As snowflakes fall outside your window, the Christmas tree lights up in your living room, and hot cocoa waits by the fireplace, are you looking for a game to extend this warm holiday feeling?
While watching classic Christmas movies is a time-honored tradition, video games offer their own unique, interactive holiday experiences. This December, Steam reached a record 41,322,466 concurrent players worldwide, showing that more people are choosing to celebrate and relax through gaming during the holidays.
But with tens of thousands of games on Steam and countless choices in console stores, which games truly capture the Christmas spirit and let you feel the warmth and joy of the season?
This guide features 15 video games perfect for the Christmas season, covering classic Christmas titles, seasonal event games, and winter atmosphere experiences to help you find the perfect gaming companion this holiday.
Classic Christmas Games
I've ranked these games first because they truly make Christmas their theme. Their stories, characters, and atmosphere all revolve around the holiday. In these games, Christmas isn't just a background decoration, but the core of the experience.
Of course, if you prefer modern games, these retro titles might not meet your expectations in terms of graphics and gameplay. Feel free to skip this section and check out the modern game recommendations below.
1. Christmas Nights Into Dreams (1996)
Platforms: Sega Saturn, PC (Steam), PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Christmas Atmosphere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Playability: ⭐⭐⭐
This Christmas gift from Sega in 1996 remains one of the purest holiday gaming experiences today.
The most magical part is how the game senses time. When your Saturn console calendar reaches December, the entire dream world transforms into Christmas splendor. Green pine forests, twinkling lights, falling snow, and the background music switches to cheerful versions of "Joy to the World" and "Jingle Bells."
The game keeps the original's unbounded flying sensation. You control the clown Nights gliding through 2D planes, collecting star spheres, and rescuing children trapped in nightmares.
The smooth controls combined with warm Christmas melodies immerse you completely in holiday joy. After completing the game, you unlock surprises like karaoke mode and concept art, just like opening Christmas presents.
2. Daze Before Christmas (1994)
Platforms: Super Nintendo (SNES), Sega Genesis (MD)
Christmas Atmosphere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Playability: ⭐⭐⭐
There are plenty of games where you play Santa, but this might be the only one where you play berserk Santa.
An evil snowman has kidnapped the reindeer and elves. You must rescue them before Christmas. This standard side-scrolling platformer has a unique feature where Santa can use magic to turn enemies into gift boxes. Penguins, mice, and jack-in-the-boxes all transform with a "pop" into beautifully wrapped presents.
The real highlight is the coffee power-up. After drinking coffee, Santa becomes "Anti-Santa," with fierce eyes and invincibility, violently smashing everything with his sack. The contrast of this gentle old man turning into a berserker is both absurd and thrilling.
The game has a light pace and moderate difficulty, perfect for a cozy playthrough in bed.
3. The Grinch (2000)
Platforms: Game Boy Color (GBC), PS1, PC, Dreamcast
Christmas Atmosphere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Playability: ⭐⭐⭐
This Game Boy Color title brings the classic "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" to handheld screens with surprisingly unique gameplay. It's a stealth game mixing Pac-Man with Metal Gear Solid style.
You play as the Grinch stealing Christmas gifts in Whoville, watching patrol patterns and timing your movements across streets. Get spotted and you'll be chased down.
The game uses a top-down view with art style faithful to the original animation. Grinch's sneaky movements are wonderfully animated, and when you complete a stage and see his wicked grin, paired with cheerful music, you genuinely feel that "got away with it" satisfaction.
4. James Pond II: Codename RoboCod (1991)
Platforms: Sega Genesis, SNES, PS1, GBA, Nintendo Switch (remaster)
Christmas Atmosphere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Playability: ⭐⭐⭐
A fish saving Christmas? Sounds absurd, but that's exactly the charm of the James Pond series.
Villain Dr. Maybe has taken over Santa's toy factory and turned the elves into evil minions. As secret agent fish James Pond, you don a mechanical suit and storm the factory. Plush toy zones, candy worlds, mechanical toy cities, each world bursting with color and childlike wonder.
The core mechanic is creative. James Pond can stretch his body infinitely, extending vertically to almost any screen height. Use this ability to reach high items or grab ceilings to move around. Stars, gifts, and ice cream fill the screen as high-value pickups, with some stages hiding secret routes.
