Best Nintendo Gift Ideas For 2022: New Switch Games, Merch, And More

There is no shortage of great gifts to buy the Nintendo fan in your life this holiday. From games and accessories to clothing and collectibles, you have plenty to choose from. To help you make your purchasing decisions for loved ones and friends this holiday, we've put together a Nintendo Switch gift guide. We're confident that you'll find something here that will be of interest, and we've mostly stuck with recommendations that won't break the bank either.

Whether you're looking to put a smile on someone's face with a brand-new Nintendo Switch exclusive, a great new controller, a T-shirt, Lego sets, or even home decor, these Nintendo gift ideas will put you on the right track.

The latest Pokemon game is always a safe bet for the Pocket Monster fan in your household, and with this new entry in the franchise having tons of new critters to collect, it's pure gotta catch 'em all fun that's bound to please. A new open-world region, a fascinating new collection of legendary creatures, and colorful characters headline Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, and it's easily the biggest Nintendo game releasing this holiday season.

Stylish and loaded to the brim with action, Bayonetta is locked and loaded for an adventure that introduces a multiverse of witches to the mix. Bayonetta has a few new tricks up her sleeves, but she's joined this time by a feisty new witch-in-training who hits the battlefield with attitude and a demonic cat that can steamroll through any demon in your way.

Anyone up for some soccer? With Mario Strikers: Battle League, you'll be able to lace up your shoes without having to worry about getting muddy, as this game has some intense and absurd action to revel in between scoring goals. Form a team in the Mushroom Kingdom, hit the pitch, and use over-the-top special moves to score goals and move up the rankings in this silly sports spectacle.

A big departure from the usual Pokemon formula, Pokemon Legends: Arceus is a more mystical trip back in time to an age where the Pocket Monster frontier was still being explored. It has plenty of fascinating twists on the catch 'em all setup of normal Pokemon games, hundreds of critters to collect, and many colorful characters to interact with as you build the world's first Pokedex.

Its an unlikely partnership between Nintendo's all-star cast of Mushroom kingdom citizens and Ubisoft's zany Rabbids, but this is a tag-team of unbelievable fun and whimsical design. An XCOM-like that makes smart deviations from the established genre formula, Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope is a tactical blast of joy that's fantastically inviting to newcomers and can be tuned to present a serious challenge to strategy veterans. It's effortlessly charming, fun for all ages, and wastes no time in putting a smile on your face.

Easily Kirby's best outing in a long time, Kirby and the Forgotten Land is an inventive shift to 3D that showcases the pink puff at his best. Another charming Switch exclusive, there's no shortage of excellent levels to guide Kirby through, new abilities to collect, and bizarre shapes to morph into thanks to the little fella's ability to digest just about anything.

Ink, squids, and competitive gameplay are the hallmarks of Nintendo's Splatoon series, and Splatoon 3 expertly bundles all of those elements together to create engaging fun. A team-based shooter where players have to duel each other and take control of zones with buckets of paint being thrown around, this family-friendly multiplayer game will keep you entertained for hours on end.

It's time to get physical, and with a collection of minigames that makes the most of the Switch hardware to get you moving, you'll be sweating in no time with Switch Sports. A cute and energizing update for the current generation, Switch Sports has a handful of sports to play alongside friends and family with Joy-Con motion controls.

A new spin-off game from the iconic JPRG series, Dragon Quest Treasures follows siblings Erik and Mia as they hunt for the powerful Dragonstones across the fantasy land of Draconia. It's not long before the duo form a team as well-mannered monsters join them, and with plenty of loot to be uncovered in across the strange land, you'll have to make use of monster skills throughout this enchanting adventure.

Releases December 9

It's a new era for Sonic as he races into what could be his biggest game yet. Sega's latest game starring the Blue Blur has blockbuster aspirations, and with an adventure set on a chain of islands that you'll zip across while dealing with deadly guardian robots, Sonic Frontiers is an ambitious attempt to bring Sonic to the modern age.

Thanks to its portable nature, the Switch is one of the best platforms around for enjoying a good old-fashioned RPG on the go. Triangle Strategy fits that bill while also adding a few extra touches to its design, creating a lavish story of intrigue, rich tactical gameplay, and impactful choices. It also has gorgeous HD-2D graphics.

One of the best third-party controller brands out there, the 8BitDo Ultimate combines a traditional layout with a rich selection of customization. This model also comes with a charging dock, so you'll be able to keep this controller charged up between gaming sessions. You can use it on PC as well, and the controller supports both Bluetooth and 2.4GHz connections.

If you'd prefer to stick to a first-party offering, Nintendo's official Switch Pro controller is still a fantastic buy. It has a great transparent case design, the buttons are big and satisfying to hammer away on, and it has a remarkable battery life.

