Xbox One X
More graphics power, plus HDR and 4K support make this the top-of-the-line for Microsoft's living room console series. Besides great games, the Xbox is known for robust media support, and games optimized for HDR look fantastic.
PlayStation 4 Pro
Higher resolution output and better graphics (in select games) make this a worthy step-up from the original PS4, but the real extra value comes from better performance with the optional PSVR virtual reality headset.
Nintendo Switch
Nintendo's portable/living room console hybrid is a smashing success, defying skeptics who thought the idea too complex and usual. The secret sauce is in same-room multiplayer games, like Mario Kart 8 and Just Dance, that encourage actual human-to-human interaction.
Nintendo Labo
Video games for the maker generation. Labo is a series of cardboard fold-it-yourself projects that work with the Nintendo Switch. It's a fun group activity, good for all-ages crowds, and encourages teamwork. Start with the Variety Kit for a fishing pole, piano and more, then move up to the advanced robot kit.
SNES Classic Edition
This once hard-to-find curio is now much more widely available. That's good news, as this mini-sized Super Nintendo is a great shot of nostalgia for gamers of a certain vintage, and an excellent introduction to retro gaming for the younger set. RPG fans, take note -- several classics are included here.
Xbox One S
If you don't have an HDR-ready TV and don't plan on buying one in the next couple of years, it's cool to save a few bucks and get the slimmed-down Xbox One S, which fits the original Xbox One hardware in a sleeker, smaller box. Bonus: 4K support is included, so you're at least half-future-proofed.
PlayStation 4 (slim version)
There's no 4K, no higher-power game rendering, and fewer ports than the original PS4. But as a lower-cost alternative to the PS4 Pro, this will get you into God of War, Horizon: Zero Dawn, PSVR and plenty of other PlayStation exclusives.
Nintendo 2DS XL
The 3DS is still kicking around, even in the age of game-ready smartphones and the very portable Nintendo Switch. The bigger screen on the XL adds a lot, and its non-stereoscopic sister handheld, the Nintendo 2DS, plays all the same games.
Razer Mamba HyperFlux
For any PC gamer looking to turn heads with a truly flashy mouse. The Mamba HyperFlux combines a wireless mouse and powered mouse pad in one expensive ($250) package. The hook -- both the mouse and pad have Razer's programmable lights, and the lightweight, battery-free mouse draws its power from the mouse pad itself.
Oculus Rift
Now that it offers motion-sensing hand controllers and dual sensors for about half what the original Rift cost, this is one of the best deals in virtual reality hardware. It's also probably the best user experience among a series of products that aren't always beginner-friendly.
HTC Vive
The first current-gen PC-based VR system to hit stores, the Vive is still the most impressive overall hardware package, with great 360-degree tracking and lots of tweakable options. A few design tweaks over the past two years make it even better, and the sheer range of games available is astonishing.
Sony Playstation VR
The easiest to use full VR system, as it works with the PS4 your giftee probably already has. Recent price cuts also make this the most appealing choice for those who want to dabble in virtual reality without investing a small fortune.
Oculus Go
The latest from Oculus is untethered from PCs, consoles or phones, operating as an all-in-one self-contained headset. The games and tech aren't as advanced as big VR sets, but there's a real appeal to the get-it-and-go experience.
Asus Zephyrus GM501
This super-thin gaming laptop won't take up a ton of space, and it even looks "normal" enough to double as an everyday laptop for the office or dorm room. New Max-Q technology from Nvidia means it can fit in a graphics card typically only found in bigger, heavier, desk-busting systems.
Acer Aspire E15
The laptop for everyone who can't find what they want in a laptop. It's got an old-school optical drive, a retro VGA port, and good-enough-for-gaming Nvidia MX150 graphics, all for an insane $599.
Dell G15
Dell makes some very good budget Inspiron gaming laptops, and now those systems are getting their own name, the "G" series, along with a revised look and new, better processors. Starting at $750, these work as pretty serious PC gaming machines, but also make for a great general-purpose laptop that won't look out of place on your desk.
Divinity: Original Sin 2
A great gaming PC needs great games. This old-school turn-based RPG is perfect for anyone who ever rolled a 20-sided die or knows what a "saving throw" is. For everyone else, it's a deep, fantasy driven story of power and revenge, and one of the most satisfying game experiences I've had in years.
Far Cry 5
A great open-world game on either consoles (Xbox One/PS4) or PCs, the latest in this series tackles modern-day America. There's plenty of satire and a smattering of politics, but also action, stealth and puzzle solving.
God of War
Every once in a while a game comes along that everyone agrees is simply an amazing must-play experience. That's what gamers and critics are saying about God of War, a PlayStation exclusive and the latest entry in a series that dates back to 2005.