Father's Day tends to sneak up on you, especially if your dad is low-key about it. Don't worry, if you're reading this before June 16, there's still time to grab him a gift he'll love, particularly if your dad is a gamer. If he's not, I'm not sure why you're reading this, but maybe you'll find something helpful below anyway.

Whether you've asked him what he wants multiple times and you've failed to get a straight answer, or you want to try and find something without having to ask him what he wants, there are plenty of options below that should tick at least a few of any gaming dad's boxes. Just make sure you don't look now and then forget about it. Order something now and then you don't have to worry about it again until Father's Day.

  • Arcade1Up Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 X-Men ‘97 Edition Deluxe Arcade Machine

    $500 at Amazon
  • via Lego

    Lego Chess Set

    $75 at Lego

  • The Jackbox Party Starter

    $20 at Official Site

  • God of War: The Official Cookbook

    Buy on Amazon

  • Arcade1Up Ms. PAC-Man Countercade

    $150 at Best Buy
  • See More
  • via PlayStation

    Helldivers 2 Orbital Strike T-Shirt

    $30 on the PlayStation Store

  • Nintendo eShop Gift Card

    From $5 at Best Buy

  • Being Iron Man – Adult Comfy Throw Blanket

    See at Amazon

  • Sony Pulse 3D Wireless Headset

    $100 at Best Buy

  • Link Tears Of The Kingdom Amiibo - The Legend Of Zelda Collection

    $16 at Best Buy

  • GUNNAR - Blue Light Gaming & Computer Glasses

    $60 at Best Buy

  • Xbox Wireless Controller

    See at Xbox Games Store

Best Gifts For Gaming Dads On Father's Day

Arcade1Up Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 X-Men ‘97 Edition Deluxe Arcade Machine

All Of The Arcade Games And None Of The Quarters

$500 $600 Save $100

Enjoy some epic battles in Marvel vs Capcom 2 and other comic-book video games with this Arcade1Up cabinet, standing over five feet tall.

Pros & Cons
  • Adorned with X-Men '97 designs pulled directly from the Disney Plus show
  • No need to insert a quarter every time you want to play
  • Will take a while to pay for itself despite all those saved quarters
$500 at Amazon $500 at Best Buy $500 at Walmart Expand Collapse

If you're really looking to splash out on your dad this Father's Day then look no further than this stunning arcade machine. One of many options from Arcade1Up that brings iconic retro games in an authentic cabinet and puts them in your home, this particular design is better than most as it was created to celebrate X-Men '97. Not only does it have artwork from the show on its panels, but the eight games you can play on its panel - which has two sides for versus and co-op play - are all Marvel classics starring the X-Men.

Lego Chess Set

Possibly The Most Dad Lego Set In Existence

Lego's traditional chess set combines two of the most popular tabletop activities on the planet - playing chess, and building things out of Lego. Made of more than 700 pieces and recommended for anyone aged nine and up, the set also includes Lego checkers, making this a 2-in-1 board game, three if you count the build itself.

Pros & Cons
  • A Lego set and a chess set rolled into one
  • A rare example of a Lego set being more than just an ornament once complete
  • Also includes Lego checkers
$75 at Lego Expand Collapse

More people need to be reminded that Lego is not just for kids, and Father's Day is the perfect time to let your dad know it's okay for grown-ups to like Lego too. There's a reason Lego says its sets are for people aged up to 99. Yes, it's a fun little tagline, but it's also true, and this chess set demonstrates that perfectly. The set is made up of 743 pieces and once complete, you've got a unique and beautiful board on which to play chess. There are easter eggs to be found too like the Minifigures on top of the queens, and the set also includes checkers if you want to play something other than chess once you're done building.

The Jackbox Party Starter

Dad's A Party Starter, Twisted Party Starter

OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 75/100 Critics Rec: 89%
Where to play Close

WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL

Jackbox's Party Starter provides an easy entry point into the series without the need to study every pack and research its games. The Party Starter includes three of Jackbox's most popular games and is available on pretty much every major platform.

Powered by Expand Collapse Pros & Cons
  • The perfect entry point into the wide world of Jackbox
  • Only one copy needed for multiple people to play
  • Also only one console/PC needed, everyone else can play using their phones

Jackbox Party Packs have been providing one of the easiest and most accessible entry points to gaming for the past decade. Ten years later, the only problem is figuring out which pack to pick up first. If you have never played Jackbox before, the names of the games included with each pack likely mean very little to you. The beauty of the Jackbox Party Starter is the series' creators negated the need for research and created a pack that features their three greatest hits. You also only need one copy, which means you can hand this to your dad this Father's Day and everyone can play along with him using their phones, regardless of the platform you purchase the game for.

God of War: The Official Cookbook

Flavors From The Nine Realms

4.0/5 Title God of War: The Official Cookbook of the Nine Realms Author Victoria Rosenthal, Rick Barba Genre Video Games, Cooking

God of War: The Official Cookbook explores the nine realms through food inspired by the games, with over 60 recipes for you to cook.

