Skip to main content
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+ The Games, Movies, TV & Comics You Love
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
flag of UK
UK
flag of US
US
flag of Canada
Canada
flag of Australia
Australia
  • 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
    • SFX
    • 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
View
Trending
  • Summer Game Fest
  • New games for 2025
  • Upcoming Switch 2 games
  • Switch 2 stock

Recommended reading

Best Xbox 360 games: a screenshot of an Xbox 360 console next to a controller and a collection of games.
Games 25 Best Xbox 360 games of all time
Best co op games: a screenshot of Cody and May in the game It Takes Two.
Co-op Games The 25 best co-op games of all time
Gifts for gamers header image
Games 30 Best gifts for gamers in 2025, chosen by experts
Key art for Atomfall showing a character in the English countryside looking at a nuclear plant some distance away
Games The 25 best games on Game Pass for Xbox and PC
The Last of Us 2
Games The 25 best video game soundtracks of all time
Xbox gifts with Xbox symbols on a green background
Accessories Best Xbox gifts for 2025 that our experts would actually buy themselves
Two chefs cooking on a boat with a seagull watching in the Nintendo Switch game Overcooked 2
Platforming Games Best two-player Switch games that let you team up with a friend or family member
  1. Games

The 12 best games to play at Christmas

Features
By Justin Towell published 12 December 2014

Feeling festive? Here are the best things to stick in your console this Yule...

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

The 12 games of Christmas

The 12 games of Christmas

Want to have a great time with your family this Christmas? Then there's almost certainly something here that'll practically guarantee a swell time is had by all. I say 'practically' because you just know someone's going to say something about your aunt's affair with the bin man. Oh boy...

Best way to avoid the nastiness? Make sure everyone's playing games instead! The following 12 games are not necessarily Christmas-themed (though there are some of those in here), but they have been hand-picked by yours truly as being perfect for getting out after Christmas dinner. It makes me excited just thinking about it. It's going to be so much FUN! Alright, I can calm down. Here we go...

Page 1 of 14
Page 1 of 14
Super Smash Bros for Wii U

Super Smash Bros for Wii U

Got a few Wii Remotes and nunchucks lying around? Or even that fancy Gamecube adaptor that lets you use Gamecube pads with your Wii U? Well this is the perfect multiplayer game to play 'on the big telly'. Especially if the kids have been given a Wii U for Christmas. And by the time this article's through, I have a feeling that's going to be very likely...

How long the grown-ups will last playing this one is debatable. Nintendo fans will love it, of course. But Grandad will probably complain that it's too fast and, after asking which one he is for the 15th time, will declare himself out and ask if anyone's seen his dentures. Everyone else will have a whale of a time, even if they're secretly wondering which one they are too.

Page 2 of 14
Page 2 of 14
Towerfall: Ascension (PS4)

Towerfall: Ascension (PS4)

STOP! Don't dismiss this game because you don't know what it is or it looks like some retro rubbish. Towerfall Ascension is your new favourite game. It's a 4-player local multiplayer festival that plays out on one screen and sees you shooting arrows at your friends and family. You can catch arrows. You can shoot arrows out of the air. You can bounce on people's heads... unless they shoot you in the feet first. Did I mention IT'S SO GOOD?!

You'll have to excuse my enthusiasm, but it's really rather rare to be able to unconditionally recommend a game to anyone. Well, obviously you'll need a PS4 and 2-4 controllers, but get a 4-player game on the go and everyone will have fun. This is fact. So do it, and do it now. Oh, or at Christmas... yes, I remember what we're here for now.

Page 3 of 14
Page 3 of 14
Guitar Hero (Wii, PS2, PS3, Xbox 360)

Guitar Hero (Wii, PS2, PS3, Xbox 360)

OK, so this is an old game now and one that you can't buy on Xbox One, PS4 or Wii U. But it's still brilliant. And perfect for Christmas. Strumming a plastic guitar along to classic rock anthems, your father will be able to live out his Jimi Hendrix fantasies, the kids can thrash out The Killers or whatever it is they're into these days... it'll be brilliant.

Which version should you go for? Well, any except the first one, really, as its music is mostly soundalikes and not the real artists. Guitar Hero 2 and 3 are both ace. And I personally have a soft spot for Guitar Hero World Tour, particularly if you still have (or can get hold of) a drum set to go with it. Ah, happy times. More of which could be had by you. This Christmas. With Guitar Hero. It may have been forced down our throats until we were sick of it a few years ago, but it remains a fantastic, joyous experience that's worth rediscovering.