The original Switch controller, the regular Joy-Con are available in a wide number of colors and styles. They're supremely portable, have terrific rumble features, and this neon design is an eye-catching addition to any Switch setup.

While a Nintendo Switch Pro is probably a couple of years away, you can upgrade your current system with a quick plug-and-play solution. The Marseille mClassic uses a little bit of software magic to upscale your Switch graphics to 1440p and 4K resolutions, and to use it, all you have to do is plug it into the HDMI port on your system. Connect your HDMI cable, and you're good to go. It's also a great buy for those who play retro games, as it makes the graphics look significantly better on modern TVs.

The Switch is a supremely portable device, and with this digital multiport adapter, you can reduce its footprint even further when you're traveling. This essentially eliminates the need for a Switch dock, as you can pair your gaming system with a nearby TV and charge a controller through it at the same time. It has other handy uses as well, but for Switch owners wanting to have docked and mobile gaming options when they travel, it's a great pick.

A good backpack is never underappreciated, and this offering from Vori will allow you to carry your Switch around in style. It has a durable design, plenty of internal pockets, and it's designed with comfort in mind for those long trips.

Another fun Nintendo backpack, this bag is electrifying with its Pikachu-influenced design. It's a compact shoulder bag that's designed specifically for the Switch, and it has a few other sections for you to place some extra items into its hold.

A secure and cozy storage case to stash your Switch in when you're not using it, the iVoler has multiple compartments and it can fit any of the current Switch models into its durable domain.

The regular Joy-Con on a Nintendo Switch aren't the most ergonomic controllers out there, but this Switch grip will make holding the system more comfortable. This particular add-on is designed for the latest Switch, the OLED model, and comes with anti-scratch silicone tabs to keep your console in pristine condition.

As an alternative to Joy-Con, the Split Pad Compact features better ergonomics than the Joy-Con. It also comes with larger triggers, buttons, joysticks, mappable back buttons, and a real D-pad, which is helpful for classic games, side-scrollers, and fighting games. The Split Pad Compact is our favorite option for playing games portably on Switch. White/yellow and red colorways are available now, but you Pokemon-themed models will hit shelves in time for the holidays.

A good T-Shirt is never a bad gift, and with these two garments blending quality cotton with retro-themed graphics, they're stylish and thoughtful gifts for the Nintendo fan at home.

Another lovely T-Shirt gift, this T-Shirt boasts retro graphics and some great colors as it nods back to the Nintendo Entertainment System era.

Exactly the same design as the T-shirt above, you get the cool graphic on a hoodie just in time for winter.

Another great hoodie, this simple but stylish design will take you back in time to the N64 generation with the iconic 3D logo.

A classy link to the past, you can keep your hands warm while rocking a Legend of Zelda hoodie that has a very elegant print.

What's better than a hot mug of tea from a porcelain container that is made to look like a Game Boy? A Nintendo-endorsed mug that changes its image to look like a working Gameboy when a hot beverage is poured into it, that's what.

It's dangerous to go alone! Take this stainless steel thermos with you, and recover some HP while gazing at timeless pixel art.

This Game & Watch retro handheld comes preloaded with multiple Zelda games: The Legend of Zelda, Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, and The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening. It's the perfect gift for the nostalgic Zelda fan in your life.

Alternatively, you can grab a Game & Watch with the same design but loaded with Mario games. You get the original Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, and a Mario version of the classic Game & Watch juggling game Ball.

He might be pricy, but this Lego recreation of the infamous Mario nemesis will tower above any other gift when he's fully assembled. You can never go wrong with Lego, and with a build that allows you to put Bowser in multiple poses, he'll be an unforgettable gift. It's a truly incredible build that features a whopping 2,807 pieces. Not only does Mighty Bowser look super cool, but he has interactive elements, including posable arms and legs, head and jaw movements, and even the ability to shoot fireballs at Lego Mario.

A more subtle but still visually impressive Lego gift, this Lego set pays tribute to the classic Super Mario 64 video game. It's still a large-scale built at 2,064 pieces. Nostalgic gamers will love to build and admire the miniature dioramas featuring Princess Peach's Castle and levels from Super Mario 64.

One of the most impressive Lego sets of recent memory, you can construct a life-size NES and a small TV out of this massive set. You'll be able to build the console, a retro TV, an NES controller, and more, while also marveling at the attention to detail. It's an astounding build that makes for a brilliant display piece.

The Lego Super Mario courses are a great collection of buildable courses that you can construct and interact with in a large variety of ways thanks to the growing collection of kits. These are particularly great for kids, as they are more meant for play rather than display purposes. You'll want to start with one of the Starter Courses featuring Mario, Luigi, or Peach. If you're loved one already has a Starter Course, there are plenty of expansions to choose from to increase the fun and interactivity.