The Christmas theme runs throughout: snow, Christmas trees, gift boxes, and even enemies are holiday-themed toys.
5. Home Alone (1992)
Platforms: Sega Genesis (MD)
Christmas Atmosphere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Playability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Home Alone adaptations are usually terrible, but the Sega Genesis version is a pleasant surprise.
The setup is bold. You must protect an entire street of houses. The game runs in real-time for 20-40 minutes as the "Wet Bandits" cruise the neighborhood in their van. You ride a sled tracking them, arriving before they strike.
Once burglars enter a house, gameplay shifts to indoor combat. You strategically use BB guns, rocket launchers, and more to fill the thieves' "pain meter," while pre-placing traps like marbles, tacks, and flamethrowers.
The weapon system is more outrageous than the movie, but that absurdity is the game's fun. Beginner difficulty includes auto-weapon crafting, lowering the entry barrier.
6. Batman Returns (1993)
Platforms: SNES (Super Nintendo)
Christmas Atmosphere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Playability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Batman and Christmas? An odd pairing, but the 1992 film "Batman Returns" does take place on Christmas Eve, and the Super Nintendo game perfectly preserves that holiday atmosphere.
Konami's side-scrolling brawler has you controlling Batman fighting Penguin's circus thugs across Gotham. The Christmas atmosphere is impressive. Streets covered in snow, store windows with Christmas displays, giant Christmas trees standing in plaza centers.
These holiday elements create a fascinating contrast with Gotham's dark gothic style, building unique atmosphere.
7. Santa Claus Jr. Advance (2002)
Platforms: Game Boy Advance (GBA)
Christmas Atmosphere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Playability: ⭐⭐⭐
Santa Claus Jr. Advance may not be as famous as previous entries, but it's definitely an underrated Christmas gem.
You play Nick, Santa's son, jumping and climbing through winter wonderlands, delivering gifts to every child you meet. The art style is bright and refined, with snow glowing orange-red in the sunset, evergreens draped in lights, even train stations rendered warm and charming.
Level length is just right. Delivering to every child is optional, but for perfect completion, you'll explore every corner. After finishing, you see your time and Santa's rating, adding replay value.
Seasonal Christmas Event Games
If classic Christmas games are built specifically for the holiday, then this category adds Christmas elements to existing worlds. They launch special activities and limited content in December, letting you experience fresh holiday atmosphere in familiar game worlds.
8. Animal Crossing: New Horizons (2020)
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
Christmas Atmosphere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Playability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Every December, your island welcomes Toy Day, Animal Crossing's version of Christmas. The reindeer NPC Jingle arrives on your island, asking you to collect materials and craft toys for the residents.
During the event, a giant Christmas tree appears in front of Resident Services, and shops start selling Christmas-themed furniture and DIY recipes. You can use pine cones and acorns to craft Christmas wreaths, sledges, and decorative light strings.
The best part is the freedom to decorate your island. You can turn your house into a Christmas cottage, place Christmas trees on the beach, and line streets with colorful lights. On Toy Day evening, delivering gifts to residents alongside Jingle fills you with holiday warmth.
9. PUBG Mobile (2016)
Platforms: iOS, Android
Christmas Atmosphere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Playability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
PUBG Mobile's Christmas seasonal events immerse players in a holiday atmosphere too. The 2025 Frost Festival launched in early December and runs through early January 2026.
Parts of the classic Erangel map have been transformed into snowy terrain again. Snow-covered buildings, Christmas trees dotted with lights, and airdrops turned into giant gift boxes fill the battlefield with rich holiday spirit.
Players can claim free rewards and use PUBG Mobile UC to draw more collectible Christmas-themed skins. You can even summon ice castles for defense. Fighting enemies among ruins decorated with Christmas lights creates a striking visual contrast that's part of the game's unique charm.
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10. Fortnite (2017)
Platforms: PC, PS5/PS4, Xbox Series X|S/One, Switch, Android
Christmas Atmosphere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Playability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Epic Games always goes all out for Fortnite's Christmas events. In winter 2025, the northern half of the game map is covered in thick snow, with a new holiday landmark called Clawsy Lodge. Major landmarks are decorated with lights, and the classic supply drops have returned to their delightful gift box form.