Page 4 of 14
Page 4 of 14
FIFA 15 (PS4, Xbox One, PC)

FIFA 15 (PS4, Xbox One, PC)

FIFA 15 is a fantastic video game. It looks and sounds exceptionally close to a real life TV broadcast from the Premier League, thanks to faithful recreation of every facet of the FIFA license. What's more, it's a heck of a fun game to play... just so long as everyone in the room likes football.

Assuming you do and you're still reading, hear this: you don't even have to worry about players having different levels of skill with a controller. FIFA 15 offers a two-button control option. One is pass and the other is shoot. So simple. The game works out what kind of pass or shot you're likely going for, leaving you to concentrate on enjoying the game and not which shoulder button you have to hold to 'do the robot'.

Page 5 of 14
Page 5 of 14
Trials Fusion (PS4, XBO, Xbox 360, PC)

Trials Fusion (PS4, XBO, Xbox 360, PC)

Trials Fusion may not be the most obvious choice for a Christmas game, but its multiplayer is amazing. As always, its brilliance lies in its simplicity. You just press one button to go forward, and another to brake or go backwards. The only other thing to do is push the stick left and right to shift your balance on the bike.

Expert players can jump off the bike as they cross the line, which makes for some amusing last-second victories (and painful-looking failures). When fueled by boozy Christmas pud, you may lose a rib through laughing so much. Just warning you.

Page 6 of 14
Page 6 of 14
Nintendo Land (Wii U)

Nintendo Land (Wii U)

This one may have been forgotten by the gaming world since it launched with the Wii U itself, but there are few party games better than it. Well, if you know which segments to choose. The Luigi's Ghost Mansion segment is one of the finest multiplayer experiences known to man, so you should probably get on that one post-haste.

One player holds the Game Pad and controls a ghost on its screen. The other players use Wii Remotes and try to shine a torch on the ghost. Doing so weakens it. If the ghost touches a player, then they're down until revived. It sounds silly, but it is SO MUCH FUN. And simple enough that everyone can enjoy it. Which they will.

Page 7 of 14
Page 7 of 14
Toybox Turbos (PS3, 360, PC)

Toybox Turbos (PS3, 360, PC)

If I was writing this article 20 years ago, I would say "Micro Machines 2 is absolutely the game you should be prioritising for your Christmas gaming". But if I did that now, I'd probably be fired. Fortunately for both you and my career prospects, Micro Machines' spirit lives on in Toybox Turbos. It's a game for 1-4 players where you race miniature cars around household tracks like the breakfast table, study and kitchen.

With weapons to pick up, hazards to avoid and a devilishly evil rocket that you can only fire after you've been knocked out of the current round, it's a lot of fun. And said fun multiplies exponentially depending on how many people you have playing. One is fun. Two is great. Three is a hoot. Four is a riot.

Page 8 of 14
Page 8 of 14
Singstar (PS2, PS3, PS4)

Singstar (PS2, PS3, PS4)

Well, maybe not the PS4 version because it's really rather bad compared to the series' previous incarnations. All you need for Singstar is a USB microphone (or preferably two) and enough alcohol/sugar to make sure your inhibitions are put resolutely to one side.

It's just karaoke. But it's karaoke that grades you on your singing ability! Don't worry, you can set it to 'easy' so it isn't too harsh. The PS4 version should be awesome because you can use any smartphone as a microphone... but honestly, you really are better off with one of the earlier editions. Take your pick - there's something there to suit everyone. And there's always the online store if you want more songs.

Page 9 of 14
Page 9 of 14
Mario Kart 8 (Wii U)

Mario Kart 8 (Wii U)

Mario Kart has been a Christmas favourite for literally decades now. And the ability to play local split-screen multiplayer is actually quite rare in racing games these days. You can play with up to four players if you have enough controllers (though I do recommend Pro Controllers instead of Wii Remotes if you want to have the most fun - and of course you do).

Stick to the standard 'cups' instead of Battle Mode (cos it's rubbish in this version) and you should have a great time. And don't be sad if you only have two controllers. The game looks better with the two-player split instead of four, plus it means the screen sizes should be big enough for spectators to enjoy the game too.

