Your controller's charged, you've cleared your weekend, and GTA VI is almost here. But is your gaming setup ready? 

November is a busy time for gamers: GTA VI launches, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time returns for a new generation on Nintendo Switch 2, and Xbox is celebrating 25 years of gaming history.

Whether you're planning to lose yourself in Vice City, revisit Hyrule or simply fancy upgrading your setup, now's a great time to give your gaming gear some attention. From powerful consoles and accessories to gift-worthy gear, here's how to get ready for some of gaming's biggest moments. 

Few games generate excitement quite like Grand Theft Auto and after years of speculation, trailers and countdowns, GTA VI is almost here!

Rockstar is returning players to Vice City, this time with dual protagonists Jason and Lucia and a larger slice of the state of Leonida to explore. Trailers have already showcased sprawling beaches, busy city streets and Florida-inspired chaos, helping make GTA VI one of the most anticipated launches in gaming history.

Big releases like GTA VI often become the trigger for long-overdue upgrades. If you've been putting off replacing an ageing console, headset or controller, a game you've waited 13 years for is a pretty good excuse.
 

If you've been considering a console upgrade, GTA VI could be the perfect excuse.

For players who want the very best visual experience, the PS5 Pro is the powerhouse console of the moment. The Pro is the most powerful console available, meaning sharper visuals, improved frame rates and smoother gameplay for that cinematic experience.

That said, the standard PS5 is no slouch either and keeps delivering fantastic gaming for the latest releases. For many gamers, it's likely to offer everything needed to enjoy GTA VI without pushing the boat out for the PS5 Pro.

Meanwhile, the smart black box known as the Xbox Series X can still hold its own. It’s a great pick for GTA VI and then there’s always Xbox Game Pass to whet your appetite while you wait on GTA.

And don't forget your phone! With cloud gaming services available on Xbox and PlayStation, you can take big adventures beyond the sofa too, streaming blockbuster titles to your mobile when you fancy squeezing in a session away from the TV.

A new console isn't the only way to level up your gaming. Sometimes the right accessory really adds something you might not know you’re missing.

Headsets
Whether it's hearing traffic, conversations and music as you explore Vice City or simply enjoying clearer, more detailed audio, a gaming headset can make games feel more immersive, and when you do jump into multiplayer games, chat quality gets a boost too.

Controllers
A comfortable controller can make long gaming sessions much more enjoyable. If yours is looking worn or suffering from stick drift, now could be the perfect time to upgrade. Adding a second controller is handy too, especially when friends or family come round.

Storage
Can you ever have enough space? Modern games are a massive 100GB or more! Additional SSD storage can save you from constantly deleting old favourites to make room for new adventures. Just make sure to grab some that’s compatible with your console of choice
 

Buying gifts for gamers can be tricky. Chances are they already own the games they're interested in, and choosing the wrong title is an expensive mistake...that's why accessories, subscriptions and gift cards are often the safer bet.

This month is a smart time to start looking since Black Friday deals often bringing discounts across gaming hardware and accessories!

Gaming gift shopping list:

• Gaming headsets
• Additional controllers
• Storage upgrades
• Gaming subscriptions
• Digital gift cards

Do they spend hours online with friends? A quality headset could be perfect. Constantly running out of storage? Extra capacity might be more useful than another game.

Gaming isn't only about what's coming next, sometimes it's worth looking back.

This November, Nintendo is doing exactly that with a full remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Originally released in 1998 and widely regarded as one of the most influential games ever made, the reimagined adventure launches on 5 November 2026 exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2.

Whether you're returning to Hyrule for another journey alongside Link or experiencing the adventure for the very first time, it's a great excuse to revisit one of gaming's true classics. 

Meanwhile, there are twenty-five years of Xbox memories to celebrate! From LAN sessions in Halo and chainsaw duels in Gears of War to the arrival of Game Pass, Xbox has been behind some of gaming's biggest moments.

GTA VI looks set to be one of the biggest gaming launches in years, and the right console or accessories can help you get even more from the experience. Meanwhile, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is returning for a new generation on Nintendo Switch 2, while Xbox's 25th anniversary offers a chance to celebrate just how far gaming has come.

What game are you most excited to play? Let us know in the comments below!