It’s the most wonderful time of the year, folks. The holiday season is finally upon us, bringing some much-needed rest, reprieve, comfort, and joy after what’s been an eventful year (to say the least). Periods such as this have the power to put life back into perspective and remind us of the things that matter most. It’s also the rare stretch of the calendar where free time feels abundant, giving you a chance to wind down, grab a controller, and enjoy video games that deliver the festive spirit in spades.
When it comes to Christmas-themed games, there’s no shortage of options to choose from, and the last thing you need is a selection headache harshing your Xmas mellow. With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of the 12 best video games to enjoy during the 12 days of Christmas (no pressure), whether you’re playing on your lonesome, alongside a treasured co-op partner, or with your beloved family.
1. Mario Kart World
Kicking off our list of the best Christmas games is the latest iteration of the ultimate party racer: Mario Kart World. The franchise has historically been linked with family fun, be it sparking playful sibling rivalries or fuelling cross-generational competitions. The Switch 2 exclusive is no exception, taking the joyous karting gameplay loop to an open-world, which is packed with seasonal flavor and adorable easter eggs.
While it’s not strictly a Christmas game, Mario Kart World earns a spot on this list thanks to how well it fits into the holiday gaming rhythm. Its Free Roam mode lets you take a breather from frantic races, exploring scenic stretches at your pace. The broad multiplayer support also makes it a reliable choice for family gatherings and couch co-op sessions when everyone wants something that’s both lively and accessible. Whether you’re racing your sibling online or snapping photos in the map’s nooks and crannies, it’s a bright, social game to check out this Christmas.
2. Split Fiction
Split Fiction is another wildly creative co-op adventure from the geniuses at Hazelight Studios, the creators of It Takes Two. Just like the 2023 GOTY winner, Split Fiction is packed with the most audacious scenarios possible, which will have you and your co-op partner going through all sorts of emotions. You’ll be hopping around a verdant farm as flatulent pigs one second and blazing through a cyberpunk locale in the next.
These switch-ups are consistently fun and engaging, making for an experience that is as entertaining as it is enthralling. Split Fiction also tells a pretty simple tale of friendship and acceptance that can hit you right in the feels. We highly recommend taking advantage of the holiday discounts on this adventure and blitzing through it during the holidays.
3. Minecraft
Minecraft remains a perennial holiday favorite as it encourages creativity and delivers precisely the amount of coziness you want. You can spend quite evenings putting the final touches on your intricate redstone contraptions, or play long into the night with your friends for company, thanks to the game’s cross-platform multiplayer.
When it comes to digital escapes, Minecraft is a wonderland of your making. Its blocky worlds feel familiar and warm, regardless of the season, but it’s a quality that makes it especially fitting for the holidays.
4. Fortnite
Beyond the obvious reason of being a multiplayer experience in a shared, ever-evolving world, Fortnite makes it onto our list due to its annual Winterfest celebrations. There is simply no live-service game that commemorates Christmas quite like Epic’s cultural juggernaut. Each year, it introduces a new, even comfier version of the Winterfest lodge, complete with an incredible assortment of presents. It pairs this with the return of seasonal elements, such as the Crackshot Cabin, Winterfest quests, and more.
Even if you don’t plan on playing rigorously, it’s worth logging in daily just to claim some free goodies – after all, aren’t free gifts what Christmas is all about?
5. Astro Bot
Delivering joyous creativity and top-notch accessibility in equal measure is 2024’s GOTY winner, Astro Bot. If you’re still puzzled as to why this cutesy platformer picked up awards left and right, then we highly recommend spending the holiday break to find out the answer. What you’ll discover is unbound imagination realized through gorgeous levels, mind-blowing gimmicks, and a who’s who of iconic cameos.
Asobi’s smash hit is the definition of pick up and play, meaning it can be enjoyed by both the youngest and oldest members of your family. The PS5 exclusive also received a special Winter update last year that you can check out for free. As far as single-player games go, there really is no better title to make your holidays even merrier.
6. Just Dance 2026 Edition
They don’t make rhythm games like Just Dance anymore – well, except Ubisoft, of course. The franchise has long been a staple in the party games genre, responsible for getting many an introvert on their feet.
Whether you’re throwing a big family get-together or just trying to coax your cousins off the couch, Just Dance is practically tailor-made for festive gatherings. Its 2026 Edition packs 40 new songs, including chart-toppers such as APT. by ROSÉ & Bruno Mars. Of course, there are festive-themed jams as well, like Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.
