Christmas video games give families fewer options than holiday movies or TV specials. Television and film creators produce abundant seasonal entertainment, but game developers haven’t created many titles centered around Christmas or set during the holiday season.
The gaming industry has produced several Christmas-themed video games that bring families together during festivities. “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” creates a cozy living room atmosphere with its tree, fireplace, and yule-tide activities. Players discover enjoyable gameplay in “Santa Claus Jr.” through stages filled with holiday cheer. Classic titles like “Christmas Lemmings” and “Daze Before Christmas” add to the festive gaming collection. This piece showcases the best Christmas video games that parents can use to create lasting memories with their children during the holiday season.
Top Christmas Video Games That Families Can Enjoy Together
The holiday season is perfect for families to gather around the TV and enjoy some festive gaming fun. These Christmas video games have simple controls and holiday themes that everyone can enjoy, whatever their gaming experience.
1. We Wish You a Merry Christmas (Wii)
This Christmas-focused budget title from 2009 for the Wii has five fun mini-games like Candy Cane Lanes, Present Catch, and Elf Hunt. On top of that, it lets families use an in-game Advent calendar, write letters to Santa, and join Christmas carol sing-alongs. The game supports up to four players, so the whole family can share in the holiday fun together.
2. 8-Bit Xmas 2017 (NES)
This special NES cartridge has all nine previous years’ 8-BIT XMAS games in one complete package. Every original version from 2008 to 2016 comes with its title scenes and festive music. The multicart even has an LCD screen instead of a label that changes based on the selected game. Families will love playing Snowball Fight, Jolly Joyriding, Fireplace Bash, and other multiplayer party games made for holiday entertainment.
3. Daze Before Christmas (SNES)
This charming platformer lets families play as Santa Claus who must save Christmas from an evil mouse that stole presents and cursed toys. One of the game’s best features lets Santa turn into his mischievous alter-ego “Anti-Claus” by drinking coffee. Santa’s blue-suited, devilish version becomes temporarily invincible but can’t collect presents – which creates fun strategic choices. Between levels, Santa flies his sleigh and drops presents down chimneys worldwide.
4. Home Alone (Genesis)
The Genesis version of this beloved holiday film puts players in charge of protecting a neighborhood from the Wet Bandits while waiting 20 minutes for police help. Players guide Kevin McCallister as he sleds between houses, sets traps, and creates weapons to defend homes from burglars. The game captures the movie’s home-defense spirit and delivers exciting strategic gameplay for family enjoyment.
5. Christmas Nights into Dreams (Sega Saturn)
This holiday edition follows Elliot, Claris, and NiGHTS on their quest to find the Twin Seeds Christmas tree’s missing star. The game uses the Saturn’s internal clock to change gameplay elements by date – December triggers “Christmas Nights” mode, turning items into presents, greenery into snow, and regular music into “Jingle Bells” versions. Players can even unlock a Sonic the Hedgehog mini-game.
6. James Pond II: Codename Robocod (Genesis)
This holiday platformer sees James Pond fighting Dr. Maybe, who ran off to the North Pole and took over Santa’s workshop. James Pond wears a robotic suit that stretches his body to amazing lengths as he tries to save Santa’s helpers and get back stolen toys. The game’s colorful visuals and easy-to-learn gameplay make it a great Christmas video game choice for families.
7. Christmas Carol vs. the Ghost of Christmas Presents (Intellivision)
This homebrew game stars Carol, a Santa’s elf who must get back gifts taken by the Evil Snowman. The game tells its story through cartoon-like animations as players progress, despite the old hardware’s limits. The gameplay borrows ideas from Pengo to create a maze game with simple goals that work great for family gaming.
8. Reindeer Rescue (Atari 2600)
This fun homebrew title puts players on a mission to help Santa find his lost reindeer across four different areas – the North Pole, frozen tundra, suburbs, and the big city. Santa needs sweets and candy canes to keep his energy up while dodging obstacles since he’s not as fit as he used to be. Christmas tunes play throughout the game, creating the perfect holiday mood.
What Makes a Good Christmas Video Game for Families
The perfect holiday gaming experience needs more than characters wearing Santa hats. Great Christmas video games blend several elements that make them available to everyone – from grandparents to young children.
Holiday-themed visuals and music
Christmas themed video games’ visual appeal affects the family gaming experience by a lot. The most memorable titles showcase rich snow-covered landscapes, frosted windows, giant climbable candy canes, and dreamy snowscapes with cozy cottages in the background. These festive environments create an immersive winter wonderland that brings holiday cheer.
Sound design is a vital part of setting the holiday mood. Games that feature versions of “Jingle Bells,” gentle falling snow effects, and the melodic tinkle of sleigh bells create that special Christmas feeling. Some developers even change their standard gameplay music throughout December and replace normal tunes with holiday-inspired compositions. This attention to audio detail helps families connect with the season while they play.
Simple and accessible gameplay
Family gatherings need simple games more than complex ones. The best Christmas video games have straightforward controls that anyone can learn in minutes. Rather than complex button combinations or deep strategy, great holiday titles use user-friendly mechanics. Players of all skill levels can join without getting frustrated.
