Merry Christmas everyone! The holidays and possibly also the vacation or days off that come with them are always a good reason to deal extensively (more) with video games. But what about Christmas in video games? Are there any themed games at all?
Good question. We have compiled a list of games for you that are played at Christmas or that can be vaguely associated with Christmas. Below you can read what we found. As always, in no particular order. Have fun while reading!
Batman: Arkham Origins (2013 – PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii U)
Arkham Origins tells the prelude to Rocksteady’s Arkham trilogy and follows a young and unpolished Batman who is experiencing a defining moment in his life. And what does all this have to do with Christmas?
Well, Arkham Origins is set on Christmas Eve and Batman is being hunted by eight of the DC Universe’s deadliest assassins. Another way to celebrate Christmas, but it’s Batman. In a Christmas atmosphere, you take on the villains in the typical Arkham games style and make sure that it’s a quiet night after all.
Interest? For PC there is Batman: Arkham Origins on Steam and at GOG.
Bayonetta 2 (2014 – Wii U, Nintendo Switch)
You are on a moving train fighting a giant angel monster with a whip arm. Or take on a demonic dragon while scaling a skyscraper. And then there’s the jet fighter that you fight on while flying through a city. That’s where the Christmas spirit comes in!
But seriously: The second adventure of the witch takes place almost exclusively at Christmas. It starts with Bayonetta’s Christmas shopping being interrupted by an angel attack. Naughty! And Rodin, who supplies Bayonetta with new equipment, appears dressed as Santa Claus. Ho ho ho!
Interest? For Switch there is Bayonetta 2 in the eShop.
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales (2020 – PC, PlayStation)
Miles Morales follows in the footsteps of his mentor Peter Parker and has his own adventure in New York. It’s about the fight between a seedy energy symbol and a criminal high-tech army. And you’re right in the middle of it, using Miles’ new abilities.
In Spider-Man: Miles Morales, New York presents itself as Christmassy and snowy, which gives the city known from Spider-Man a familiar, but also new feeling. On top of that, you’ll experience the new, vibrant and bustling neighborhood Miles wants to settle into. Just the thing when it’s getting colder outside.
Interest? For PC there is Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales on Steam and for PlayStation in PlayStation Store.
Saints Row 4: How The Saints Save Christmas (2013 – PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch)
If Saints Row 4 isn’t crazy enough for you, the How the Saints Save Christmas expansion is just what you need. A Christmas classic for the whole family, say the developers. Can you see it like that? But not everyone can relate to the humor in the games. No matter who exactly likes it, you won’t be disappointed here either.
In How the Saints Save Christmas, the boss and the gang return to the simulation to rescue Santa Claus who is trapped there. If they fail, the evil Santa Clawz will spread fear and terror in the future. If that’s not motivation enough! Merry Crazy Christmas!
Interest? For PC there is Saints Row 4: How The Saints Save Christmas on Steamfor the Xbox in Microsoft Store and for PlayStation in PlayStation Store.
Cthulhu Saves Christmas (2019 – PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch)
Cthulhu has once again lost his powers and a key key to regaining them is Santa Claus. Not just any Santa Claus, but the one from the League of Christmas Evil. Exactly with this league and other opponents you live it up in the turn-based battles of the title.
However, Cthulhu Saves Christmas is not long, you can count on around five hours. So it is also very good to play it quickly over Christmas. Because: The game “shouldn’t waste your time,” say the makers. Of course you can also expect tentacles. And “more chickens than you would expect in a Christmas game”. Fhtagn!
Interest? For PC there is Cthulhu Saves Christmas on Steam and up GOG.
Super Mario Odyssey (2017 – Nintendo Switch)
Of course, Super Mario Odyssey isn’t strictly a Christmas game overall, but the game’s polar land lets you get into a wintry mood to match the cold temperatures outside.
Plenty of snow awaits you in Super Mario Odyssey’s polar land, which you can explore and browse to your heart’s content. And then there’s Princess Peach, kidnapped once again by Bowser, who needs to be rescued. Away from polar land, Super Mario Odyssey is worth a trip if you haven’t already. It’s only in this world that things are particularly wintry.
Interest? For Nintendo Switch there is Super Mario Odyssey in the eShop.
Parasite Eve (2015 – PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch)
The book-based Parasite Eve is also set at Christmas. It all begins during an opera on Christmas Eve, which isn’t quite as peaceful as one might hope. Opera singer Melissa Pearce mutates into another being who calls herself Eve.
Ultimately, the point is that the mitochondria in her body serve to not only transform Melissa into another being to replace humanity as the dominant species on Earth. After this prelude, the story you experience with police officer Aya Brea unfolds in the week after Christmas.
Interest? Parasite Eve exists on eBay.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons (2020 – Nintendo Switch)
Christmas is also celebrated in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, even if it doesn’t say so there. First of all, if you have an island in the northern hemisphere in the game, it will be wintery well before Christmas and even after that and snow will fall on your island, for example.
The so-called toy day always takes place on Christmas Eve. You can keep yourself busy all day long, but don’t forget Christmas dinner and opening the presents! Toy Day itself is also about gifts and rewards, so give the residents of your island a little treat.
Interest? For Nintendo Switch there is Animal Crossing: New Horizons in the eShop.
Hitman (2015 – PC, Xbox, PlayStation)
Hitman doesn’t sound like a Christmas game at first glance either, does it? The bonus mission “Holiday Hoarders” is about exactly that and you have to take care of a small problem. Incidentally, the mission is also available in the two successors.
But what is it all about? Agent 47 is tasked with taking down two thieves. No ordinary thieves, as Harry Bagnato and Marv Gonif have their eyes on Christmas presents in the Palais de Walewska. The inspiration for the bonus mission Home Alone and the Two Thieves is again an allusion to the characters of Daniel Stern and Joe Pesci from the two Kevin films.
Interest? For PC there is Hitman on Steamfor the Xbox in Microsoft Store and for PlayStation in PlayStation Store.
Not the right thing for you? Check out the best Simpsons games, best family games for Christmas and best free to play games!
