Skip to main content
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+ The Games, Movies, TV & Comics You Love
flag of UK
UK
flag of US
US
flag of Canada
Canada
flag of Australia
Australia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
  • TV
  • Movies
  • Hardware
  • Video
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Guides
  • Deals
  • More
    • PS5
    • Xbox Series X
    • Nintendo Switch
    • Nintendo Switch 2
    • PC
    • Platforms
    • Tabletop Gaming
    • Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Newsletters
    • About us
    • Features
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
Trending
  • Hollow Knight Silksong
  • Dying Light: The Beast
  • Battlefield 6
  • New Games for 2025
Don't miss these
Grace Ashcroft looks at a computer in Resident Evil Requiem screenshot
Games Everything announced at Gamescom Opening Night Live 2025
Hideo Kojima in Castle Crashers
Co-op Games You can now play as Hideo Kojima, Adam Sandler, and Link in Castle Crashers as new DLC finally opens up the Steam Workshop after 17 years, with results as chaotic as you'd expect
Best Wii games: The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword screenshot.
Games The 25 best Wii games of all time
Spider-Man: Holiday Spectacular #1
Marvel Comics Spider-Man swings into the winter holidays with a one-shot that teams him up with the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, and more
Resident Evil Requiem screenshot of Grace Ashcroft, who has white short hair and glasses and wears a black blazer with an FBI badge, sitting at a desk in front of a PC monitor
Games Gamescom Day 1 live coverage – all the news, interviews, and previews as they happen
Luigi running from ghosts in Luigi's Mansion
Games The 25 best GameCube games of all time
Peak screenshot showing players climbing an icy cliff
Co-op Games The 25 best co-op games of all time
Resident Evil Village
Games The 25 best video game villains you just love to hate
Best Sonic games - Sonic the Hedgehog title card
Sonic the Hedgehog The 25 best Sonic games of all time
Octopath Traveler 0 key art in painterly style with a man looking at a town and someone waving in background
Games Everything announced at the Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase July 2025
Kirby and the Forgotten Land
Kirby The 10 best Kirby games to adventure through
Once Upon a Katamari
Action Games The first new console Katamari Damacy in 14 years is arriving this October, and Nintendo is a coward for cutting this very "nice" 69 joke from the Direct announcement
Deer and Boy appearing in the Future Games Show Gamescom Showcase
Games BRB just crying over this adorable new trailer for a platformer about a boy and his adopted deer friend, called, you guessed it, Deer and Boy
Donkey Kong Bananza
Donkey Kong Donkey Kong Bananza takes notes from the best Mario and Zelda games: it has its own shrines, you can totally destroy levels, transform into animals, and dive into the underground
Yuna, Rikku, and Pain pose in Final Fantasy 10-2
Final Fantasy I've spent well over 1000 hours playing Final Fantasy, so here are my most unforgettable 15 characters across the series
  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. 

