. Whether you're on the hunt for the perfect gift for a gamer or just want to add some excitement to your own life, we've got you covered. From a new system equipped to play N64 games on 4K TVs to some of our favorite Nintendo Switch games, we've handpicked the best of the best for 2025. The IGN Deals team was excited to collaborate with some of our NVC folks (shout out to all the Ninfriendos) this week to get their own personal recommendations here, so let's take a look at the latest and greatest gifts for that Nintendo fanatic in your life, in no particular order (except for #1).
Picked by: IGN Deals Team
To nobody's surprise, we have to recommend the Switch 2, especially the Mario Kart World bundle. We gave Mario Kart World an 8 out of 10 in our review, with Logan Plant saying, “Mario Kart World may not make the most convincing case that going open-world was the boost the series needed, but excellent multiplayer racing, incredible polish, and the thrilling new Knockout Tour mode still more than live up to its legacy.”
The Nintendo Switch 2 has been flying off shelves despite a lack of Black Friday deals, and then even more so after retailers finally dropped the price by $50 off and on during Cyber Week. There are more Switch 2 bundles still available that include everything from microSD Express cards to other games. Although this list is technically unordered, this is the clear winner for the best Nintendo gift you can get this year.
More Switch 2 buying options:
Picked by: Peer Schneider
Nintendo launched Switch 2 this year – which brought with it a lot of excitement about the new system, controllers (who doesn’t love magnets!), and games. But it also meant we didn’t get a lot of “crazy toy maker” experiments, like alarm clocks, cardboard backpacks, or micro-sized consoles. Which is why my pick for the perfect Nintendo fan gift this year isn’t exactly something truly new: it’s the Metroid Prime 4 amiibo triple threat of Samus herself, Samus & Vi-O-La, and bounty hunter Sylux. Metallic paint amiibo are often some of the best – and I’m really liking the more aggressive stance of the standalone Samus and her shiny-red new suit and motorbike combo. Sylux himself looks a bit like an evil, blue Masterchief, rocking his trademark shoulder spikes.
The two Metroid amiibo are available now and Sylux is out now (as of December 4).
Picked by: Logan Plant
The Switch 2 Pro Controller might be the best controller Nintendo has ever produced, finally unseating the GameCube controller after more than 20 years on top. Its matte material feels fantastic in the hands (and somehow never gets grimy), the control sticks have a great level of tension, the ZL and ZR triggers fit your fingers perfectly, and the new GL and GR back buttons add extra flexibility to whatever game you’re playing. Plus, it has a headphone jack, which was easily the Switch 1 Pro Controller’s biggest weakness. And, it has fantastic battery life – I’ve only had to charge mine a handful of times since the Switch 2 launched in June. Sure, Switch 1 controllers work on Switch 2, but the hardcore Nintendo fan in your life deserves this massive upgrade.
Picked by: Seth Macy
Alarmo is an absolutely adorable throwback to Nintendo's roots as a toy maker, while also paying homage to its current success as a video game company. Characters of your choosing will watch over you while you sleep, and while that may sound creepy, it's not. They're actually collecting info on how well you're sleeping, and sharing it with you, because that's what friends do. Even if you don't use it for its intended alarm…o purposes, it's still an adorable time piece to keep on your desk. The screen is bright and crisp, and the dial on the top feels excellent to use and set. Best of all, they added Kirby with the most recent update, and who doesn't love Kirby? Don't answer that question, please. I don't want to know.
Picked by: Logan Plant
Simply put, this is the game to get for Nintendo Switch 2 this holiday season. We called Donkey Kong Bananza a 10/10 masterpiece in our review back in July, praising its destructible environments and incredible movement. It may not star Mario or Link, but this is a top-shelf first-party Nintendo game that got the Switch 2 generation off to a smashing start. It takes between 15 and 20 hours just to reach the credits, with dozens of more hours waiting for anyone that wants to see absolutely every banana tucked inside. If I were a kid, I can’t think of a game I’d have more fun with on Christmas morning than this one.
Picked by: Seth Macy
Ever since this was first announced, there's been a place inside my soul that needed it in my life. If you're the same, or know someone who is, this is probably the coolest, and most affordable, Nintendo-themed LEGO set going. Everything about the LEGO Game Boy is delightful, from the screens you can change out to reflect the game you want to show off, to the replica carts you build with it. It's roughly the same size as an actual Game Boy, too, and the buttons feel almost identical to the ones on the real deal. It only takes around an hour to put together, and then you have this super cool collectible to show off to everyone who asks, and even people who don't ask. Stop people on the street, get their opinion of it. Maybe you'll make a new friend, who knows?
Speaking of Game Boy...
Picked by: Jacob Kienlen
I’ve been a fan of Pokémon games since I first got my own copy of Pokémon Yellow Version on the Game Boy back in the 90s. I’ve played almost every mainline entry in the series since then, and I was super excited to start playing Pokémon Legends: Z-A when it launched this year.
IGN gave the game a solid 8/10 review, and I agree that it’s a great game overall. It takes bits and pieces of Legends: Arceus and Scarlet and Violet that brought new life to the series and flat out does those things better. The entire story takes place in a single location (Luminose City), which seems so small until the game starts to unfold and you meet new people and unlock new areas. It’s the urban Pokémon game I didn’t know I needed, and I’d recommend it to any fellow Pokéfan looking for their next obsession.
Picked by: Seth Macy
This is the ultimate Nintendo 64. Preorders sold out almost instantly when it was first announced way back, and the first restock has already come and gone. Maybe, just maybe, there'll be another one and you can grab it. Whoever gets one of these will be as happy as the original Nintendo 64 kid from the home video that springs up this time of year on social media.
This isn't an emulator: it's a field-programmable gate array. What does that mean, exactly? Too complicated to get into now, but essentially this IS a Nintendo 64, it's not emulating it. It's an actual piece of futuristic technology that lets you play your N64 games on modern TVs in 4K. If you manage to score an Analogue3D this year, you will be the Hero of the Holidays. Four-player GoldenEye never looked so good.
Picked by: IGN Deals Team
There are SO many plushies to choose from these days, but only so many unique ones for Nintendo lovers. Even across the Kirby online universe, there are several versions of cuddly Kirbys you can get. However, this Kirby Adventure Series' Meta Knight plushie is honestly way cool and stands out from the basic (but still cute) classic Kirbys out there. It seems everyone else agrees, as it has only a few left in stock!
In case this cutie goes out of stock, see additional plushies below in our additional gift idea lineup.
On the practical side, we'd be remiss not to at least mention a safe bet for gamers: a Nintendo eShop gift card. Not sure if your pal already owns a game? Not sure what to get a Nintendo lover who already has everything you can think of? Let them pick and give them the freedom (and time) to shop Nintendo games and online merch themselves. You can't go wrong with an eShop card for Christmas.
Below we've curated additional gift ideas across price points and age groups, with some of our favorite Nintendo merch we have available on IGN Store included. If you're looking for a more practical Nintendo-based gift or stocking stuffer, you can also consider a trusted power bank to extend Switch 2 playtime.
For an even broader spectrum of gift ideas that cater to various tastes and preferences, we invite you to peruse our handpicked collection of gift ideas for 2025. We have a treasure trove of diverse gift guides covering everything from tech gadgets to cozy winter essentials, ensuring you'll find the ideal presents for everyone on your list. So, for a comprehensive array of gift recommendations that span various interests and passions, explore the rest of our thoughtfully crafted guides. We hope this helped you to be well-equipped to spread Nintendo cheer and make your loved ones' spirits bright.