Pros & Cons
  • Loaded with recipes inspired by the God of War games
  • Written and published by a team responsible for lots of video game cookbooks
  • Not a wise choice for dads who don't cook
Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart Expand Collapse

The video game world is jam-packed with inspirational dads, and one of the more prominent ones in recent gaming history is Kratos. The protagonist in God of War, while he doesn't do much of it in the games, I'd like to think he's a pretty great cook. The official God of War cookbook would certainly suggest he is. Its pages are loaded with recipes inspired by the nine realms in which the games take place, and as a dad who owns this book, reviewed it, and continues to use it regularly, I can vouch for how great it is. I know I mentioned in the cons that it might not be a wise pick for dads who don't cook much, but perhaps a God of War-themed cookbook is exactly what they need to change that.

Arcade1Up Ms. PAC-Man Countercade

An Arcade Cabinet Option For A Lot Less

$150 $180 Save $30

This tabletop cabinet from Arcade1Up features Ms. PAC-Man, Super PAC-Man, Galaxian, King & Balloon, and Rompers.

Pros & Cons
  • Cheaper arcade unit option than the one above
  • Ms Pac-Man is better than Pac-Man (it's okay to say it)
  • Features five classic games and fits right on your countertop
$150 at Best Buy Expand Collapse

Okay, I admit it. As great as the X-Men '97 arcade cabinet option above is, and my belief that there should be one in every home as standard, it's expensive. Not everyone can spend $500 on their dad this Father's Day, but if you'd still like to give them an arcade cabinet this Father's Day despite that, there are other options. One of those options is this Ms. Pac-Man Countercade machine. A fraction of the price of Arcade1Up's full-size cabinets and it's loaded with not one, but five classic games your dad will remember playing in arcades when he was a kid. Plus no need to worry about figuring out where to put it as it fits right on the counter and is easy to move around when needed.

Helldivers 2 Orbital Strike T-Shirt

Serve Up Some Liber-Tee This Father's Day

Helldivers 2's Orbital Strike t-shirt has the input command you need to activate the stratagem printed on the front, and something you might shout as you throw it dangerously close to your teammates printed on the back.

Pros & Cons
  • A perfect present for the Helldiving dad
  • Can look down whenever they forget the button input for an orbital strike
  • Doesn't require you to link to a PSN account before you buy
$30 on the PlayStation Store Expand Collapse

Suit up, Helldiver. No, literally, you can actually suit up now as the PlayStation Store has Helldivers 2 merch, this Orbital Strike t-shirt among the items you can pick up for your dad this Father's Day. I'm a dad and I love playing Helldivers 2, and I know for a fact I'm not the only one. I also know that I'd enjoy playing it even more if I wore this t-shirt while doing it, and would be over the moon to receive a salute from a fellow Helldiver while wearing it out and about. Remind your dad that the battle for managed democracy doesn't need to be all about the Automaton threat and being covered in bug blood this Father's Day.

Nintendo eShop Gift Card

Just Let Him Decide

Amount $65 Number of Designs 1 Format Card Brand Nintendo

The Nintendo eShop is quite literally loaded with thousands of games. Whether it's enough to buy a whole one or a contribution to someone's next purchase, a gift card is a great way to get someone a gaming gift they can choose themselves.

Pros & Cons
  • Takes the decision out of your hands
  • Thousands of games to choose from on the eShop
  • Gift cards available in various denominations
From $5 at Best Buy Expand Collapse

If you are really stuck for what to buy the father figure in your life this Father's Day, or you're reading this with very little time left until the big day, then go for a gift card. No, it might not be the most imaginative present in the world, but it gives them the chance to make the decision themselves. It's also likely to lead them to buy something they might otherwise not, potentially resulting in them discovering their next favorite game on Nintendo Switch. I can't tell you how many times I've been bought games I didn't want because people know I like games, and also the number of times I've discovered something new because I had gift cards to use. Just don't go to Amazon for them. For some reason, the site no longer sells them.

Being Iron Man – Adult Comfy Throw Blanket

Dad Is Iron Man

Type Throw Blanket Sizes Adult - 48 x 71 Inches Material 100% Polyester Brand Northwest

Dad will look rad as Iron Man in this wrap-around blanket featuring a favorite Marvel character. Perfect for cozy gaming on a cold day, with open sleeves to keep your hands free for the controller.

Pros & Cons
  • Turns your dad into a comfortable version of Iron Man
  • Material is far more breathable than the real Iron Man suit
  • All other Iron Man abilities other than appearance not included
See at Amazon Expand Collapse

Ok, seriously, this is so cool. Turn your Dad into Iron Man for Father's Day with this comfy blanket with sleeves where they'll feel like the most comfortable superhero and look the part. Celebrate their love for Marvel with a sweet throw blanket that will pair well with some other items on the list to get them the ultimate comfort setup for a relaxing Father's Day. He can even do some light cosplay around the house and truly step into the superhero he really is.

