Christmas is fast approaching. A time for good cheer, loved ones and spending more money than you probably should be to spread good cheer to your loved ones. It's daunting buying all those presents, so we've done our bit to help.

This has been a banner year for video games, with a near constant stream of quality titles released throughout and some major hardware releases including one bound to be a favourite this Christmas.

Below we run down some of our picks for Christmas gifts for the gamers in your life.

Nintendo Switch

This has been Nintendo's year. Its new Switch console has proven a big success, despite what many predicted, and to support it the legendary studio has released two games that rank, not only among the best of the year, but the last decade.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey were classics upon arrival, and must-buys for anyone with a Switch.

Nintendo has put out a dedicated Odyssey bundle, but there's no counterpart for Zelda. Even bought separately, however, the games are worth it.

Xbox One X

This year's other major hardware release was Microsoft's much-hyped Xbox One X: the most powerful gaming console currently available on the market. Being powerful doesn't mean its games are good, and there a very few exclusives anyway, but One X is still an enticing proposition for those who don't currently own an Xbox One or PS4.

It's expensive, but One X is a good fit for someone looking for their first foray into the current generation of consoles who wants their games too look the absolute best. It's a relatively future-proof device as well, these will be looking great for a long time to come.

SNES Classic

The polar opposite of the Xbox One X is this relatively cheap slice of history. The SNES Classic is a miniature recreation of the classic console that includes 20 Super Nintendo classics and the first ever official release of Star Fox 2.

If you were never lucky enough to own a SNES, this is a must-have. Super Mario World, The Legend of Zelda: A Link To The Past and Super Metroid are just three timeless classics that are included.

Some Games

Mario and Zelda are must haves if you have a Switch or are gifting one, but the fledgling console's already bountiful catalogue includes many more options for new owners, including Splatoon 2 and Mario Kart 8: Deluxe.

On Xbox One and PS4 there's the usual suspects like Fifa 18 for football fans and Assassin's Creed Origins for adventurers, but also Destiny 2 for fans of shooters and Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus for fans of Nazi-killing carnage.

Turtle Beach Stealth 600 / 700

Turtle Beach's Stealth range of headsets offer clear sound through the headphones and to those on the other end of the line listening to your incoherent yelling when Callus is down to his final stage of health in Destiny 2's Levithan Raid.

It's a comfortable headset too, just be sure to get the right variety for the console it'll be used with.

Books

Two video game books I'd high recommend this Christmas are Blood, Sweat and Pixels by Jason Schreier, which offers a fascinating insight into the agony, ecstasy and gruelling work of game development and A Boy Made of Blocks by Keith Stuart.

In former Guardian Games editor Stuart's debut novel, Minecraft brings a father closer to his autistic son. It's heartfelt, insightful and not just for people who games. You don't need to know your Marios from your Sonics to enjoy this wonderfully sweet tale.

Xbox One X Nintendo Switch Super Mario Odyssey