Top 10 Video Games Perfect for the Holidays

Granted this game is…yeah, there’s no getting around it. It’s the worst in the series and borders on trash, effectively killing the franchise in its tracks. That being said, it does take place during the holiday season, and since this is Frank West we’re talking about, there’s plenty of decorations and other Christmas gear to be used as weapons to take down the undead. So, if you want to mindlessly maul zombies with explosive gnomes, then this might scratch that itch. Just don’t expect pure quality.

No matter the version, no matter which console you’re playing it on, Mario Kart is a great time to be had by all, especially if you’ve got family around and want to kill time after stuffing down so much turkey. Fair warning, while it’s certainly a lot of fun…you might want to be careful you don’t destroy all family ties, because as everyone knows, when Mario Kart gets going, the competitive nature tends to come out in everyone. As long as you don’t cuss out your grandma for that bullshit she pulled with the blue shell, playing these games over the holidays is a must.

It takes place close to Christmas, that’s all the reason we need to recommend it. Very much the Die Hard of video games, Bayonetta 2 is wild, unhinged action that will have you smiling from start to finish. The gunplay, fluidity of combat, larger than life bosses, sheer number of weaponry, all of it meshes so well to provide a flashy yet fun experience that everyone can watch and get a kick out of. Just as long as you explain to your family the iron-clad narrative reason Bayonetta’s clothes are actually her hair so the brief scenes of nudity are in fact imperative to the storytelling…

Time for something a little old school. If you have a yearning to bust out your Nintendo 64 for the holidays, then you could do a lot worse than booting up the first installment of this iconic bird and bear’s adventures. Puzzles, platforms, it’s even got a winter-based level if you really want to be on the nose about things. And let’s be honest, with the gaming landscape being what it is these days, harkening back to simpler times before breaking in the new year might be a good idea!

Who wants to spend Christmas in Gotham? If so, then you’d better have downed a lot of eggnog beforehand because you’re going to be spending an entire day in the shoes of a younger, more inexperienced Dark Knight as he clashes with his rogue’s gallery for the first time, including with the Joker and Bane. While many would claim the game inferior to the mainstay Arkham trilogy, this prequel still has plenty of charm to it. From flying over the snow-covered rooftops of Gotham to battling it out with Deathstroke, there’s never a bad time to pretend to be the Batman.

This game has something for every season, so of course it's perfect for those who want to celebrate the holidays! Whether it's crafting snowmen, packing as much Christmas memorabilia into your home as possible, or making your island a snow-swept paradise, the charmingly addictive nature of New Horizons makes it just as much of a joy to play during the winter months. Nothing quite like hosting a Christmas jamboree with all your fellow players along with Isabelle and the other villagers…all the while barring Tom Nook from attending, of course.

A staple of the holiday season is snowfall and families coming together to celebrate all the good in their lives. In that sense, what could be more fitting that the eternal cold of Fimbulwinter paired with the father-son struggles of Kratos and Atreus as they try to overcome a less than desirable destiny? Oh sure, there’s plenty of heartbreak, Nordic violence and you have to punch out a bear at one point, but we stand by that this game is the very definition of Christmas. Just got to look past all the dead Asgardians first.

Don’t get us wrong, any of the latest installments in Insomniac’s Spider-verse will make for a great time, but if you want to sprinkle some Christmas cheer into your web swinging, then Miles Morales is probably the way to go. A brief yet brilliant experience focusing on the rise of the second Spider-Man as he comes into his own, all of which is framed within a festive and frosty New York. Nothing screams goodwill to all than by webbing up and electrocuting random thugs in the street!

You can stick a cat in any genre and any setting, and chances are they’ll improve whatever game they’re in. This is taken to the next level with Stray, where the whole point is to just be a cat, do cattish things, and interact with a dystopian society with some majorly depressing lore. But forget all about that! Just focus on the cat! Purr, pounce and prowl across every inch of every level, and you’ll be in a zen-like state before you know it. Cats plus Christmas – it’s the ultimate one two punch of cheer!

Now while it technically might be considered a divorce simulator, and there is that one infamous scene with Cutie the Elephant, make no mistake that this game is nothing but joy wrapped up in a colorful, co-op package. After being trapped inside the bodies of dolls, two feuding parents endeavor to break the spell, leading to a journey where each new level adopts new gaming mechanics and controls, including one where you're skating around a winter wonderland soaking in the holiday spirit. You will not regret picking this up, even if it does test the limits of your relationship!

Which of these games do you think best embody the holidays? Let us know in the comments!