Christmas Games about…Christmas!

(This is exactly what Christmas is like in the arcade offices)

When I thought up the idea of a Top 5 uses of Christmas in Video Games, I just assumed I would have an abundance of quality to choose from. Sure I could only think of three off the top of my head, but a couple of Google searches will surely bring it all flooding back to me. Turns out my rose tinted glasses were cranked up to eleven. It seems that when people realised money can be made from video games, combined with how long a development cycle can be; it wouldn’t be as profitable to release a “seasonally dated” product as opposed to one that can be sold all year. Because of this the majority of Christmas content is restricted to early 90’s and earlier shareware episodic type games and in more recent times mods for PC games.

Obviously PC development and distribution is easier than pressing CDs or manufacturing cartridges, which is why we rarely if ever get a Christmas special edition of console games. Although with the current generation and the advent of DLC and on console calender tracking this is slowly changing. So I placed a few limits on myself for the list, I choose to leave out Mods (either official of not) for modern PC games (CoD) and MMOs (which is generally not Christmas but a quasi-Christmas like fantasy stand-in holiday).

Even though it’s a Top 5 the choices aren’t really listed in order these are just my Top 5 favourite/most memorable/most fun Christmas themed games. I also wanted to choose “real” games that can stand alone as good games even if they were not Christmas themed, otherwise it would be easy to just fill the list with “Santa Goes Wild Kart Racing” or some other equally abysmal downloadable game.
 

5. Animal Crossing 2001 (Gamecube, Wii)

(This is quickly followed by ‘and I’m here to kill you’)

Animal Crossing the open-ended social simulation communication game, where you just live in town, help your friends, decorate and collect bugs. The game takes a lot of cues from your Gamecube’s (or Wii) built in date and time system. When the console thinks it’s around Christmas time Animal Crossing takes on more seasonal feel, snow covers the ground and the music changes. Jingle the Reindeer shows up and plays hide and seek, giving you unique items if you can find him. You can decorate your house and yourself with Christmas apparel. It is a fun and charming little Christmas experience.
 

4. Shenmue 1999 (Dreamcast)

Shenmue, similar to Animal Crossing, if you were playing while the in game calendar rolled around to Christmas, things take on a more seasonal decor. Dobuita Street is covering in decorations and new music is heard throughout even a Santa Clause is wandering around. Lots of effort and new Christmas art was created and is peppered all around, in fact there is even dialogue later with Ryo and Nozomi, where she expresses regret that they didn’t spend Christmas Eve together, if you don’t go see her on the 24th.

Before we move on, the next three are only higher in the list because the Christmas part is more part of gameplay now, instead of just some visual fluffy tacked on

 
3. Angry Birds Season 2010 (iOS, Android, Symbian^3)

Angry Birds a franchise everyone is probably familiar with. For Halloween 2010 they released a spin off called Angry Birds Season, where they release themed packs of 25 new levels for the holidays, Christmas, Halloween, Easter etc. 2010 Saw Season’s Greedings and 2011 has Wreck the Halls. Complete with Snowy backdrops, wrapped presents, blocks made of gingerbread and most importantly of all Santa pigs, who could ask for more. The Seasons level tend to more difficult to three star than the original, perfect for when you are snowed in at Christmas or suffering from a turkey induced paralysis.
 

2. Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix 2007 (Playstation 2)

Christmas Town in Kingdom Hearts II, it’s Kingdom Hearts so what really needs to be said. It has Santa Claus, Elves and Reindeer. Sora and company get cool Christmas outfits. Specifically the Final Mix version (not the original release), where Its is more polished with additional Christmas music and outfits.

1. Costume Quest: Grubbins on Ice DLC 2010 (Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Steam)

Grubbins on Ice is DLC for Double Fine’s downloadable turn based RPG Costume Quest. Originally released in December 2010, It is a simple, fun and short RPG. If you played the Costume Quest, Grubbins on Ice is the same again only with snow, but that’s not a bad thing, its so fun and charming that I can’t think of a better Christmas tradition that playing through this gem.

Be sure to tell us your favourite Christmas games in the comments below.