Christmas Gifts For Gamers: The Top 5

5. Splitfish FragFX SHARK 360

£79.99

If your loved one is serious about shooters, here’s a tool that’s going to seriously elevate their game. It takes some serious getting used to, since it’s a completely different way of controlling things. While PC gamers will take to it immediately, the rest of us will need practice. Once it becomes second nature, however, this will seriously up your game. Just remember to max out the look sensitivity on whatever game you’re playing.

4. Fanatec Forza CSR Wheel Set

€459.85

“It’s way spenny!” as my grandma would say. If you’re planning to spend a lot of money on your gaming friend or family member and they have even the remotest interest in the racing genre, this gift is simply epic. Six-speed shifter, pressure loaded break pedal, clutch, strong force feedback, engine vibration, fantastic build quality. Fanatec’s CSR set is that absolute cat’s pyjamas of wheels. If you’re feeling especially generous, fork out for a decent racing seat to attach it all to.

3. Call Of Duty Elite – One Year Subscription

£39.99

Do they play Call Of Duty? More to the point, what gamer doesn’t play Call Of Duty? The best thing about this gift is that most Call Of Duty players are of the whole ‘Huff-puff, yeah, well I’m not paying to be playing, Activision’s not getting my money,’ school of thought. However, watch their faces when you give them this for free. All that gamer integrity goes straight out the window and they’re off like a shot to go study heat maps. If you don’t know what Elite is, don’t worry, they do.

2. Scuf FPS Pro Controller

£54.95-£78.95

We won’t mention cheating. Not at all. What we’ll say is that these controllers are ‘advantageous’ to their users, especially when engaged in first-person shooters. But, they’re no one trick pony; sure they have flappy paddles underneath for crouching, jumping and shooting all at the same time ( a feat impossible on a standard controller), but with their grippy domes sticks and other teaks are great for playing just about anything. It won’t make bad players suck less, but it will turn good players into great ones. True fact.

1. Turtle Beach EarForce XP500

£189.99-£239.99

These Turtle Beaches are expensive, but worth every single penny. Superb 7.1 surround sound quality will keep those noisy gamers quiet. It’s not an experience that translates well in words, but wearing these is like entering a whole new world of sound. You’ll be hearing things you never even knew existed in games you’ve been playing for years. This headset cannot be beaten.

Got kids? Then check out our guide to the best Kinect kids games for this Christmas.

If you liked this article, there’s plenty more where that came from. You can download the latest issue of 360 Magazine (also available in all good UK newsagents) through iTunes to your iPad or iPhone for just £1.99 per issue. Bargain!