Gaming

Gaming starts with the game world you know

Some people are looking for one particular character. Others want a familiar game universe around them. Minecraft, Pokémon, Super Mario, Zelda and Fortnite each have their own visual identity, and the differences stand out just as clearly on a poster as they do on a T-shirt or mug. Minecraft brings blocks, Creeper and TNT. Pokémon opens the door to a huge cast of characters and iconic designs, while Super Mario has the Mushroom Kingdom, power-ups and brightly coloured characters. Zelda leans into Hyrule, Link and a sense of adventure. Fortnite has a whole different kind of game aesthetic.

PlayStation and other platform designs are more about gaming culture than one particular story. The same goes for general gamer designs featuring controllers, consoles and everyday moments in front of the screen. Gaming merch can look wildly different, even when the passion behind it is the same.

The gaming room goes beyond the screen

The wall, desk and lighting around your screen are natural places to build on your love of games. Gaming posters fill larger spaces with game art, characters, maps or logos. Posters are worth a closer look if the wall is where you want to start. Lamps add a physical touch that stays put even when the game is over, and lamps cover both gaming designs and other universes.

On the desk, mouse mats, mugs and smaller accessories play a different role. A mouse mat becomes a big patch of artwork right in front of your keyboard. Mugs and smaller decorations add details without competing with the rest of your setup. Mouse mats cover both specific game designs and broader gaming styles.

In a room with several interests, not everything has to come from the same game. A Zelda poster can sit beside a Minecraft lamp, and Pokémon fits right in on the desk alongside a more general gamer design. The personal touch often comes from the mix, not a complete matching set.

Gaming clothes don't have to look like room decor

Designs work differently on clothes than they do on a wall. T-shirts and sweatshirts can handle bold logos and characters, but also smaller symbols that other players are most likely to recognise. Pyjamas, caps and underwear make gaming more everyday and less serious. To see gaming apparel alongside clothes from film, anime and other universes, head to clothing.

The wide range of games lets your style change without changing what you’re into. Super Mario can be colourful and playful, Zelda more adventurous, PlayStation more graphic and Minecraft instantly pixelated. “Gaming clothes” don’t have to mean one particular aesthetic.

Figures and plushies bring game characters to life

Figures, plushies and puzzles tap into a different side of gaming than clothes and room decor. Here, the character or activity takes centre stage. A figure often gets a permanent spot on the shelf, a plush brings a familiar character a little closer, and puzzles turn game art into something you can bring out around the table. In toys and collectibles, game characters share the space with collectibles from all kinds of universes.

Plenty of gaming merch works perfectly well without a screen or console. Figures, plushies, puzzles and decor take their identity from the games and stand on their own as physical products.

Nintendo as its own direction

Several of the big gaming universes have a clear connection to Nintendo. Nintendo brings several of them together and is worth a look when Mario, Zelda and other Nintendo series are high on your wish list. Minecraft, Fortnite, PlayStation and other game worlds have their own distinct identities beyond the Nintendo universe, too.

The range is broad: retro and modern, cute and dark, character-led and graphic, clothes and homeware, play and collecting. You can stick to one style or mix different game worlds freely.

Gaming merch without a specific game name

Some products are more about gaming itself than a particular universe. Controllers, console references, humour and general gamer designs have their own place alongside the big game series. Gamer is made for exactly that kind of design. A good choice when the gaming passion is clear, but you don’t want a favourite game to dictate the whole design.

From there, it’s a short step back to a specific universe when something catches your eye. A general gaming mug might be the start; next time it could be a Pokémon plush, a Minecraft sweatshirt or a Zelda poster. Gaming doesn’t have to mean one style. Some stick to one game universe, while others mix characters, platforms and general gamer designs.