Some of the best Christmas memories from years past involve ripping open wrapping paper and discovering a brand-new Xbox, then immediately running to the other room to set it up and play. Though gaming systems and games themselves have changed over the years, we can still say with certainty that playing video games is one of our favorite ways to spend time during the holiday season. Here are our picks for the best Christmas video games.
What are the best Christmas video games?
In this writer’s fondest memory, the Christmas to be remembered was the one when we opened a shiny new copy of James Bond 007: Nightfire. Playing James Bond was the only time we kids weren’t engaged in our own warfare. But enough of that holiday sap! Let’s get into it.
There are Christmas-themed video games, video games set during the holidays, and video games that are great to play at Christmas. The best overlap occurs when these three criteria are met perfectly. Honorable mentions go to Cthulhu Saves Christmas and The Division.
Batman: Arkham Origins
Easily at the top of any list of the best holiday video games, Batman: Arkham Origins is set entirely at Christmas. While it doesn’t really have much to do with Christmas narratively, the atmosphere does a lot of the heavy lifting. Gotham is blanketed in snow, lights twinkle in the distance, and the city feels both unnerving and festive. There really isn’t a better time for villains to run amok. Even the Joker’s theme weaves in notes of “Carol of the Bells,” which shows how much thought went into making the holiday setting seem intentional rather than incidental.
Available on: PlayStation 3 (PS3), Xbox 360, Wii U, PC
Dead Rising 4
It’s a Christmas zombie slasher game from Capcom. That’s really all you need to know. While the game is set in a Colorado town just after the holidays, Dead Rising 4 still goes fully seasonal, with Christmas music playing over loudspeakers, holiday decorations everywhere, and absurd, festive weapons at your disposal. Technically, there is a plot, though it’s not quite as strong as its predecessor. The story really doesn’t quite hit the mark, but there’s plenty of creativity to go into weapons combos and more than enough hordes of zombies to take down. It’s also a weirdly perfect game for a bit of holiday stress relief, especially if you need to blow off some steam after dinner with the extended family you only see a few times a year.
Available on: Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and PlayStation 4
The Grinch: Christmas Adventures
If brutality isn’t your go-to for Christmas (or if you’ve got younger players in the house), The Grinch: Christmas Adventures is an easy recommendation. Released in 2023, the game plays a bit like a Christmas-themed obstacle course. You play as the Grinch (accompanied by the cutest Max ever), working your way through the levels of Dr. Seuss’s classic story. And though this game is pretty straightforward, it’s oddly satisfying even as an adult to play the bad guy. Maybe this is why the Grinch did it in the first place — for the fun of it. The book is narrated as you play, the mechanics are simple, and the whole experience is cheerful and low-stress. Of course, this game does skew toward a younger audience, but it’s undeniably festive and fun for the entire family.
Available on: PlayStation 4 (PS4), PlayStation 5 (PS5), Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
New York City at Christmas is about as Christmassy as it gets, and Miles Morales fully commits to that festive spirit. The entire game takes place during the holidays, with snow-covered streets, glowing storefronts, and seasonal music adding warmth to the sparkle of the greatest city in the world at the best time of the year. Beyond the holiday atmosphere, it’s also an incredibly fun game to play. The action is paired well with the heartfelt story about community and responsibility. The only real downside is that it’s on the shorter side, though that also does make it a perfect holiday weekend playthrough.
Available on: PlayStation 4 (PS4), PlayStation 5 (PS5), PC
RÖKI
If you’re looking for something quieter and a bit more atmospheric, RÖKI brings a somewhat different kind of holiday experience. Inspired by Scandinavian folklore, this puzzle-adventure game unfolds in a frozen, storybook world that’s perfect for cozy winter nights. And at the heart of this game is family and the lengths we’ll go for the ones we love. You play as a young girl on a quest to save her brother from some pretty intense fairytale monsters. Though it’s not explicitly a Christmas game, it’s winter and Nordic, which is about as close as you can get. It’s also melancholic in tone, which is equally Christmassy as red-and-green decor. Though the puzzles and game mode are fun, the story and animation shine here.
Available on: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 (PS4), Xbox One, PC
How we picked the best Christmas video games
While there are countless Christmas movies, TV episodes, and even comics, there aren’t nearly as many Christmas video games. We narrowed our list to games tied to Christmas by theme or story, as well as games set during the holiday season that feel so thoughtfully designed it’s hard to resist their festive pull.
