Skip to main content
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+ The Games, Movies, TV & Comics You Love
UK EditionUK US EditionUS CA EditionCanada AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Total Film
Gaming Magazines
Gaming Magazines
Why subscribe?
  • Subscribe from just £3
  • Takes you closer to the games, movies and TV you love
  • Try a single issue or save on a subscription
  • Issues delivered straight to your door or device
From$12
Subscribe now
Don't miss these
Roblox promo codes
Games Roblox promo codes list (December 2025) with all the latest working codes
New games 2025: A screenshot of Split Fiction, Killing Floor 3, Death Stranding 2, and Monster Hunter Wilds.
Games New games 2025 and beyond: The biggest video game release dates for PS5, Xbox Series X, PC, Switch, and more
Upcoming Switch 2 games: screenshots of Mario Kart World, Metroid Prime 4, Kirby Air Riders and Donkey Kong Bananza.
Nintendo Switch 2 Upcoming Switch 2 games for 2025 and beyond
GamesRadar+ Best Games of 2025 hero image
Games The 25 Best Games of 2025
Lucy in Fallout season 2
Sci-Fi Shows Fallout season 2 gets festive in new teaser trailer with fresh looks at The Ghoul, a Deathclaw, and a Radroach attack
A picture of a Nintendo 3DS console next to several of the best 3DS games and Nintendo cards.
Games The 25 best Nintendo 3DS games of all time
Helldivers 2 Python Commandos Warbond weapons
Third Person Shooters Christmas comes early for Helldivers 2 players as Arrowhead adds a minigun, flamethrower drone, and a chain sword all in one glorious Warbond
The 50 Most Iconic Video Game Characters
Games The 50 most iconic video game characters of all time
Photo by Rosalie Newcombe of the Donkey Kong and Pauline amiibo standing in front of a Nintendo Switch 2.
Games I've been recommending nerdy presents for over a decade, and I think these are the best gifts for gamers in 2025
Donkey Kong Bananza DK and Pauline ready to sing in front of snake crowd
Super Mario I'm convinced Nintendo might be gearing up for a Mario Kart World DLC announcement as it prepares to spotlight a Donkey Kong Bananza character it's been refusing to publicly acknowledge since launch
Green Ranger, one of the Fortnite Characters in Chapter 6 Season 4
Fortnite Fortnite Characters locations in Season 4 of Chapter 6
Anime Defenders codes
Games Anime Defenders codes (December 2025) for Gems and more
An image of a series of Nintendo Switch game boxes on a light green GamesRadar+ background.
Hardware These Nintendo Switch game deals at Woot are perfect presents in the making
Best of 2025 Year in Review hub image with games, movies, TV, comics, and hardware represented
Games Year in Review: The Best of 2025
Super Pocket Data East Edition with Super Burger Time gameplay on screen.
Retro The best retro gifts 2025 according to experts of all things old-school gaming
Trending
  • Best Games of 2025
  • The Future of Total War
  • Fallout Season 2
  • Gift Guides
  • New Games for 2025
  1. Games
  2. Adventure

Red and Green characters: Santa's year-round helpers

Features
By Afariss2, Lucas Sullivan published 25 December 2012

It's like every day is Christmas

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Holly, jolly wardrobes

Holly, jolly wardrobes

Merry whatever-it-is-that-you-celebrate! No matter your December festivity of choice, there's a good chance that every mall, restaurant, and department store you been in this month was plastered in red and green. Something about this color combination just makes the holidays feel all the more special, even if you don't participate in this whole "Christmas" business.

So for no reason other than to propagate the holiday spirit, we've wrangled up every red-and-green video game character we could think of into one place. These heroes and villains have taken it upon themselves to spread Christmas cheer every day of their lives--and by golly, we appreciate it. With that, here are 25 characters that take the December holiday season seriously.

Page 1 of 27
Page 1 of 27
Yoshi (Super Mario World)

Yoshi (Super Mario World)

Page 2 of 27
Page 2 of 27
Knuckles (Sonic the Hedgehog 3)

Knuckles (Sonic the Hedgehog 3)

Page 3 of 27
Page 3 of 27
Jazz and Spaz Jackrabbit (Jazz Jackrabbit: Holiday Hare '95)

Jazz and Spaz Jackrabbit (Jazz Jackrabbit: Holiday Hare '95)

Page 4 of 27
Page 4 of 27
Meganium and Sceptile (Pokmon)

Meganium and Sceptile (Pokmon)

Page 5 of 27
Page 5 of 27
Shiny Stantler (Pokmon)

Shiny Stantler (Pokmon)