Games with clear goals like rescuing reindeer, delivering presents, or decorating trees help players understand what to do right away. This simple approach lets even relatives who rarely play video games join the fun without feeling lost or left out.
Multiplayer or co-op modes
Cooperative play experiences bring families closer together. The most fun Christmas video games offer local multiplayer for up to four players at once. Parents, children, and visiting relatives can share digital adventures. Team-based objectives in games deepen family bonds through communication and teamwork.
Co-op titles that need players to solve puzzles or complete missions together create unforgettable moments of shared success. These victories become part of family holiday traditions, whether it’s moving furniture in festive challenges or teaming up to save Christmas.
Short play sessions for quick fun
Families need games that fit between meal prep, gift wrapping, and other holiday activities. The best Christmas video games deliver complete experiences in short bursts—from a few minutes to about half an hour. Families can enjoy quick gaming breaks without long time commitments.
Mini-game collections work great during holidays. They offer different experiences that family members can switch between. These quick challenges keep everyone engaged while fitting into busy holiday schedules. Everyone can play whatever time they have.
The best Christmas video games mix all these elements—festive presentation, simple controls, multiplayer support, and quick play sessions. They create experiences that families come back to each year, becoming beloved holiday traditions just like baking cookies and exchanging gifts.
Games That Encourage Family Bonding
Video games have become amazing tools that create lasting memories alongside traditional holiday activities. Family gatherings during the season turn these digital experiences into perfect chances for meaningful interaction beyond regular conversations.
Mini-game collections for all ages
Christmas video games work best for family bonding when they include varied mini-games that fit different skill levels. We Wish You a Merry Christmas for Wii shows this perfectly with fun activities anyone can play. Players can try Elf Bowling, where bowling balls slide down icy lanes to knock over elf pins that squeak with high-pitched voices. Games like 8-Bit Xmas 2017 feature Snowball Fight, a wild free-for-all where players slide along screen edges while throwing snowballs at each other.
These collections shine at holiday gatherings because everyone can join without needing gaming experience. Family members take turns with different challenges like Deck the Halls, which plays like a turn-based Dr. Mario, or enjoy creative activities like sending Mad Libs-style letters to Santa.
Games with cooperative missions
Cooperative Christmas video games build teamwork through shared goals. Games that need families to work together—solving puzzles or finishing missions—create moments of shared victory. Overcooked 2 lets up to four players jump in as families tackle crazy kitchen scenarios, chop ingredients and cook festive meals in increasingly tricky levels.
Some great cooperative activities include:
- Rescuing stranded reindeer in different environments
- Planning gift delivery strategies from Santa’s sleigh
- Decorating trees and spaces against the clock
Ravenswatch brings challenging cooperative gameplay where three friends race time to level up before boss fights, which sparks strategy talks between family members.
Titles that support up to 4 players
The best Christmas gaming experiences include the whole family. Super Mario Party Jamboree nails this with over 110 minigames and 22 playable characters across seven unique game boards. Many modern Christmas-themed video games now include Rhythm Kitchen Mode, where players cook to music using motion controls—making competition fun and light.
Jackbox Games brings easy-to-play experiences like Survey Scramble, where players guess popular survey answers in quick rounds that both gamers and non-gamers love. Players who aren’t familiar with controllers can still join using smartphones or tablets.
Just Dance 2025 Edition offers 40 chart-topping hits that get everyone moving together, with dance routines anyone can follow. Physical interaction mixed with festive music creates happy memories that last way beyond the holiday season.
Hidden Gems Worth Finding This Holiday
True gaming enthusiasts have found several Christmas video games that most people overlook. These hidden treasures bring special holiday magic and fun gameplay that your family will love during the festive season.
Christmas Crisis (CD-i)
This charming 1995 platformer puts you in Santa’s boots on a quest to stop twenty-four explosive presents planted by the troublemaker Dr. Rubberchicken. Santa uses snowballs to defeat evil toys as he moves through vertical levels filled with holiday decorations. The game treats players to exciting 3D bonus rounds where they fly Santa’s sleigh in first-person view and dodge obstacles on a set path. Beautiful stage backgrounds show snug cottages in dreamy winter landscapes that bring the holiday spirit to life.
Santa Claus Jr. Advance (GBA)
This Game Boy Advance treasure from 2002 packs 36 tough levels spread across 12 different worlds. You play as Nick, Santa’s son, who must deliver presents while fighting garden gnomes, birds, RC cars, and yetis that throw snowballs. The game stands out with stunning graphics that use the GBA’s colors to create rich environments with beautiful snow effects and layered backgrounds. Three save slots on the cartridge make it easy for families to share one game.
Toyshop Trouble (Atari 2600)
This clever 2006 homebrew game challenges you to paint toys correctly after the elves covered everything in gray paint before running off to the Bahamas. Things get trickier when toys need two different colors applied in the right order, and you must meet daily goals before time runs out. Released as AtariAge’s Holiday Cart, this team effort by several homebrew developers earned praise as “the best homebrew” you can get for the Atari 2600.