Sony Pulse 3D Wireless Headset

Give Your Dad's Ears The Day Off

Microphone Dual Hidden Microphones Compatibility PS4, PS5, Windows, macOS, 3.5mm heaphone jack Brand Sony Surround Sound Yes Battery Life Up to 12 hours

Immerse your Dad in the game with the Pulse 3D Wireless Headset. Powered by Tempest 3D AudioTech he'll be able to hear exactly where the enemy footsteps are coming from, with the sound coming from every direction. He'll be impressed by the sound quality and accessibility.

Pros & Cons
  • Comfortable Cushion
  • Ease to access controls
  • included 3.5 mm headhpone jack for non-wireless use and connection
  • Very good battery life
  • Spatial surround audio on PS4 and PS5
  • Design can be hit or miss depending on the person
  • Very little headset adjustment available
See at Amazon $100 at Best Buy $100 at GameStop Expand Collapse

Let your dad block out the family for a little while and get immersed in the game he's trying to complete. If he's not gaming, these headphones can be used on the go as well while doing things around the house, going shopping, exercising, or avoiding it all for a chance to relax and listen to that dad playlist you made him. These headphones are the perfect blend of sounding good and looking good, with 3D audio when connected to your PlayStation that he will love and the ability to Bluetooth connect to other products. Easy-to-access buttons on the sides make for quick muting and accessible controls for when he needs to mute quickly due to all the family sounds in the background.

Link Tears Of The Kingdom Amiibo - The Legend Of Zelda Collection

Introduce Your Dad To Amiibo This Father's Day

Collecting doesn't need to be expensive and exclusive. The best collection items can be Amiibo from Nintendo. If your dad is a Zelda fan, grab him this elusive Link Amiibo from Tears of the Kingdom to

Pros & Cons
  • Great for collecting
  • Affordable
  • Multipurpose - Can be used in games
  • Hard to find
$37 on Amazon $16 at Best Buy $16 at GameStop Expand Collapse

Maybe trading cards aren't his thing, but your dad enjoys games and collectibles. Definitely grab him an amiibo figure. With the popularity and great reviews of Tears of the Kingdom, if he's a fan of the series, he'll appreciate adding this Link figure to his collection. It's a great budget choice for his desk or shelf at work or home too.

GUNNAR - Blue Light Gaming & Computer Glasses

Block Out That Blue Light

Brand GUNNAR Lens Type Silicone anti-reflective lens Frame Size 133 mm Lens Length 58 mm Bridge Fit 17 mm

Staring at a screen all day as you age can be a bit grating. No one wants to strain their eyes or be obliterated by the midday sun. These GUNNAR blue light gaming and computer glasses block both UV Rays and harmful blue light to allow Dad to game for hours on end in comfort and save his eyesight at the same time.

Pros & Cons
  • Multiple styles & options are available
  • Blue light and UV ray blocking
  • 12-month warranty
  • Certain styles only available through the more expensive GUNNAR website
See at Amazon $60 at Best Buy $60 at GameStop Expand Collapse

I'm not claiming your Dad is old, but there's never a right time to protect his eyesight. If he's constantly on a computer or gaming as much as he can, you might want to invest in getting him some gamer glasses. With blue light tint for hours in front of the screen and UV protection from the sun, he will wear these sleek glasses everywhere. If you really want to seal the deal, grab the Tony Stark-style frames from the official website to tie with the other gifts on this list.

Xbox Wireless Controller

A Custom-Made Controller For Your Dad To Treasure

Brand Microsoft Platform Xbox Battery AA batteries for up to 40 hours of battery life Connectivity Bluetooth, Micro-USB Headset Support Yes

Xbox Design Lab allows you to create and personalize your very own Xbox Wireless Controller. The perfect gift for Father's Day is a personalized wireless controller that can be used on multiple devices, keeping Dad happy playing games with a controller that reflects his personality.

Pros & Cons
  • In-depth Customization
  • Perfect personalized gift
  • Bluetooth Wireless connectivity
  • Compatible with Xbox, PC, phones, tablets and more
  • Runs on batteries
  • Accessories and additional customization can get expensive
See at Xbox Games Store Expand Collapse

Whether it's his favorite sports team, game series, or even just his favorite colors, a customized Xbox Wireless controller from Xbox will be his new favorite accessory. Create in-depth customization from back grips to designs and personal additions to fit his gaming needs. You can even design these controllers after his favorite games with special design lab options for recent releases. Create a one-of-a-kind gift that's not only a wireless controller useable with multiple devices but also a work of art to add to his gaming collection. He'll love this personalized piece.

FAQ

Is It Normal For Dads To Play Video Games?

While we have less time to do it than we used to, it is absolutely normal for dads to play video games. Whether it's finding time in the evening to squeeze in some Helldivers, or working my way through The Forgotten Land with my son, I still play as many video games as time will allow.

What Percentage Of Gamers Are Dads?

According to Activision Blizzard Media, as many as one in five gamers are gaming dads, so male parents who have at least one child under the age of 18.

Next

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