Page 6 of 27
Page 6 of 27
Dr. Tongue in spider form (Zombies Ate My Neighbors)

Dr. Tongue in spider form (Zombies Ate My Neighbors)

Page 7 of 27
Page 7 of 27
Mario & Luigi (Mario & Luigi)

Mario & Luigi (Mario & Luigi)

Page 8 of 27
Page 8 of 27
Red Knight and Green Knight (Castle Crashers)

Red Knight and Green Knight (Castle Crashers)

Page 9 of 27
Page 9 of 27
Sack Eyes (King of the Monsters 2)

Sack Eyes (King of the Monsters 2)

Page 10 of 27
Page 10 of 27
Baby Metroid and Kraid (Super Metroid)

Baby Metroid and Kraid (Super Metroid)

Page 11 of 27
Page 11 of 27
Raphael (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles In Time)

Raphael (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles In Time)

Page 12 of 27
Page 12 of 27
Tree Rex (Skylanders Giants)

Tree Rex (Skylanders Giants)

Page 13 of 27
Page 13 of 27
Archer and Kestrel (Splinter Cell: Conviction)

Archer and Kestrel (Splinter Cell: Conviction)

Page 14 of 27
Page 14 of 27
Cammy White (Super Street Fighter II)

Cammy White (Super Street Fighter II)

Page 15 of 27
Page 15 of 27
Tingle (The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask)

Tingle (The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask)

Page 16 of 27
Page 16 of 27
Green Link and Red Link (The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures)

Green Link and Red Link (The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures)

Page 17 of 27
Page 17 of 27
She-Hulk in Lyra alternate costume (Marvel vs. Capcom 3)

She-Hulk in Lyra alternate costume (Marvel vs. Capcom 3)

Page 18 of 27
Page 18 of 27
Amarant Coral (Final Fantasy IX)

Amarant Coral (Final Fantasy IX)

Page 19 of 27
Page 19 of 27
The Green Detective (Ghost Trick)

The Green Detective (Ghost Trick)

Page 20 of 27
Page 20 of 27
Piranha Plant (Super Mario Bros.)

Piranha Plant (Super Mario Bros.)

Page 21 of 27
Page 21 of 27
Talwyn Apogee (Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction)

Talwyn Apogee (Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction)

Page 22 of 27
Page 22 of 27
Ivana Lottabolts (Secret Agent Clank)

Ivana Lottabolts (Secret Agent Clank)

Page 23 of 27
Page 23 of 27
Keepers (Mass Effect)

Keepers (Mass Effect)

Page 24 of 27
Page 24 of 27
Javik (Mass Effect 3)

Javik (Mass Effect 3)

Page 25 of 27
Page 25 of 27
Raz (Psychonauts)

Raz (Psychonauts)

Page 26 of 27
Page 26 of 27
Deck the halls with sprites and renders

Deck the halls with sprites and renders

Whether you're with family or friends, make the most of this holiday season--by telling us in the comments which red and green character we oh-so-stupidly forgot. If you're more of a Hanukkah / Kwanzaa kind of guy / gal, drop some knowledge on which game characters best exemplify your December holiday of choice!

For more festive articles, it's high time you read up on the Top 7... Games in which you fight Santa Claus and 113 Games that have got snow in them.

Page 27 of 27
Page 27 of 27
CATEGORIES
Android iPad iPhone PC Gaming Wii-u Nintendo PlayStation Xbox Platforms Mobile Gaming
PRODUCTS
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Conviction Secret Agent Clank Pokemon Black / White 2
Lucas Sullivan
Lucas Sullivan
Social Links Navigation

Lucas Sullivan is the former US Managing Editor of GamesRadar+. Lucas spent seven years working for GR, starting as an Associate Editor in 2012 before climbing the ranks. He left us in 2019 to pursue a career path on the other side of the fence, joining 2K Games as a Global Content Manager. Lucas doesn't get to write about games like Borderlands and Mafia anymore, but he does get to help make and market them. 