Christmas Country (CD-i)
This 1996 2D platformer follows a small green elf who jumps through 16 levels in four worlds to save Christmas. The game takes an unexpected twist – you spend most of your time fighting snails and ladybugs until the final showdown with Satan himself. While the main game lacks music, it makes up for it with lovely hand-drawn art and smooth controls that work great for holiday gaming.
Tips for Creating a Fun Christmas Gaming Night
Your Christmas video game selection can become a cherished family tradition. The right environment and a well-structured gaming experience will boost those special holiday moments.
Set up a cozy gaming space
Make your living area a festive gaming haven. Christmas lights around your gaming setup and cozy decorations create an inviting atmosphere. Families say themed gaming spaces with festive touches improve the experience by a lot. A semi-circle seating arrangement gives everyone a clear view of the screen and naturally promotes conversation between rounds.
Rotate players for turn-based games
Fair play keeps everyone excited. Games with limited players need a rotation system where winners stay and others swap out. You can also set 15-20 minute time slots per person. This keeps the energy high and stops any family member from taking over the fun. Non-gamers stay interested as they wait for their turn.
Pair games with holiday snacks
Gaming sessions need the right snacks! Match your treats to your games:
- Hot cocoa paired with snowy adventure games
- Candy canes alongside elf-themed titles
- Gingerbread cookies with festive platformers
Use retro consoles for nostalgia
Classic systems create powerful emotional bonds. Families remember Christmas 1998 with Zelda: Ocarina of Time or Christmas 1984 with the Commodore 64 as their best gaming memories. Old gaming systems can start nostalgic talks between generations when parents share their childhood Christmas gaming stories with their kids.
Summing all up
Christmas video games bring families together in special ways during the holiday season. These festive digital experiences aren’t as common as Christmas movies or TV specials. Still, they create memorable moments that become cherished traditions along with cookie baking and gift exchanges.
Family-friendly Christmas games share several essential features. Holiday-themed visuals and music set the mood and spark Christmas cheer right away. The games are easy to play and available to everyone – from grandparents to young children can join without getting frustrated. Multiplayer or co-op modes boost the fun and let families tackle challenges as a team.
Parents looking for quality Christmas gaming have great options to think over. “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” for Wii, “Christmas Nights into Dreams” for Sega Saturn, and classic games like “Reindeer Rescue” for Atari 2600 pack plenty of festive fun for the whole family. Games like “Santa Claus Jr. Advance” and “Toyshop Trouble” are hidden gems that deserve attention for their unique holiday charm.
The gaming setup plays a big role in the experience. Families can make it special by creating a cozy space with Christmas lights, setting up fair turns for players, and serving holiday treats during game time. Old-school consoles add nostalgia that connects different generations, and parents can share their childhood memories with kids.
Christmas video games ended up being more than just entertainment – they’re digital meeting spots where families build lasting memories together. These festive games might be worth adding to your holiday traditions this year. The joy of saving reindeer, delivering presents, or decorating virtual trees could become one of your family’s favorite Christmas activities for years ahead.
Here are some FAQs about Christmas video games:
Is there any Christmas video games?
Yes, there are several Christmas video games available, ranging from holiday-themed adventures to seasonal content in popular games. Many developers release special Christmas themed video games or holiday updates for existing titles during the festive season.
What are good Christmas games to play?
Good Christmas games to play include “Elf Bowling,” “Christmas Lemmings,” and holiday modes in games like “Animal Crossing” and “Overwatch.” These best christmas video games offer festive entertainment and capture the holiday spirit through their themes and gameplay.
Is there a Big 3 video game?
The “Big 3” in video games typically refers to the three major console manufacturers: Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft. This concept is different from discussions about video games christmas content or holiday-themed gaming experiences.
What are the top 5 most popular video games right now?
The top 5 most popular games currently include titles like “Fortnite,” “Minecraft,” “Call of Duty: Warzone,” “Apex Legends,” and “Valorant.” While not specifically video games for christmas, some of these games often feature special holiday events and content.
How to play Santa vs Jesus?
Santa vs Jesus is typically a humorous party game or debate activity rather than an actual video game. This type of game is different from traditional christmas video games that are played on gaming platforms.
Is Batman Arkham Origins a Christmas game?
Batman: Arkham Origins is set during Christmas Eve and features strong holiday visuals and themes throughout its story. While primarily an action game, its Christmas setting makes it one of the more notable video games christmas offerings for superhero fans.
How to play Dirty Santa?
Dirty Santa is a popular gift exchange party game where participants can steal gifts from each other following specific rules. This is a real-world party game rather than one of the christmas themed video games available on gaming platforms.
What are the 12 hilarious Christmas party games?
The 12 hilarious Christmas party games typically include activities like “White Elephant,” “Christmas Charades,” and “Holiday Scavenger Hunts.” These are physical party games rather than video games for christmas played on consoles or computers.
What are some cozy video games?
Some cozy video games include “Animal Crossing: New Horizons,” “Stardew Valley,” and “Coffee Talk,” which offer relaxing gameplay experiences. Many of these games also feature special christmas video games content or holiday events that add to their cozy atmosphere.
