Kids who love video games are usually very particular about what gifts they want for their birthdays or Christmas. They often have a list of items they want to improve their gaming experience, like a new gaming headset or the latest version of their favourite game. However, there are also a number of video game gifts that no kid wants to receive. If you are planning to gift something special to a video game enthusiast kid in your family, avoid these options.
1. Wrong Games
There are multiple ways to get a gift wrong. The first example is buying a retro Brick Game (Tetris Clone) for a kid used to playing the latest FPS games like Borderlands or Call of Duty. They won’t appreciate your thoughtful gift. Secondly, do not buy the right game for the wrong console. You must know what console the kid uses before buying a game for them.
2. A TV without HDR
High dynamic range (HDR) is a display technology that allows for a wider range of brightness and contrast than traditional displays. For a better gaming experience, gamers prefer TVs or monitors with HDR. If you are buying a new TV for that gamer kid in the family, avoid gifting a TV without HDR. TVs are something that you don’t buy every day. So, don’t gift a TV unless it has HDR.
3. The Wrong Console
If you are a non-gamer planning to gift someone a console, it is very easy to buy the wrong one. This is true even for the most popular consoles like the PlayStation and Xbox. It is still okay if you gift someone a PS4 when they want a PS5 due to budget constraints. For Xbox consoles, however, the names (One X, Series X, One S, Series S) make it even more difficult for non-gamers to pick the right one.
4. A VR Game
Even though VR games are very popular among gamers these days, gifting them to a kid who does not have the equipment to play those games can be frustrating. VR headsets are quite expensive, and most kids do not have them. So, before you give a VR game to a kid, make sure they have the gear to play it.
5. Terrible Gaming T-Shirts
If you search for “gaming T-shirts” on Amazon or other online stores, you will find thousands of results. Most of these t-shirts either have quirky quotes or graphic designs. Now, fashion is a very personal thing. What you think is cool may not be appreciated by the kid you are giving it to. So, avoid giving gaming T-shirts as gifts.
6. Unwanted Games
Every gamer has a favourite genre of games. They rarely play any games outside that genre. If you gift them a game that is completely different from their preferences, they may not enjoy it. Before giving a game to a kid, ask them what kind of games they like. Also, knowing what console they have helps ensure you get them the right game.
7. Useless Peripherals
Gaming peripherals are usually a good option to consider while gifting them to a gamer kid. However, the market is filled with gaming peripherals that are effectively useless. A classic example is the plastic fan accessory for the bottom of the console, which does not cool the device at all. Nobody wants that.
8. Photo of a Console
This is a popular scam on the refurbished or used goods market. Sellers simply list an image of a console such as a PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch with the full price of the actual console. While you may think you are buying the console, you end up buying only a photo of it for a large amount of money. Be careful.
9. Scamming the Kid
It used to be a fun prank among friends to arrange a box for the latest PlayStation and fill it with anything but the actual console. However, it is cruel to do this to a kid. If you cannot gift them a console or game, do not ridicule them for expecting something nice.
10. Games that You Want to Play
We have already discussed how gifting unwanted games to a gamer kid is a bad idea. Even worse is giving them a game that you want to play. It is like buying the game for yourself, but you call it a gift for the kid. Always buy something that the kid would love.
Conclusion
A wrong gift can ruin a holiday or special occasion for a kid. So, it is your responsibility to understand what they like and find an appropriate gift. With all the options available in the market, it is not very difficult to find the right gift for a gamer.
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