12 Birthday gift ideas for your dad who loves video games

12 Birthday gift ideas for your dad who loves video games

1. A video game with him as the hero Our product

   oin turns your shared memories into a small 2D pixel game with him as the main character, generated from an authorized photo, plus two custom NPCs made from authorized photos with consent. Two letters from you open and close it, a 5-question quiz about the games you have shared rewards flowers for correct answers, and the final level is set in Almaty, Kazakhstan; New York and Tokyo are coming soon. It plays in a browser with no install, is usually emailed within an hour and costs $29.90. See how it works →

2. Game merchandise

   A hoodie or figure from a series on his shelf. Around $25-100.

3. A poster or wall scroll

   A print of a scene from his favourite series. Around $15-50.

4. A new controller

   A DualSense, Xbox Wireless or 8BitDo pad in a colour he will like. Check the console first. Around $60-180.

5. A retro console

   A mini console or handheld such as the Analogue Pocket or an Anbernic, loaded with classics. Around $60-250.

6. A streaming starter kit

   A webcam and a USB microphone for sharing sessions with friends. Around $60-200.

7. A home pizza kit

   Dough, sauce and a pizza stone for a night in. Around $30-80.

8. A hand cream and lip balm set

   A small set from L’Occitane or Aesop. Around $20-60.

9. A birthday dinner

   A table booked at his favourite restaurant, with a small surprise at dessert. Around $60-200.

10. A soft scarf

    A wool or cashmere scarf in a colour from his wardrobe. Around $30-120.

11. A co-op game night

    A snack spread and a two-player game on the sofa. It costs little. It costs little.

12. A dinner you cook

    Plan the menu and cook his favourite meal at home. It costs little. It costs little.

Buying for a gamer

The easiest mistake is buying the wrong platform or the wrong generation of a controller. Look at the shelf, the headset and the screen before you commit to hardware.

A personal game sidesteps compatibility because it runs in a browser.

Buying for your dad

Gifts for a dad work best when they are practical and personal. Choose something he will use, then add a line about a memory.

Time together is often the real request.

If the birthday is tomorrow

Table bookings and a personalized game can be arranged online the same day. An oin game is usually emailed within an hour of payment, so it can still be ready for the morning. Pair one with a handwritten card and he still has something to open.

Birthdays have a clock, so order anything that ships at least a week ahead and keep the digital gifts for the day itself. A card with a specific memory beats a long message.