Page 10 of 14
Page 10 of 14
Super Mario 3D World (Wii U)

Super Mario 3D World (Wii U)

It's no coincidence that there are a lot of Wii U games on this list. Wii U has a great many multiplayer games, but also offers titles that appeal to all ages, which suit Christmas gaming perfectly. And Super Mario 3D World is no exception. Older gamers will love the old-school platforming, while newcomers will love the colourful worlds and fun moves. As for Princess Peach dressed as a cat... well, whatever floats your boat.

There's a feeling of inclusivity to Mario's latest 3D adventure that other games simply don't have. Just don't forget to make sure you have enough controllers. One player can use the Game Pad that comes with the Wii U, but the others will need Wii Remotes or Pro Controllers. One thing you won't need more of is imagination (aha! I'm so sorry) because this game has it in abundance.

Page 11 of 14
Page 11 of 14
Animal Crossing: New Leaf (3DS)

Animal Crossing: New Leaf (3DS)

The excitement around the release of the new Animal Crossing may have died down, but if you haven't played your copy in a while then now is absolutely the time to get back into it. The game features a calendar feature that uses the internal clock to bring real-world events into the village in the game. So... it's Christmas, baby!

Load it up, build a snowman, get some rare Christmas items and trade gifts. Granted, it's not the sort of thing you can play in front of the family on Christmas day, but it's still essential gaming if you want to get into the spirit of things. Oh, and that snowman? I swear he isn't even half as evil as he looks. Although he did ask tell me to say that. Last night, after I bought him the lumberjack's axe he asked for.

Page 12 of 14
Page 12 of 14
Minecraft (PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox 360)

Minecraft (PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox 360)

OK, if all else fails and you just want to shut the kids up for an hour or five, then Minecraft is your answer. I don't know what it is about Minecraft in particular, but kids cannot get enough of it. Thankfully, it's harmless enough - not to mention creative - as you build... things out of barely-textured cubes.

Is it fun for everyone? Probably not so much fun to watch, unless you like psychoanalysing young people, particularly when they dig a really deep hole and fill it with livestock, leaving the pigs and sheep no method of ever getting out again. Strange game. But only because people are strange. If that sounds like your family then this will be a massive hit with them this Christmas.

Page 13 of 14
Page 13 of 14
What? No Christmas NiGHTS?

What? No Christmas NiGHTS?

You know what? You're absolutely right. Christmas NiGHTS should totally have been in this article. Not only does the internal clock recognise that Christmas is coming and change the game world's appearance accordingly, it also sports one of the finest scoring systems ever devised. I could say that NiGHTS into Dreams for Xbox 360, PC and PS3 lets you enjoy Christmas NiGHTS in glorious HD. I could say its music will make your house feel properly festive. I could, but nobody would listen, or care. Ah well.

Find more Christmas articles on XmasRadar. Supported by LG.

Page 14 of 14
Page 14 of 14
CATEGORIES
PC Gaming Wii-u Nintendo PlayStation PS4 Xbox Xbox One Platforms
Justin Towell
Justin Towell
Social Links Navigation

Justin was a GamesRadar staffer for 10 years but is now a freelancer, musician and videographer. He's big on retro, Sega and racing games (especially retro Sega racing games) and currently also writes for Play Magazine, Traxion.gg, PC Gamer and TopTenReviews, as well as running his own YouTube channel. Having learned to love all platforms equally after Sega left the hardware industry (sniff), his favourite games include Christmas NiGHTS into Dreams, Zelda BotW, Sea of Thieves, Sega Rally Championship and Treasure Island Dizzy.