The most fun part is the returning Winterfest Cabin challenges. This year the cabin has 14 gifts that can be opened for free. Players can open one per day, unlocking 16 limited rewards including two free skins: Glacial Dummy and Cheeks.
Since Fortnite is free to play, this winter celebration with top IP crossovers is open to everyone without any extra fees.
11. GTA Online (2013)
Platforms: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One
Christmas Atmosphere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Playability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Every Christmas, Los Santos gets snow. This is the annual surprise GTA Online players anticipate most. In December 2025, the entire city is once again blanketed in thick snow. Streets, buildings, and vehicles pile up with white snow, creating a completely different winter visual experience.
During the event, Rockstar launches abundant limited-time missions and rewards. Players just need to log in during the festivive period to directly claim themed items like Christmas tree hats, festive canes, and weapon supplies.
You can wear ridiculous holiday outfits and race through snow in cars decorated with lights. This contrast embodies the GTA series' unique dark humor.
Most memorable is freely exploring Los Santos on a snowy night. Drive through snow-covered Vinewood Hills, stroll beaches lit with Christmas lights. Even this city of crime shows a rare tender side during the holidays.
Winter Christmas Atmosphere Games
Not every great Christmas game needs Santa and reindeer. Some games evoke beautiful Christmas associations through carefully crafted winter scenes, snowy streets, and warm lighting.
These games lack explicit Christmas themes, but the winter and Christmas atmosphere they create makes them equally perfect choices for the holiday season.
12. Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales (2020)
Platforms: PS5, PS4, PC
Christmas Atmosphere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Playability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
If any modern game perfectly captures Christmas in New York, it's Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales.
The game is set in winter New York City. The entire city is covered in snow, streets hung with holiday decorations. As you swing Miles between skyscrapers, you see Christmas displays in shop windows, giant Christmas trees in plazas, and busy crowds in warm lighting. Snowflakes fall realistically and accumulate on Miles' suit.
The game's emotional core is family, friendship, and belonging, all the most important Christmas themes. Miles' bioelectric abilities bring fresh combat style. Unleashing lightning attacks in snowy New York creates stunning visuals. The game runs about 10-12 hours, perfect for the Christmas break.
13. Batman: Arkham Origins (2013)
Platforms: PC, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U
Christmas Atmosphere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Playability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Another Batman game, but this Christmas setting goes deeper. The entire story takes place on Christmas Eve. Gotham City is shrouded in a blizzard, and Black Mask has hired eight assassins to kill Batman.
The open world Gotham is completely covered in ice and snow. Howling winds, empty streets. Butler Alfred constantly radios Bruce, urging him to come home for Christmas dinner, but he chooses to keep patrolling the snowy night. This contrast is the game's theme: on a night meant for togetherness, Batman fights alone.
The game cleverly juxtaposes Christmas warmth with superhero loneliness, creating unique emotional tension. Gameplay continues the Arkham series' classic design: fluid combat, stealth takedowns, detective puzzles. The boss battle with Deathstroke on the snowy Gotham bridge is tense and memorable.
14. Tom Clancy's The Division (2016)
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
Christmas Atmosphere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Playability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Division's story takes place in Christmas season New York after the Black Friday virus outbreak. The entire city is covered in snow and plunged into chaos.
The visual presentation is stunning. Streets still hang Christmas lights and decorations, store windows display Christmas trees, mechanical Santas still ring bells. But these holiday elements create stark contrast with abandoned streets, wrecked cars, and makeshift shelters.
Dynamic weather and day-night cycles completely transform the city's atmosphere. Morning sunlight makes ruins look peaceful yet sorrowful. Night blizzards create feelings of loneliness and danger. This post-apocalyptic winter aesthetic makes The Division one of the most winter atmospheric games in many players' minds.
15. Dead Rising 4 (2016)
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
Christmas Atmosphere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Playability: ⭐⭐⭐
Christmas meets zombie apocalypse? Dead Rising 4 is exactly this kind of bizarre game mixing holiday cheer with bloody violence.
The story takes place in a Willamette shopping mall during Christmas. The mall still hangs with Christmas decorations, but you face zombie hordes instead of crazy shoppers. Protagonist Frank West returns with his signature cynical attitude, carving a bloody path through the undead.
