Christmas Games – 10 Best Video Games for a Holiday Gaming Guide

Ho ho ho! The holidays are here—a time for unwrapping gifts, decorating the tree, sharing great food, and spending time with family and friends. But for many of us, there’s another tradition that’s just as important: playing Christmas video games.

Whether you’re teaming up with siblings on the couch, exploring snowy digital worlds solo, or enjoying festive multiplayer events online, holiday gaming brings people together in a way few traditions can.

From retro classics to modern seasonal events, Christmas-themed video games capture the joy, nostalgia, and chaos of the season.

The Table of Contents

Holiday Gaming Guide – The Best Christmas Video Games

So grab your favorite holiday snack, fire up your console or PC, and let’s dive into some of the best holiday video games worth playing this Christmas.

Jazz Jackrabbit: Holiday Hare (PC, 1995)

Made by the mad genius Cliff Bleszinski, Jazz Jackrabbit was like the cooler, gun-toting version of Sonic The Hedgehog.

Jazz was a wise-guy, one-liner spouting bunny who blasted foes who dared step in his way. Interestingly, it also featured some Holiday Hare missions, where you got to shoot tortoises in the face in a Christmas-ey world set to the soundtrack of punk-rock versions of your favorite Christmas songs.

Duke Nukem: Nuclear Winter (PC, 1997)

Everyone’s favorite manly man set out to save a world gone insane in Nuclear Winter. The plot was simple enough.

It’s Christmas, but Santa has been brainwashed by evil aliens, and you’ve got to stop his nefarious plans by battling all manner of Christmas-themed characters along the way – snowmen, elves, and even monsters, all of whom look appropriately dressed for the holidays. Even the strippers in this game are dressed for Christmas.

Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble (SNES, 1996)

Donkey Kong Country 3 is a fun game to play during the holidays as it is. But if you enter the secret code “Merry” during the file selection screen, you’ll turn the game into a true Christmas delight.

All the bonus levels now start playing Christmas music, and you are now collecting bells and presents instead of stars and bananas. Joy to the world!

Nights Into Dreams: Christmas Nights (Sega Saturn, 1996)

Nights Into Dreams is one of those games that people who’ve played swear by. It’s a wonderful-looking, relaxing platformer that always brings a smile to your face. Christmas Nights adds two holiday-themed levels to the already stellar package.

There are a lot of secrets and Easter eggs that are fun to discover, and the act of retrieving a star to put on your Christmas tree remains as charming as ever. And the best part? It’s free.

• As noted by Sega Retro, Christmas NiGHTS into Dreams transformed its Spring Valley stage with festive graphics, music, and holiday twists—including Christmas trees, red attire for NiGHTS, and even seasonal surprises like a New Year’s title screen and April Fools’ Day Reala mode.

Christmas Lemmings (Amiga, 1993)

Who doesn’t remember Lemmings?! The cute, if often grim task of guiding your lemmings safely through a level is still intact in Christmas Lemmings.

A game which gives you a whole host of holiday-themed puzzles to play through and, often, watch your lemmings die trying. And did I mention they’re all wearing Santa outfits this time around?

James Pond 2: Codename Robocod (Sega Genesis, 1991)

James Pond is back, and this time, things are serious. Well, sort of. You’ve got to fight against your nemesis Dr. Maybe, who has fled to the North Pole and assumed control of Santa’s operations.

But fear not young agent, to rise up to this ice-cold task, you have the help of RoboCod, a robotic suit that makes you stronger and faster than ever.

Home Alone (NES, 1991)

For people who grew up during the 90s, Home Alone was a huge part of the holidays. And while the series has spawned many video games, Home Alone for the Nintendo NES system is in a league of its own.

Basically, you get to relive the entire adventure of the movie as Kevin, setting up elaborate traps and saving not just your own house, but all the houses on your street from the Wet Bandits. There’s a ticking clock to make things more interesting.

“For me, the movie and the video game Home Alone are the epitome of the Christmas season. It’s not the holidays unless I fire up the game and rewatch the movie.” – Brandon, The Old School Game Vault

Modern Holiday Gaming – Christmas Video Games From Recent Years

While many of the classics we’ve covered are retro holiday gems from the 80s and 90s, Christmas gaming hasn’t stopped there. In fact, the last decade has given us some of the most creative and memorable Christmas video games and festive events. From over-the-top zombie action to cozy community celebrations, these modern titles prove that the holiday spirit is alive and well in today’s gaming world.

Dead Rising 4: Stocking Stuffer Holiday Pack (Xbox One, 2016)

If you want pure Christmas chaos, look no further than Dead Rising 4’s Stocking Stuffer Holiday Pack. Frank West takes on hordes of zombies in a shopping mall decked out with twinkling Christmas lights, candy canes, and Santa decorations.

The festive DLC arms you with holiday-themed weapons like candy-cane crossbows and explosive ornaments, plus ugly Christmas sweaters to survive in style. It’s the perfect mix of zombie mayhem and holiday spirit, making it one of the most unique Christmas video games of the modern era.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Toy Day (Nintendo Switch, 2020–Present)

For a heartwarming holiday experience, Animal Crossing: New Horizons celebrates Toy Day every December. Guided by Jingle the black-nosed reindeer, players deliver presents to villagers, decorate their islands with festive lights, and share gifts with friends online.

Toy Day has become a beloved holiday video game event that captures the warmth, kindness, and tradition of Christmas. For players looking for cozy, family-friendly festive gaming, this is the holiday highlight of the year.

Fortnite – Winterfest (Ongoing Since 2018)

No list of Christmas-themed video games would be complete without Fortnite’s Winterfest. Each December, Epic Games transforms the battle royale into a snowy holiday playground filled with free presents, limited-time modes, and holiday skins like Santa Peely.

Players can battle it out with snowball launchers, explore festive map changes, and log in daily to open digital gifts. Winterfest has quickly become one of the biggest global holiday gaming traditions, uniting millions of players in seasonal fun.

• According to IGN’s Winterfest 2024 guide, Fortnite players can log in daily between December 20 and January 7 to unwrap presents in the Winterfest Lodge, unlocking 14 free holiday cosmetics including new skins, back blings, and festive gear.

The Retro Wrap-Up – The Best Christmas Video Games

And there you have it—our roundup of some of the best Christmas video games ever made. From retro holiday gems like Christmas NiGHTS and Jazz Jackrabbit: Holiday Hare to modern festive favorites like Fortnite Winterfest and Animal Crossing’s Toy Day, these games capture the spirit of the season in unique ways. Whether you prefer nostalgic 16-bit adventures or today’s seasonal DLC events, there’s a holiday gaming experience for everyone.

What about you? Do you have a favorite holiday video game tradition that makes the season feel complete? Share your picks, and don’t forget—you can also sell your used video games online with The Old School Game Vault to trade in old titles and make room for new ones this Christmas.

Happy Holidays and happy gaming!

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