See more Games Features
Read more
Best Xbox 360 games: a screenshot of an Xbox 360 console next to a controller and a collection of games.
25 Best Xbox 360 games of all time
Best co op games: a screenshot of Cody and May in the game It Takes Two.
The 25 best co-op games of all time
Gifts for gamers header image
30 Best gifts for gamers in 2025, chosen by experts
Key art for Atomfall showing a character in the English countryside looking at a nuclear plant some distance away
The 25 best games on Game Pass for Xbox and PC
The Last of Us 2
The 25 best video game soundtracks of all time
Xbox gifts with Xbox symbols on a green background
Best Xbox gifts for 2025 that our experts would actually buy themselves
Latest in Games
Dave the Diver Godzilla screenshot
Dave the Diver celebrates 2nd birthday by sharing messages from Baldur's Gate 3 actor Neil Newbon and the Subnautica studio CEO, bringing back Godzilla DLC, and dang, delaying its next DLC
Diablo 4
Blizzard jumps out of bed, rushes to the desk, and slams the nerf button after Diablo 4 players find a way to use Season 9 powers to "teleport effectively infinitely" and speed farm with every class
Marvel Swimsuit Special: Friends, Foes, and Rivals #1
As if the usual Marvel Rivals leaks weren't enough, Twitch has accidentally confirmed that Phoenix and Blade are your new Season 3 heroes alongside new "sizzling summer events"
Malys images
Ex Dragon Age writer's new studio shrugs off a failed Kickstarter, chucks its exorcist take on Slay the Spire right onto Steam – and it's a cool roguelike with a mana system I don't think I've ever seen
A screenshot of Palworld's Terraria crossover
Palworld has a gigantic new Terraria collab because creator Redigit got a Hail Mary DM from Pocketpair: "Let this be a lesson to always shoot your shot"
Old School Runescape old man trailer
MMO community fears PvP bots have formed a "cartel" using false reports to get you banned if you kill them for their illegal loot, bringing Old School RuneScape's bot problem to a boil
Latest in Features
One-Punch Man season 3: Saitama punching while in mid-air during the anime One-Punch Man.
Anime Expo 2025: dates, announcements, and why One-Punch Man fans should be excited
The Shrouds
It may feature corpses, missing limbs, and AI, but with The Shrouds, legendary director David Cronenberg has made the ultimate meditation on grief: "To me, there is no afterlife"
A full setup for Fate of the Fellowship with cards, tokens, and pieces all laid out
Legendary board game designer says his upcoming Lord of the Rings project is "definitely the most thematically and mechanically rich game I’ve worked on"
Promotional artwork for the Steam Summer Sale 2025 which runs from June 26th - July 10th at 10am PT
I've spent six hours exploring the Steam Summer Sale with our Games Editor, and these are the 10 best games on discount I'd recommend so far
The Outer Worlds 2 screenshot of Aza, a cultist companion with short pink hair who holds a dagger
The Outer Worlds 2 is "going deeper and more complex" with its companions, and I'm already making grabby hands at this RPG
Ruffy runs across the ocean on wooden crates in Ruffy and the Riverside, with the GamesRadar+ Indie Spotlight logo
Banjo-Kazooie and Paper Mario mix together in this delightful puzzle platformer that has me swapping textures to solve puzzles by changing the world
  1. Sam fires at the ghost mech squid boss in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
    1
    Death Stranding 2: On the Beach review: "This tarpunk delivery epic is more Metal Gear Solid than ever, for better and worse"
  2. 2
    Rematch review: "As with Rocket League, the just-one-more-game pull is magnetic"
  3. 3
    Tron: Catalyst review: "Disc slinging is a thrill in this gorgeous rendition of the series, but I'm let down by a time-loop story that falls flat"
  4. 4
    FBC: Firebreak review: "A disappointingly bland multiplayer FPS that's missing far too much of what made Control special"
  5. 5
    Dune: Awakening review: "Both extremely compelling and extraordinarily boring, sometimes at the same time – yet still a true Dune love letter"
  1. M3GAN doll in M3GAN 2.0
    1
    M3GAN 2.0 review: "A bold sequel with a slightly underwhelming conclusion"
  2. 2
    28 Years Later Review: "Enough terror, splatter and suspense to satisfy”
  3. 3
    Predator: Killer of Killers review: "Great characters, thrilling action, and gorgeous Arcane-esque animation"
  4. 4
    From the World of John Wick: Ballerina review: "Brilliant action, even if the plot gives you a sense of déjà vu"
  5. 5
    Karate Kid: Legends review: "Better than Karate Kid (2010), nothing on Karate Kid (1984)"
  1. Lee Jung-jae as Gi-hun in Squid Game season 3
    1
    Squid Game season 3 review: "A staggeringly excellent final season wraps up one of the greatest Netflix shows ever"
  2. 2
    Ironheart review: "A relic of Marvel's content-at-all-costs era"
  3. 3
    Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 review: "The show's most assured run of episodes to date"
  4. 4
    Doctor Who season 2, episode 8 spoiler review: 'The Reality War' is "a mix of the good, the bad, and the truly baffling"
  5. 5
    Doctor Who season 2, episode 7 spoiler review: 'Wish World' is "an exciting and ambitious" start to the season finale, with hints of WandaVision

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...