A video game can be a very personal gift when it reflects something specific: the desire to explore, the satisfaction of getting better at a challenge, the wish to play with someone. Starting with the genre helps, but “they like video games” still leaves almost everything undecided. Find an example of something they enjoyed and ask yourself which activity kept them engaged.
Then eliminate avoidable mistakes: the wrong console, a duplicate, add-on content without the base game. The suggestions mentioned here are examples checked against manufacturers' pages, with no promise of availability in the uplay catalogue. They help turn a general interest into a criterion for choosing.
What do you need?
- They mostly play alone and love exploring levels
- Consider a single-player adventure, checking the platform and the activities involved.
- They would like to play with you
- Choose a documented co-op mode, then make sure you really want to make time for it.
- They are a young player
- Check the rating and content descriptors; assess controls, reading requirements and difficulty separately.
- They own many games
- A wish list of titles avoids duplicates without taking away the opportunity for a personal note.
- You do not know the console model
- Find this out first: even the most suitable title is unusable in the wrong version.
Ask what they like to do, not just what they like to see
Two games with colourful characters can require different skills. Jumping precisely, finding your way around a three-dimensional space, reading lots of dialogue and solving a puzzle are not interchangeable activities. If the recipient mainly talks about places they discovered and visual surprises, look for exploration. If they talk about trying again and getting better, they might enjoy a challenge they can keep trying.
Pay attention to what they have given up on, too. Someone who stopped playing a game because they wanted less combat is not necessarily looking for an easier title: they may want a different activity. Someone who cannot set aside long evenings may prefer an experience with clear objectives they can work towards in stages. Do not promise playtimes that apply to everyone; use gameplay videos and descriptions to understand how play sessions are structured.
ASTRO BOT: a choice for those who want to follow their own path
PlayStation presents ASTRO BOT as a single-player adventure on PS5. I would consider it for someone who enjoys exploring environments and tackling platforming challenges, rather than someone who wants to compete with friends on the same screen. The player count is crucial: being able to take turns with the controller is not the same as a co-op mode.
As a gift, it works best when you know the recipient wants to play on their own. You can watch, comment or look for details together, but do not promise a second controllable character. I would avoid choosing it solely because the main character looks cute: look at what the levels require you to do and how much the person enjoys jumping, movement and retrying a challenge when they do not succeed at the first attempt.
Kirby e la terra perduta: an opportunity to play together
Nintendo presents Kirby e la terra perduta as a three-dimensional adventure for Switch that you can play alone or with a friend. That is a concrete difference from the previous example: if the gift is intended to create time together, it is worth looking into the two-player mode and the controllers needed. The decision to buy it should come from wanting that opportunity, not simply from its place in a famous series.
Always check the edition. The Nintendo Switch game should be distinguished from Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Il mondo astrale, which appears on the official page as an updated product for the new console. The main title may be similar while the platform and content differ. For a surprise gift, asking for the exact console model is a small step that prevents a very real disappointment.
Age and difficulty address two different issues
The PEGI rating concerns the suitability of the content; it does not measure how easy the game is to play. PlayStation's official guide to ratings also makes this clear. Read the number alongside the descriptors, then assess the skills the game requires: camera control, coordination, reading and understanding objectives. An age label alone does not tell you how independently the recipient can play.
For a young player, consult whoever keeps an eye on their gaming habits and consider a short play session if a demo is available. Pay particular attention to what sparks curiosity and where they need help. If you give a game to play together, your time can be part of the experience: supporting them means leaving room for them to try, not overcoming every challenge for them and handing the controller back only once that section is finished.
Finalising the gift without adding hidden obligations
Before buying, confirm the platform, format and titles already owned. For digital content, check the intended account, region and stated terms. For an online game, check the requirements for the desired mode. These details are there to help you understand what you are giving, not to turn the recipient into a technician on the day they open the package.
If you want to keep it a surprise, ask for a short wish list and choose from it. A well-chosen video game does not have to prove that you know every release. A note can explain your personal reason for choosing it, or suggest an afternoon together if the game allows it. Avoid giving a shared campaign as a gift if you already know you will have no opportunity to take part: the time you promise matters as much as the package.
Questions before buying
Is a game with a low PEGI rating easy for a child?
Not necessarily. PEGI assesses content. Controls, reading and the complexity of the actions need to be examined separately, taking the child's experience and independence into account.
Can I give the same title as a gift on a different platform?
Only if the recipient owns that platform and wants that version. Do not assume that the purchase, save data or online access will transfer automatically.
Can you share a single-player game on the sofa?
You can take turns or watch together, but that is not the same as controlling two characters. If the gift promises simultaneous co-op play, choose a mode that explicitly supports it.
Found your direction?
Explore the product pages to compare editions and choose the one for you.
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