The game simplifies traditional series mechanics, letting you explore at your own pace. The mall's Christmas decorations create stark contrast with dismembered corpses, building a darkly humorous atmosphere. Want a less traditional Christmas gaming experience?
These 15 games each have their own charm. Some immerse you in pure Christmas fairy tales, some add holiday surprises to familiar game worlds, and others evoke Christmas associations through winter snow and atmosphere. There's one to accompany you this Christmas season.
What matters isn't how new or popular the game is, but whether it can transport you into that snowy holiday world the moment you press start.
Where to Get the Best Christmas Game Deals?
Of course, to fully enjoy these Christmas games, timing your purchases is just as important. Every December, major platforms roll out their biggest sales of the year, making it the perfect time to buy and top up your games. Here's what each platform is offering this year:
| Platform | Sale Period | Max Discount | Key Deals | Highlights |
| Steam Winter Sale | Dec 18 - Jan 5 | 90% | • Assassin's Creed Shadows 50% off ($34.99) • Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 50% off ($29.99) • Hades 2 25% off ($22.49) | Vote in annual awards for trading cards |
| Epic Games Store | Dec 11 - Jan 8 | 33-25% off qualifying orders | • Hogwarts Legacy (already claimed) • The Banner Saga (Dec 23) • Major title on Christmas Day • Batman: Arkham Trilogy (Jan 3) | Free daily games for 15-17 days |
| PlayStation Store | Dec 23 - Jan 5 | 75% | • Spider-Man 2 50% off ($34.99) • God of War Ragnarök 60% off ($27.99) • Astro Bot 24% off ($45.99) | PS5 Pro bundles with ~10% savings |
| Xbox Countdown | Nov 27 - Dec 31 | 60% games, 20% accessories | • Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 30% off ($48.99) • EA SPORTS FC 26 60% off ($27.99) • Battlefield 6 30% off | Xbox Game Pass $1 first month |
| Nintendo eShop | Through Jan 11 | 33% first-party, 20% third-party | • Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom $39 • Super Mario Odyssey $29 • Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door $29 | Historic low prices on many titles |
Take advantage of these Christmas sales to grab games you've been eyeing. Beyond discounts on games themselves, Christmas is also a great time for in-game purchases. If you're playing games like Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile, or Free Fire, keep an eye out for holiday top-up events.
Global game top-up platform GamsGo is offering double savings this Christmas: on top of their regular 25-35% discount, they're adding an extra 5% during the holiday period. When topping up Genshin Genesis Crystals, Call of Duty Mobile CP, or Nikke Gems, you'll save considerably compared to official channels.
The platform supports global account top-ups with 24/7 customer service and near-instant delivery (usually 1-2 seconds). If you're eyeing large packs, monthly cards, or battle passes, these stacked Christmas discounts will give you more bang for your buck this holiday season.
Closing Thoughts
The magic of Christmas exists not just in real-world decorations and gifts, but also in these thoughtfully crafted games.
Years from now, you might not remember what presents you received, but you'll definitely remember the delight of watching the Christmas countdown in Christmas Nights, or the thrill of swinging through snowy New York in Spider-Man.
Whatever game you choose to spend this Christmas with, remember to stock up during the holiday sales and top up your in-game currency through GamsGo. Then comes the best part: actually playing the games.
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FAQ about Christmas Video Games
What Is a Good Christmas Game to Play?
Christmas Nights Into Dreams is a classic that automatically switches to a Christmas theme based on your console's date. For relaxed family fun, try Animal Crossing: New Horizons' Toy Day event. If you prefer action, Spider-Man: Miles Morales offers stunning snowy New York scenery with great Christmas atmosphere.
What to Get a Video Gamer for Christmas?
Digital gift cards like Steam or PlayStation Store credit are the safest choice, letting gamers pick their own games. Alternatively, check what they're currently playing and gift in-game currency or battle passes through platforms like GamsGo, which typically offer better rates than official channels.
Are There Any Christmas Video Games?
Yes, many options exist. Classic titles include Christmas Nights Into Dreams, Daze Before Christmas, and Santa Claus Jr. Advance. Movie adaptations like Home Alone and Batman Returns feature Christmas settings. Indie games like Merry Snowballs and Christmas Solitaire offer lighter holiday entertainment.
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