Kids under 10

Pokemon: This card game was popular when I was growing up, and it’s still played today. You can find starter decks, booster packs, and everything else needed to play at most card stores and places like K-Mart or Wal-Mart. It has a really easy layout, it’s pretty simple to learn, and it’s not as “hardcore” as Yu-Gi-Oh! or Magic can be. It’s based on the popular cartoon, which still airs. For kids under 10 that are interested in card games, this is a good place to start. ~RenoChan

Oshi: This is a logic board game that is surprisingly simple to figure out. It’s recommended for kids 8+, and it definitely fits that. The point is to move your pieces around the board to push your opponent’s pieces off to get a certain number of points. The rules are on a single page, front only, and are pretty simple to catch onto. If you have a puzzle fan on your list, this is definitely worth it. It’s great for older kids and teenagers, too, so it’s something everyone could get into playing. ~RenoChan

Tweens

Yu-Gi-Oh!: Another popular card game based on a tv show. This one, however, has spanned a few different seasons, multiple plots, and quite a few years. It’s a little harder to learn, as there are harder play mechanics to remember, and it’s definitely better for pre-teens that might want to start playing card games. This card game sees new pack releases every month or so, which shows there is a constant support of the game by its makers. ~RenoChan

Odin’s Ravens: Another board/card game with a fun layout and easy gameplay. This game has an origin in mythology, with Odin and his two ravens. The story is that Odin has sent his ravens out to look over the world, and the ravens are now racing. It has a cute story that most kids should enjoy. The recommended age is 10+, but 8 and 9-year olds might enjoy and understand it enough to play. ~RenoChan

Teens

Magic: the Gathering: Personally, this is my favorite card game. It deserves the 13+ rating, as it is not only difficult to learn to play at first and some of the game mechanics can be tricky. The game gets updates every 3 to 4 months. It’s good for teens that are either tired of Yu-Gi-Oh! or other card games, or just want a challenge with a large fanbase. ~RenoChan

Scary Tales: This is a dueling card game from Playroom Entertainment with a fairy tale spin.  For each box you get (currently Red Riding Hood vs. Pinocchio and The Giant vs. Snow White are available) you get two decks to play against each other.  In each one is a companions and many items that can be used to try and defeat the other player.  If you opt to get more than one box, you can adjust the game in order to go from 2 players to 4. ~Cherith

PK Cards: PK cards is a fairly new game that has a lot of good play potential. It’s complicated to learn, but once a player gets a grasp of the basic rules, then it is a lot of fun. Pre-constructed decks can support two players, and the cards come with codes that allow players to use the site to redeem the codes for points which can be used to buy more packs. Enough points can gain a bigger prize like video game systems. ~RenoChan

Adults

Livingstone: Livingstone is about Scottish Missionary Dr. David Livingstone’s trip to Africa, where he researched the tribes and flora and fauna of the area.  It’s a different take on the farming board games that are popular right now, where the player stakes out specific areas of the board with tents.  But, you have to remember to send some of the money you make back to the Queen, as she’s the one funding your trip.  At the end of the trip (the game has a quick turn around) if you haven’t spent enough money in tribute to Queen Victoria it effect the winning outcome. ~Cherith

Geist: The Sin Eaters: White-Wolf’s newest role-playing game about those who have died and returned from death.  But when you return, you come with new baggage: spectral creatures that live inside you and hold the keys to mysteries they’ll drive you towards.  It’s an inventive new setting being compared to Wraith, but with major improvements on the ghost genre.  Well worth the spend for gaming friends.  ~Cherith

Arkham Horror: Innsmouth Expansion: This is the sixth expansion for the large Arkham Horror board game.  If you know fans of the game, it’s definitely an expansion worth adding to their base game.  It adds a new city board, 16 new investigators, 8 new Ancient Ones, and two new Heralds.  There’s also personal story cards added to the deck for investigators, new monsters and encounter cards.  ~Cherith

Pathfinder the RPG: This summer Paizo released it’s hardback release of the Pathfinder RPG an entire update to the D&D 3.5 rules set with a lot of tweaks, original story and characters and rule changes.  If you know fans of D&D that might not have been interested in the new 4.0 release of the game, Pathfinder might be just the right gift for them.  ~Cherith

Stocking Stuffers

Booster Packs: Do you have a trading card player, collectable card player, or a sports card collector on your list this year? Booster packs are available for just about any game out there, usually for $2 to $5. These add more cards to a player’s arsenal or collection, and they’re pretty inexpensive. ~RenoChan

Dice Sets: What Dungeons and Dragons player doesn’t need a full set of dice? Not only that, but the 10-sided die is good for other games, the 20-sided die makes a perfect life points counter for Magic: the Gathering, and 6-sided dice are always at potential for getting lost. These sets are available all in a convenient box and some places even sell the individually, usually for 50 cents or less. As well as dice, companies make counter jars, which are just for keeping track of hit points, tokens, game pieces, and more. ~RenoChan

Miniatures: If you’ve got a D&D, Pathfinder or other RPG gamer on your list that likes to add to their games with maps and miniatures, there’s a lot of places you can find items to help those players supplement their gaming experiences.  Luckily for you, you don’t have to know the specific game the person on your list is playing (although the genre is helpful).  Just grab some generic pieces if you don’t know specifics and your gamers are going to be thankful.  ~Cherith

Index Cards and a Pen: Alright, so if money is very tight, and you still want to surprise the gamer on your list, buy them a pack of index cards, and print out the instructions for the “1000 Blank White Cards” game.  This is an inventive game where the only limits are the ones you think up.  It’s different every time, and you rarely go through all the index cards on the first play through.