The holidays are here and Christmas day is all so near.
It's that time of year again, when we all like to spend quality time with friends and loved ones, exchanging gifts, eating good food, being merry and playing video games!
And to that end I've compiled a list, and I've checked it twice, of 5 Christmas themed games that are fun, interesting and/or utterly bonkers. These games are sure to put just about anybody in the holiday spirit.
So, without further adieu and in no particular order.
#1- Christmas Nights (Sega Saturn)
A bit of an oldie but a no- brainer for those who've played it, Christmas Nights is a two-level expansion on the original platformer Nights into Dreams for the Sega Saturn.
The great thing about this game is, depending upon the time of year, environmental elements of the game change. Meaning that during December players are treated to not one, but two festive, Christmas themed levels!
Not only do the environments of these two levels take on a Christmas theme, but so too do the NPCs, some even appearing as little elves in costume. But it doesn't stop there, the background music also gets replaced with an instrumental of ‘Jingle Bells.’
While there are many who may have missed out on this wonderfully Christmas themed experience, those gamers who did get to experience Christmas Knights remember it quite fondly.
#2 - Elf Bowling (PC)
I'm not quite sure what it is about Elf Bowling that makes it so enjoyable, maybe it's the fact that you get to roll a huge heavy ball into a bunch of idling elves. No wait, that's exactly it!
Released for the PC in 1998, Elf Bowling pits Santa Claus against elves who have gone on strike. Being the great diplomat Santa Clause is known to be, he decides the best cause of action is to use them all for target practice by bowling huge, heavy balls at them, while they stand at the other end taunting and mooning him.
I really don't know what else to say here, while being a very out dated looking game, Elf Bowling is just so stupidly fun not to like. You won't find many other Christmas themed bowling games, and the fact that this one is so fun and cheeky makes it a must play.
#3- Santa Jetpack: Magic Sleigh (Android)
Developed by PimPum Games, Santa Jetpack: Magic Sleigh is a simple but fun, mobile game to put you in the holiday spirit. And best of all, it's free to play.
The game puts you in control of Santa Clause piloting his jet-powered slay (Evidently the reindeer are on strike now too) you'll need to avoid crashing into floating ice blocks and penguins, while trying to collect the many gold coins scattered through out the levels, as well as 3 illusive gold stars.
Santa Jetpack: Magic Sleigh may look like a simple retro style, side scrolling, collect 'em up, but it has a lot of charm. The fact that it's also a Christmas themed games is just icing on the Christmas pud.
So, if you're in need of some light, Christmas themed entertainment to tide you over till Christmas day, you can't go far wrong with Santa Jetpack: Magic Sleigh.
#4- Santa's Rampage (PC)
By far the most demented Christmas themed game on the list. Developed by RuneStorm and released in December 2013, Santa's Rampage is a FPC (First person cleaner) game, where you play the part of a cleaner who is tasked with cleaning up the visceral after carnage of Santa Clause's violent rampage.
"Tragedy! Santa; the toy giving folk-hero, and purveyor of fine Christmas goods, has had enough. Endless requests from greedy children wanting more and more every year, tax increases, pressure from elf unions, bills, reindeer!"
None of the carnage is ever shown, but it looks to be that the Elves at Santa's work shop where getting a little tired of their inhumane work conditions, and gave Santa an ultimatum "Meet our demand or we quit." This seems to have been the straw that broke the reindeers back, as Santa instead looses his mind and goes on a murderous killing spree, butchering all of the Elves and Rainder leaving quite a bloody mess behind.
So it's the players task to collect, and dispose of all the body parts, mop up all the blood and generally tidy up the place (presumably while Santa does some hard time)
Honestly, Santa's Rampage premise is ridiculous, but it is also incredibly interesting from a (what if) point of view. And while it may not be the best game to get you in the holiday spirit, it is fun and certainly one of the most unique and original Christmas themed games available.
#5- Borderlands 2 “How Marcus Saved Mercenary Day” (DLC (XBLA/PSN/PC)
We all know by now that nothing ever goes well for the inhabitants of Borderlands, but it turns out they can't even enjoy the holidays in peace.
Snowmen are causing problems and as if that wasn't enough, the Abominable Mister Tinder Snowflake is also spreading the winter time blues. So, it's up to Marcus to spread some warm holiday cheer with a little help from his arsenal of large, fire spreading weapons.
This Borderlands 2 Christmas themed DLC is well worth checking out, if you're looking to get yourself in the holiday mood. It offers players a bunch of new festive collectables, heads and skins, and is a great way to share in some holiday cheer with a friend.
Well, there you have it. 5 fun Christmas themed games to put you in the holiday spirit. Whether you're looking for something fun, interesting or absolutely bonkers you'll find something in this list to keep you entertained over the holidays.
Thanks for checking out my blog, while you're hear why not let me know what your favourite Christmas themed video game is by sharing it in the comments section.
Have a Merry Christmas and Happy holidays everyone!
Revenue from gaming subscriptions has reportedly barely increased in the last two years in the US, which might help paint a clearer picture around Microsoft's recent studio closures.
"prioritizing high-impact titles" but there was just an article from Forbes 2 mins ago, saying they are concentrating on smaller titles
That was just Forbes trying to pass off some of the blame of the layoffs to a AAA industry wide issue as opposed to blaming Microsoft entirely.
They like to bring nuance and possible acceptable theories when it comes to Microsoft like claiming xbox "won" the 2023 game awards.
" Xbox Game Studios boss Matt Booty sent an email to staff, seen by IGN, explaining that the studio closures allowed the mega corporation to focus on "prioritizing high-impact titles and further investing in Bethesda’s portfolio of blockbuster games."
Pretty sure that what's I have been saying regarding how the industry operates and how this thinking from all companies will kill innovation and force more of the same COD, Spiderman, Forza, Fifa, REMASTERS, Assassin's Creed we have been feds for the past 10 years+
But I guess I should believe MS and Sony when they say they are invested in creating new Ips and ideas.
An existing community manager for Helldivers 2 has acknowledged the 'unfortunate' departure of Spitz following the whole PSN fiasco.
From what I see on Reddit, a lot of fans also hate him... it is just a guy that like the stir shits up, it is not good for both the Arrowheads and the fans.
I think he just got fed up by people's complaining and accidentally spilled the beans
Ya, but unfortunately that's the nature of the job, you can't get emotional, he represents the company.
Wccftech discussed the recent Xbox news with MIDiA Research analyst Rhys Elliott, who pointed out that a strong upcoming Games Showcase could help a lot with fans.
I was hoping for something different from Coalition, not Gears 6 so soon.
Their expertise in UE development could've propelled them to try out other IPs using the new UE5.
But guess, given recent MS' state, Gears 6 was the 'safer' call for the studio. But still hope they venture other IPs or even other genres ... at least FPSs in future?
Microsoft seems only interested in maximizing profits through its biggest IPs at this point.
So soon? Its been 5 years since Gears 5, longest gap between games in the franchise.
Why would people be less angry? If MS made it's own games instead of buying up what was already available then we wouldn't be in the situation that everyone is angry at.
MS is the problem.
Everybody pays for or uses MS in some form personally or professionally. If that’s considered supporting, it hasn’t been helping Xbox.
Fuck MS and Phil. I already told that shit bag off on Twitter, if the dumb ass responds I highly doubt it, I will go off much worse. What a fucking disgrace MS and Phil are to the gaming community.
Those are interesting games to get into the mood for Christmas. Man the year passed fast didn't it?
Merry Christmas!