🎄My Top Christmas-Themed Video Games (From Classics to Modern Hits)
- MJ
- Dec 20, 2025
- 5 min read
Christmas hits different when you’re gaming. ❄️🎮Snowy cities, jingle bells in the background, sarcastic villains singing Christmas songs, evil Santas, gingerbread enemies—these games don’t just mention Christmas… they live in it.
If you’re a gamer looking for full Christmas-themed video games (not DLCs, not one holiday level), this list is for you. Every game here is one I’ve personally played, and they range from retro classics to modern, high-graphics masterpieces. No specific order—just pure holiday gaming fun.
🎁 Jump to a Game
🎄The Grinch: Christmas Adventures
This game is silly, cute, and very Christmas-y, and honestly—that’s part of its charm. You play as the Grinch solving puzzles, platforming through festive levels, and stealing (or saving) presents along the way. While the gameplay can feel a bit limited and the dog companion is very dependent on the Grinch (and sometimes gets stuck or falls if 2 players play), the Christmas vibes are strong. The environments are fun to explore, the puzzles are enjoyable, and yes—the gingerbread characters are ridiculously adorable (and very huggable… unless you’re the Grinch). Overall, it’s a solid, cozy Christmas platformer that’s great for relaxing holiday gaming.
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox
🕷️Spider-Man: Miles Morales
One of my all-time favorite games, period. The entire story is set during the Christmas season in New York City, with snow-covered streets, holiday decorations, and winter vibes everywhere. You play as Miles Morales dealing with being a superhero, life, family, and protecting Harlem while taking down enemies. The combat feels incredibly smooth, the graphics are stunning, and the fight combos honestly feel like watching a Marvel movie. My only complaint? It’s too short. I wished the story was as long as the first Spider-Man game—but every minute is amazing.
Platforms: PS4, PS5, PC (Steam)
🎅Deathsmiles II
If you love arcade shoot ’em ups, this one is a blast. Deathsmiles II feels like those classic arcade shooters—but instead of spaceships, you control characters with magical weapons. Each girl has a unique shooting style, and yes… you fight an evil Santa. The game is fast, chaotic, and super fun, though it does feel a bit short. Still, it’s a perfect Christmas arcade-style game that doesn’t take itself too seriously. You can buy the combo from Deadthsmiles I and II together for cheap.
Platforms: PS4, Switch, XBOX One, PC (Steam)
🎄The Legend of Santa
This is basically Super Mario… but Santa—and I mean that in the best way. Presents replace blocks, cookies replace coins, and when Santa gets hit, he literally loses his clothes (which is hilarious). Instead of fireballs, Santa throws rocks or coal (very on-brand). The gameplay is challenging, the levels are fun, and I absolutely suck at it—but I still love it. It’s a simple but super entertaining Christmas platformer.
Platforms: PC (Steam), Switch, and PS5
🧟 Dead Rising 4
This is my favorite Christmas game on this list. Zombies dressed as elves, evil gingerbread men, killer snowmen, and Frank West running around in ridiculous Santa outfits—what more do you want? If you’ve played other Dead Rising games, you know what to expect, but this one fully commits to Christmas chaos. It’s funny, sarcastic, over-the-top, and insanely fun. Top-tier holiday madness.
Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC
🎁 The Grinch
Platforms: Game Boy, Game Boy ColorPrice: Retro / EmulatorPlay: Delta Emulator
I call this “Pac-Man Grinch”—and once you play it, you’ll understand why. You run through levels collecting presents while avoiding guards, very similar to Pac-Man’s gameplay loop. It’s simple, addictive, and surprisingly challenging. I played this nonstop on Game Boy, and now I replay it on my phone using an emulator. A true Christmas classic.
Platforms: Gameboy, Playable on Delta Emulator
Play: Playable on the Delta emulator.
🎄The Elf on the Shelf: Christmas Heroes
This one surprised me. It starts easy but gets more challenging as you progress. You collect orbs, complete mini-games, and work through festive levels. The controls could be tighter, but overall it’s fun—especially if you like cozy Christmas vibes. If you like The Grinch game, you’ll probably enjoy this one too.
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox, and PC (Steam).
🎅 Daze Before Christmas
This is an old-school Christmas platformer with cartoonish graphics and a fun twist—Santa sometimes turns into Evil Santa, similar to Mario grabbing a star. The only downside is visibility during some jumps, which can lead to frustrating deaths. Still, it’s charming, festive, and worth playing if you love retro games.
Platforms: SNES
Play: Playable on Delta Emulator
🦌 Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Don’t let the cute look fool you—this game is challenging. You help characters, solve puzzles, and progress through a Christmas story that actually makes you think. Some puzzles took me multiple tries, but that made it more rewarding. It’s a surprisingly enjoyable Christmas adventure game.
Platforms: Switch, PS5
🎄 Cthulhu Saves Christmas
This RPG is hilarious. Styled like a classic Final Fantasy, it’s turn-based, story-driven, and packed with witty dialogue. Set during Christmas, Cthulhu must save the holiday after losing his powers and work with unlikely allies. The writing is sharp, the humor lands, and the game never takes itself too seriously. One of the most fun Christmas RPGs I’ve played.
Platforms: Switch, PS4, PC (Steam)
🦇 Batman: Arkham Origins
Set on Christmas Eve, this prequel shows a younger Batman. Snow falls across Gotham, criminals roam the streets, and yes—you’ll hear Joker sing his own twisted version of Jingle Bell song. Like all Arkham games, it’s cinematic, brutal, and fun. After Miles Morales and Dead Rising 4, this is my third favorite on the list.
Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360, PC, and Wii U
🎸 Santa Rockstar HD
Only 15 songs—but every single one rocks. Santa plays rock versions of Christmas songs with his reindeer band, and yes—you can play it like Guitar Hero. The graphics are cute, the music slaps, and it’s perfect for Christmas parties. I just wish it had more songs. Absolute must-play with friends.
Platforms: PC (Steam)
🎁 Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for video games fully set during Christmas, these are some of the most fun, festive, and memorable experiences I’ve played—from cozy platformers to chaotic zombie mayhem.
👉 Do you know any other full Christmas-themed games I missed? Drop them in the comments—I’m always looking to add more holiday games to my collection 🎄🎮
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