Read more
The 50 Most Iconic Video Game Characters
The 50 most iconic video game characters of all time
 
 
Best of 2025 Year in Review hub image with games, movies, TV, comics, and hardware represented
Year in Review: The Best of 2025
 
 
A crop of the Retro Gamer 252 The Magic of Mario cover image showing Mario spinning through space with stars around him
40 years later, Mario is still the ultimate gaming mascot: "He's got that Mickey Mouse effect"
 
 
Photo of the end level amiibo display stand with wedding Mario and Peach sitting on top of it.
Best Nintendo gifts 2025, with recommendations from a fan of 30+ years
 
 
Family Guy
This year's Family Guy Christmas special will be a Hallmark movie parody: "We just decided to give up trying to be original"
 
 
Super Pocket Data East Edition with Super Burger Time gameplay on screen.
The best retro gifts 2025 according to experts of all things old-school gaming
 
 
Latest in Adventure
Hytale
Hytale owner calls Minecraft "one of the greatest" games of all time, but his own sandbox is going in a "different direction" with crafting more like Terraria
 
 
Screenshot from Hytale, showing three warriors with a sword, bow, and staff sighting a big, icy dragon.
Hytale lead isn't putting his Minecraft competitor on Steam at launch because "everything is wrong" with it, and Palworld lead "totally" understands his hesitance
 
 
Hytale
Hytale won't be on Steam at launch as devs "do not see the necessity of it" and want to avoid bad reviews from "people that aren't as well-informed"
 
 
Dispatch
Dispatch maker AdHoc says the episodic business model is "an insane thing to do," immediately after selling 2 million copies through the episodic business model
 
 
Hytale
Hytale's returning owner has hatched a genuinely ingenious marketing strategy: repeatedly telling everyone the game "isn't good," but like, only for now
 
 
Pokemon
Pokemon archeologist travels 12 hours to reunite a 17-year-old Diamond save file with the player who was forced to sell the barely functional, chewed cartridge after his partner's car wreck
 
 
Latest in Features
Big Preview Total War hub image featuring Warhammer 3 characters
Explore the future of Total War in the GamesRadar+ Big Preview
 
 
Crucial DDR5 Pro facing the camera on a stand, showing the small Crucial branding
Crucial could have been the brand to help consumers with RAM and storage costs, not make them worse
 
 
Dust Bunny
Bryan Fuller's Dust Bunny is a weird and wonderful tale with one important lesson: "Believe children"
 
 
Hand using the Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con controller in its mouse setting
Here's how to use mouse controls on Metroid Prime 4, and how to make them even better
 
 
Matt Mercer smiling and Brennan Lee Mulligan talking, with a white line dividing them
I've watched 1000+ hours of D&D podcasts, here's what Critical Role 4 should learn from Dimension 20 and new DM Brennan Lee Mulligan
 
 
Art from Octopath Traveler 0 showing Alexia walking down some steps and examining statues
Octopath Traveler 0 fulfils a wish I've had since the first JRPG in the series, but it also loses something that made its predecessors special
 
 
  1. Art from Octopath Traveler 0 showing the hero being haunted by the images of those who burned his hometown, with ghostly images of the three surrounding an image of a town on fire behind him as he walks forward
    1
    Octopath Traveler 0 review: "The strongest entry in this retro-styled JRPG series yet, I love the greater focus on tactical battles"
  2. 2
    Sleep Awake review: "An all-timer horror premise is let down by tired stealth that I feel like I'm sleepwalking through"
  3. 3
    Metroid Prime 4: Beyond review: "The series' atmosphere has never been better, while being dragged down by a boring overworld and clunky psychic powers"
  4. 4
    Routine review: "This imperfect but wonderfully atmospheric moon-based horror leaves a strong impression"
  5. 5
    Marvel Cosmic Invasion review: "Excellent '90s-tinged superhero brawling across a punchy campaign falls just short of arcade bliss"
  1. Freddy Fazbear in Five Nights at Freddy's 2
    1
    Five Nights at Freddy's 2 review: "We have waited two years for a Five Nights at Freddy's 1.5"
  2. 2
    Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery review: "Brings Knives Out back to its roots for a sequel that's almost on a par with the original"
  3. 3
    Wicked: For Good review: "Builds to an incredibly cathartic conclusion, but isn't quite as captivating as Part 1"
  4. 4
    The Running Man review: "Some fun action and Glen Powell's star power aren't enough to energize this disappointing Stephen King adaptation"
  5. 5
    Predator: Badlands review: "Die-hard fans may be disappointed, but as a blockbuster action-adventure, Badlands kills it"
  1. Noah Schnapp as Will Byers and Jamie Campbell Bower as Vecna in Stranger Things season 5
    1
    Stranger Things season 5 volume 1 review: “Can the Duffer brothers stick the landing? It’s sure looking like they will”
  2. 2
    Pluribus season 1 review: "Easily one of the year's best dramas"
  3. 3
    The Witcher season 4 review: "The Henry Cavill-less fourth season is the best yet"
  4. 4
    IT: Welcome to Derry review: "A supremely confident step back into the history of Stephen King's cursed town and killer clown"
  5. 5
    Splinter Cell: Deathwatch review: "A pale imitation of the long-dormant stealth franchise"

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...