The best gaming gear for graduates

Corsair K70 RGB MK.2

Since your grade won’t be writing as many term papers (we hope), now you can get them a keyboard optimized for gaming instead of typing. Corsair has made a lot of our favorites, and the K70 hits that sweet spot in terms of features and price — gamers will get a sturdy deck to type on, responsive keys, and some handy media buttons at the top to control their music. If you order straight from Corsair’s site, you have a choice of key types, or you can save a few bucks by copping the MX Speed model (our favorite switch type) for $140 at Best Buy. And it’s still great for typing out papers and resumes.

Buy Corsair K70 RGB MK.2 at Best Buy – $140

Logitec G915 TKL

If your kid has moved back home or into a small apartment, they might want to take their gaming accessories off the desk and onto a couch or bed. Wee recommend a compact wireless model like Logitech’s G915 TKL. Sure, it sacrifices a number pad on the right, but it still has a lot of flexibility with a sturdy design that can easily rest on a lap. The included receiver ensures a rock-solid connection and stows away inside the G915, so it won’t get lost. The keyboard also works with Bluetooth, so this is a deck a young adult can stow away in their bag for working or gaming on the go.

Buy Logitech G915 TKL at Amazon – $230

Razer DeathAdder V2

Chances are graduates will want to spend some time catching up on all the games they didn’t have time to play in college, and for that, they’ll probably want a gaming mouse that can handle a wide variety of genres. The newest version of Razer’s DeathAdder mouse is comfortable for many hand sizes; thee 20,000-dpi sensor can be adjusted on the fly, and the buttons they’ll need for most games are there — all for a reasonable $70 price. Razer also sells a wireless Pro versio andh a mini version for folks with smaller palms.

Buy DeathAdder V2 at Amazon – $70

Logitech G305

The G305 is a solidly built mouse available in four different and highly flashy colors so that it can be integrated into various stylish gaming setups. But this wireless accessory isn’t just about looks, thanks to its 12,000 dpi and 1ms report rate. The receiver stows inside the mouse for easy transportation, and it uses a single AA battery that can last up to nine months before needing a replacement. Pair this with Logitech’s other Lightspeed accessories, like the G733 headset and G915 keyboard, for a genuinely color-coordinated gaming rig.

Buy Logitech C305 at B&H Photo – $40

Logitech G733

Buy this stylish headset for its bright plastic colors and vivid lighting, but stay for a headset that’s easy to use and super comfortable in long gaming sessions. It fits nicely on larger heads while resting snugly on smaller noggins thanks to the elastic headband, which can be swapped with different patterns available through the Logitech website for $10 each. The company also sells pop filters for the mic in various fun shapes. This is one of the most gorgeous headsets you can buy right now, and it coordinates well with other products in Logitech’s lineup.

Buy Logitech G733 at Amazon – $130

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless

Buy SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless at Amazon – $97

Logitech StreamCam

In this era of constant video chat and live-streaming, we’ve all found ourselves frequently switching between devices and formats — widescreen for your Zoom calls and portrait when on the phone — with varying video quality. Logitech’s StreamCam is built for both, easily swiveling from one video orientation to the other. That way, your grad can use the same camera for YouTube clips as they’d use for Facebook and Instagram Live, saving time and money for their budding career as an influencer.

Buy Logitech Streamcam at Amazon – $170

Blue Yeti Nano

Headset mics have improved over the years, making them more than acceptable for video chat and the occasional podcast appearance. But if your grad wants to get more serious about content creation, investing in a USB mic for crystal clear audio is best. We’d recommend the full-sized or Pro Yeti models for full-time and professional streaming, but for those just starting or doing it as a “hobby” side, the Nano is an affordable way to dip a toe in the water.

Buy Yeti Nano at Amazon – $100

Logitech G333

Just because you’re on the go doesn’t mean youmusto give up stellar gaming audio. A few companies have started building earbuds specifically for mobile games, with stylish good looks and crystal clear sound. Logitech’s G333 is particularly appealing thanks to its low price and attractive color options. Sure, it’s not wireless, but when your gifteeplaysg through an intense round of Fortnite, they’ll appreciate audio that doesn’t drop out.

Buy Logitech G333 at Best Buy – $50

Otterbox Mobile Gaming Cases

Young adults spend a lot of money on a good phone to play games and snap photos with, so why not protect their investment with a solid case? But not just any case — these rugged black Otterbox models are antimicrobial and textured for grip, perfect for dealing with your greasy, sweaty hands. They have issues with several iPhone models and Samsung’s Galaxy S21+, so their premium flagship handset can stay looking fresh as the day they bought it.

8BitDo Pro 2

Sometimes the standard controllers just don’t cut it, but finding good replacement gamepads can be expensive — unless you invest in an 8BitDo model. Not only does the new Pro 2 hit a relatively affordable sweet spot under $50, but it can work with various platforms, including Switch, Android, Windows, and macOS. It’s also highly customizable, allowing your grad to map the buttons as they please and adjust the sensitivity of the thumbsticks and triggers. And, thanks to various color schemes, you can choose the one that will go best with your gaming setup.

Video games

Tetris Effect

With school behind them, graduates will want to take some time to kick back and relax, and what better than with this trippy installment of the well-known puzzle game? The colors, music, and animation in Tetris Effect will take them to ethereal places, while the increasing levels and new features like the “Zone” mode will keep things exciting. Your grad can also give it a spin on PlayStation VR if they want to be fully immersed, while even Xbox users can join in on the Tetris Effect fun thanks to Connected’s new co-op and competitive modes.

Stardew Valley

When your grad tires of all the hustle and bustle of keeping up with the latest Animal Crossing events, why not get them into a game that only moves forward when they open it up? Stardew Valley has plenty to do — farming, mining, animal husbandry, and even dating (and marrying) your fellow villagers. But time only passes in Stardew Valley when they’re actually playing, so it’ll be patiently waiting for them even as their post-college life gets super busy.

Overcooked! All You Can Eat

If your grad ever gets to reminiscing about group projects in school or at work, you can quickly bring them back down to earth with this cooperative cooking game that requires two to four players to work together in a kitchen to prepare meals. It’s frantic, and there will be a lot of yelling… which might be good preparation for any future employment they might be considering.

With school behind them, it’s easy for some graduates to become lumps on the couch, so why not encourage them to be more active with Just Dance 2021 for Switch, Xbox, or PlayStation? Each new edition always packs in the latest hit song,s and some stalwart classics, and adults are sure to work up a sweat while playing. If they get tired of the built-in song list, they can also sign up for Just Dance Unlimited, which grants access to almost the entire back catalog of Just Dance songs over its 12-year history.