See more PC Gaming Features
Read more
Grace Ashcroft looks at a computer in Resident Evil Requiem screenshot
Everything announced at Gamescom Opening Night Live 2025
Hideo Kojima in Castle Crashers
You can now play as Hideo Kojima, Adam Sandler, and Link in Castle Crashers as new DLC finally opens up the Steam Workshop after 17 years, with results as chaotic as you'd expect
Best Wii games: The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword screenshot.
The 25 best Wii games of all time
Spider-Man: Holiday Spectacular #1
Spider-Man swings into the winter holidays with a one-shot that teams him up with the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, and more
Resident Evil Requiem screenshot of Grace Ashcroft, who has white short hair and glasses and wears a black blazer with an FBI badge, sitting at a desk in front of a PC monitor
Gamescom Day 1 live coverage – all the news, interviews, and previews as they happen
Luigi running from ghosts in Luigi's Mansion
The 25 best GameCube games of all time
Latest in Adventure
A screenshot of Malamar seen in the Pokemon anime.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A fans are getting hypnotized by the next likely Mega Evolution candidate, a psychic squid amassing an army for its "my friend Malamar" hype: "GREATEST POKEMON OF ALL TIME!"
Blastoise seen in the Pokemon Origins anime series.
Pokemon fan finds holy grail that's been "sat in the closet for decades" – an immaculate, sealed copy of Pokemon Blue with a rare error that makes the RPG even more valuable
Pokemon go psychic cup
Pokemon seems to be teasing Mega Malamar for Legends: Z-A in a series of bizarre live-action videos featuring people proclaiming their love for one of X and Y's strangest 'mons
Snatcher
Hideo Kojima's overlooked cyberpunk adventure game is one of the three games Atari's CEO would love to remaster: "I don’t know if it would do well, but I’d probably push it through"
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle screenshot of Indiana
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle director says gameplay has been one of the most "challenging aspects" of development because even Wolfenstein was "very linear"
Haunted Chocolatier
Haunted Chocolatier was announced almost 4 years ago, but don't worry, Eric Barone says Stardew Valley 1.7 won't "hinder" the development of his next life sim
Latest in Features
Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater snake aiming pistol
If 20 years and a Metal Gear Solid Delta playthrough have taught me anything, it’s that Snake Eater remains one of the greatest, stupidest games ever made
Hornet strikes at a red flow bud beneath her in Hollow Knight: Silksong in The Marrow
Hollow Knight Silksong has beat my ass for 11 hours, but it's not too hard – we just have a problem with instant gratification
A close-up shot of Pinhead from Hellraiser
Clive Barker's Hellraiser: Revival – Everything we know so far about the gory new game
Hollow Knight: Silksong still of Hornet dueling a sword wielding bug
Silksong is way harder than Hollow Knight, and my theory is that Team Cherry became evil masterminds without even realizing it
The Conjuring: Last Rites
The DCU doesn't need to look to Marvel for pointers on building a cinematic universe – horror movies like The Conjuring have always done it best
Word Play screenshot of a typical match in the roguelike spelling game
Word Play is a spelling roguelike that feels like the final boss of Wordle and it made me feel like an angry genius
  1. The Vantage box on a white wooden surface, against a plain wall
    1
    This enormous exploration board game won't be for everyone, but it's a masterclass in narrative and sandbox gameplay
  2. 2
    Hollow Knight Silksong review in progress: "Worth the wait and then some, this isn't just more Hollow Knight but an evolved, spindly beast all its own – even if it's fiddly at times"
  3. 3
    Cronos: The New Dawn review: "An unabashed mash-up of survival horror greatest hits, from Dead Space to Silent Hill, with plenty of its own gory ideas"
  4. 4
    This gorgeously weird monster board game warms my Halloween-loving heart, and it's a delight
  5. 5
    Lost Soul Aside review: "We (don't) have Final Fantasy Versus 13 at home"
  1. Vera Farmiga as 'Lorraine' in The Conjuring: Last Rites
    1
    The Conjuring: Last Rites review: "Not bold or memorable enough for the Warrens' final chapter"
  2. 2
    Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle review: "Roars past Mugen Train as Demon Slayer's best adventure yet"
  3. 3
    The Long Walk review: "One of the best Stephen King adaptations ever made"
  4. 4
    Frankenstein review: "A classy, if somewhat safe, adaptation"
  5. 5
    Weapons review: "A twisted fairytale that bests Barbarian"
  1. Catherine Zeta-Jones as Morticia Addams, Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams, Luis Guzman as Gomez Addams, and Isaac Ordonez as Pugsley Addams in Wednesday season 2 part 2
    1
    Wednesday season 2 part 2 review: "Ortega shines, but it's a zombie who steals the entire show"
  2. 2
    Peacemaker season 2 review: "Darker and sadder than the first year, but there's still a lot of fun to be had with the 11th Street Kids."
  3. 3
    Wednesday season 2 part 1 review: "Complex and exciting but weighed down by too many subplots"
  4. 4
    Alien: Earth review: "Arguably the franchise's strongest outing since James Cameron's Aliens"
  5. 5
    King of the Hill season 14 review: "Hank Hill himself has evolved into a much more open and accepting person"

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

  • 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...