7. The Jackbox Party Pack 11 (2025)
If there’s one title that turns any gathering into a raucous good time, it’s the Jackbox Party Pack. The latest entry in this long-running party game series brings five brand-new minigames to the table, and since only one person needs to own the title, it’s effortlessly accessible for friends and family alike.
The minigames on offer cover a wide range of moods. Doominate will have your squad tearing up as they assemble the foulest one-liners imaginable, while Hear Say tasks players with supplying bizarre sound effects for a stock video and hoping it all makes some semblance of sense. There’s even a cozy option in Cookie Haus, where you decorate cookies to meet customer demands. If you’re looking for a party game that delivers maximum variety with minimal setup, the Jackbox Party Pack is an easy win this Christmas.
8. Dispatch
What does an M-rated, superhero-themed, episodic game have to do with Christmas, you ask? Well, it really comes down to a sense of belonging and camaraderie.
If you cannot be with your loved ones during the holiday season, then Dispatch offers the most colorful cast of digital friends you can ask for. It gives you a captivating narrative to obsess over, one where every choice feels personal, and every character feels tangible. It serves up gameplay that is straightforward yet slick, alongside a generous helping of the sharpest dialogue you’re likely to find in any other video game this year.
More than anything, Dispatch provides a meaningful escape for long winter evenings that can feel especially quiet or lonely, making it an unexpectedly fitting companion for the holidays. So, trade out that sweater for Robert Roberston’s SDN shirt, and savor every bit of Adhoc’s instant classic.
9. NBA 2K26
Sports games have a knack for making it into every household’s holiday games rotation. Every player also has their own preferences on this front, but for our money, NBA 2K26 is the sports sim that you should be picking up this Christmas. 2K Sports’ latest release is an impeccably refined iteration of the basketball game you’ve played a million times.
Whether you’re trading buckets with the family, teaming up with friends, or checking out the MyTeam winter update, NBA 2K26 delivers polished, pick‑up‑and‑play fun for everyone. It’s also the perfect way to bring a little competitive energy to your holiday downtime.
10. Batman: Arkham Origins
Batman: Arkham Origins caught a lot of undeserved flak for several years, and it wasn’t until recently that fans finally recognised its brilliance. The title serves as a prequel to Rocksteady’s mainline Arkham games and takes place on the night before Christmas. It features a young, temperamental Batman as he takes on a coterie of eight villains one by one, including the Joker, Bane, Black Mask, and the Mad Hatter.
To help sell the festive mood, Arkham Origins’ Gotham is lathered in snow and covered in Christmas decorations. Its score is backed by seasonal instrumentation such as sleigh bells and orchestral cellos, making for a soundscape that’s menacingly merry. Then there’s the narrative itself, led by the most mischievous iteration of Joker ever captured in a video game. At one point, the clown prince of crime breaks into a Christmas carol, right after blowing up a building. His shenanigans only get crazier from that point on, meaning Arkham Origins will have you glued to the controller until the final credits roll.
11. Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
In Death Stranding 2, you take on the role of a mysterious porter, traversing extreme distances, scaling treacherous terrain, and delivering packages that bring joy and relief to those on the receiving end. Sound familiar?
That’s because the game’s core loop turns you into a kind of post-apocalyptic Santa, hauling gifts or essential items across a fractured and snowy landscape. Every delivery you make connects isolated communities, brings smiles to weary faces, and reinforces that sense of giving that’s at the heart of the holidays, even in a world teetering on the edge of collapse.
Beyond that thematic quality, the game’s traversal mechanics are oddly festive in spirit. It has you trudging through snow, crafting pathways, and leaving helpful structures behind, which is as close to delivering the holiday cheer as a video game. Of course, the game also has its melodramatic side, delivering all the eccentricities you’d expect from Kojima Productions. The point is, if you’re looking for something a little unconventional, becoming digital Santa in this PS5 exclusive is a holiday experience like no other.
12. GTA Online
With GTA 6 primed for a November 2026 release date, this holiday season might be your last real chance to experience snow‑covered Los Santos in GTA Online.
For a few precious days each December, Los Santos transforms into a winter playground: snow blankets the world, outfits and masks turn festive, and limited‑time activities like snowball fights, Yeti Hunts, and seasonal missions give you reasons to explore and wreak (holiday) havoc with friends. So even if you’re not an Online regular, this is the Christmas to drop in and soak up those immaculate vibes before the snowpacks melt and the era ends forever.
And that wraps up our picks for the best Christmas games to check out in 2025. Do you have any other holiday favorites? Let us know in the comments.
