Nintendo has had a bumper year in 2022, with a range of excellent games launching in recent months – from Bayonetta 3 to Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, and even earlier hits like Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Pokemon Legends: Arceus, Splatoon 3, Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope, Nintendo Switch Sports, and a bunch more. In a stellar year, it’s gained a bunch of new fans – and those newbies might have an eye on
Whether you’re shopping for a new fan, or someone who’s always loved
If you’re looking to get started on your shopping, here are a few suggestions to get the ball rolling.
Note: If
- Nintendo Strategy Guides and Reference Books
- New Nintendo Joy-Cons
- Nintendo Switch OLED Model
- Nintendo Hallmark Christmas Ornaments
- Animal Crossing and Mario Plush Toys
- Pokemon Plush Toys
- Nintendo Board Games: Monopoly and More
- Super Mario Lamps
- The Best Nintendo Games of 2022
Nintendo Strategy Guides and Reference Books – AU $20-60

Gamers love to know things. Whether it’s how to overcome the latest dungeon in The Legend of Zelda, how to catch every butterfly in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, or just what exactly the timeline of the Zelda series really is. The good news is you can help teach them exactly what they need to know, with a variety of
Here’s a few options to peruse:
- The Art of Super Mario Odyssey – AU $65.81
- The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia – AU $47.95
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Creating a Champion – AU $50.04
- Super Mario Encyclopedia: The Official Guide to the First 30 Years – AU $50.04
- The Legend of Zelda Encyclopaedia – AU $47.95
- The Legend of Zelda: Art and Artifacts – AU $50.50
- Disrupting the Game by Reggie Fils-Aime – AU $20.99
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild The Complete Official Guide – AU $66.45
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons Official Companion Guide – AU $61.92
New Nintendo Joy-Cons – AU $99.95

Nintendo Joy-Cons are a great Christmas gift, for a number of reasons. They ensure everyone in your family or friendship group can play games together, they can jazz up consoles with fresh new colours, and they’re going to need to be replaced anyway at some point – so you might as well fork out for Christmas. Joy-Cons are still subject to annoying drift the older they get, rendering some games frustrating to play. With a new set of Joy-Cons, drift can be waylaid for another few years, all while making a console brighter and more fun. It’s a win-win.
Here are a few colour options:
- Neon Pink and Green – AU $99.95
- Blue and Neon Yellow – AU $109.00
If you’re keen for a more affordable gaming accessory gift, you can also purchase something simpler – like a charging base for Joy-Cons (AU $17.99) or a fun Zelda-themed game cartridge holder (AU $13.19).
Nintendo Switch OLED Model – AU $478

If you’re shopping for a family member or someone you really appreciate, you might want to consider a whopping Christmas gift, in the form of an upgraded Nintendo Switch OLED Model. These consoles are miles above the base
While you will need to fork out if you’re going to treat the
Nintendo Hallmark Christmas Ornaments – AU $20-50

It’s not Christmas without a few festive decorations – and the good news is these can be gamified. In recent years, Hallmark has opened its hallowed doors to more ‘nerdy’ pop culture figures, with an array of games like Super Mario, Animal Crossing and Pokemon getting official Hallmark ornaments to hang on trees, and around the house. They make for delightful little gifts, and should light up any room.
Here are a few of the best Hallmark
- Isabelle from Animal Crossing – AU $20.57
- Mario with Mushroom – AU $38.23
- Super Mario Three Pack: Mario, Yoshi, Luigi – AU $88.73
- NES Controller – AU $45.17
- Pikachu – AU $47.48
- Eevee – AU $38.23
Animal Crossing and Mario Plush Toys – AU $20-70

You’re never too old for a plush toy – and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
Here are a few of our favourite plushies from
- Baby Peach – AU $32.20
- Bob-omb – AU $36.17
- Bowser Jr. – AU $57.03
- Goomba – AU $45.84
- Kirby – AU $33.00
- Link – AU $24.02
- Luigi – AU $19.95
- Luigi on Yellow Yoshi – AU $65.84
- Pink Yoshi – AU $34.37
- Red Power Up Mushroom w/ SFX – AU $73.62
- Sleeping Kirby – AU $35.33
- Splatoon 2 – Blue Squid Cushion – AU $57.90
- Tom Nook – AU $50.87
Pokemon Plush Toys – AU $40-80

Pokemon plush toys are also massively popular – which is why they get their own entry. After years of new releases and countless new Pokemon – nearly every one with their own plushie – there are simply far too many of these cutesy toys to collect. That said, if you know your
- Charizard – AU $70.00
- Combee – AU $55.00
- Eevee – AU $56.96
- Greninja – AU $38.90
- Ivysaur – AU $56.74
- Lapras – AU $49.99
- Pikachu (Sleepy) – AU $69.99
- Piplup – AU $49.99
- Poliwag – AU $47.48
- Snorlax (Reversible) – AU $29.00
- Sprigatito – AU $74.03
- Squirtle – AU $47.25
- Sylveon – AU $64.50
- Togepi – AU $44.55
Nintendo Board Games: Monopoly and More – AU $30-80

Nintendo has a long history with board games – and the sheer variety of licensed titles is impressive. We’ve tried and tested Monopoly: Animal Crossing (AU $43.98) and loved it, but there’s also a range of other exciting and frantic
- Animal Crossing: Match – AU $19.98
- Animal Crossing: Whot! – AU $7.98
- Guess Who? Animal Crossing Edition – AU $27.98
- Guess Who? Super Mario Edition – AU $23.98
- Monopoly: Gamer – AU $78.97
- Monopoly: Super Mario Celebration! – AU $32.99
- Super Mario Chess – AU $76.95
Super Mario Lamps – AU $30-145

If you’re looking to get really niche with your
Here’s a few of our favourites:
- Boo Lamp – AU $34.50
- Green Shell Light – AU $46.46
- Piranha Plant Lamp – AU $69.40
- Question Block Lamp w/ Mario – AU $143.43
- Question Block – AU $71.31
- Yoshi Egg Lamp – AU $80.18
If you’re looking outside the Super Mario series, you can also nab a Zelda Triforce Lamp (AU $49.99), a Heart Container Lamp (AU $24.99), or an illuminated Animal Crossing Logo (AU $39.94).
The Best Nintendo Games of 2022 – AU $60-70

As we all know,
Here are a few of our favourite
- Bayonetta 3 – AU $68.00
- Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes – AU $59.00
- Kirby and the Forgotten Land – AU $64.00
- Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope – AU $69.00
- Mario Strikers: Battle League – AU $53.45
- Nintendo Switch Sports – AU $54.00
- Pokemon Legends: Arceus – AU $59.00
- Pokemon Scarlet – $64.00
- Pokemon Violet – $64.00
- Splatoon 3 – AU $59.00
- Xenoblade Chronicles 3 – AU $59.00
Note: All prices are accurate as at the time of writing. As sales end, these may differ. Equivalent discounts will be available around the world.
If you’re looking for other gift guides in the lead-up to Christmas, check out:
- The best Christmas gifts for PlayStation lovers
- The best Christmas gifts for PC gamers
- The best Christmas gifts for Xbox lovers
- The best Christmas gifts for fans of board games
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