Is there a PlayStation fan in your life who has a hard time buying something? Don’t worry, you’ve come to the right place with this PlayStation buying guide for the holiday season.

Before you give away PlayStation games, read this

Not every PlayStation 5 console has a disc drive, which is required to play the disc-based games that come in the physical packaging. This means that a boxing game is useless to anyone whose console doesn’t have this component. At the same time, someone who owns a disc-reading PlayStation 5 will probably like that you bought them a physical game.

If you have access to the console being played on, check for a bulge using a disc reader on the right side of the console (see photo above). If it’s there, physical games ahoy! If not, a gift voucher is the solution. The face value of $75 is just right to ensure the gift recipient receives the game of their choice.

If the whole physical game business is making your head spin or you feel like gift cards are too impersonal a gift, consider buying them one of these accessories instead.

30th anniversary accessories

I bet the best gift you can give a PlayStation fan this holiday season is an accessory from the 30th anniversary collection. These are colored gray to reflect the original PlayStation, an aesthetic that will entice anyone who has dabbled in the gaming space a few times before.

What’s more, these are only available for a limited time, which makes them very special. This also means that they are currently hard to come by and are not worth spending a lot of money on. However, if you happen to come across a 30th Anniversary DualSense Wireless Controller, buy it with the confidence that it’s a gift that the recipient is sure to appreciate.

PlayStation Portal

PlayStation 5 owners can use the PlayStation Portal to play their mobile games on a tablet-sized screen. At $199.99, it’s an expensive offering, but one that has proven popular, especially among fans of games that take a long time to complete. It’s also a fantastic option for people who share a TV, as it allows them to continue playing when the big screen is occupied. It is now also capable of streaming PlayStation 5 games from the cloud.

A word of caution: Make sure the person you’re gifting this to has a good WiFi setup at home, as this is required for games to look good and work well on PlayStation Portal. If you know the person is having internet problems, skip this.

AstroBot

AstroBot—Sony’s answer to the question Mario Series – is the easiest game to recommend because not only is it suitable for all ages, but it also has something special to offer everyone. Young players will love jumping and sliding through Astro’s colorful worlds, while older players will delight in the homage to PlayStation’s storied legacy.

This is the safest buy on this list, especially since its popularity is higher than ever after winning Game of the Year at the Game Awards.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth was a true milestone for 2024. This reimagining of one of the greatest gaming games of all time is breathtaking in scope, features the best versions of its iconic characters and features a unique combat system with limitless depth. It’s my personal game of the year and I can’t praise it enough.

There is a small catch: Since it is the second part of a trilogy of games, it is not a story that everyone can easily get into. If you know the receiver didn’t play Final Fantasy VII RemakeYou want to start them there. But don’t worry too much, because this first entry is available on PlayStation Plus (a service many fans will subscribe to).

It’s rare for a new franchise to receive such unanimous praise Metaphor: ReFantazio was welcomed with. The team behind the revered persona The franchise blurred the lines between fantasy and reality with this unique adventure while utilizing its distinctive press-turn combat system. Anyone who loves anime or politics will find a lot of meaning in this Metaphor: ReFantazioand its strong performance at the Game Awards this year may have piqued the interest of many.

This year also appeared Reload Persona 3a remake of a true classic originally created by the same team. If the gamer in your life loves one of these but hasn’t played the other, this is a prime opportunity to introduce them to their next favorite game.

Superhero fans need to try it out. This collection of fighting games featuring Marvel and Capcom characters includes several popular, great games that have not been legally available for many years. However, you don’t need any prior experience to enjoy these games, as the accessibility features make it easy for anyone to grab a controller and show off their flashy powers.

Marvel fans in particular will be thrilled to put together dream teams of their favorite heroes and villains. A mini-comic is also included with the physical edition. Dragon Ball: Sparks! Zero is a great alternative if the person you are buying for is an anime fan.

Balatro

This card game – impressively made by a single person – is a crazy twist on the game of poker where the goal is to find the right combination of rule-changing powers to achieve high scores. It’s a concept that has found favor even among those who don’t normally play card games, and there may not be a game on this list that players will have more success with.

Since there is no gambling whatsoever, it is suitable for everyone. The physical version is a steal at $29.99 and comes with a set of special cards that even existing players will love.

Silent Hill 2

This adult-only game reimagines Konami’s iconic horror game in a way that heightens both the thrill and the chills while giving it an action twist in keeping with modern gaming trends. I must emphasize that this film is not for children due to its morbid images and the heavy themes it deals with. At the same time, that’s exactly what makes him so attractive to adults.

If you know the player in question loves a good scare and deep storytelling, Silent Hill 2 has stood the test of time.

Starblade

I was torn between the choice Starblade And Black Myth: Wukong for this list because both games appeal to a similar audience with their hard-hitting action gameplay. You can’t go wrong with either, but if I had to choose, I’d give the edge Starblade as it is exclusive to the PlayStation 5 and is still receiving new content (including this Christmas update).

If you have ever heard mention of the recipient Dark souls or Elden Ring before then, then they’re guaranteed to love one of these games, but they’re less likely to have played it Starblade.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Even if you don’t play games, you’ve probably heard of them Call of duty before. This latest entry uses the Gulf War as a backdrop for a story that makes the player feel like they’re starring in an action movie. A range of multiplayer modes, honed over decades of annual entries, are better than ever, now with increased mobility to give players a fun (and sometimes even funny) competitive edge.

If the player in question has ever enjoyed one Call of duty title before, Black Ops 6 might just end up being her favorite. Many fans of this franchise purchase these games when they are released. So if you want to give them a similar experience instead, consider giving away the games that are also popular Helldivers 2 instead.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

The Prince of Persia The series experienced an unlikely resurgence this year Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. This game rebooted a franchise suffering from an identity crisis by remixing key entries. The mix of platforming, combat and puzzle solving takes the series back to its roots and gives it a new identity.

Critics loved the game upon release, but many people didn’t get a chance to try it out due to the overabundance of games being released at the time. It’s a shame as fans of Metroid, CastlevaniaAnd Hollow knight will love it.

Unicorn Overlord

Unicorn Overlord is my personal recommendation and one you probably won’t find on most lists. While niche in subject matter, this strategy game offers rich world-building and tactical gameplay that’s easy to understand for the layperson but offers untold depths for those who want to master it.

It’s easy to get lost in the weeds and enjoy building synergistic units of allies who form social bonds through shared battles. It’s just as easy to let the game automate this if you’re most interested in exploring the game’s mysterious map and fighting large-scale battles to retake territory from your enemies. For my money, it’s the best strategy game of 2024 and any fan of the genre should check it out.

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If nothing here appeals to you and you have a lot of money, there’s always the PlayStation 5 Pro. For even more recommendations, check out the best geek gifts for the gamers in your life.