Whether it’s Christmas, birthdays or another holiday, buying video games for that gamer on your list can be daunting, especially if you don’t know video games that well yourself. Here are some tips to help you out. If you have any other ideas I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

5 Tips for Buying Video Games for Others

Tip #1 – Find Out What Systems They Use

You don’t want to buy a PS4 game if they have a PS3 or a Wii U or Xbox One. Make sure you find out exactly what system or systems they own including hand held ones like a PS Vita or Nintendo 3DS. It matters. Some game systems can play older versions such as the Wii U being able to play Wii games. However some are not backwards-compatible (what it means to be able to play older versions) such as the PS4 which will not play PS3 games.

Tip #2 – Watch the ESRB Ratings

The ESRB is a group that evaluates video games and apps and determines a rating for it to help you decide what games are appropriate for what ages and levels of maturity. I wrote a post on Understanding Video Game Ratings that will help you if you are brand new to the ESRB ratings. Along with the ratings such as T for Teen or M for Mature it mentions what type of content you will find such as Blood, Strong Language, Sexual Content, Violence etc so you can decide for yourself if you will allow a child older than the rating to play the game.

Tip #3 – Pay Attention To What Games They Already Own

If your intended giftee has lots of Batman games, ask the store clerk if there is a new Batman game that your giftee doesn’t have yet. Does your giftee have lots of first person shooter games (where you play through the eyes of the shooter)? Ask the store clerk for a recommendation. See lots of RPG games? Start there.

Tip #4 – Ask Them

If you don’t mind them knowing you might get them a game, ask them which games they really want. Or ask in a general conversation way so it’s not as obvious. “So, you seem to like Destiny a lot, what other games do you enjoy?”

Tip #5 – Gift Cards

Get either a gift card for a store that sells video games or a card for a certain system. For example they have PS4 cards that your giftee can use to download games for his PS4. Or Wii U cards for her to download Wii U games.