During the holiday season, the Nintendo Switchhas a large assortment of video games to help players indulge in the festive spirit. Whether playing on the go during holiday travels, or using the system in docked mode to play on the television while enjoying some snacks and cocoa, its versatility as a console is undeniable. The game catalog it offers can make this even better, with numerous relaxing and family-friendly games to choose from that offer a special feeling for the season, even in their virtual worlds.
The Nintendo Switch is no stranger to cozy and relaxing games for people of all ages to unwind to. Though many games may offer some small type of event recognizing the holiday season, others take things a step further by either having incredible in-game celebrations, or even focusing the entire story of the game on Christmas or other holidays. These experiences can add to the spirit and feeling that permeates much of the world during this time of year, and help to set the season apart as unique from other months.
10
Cozy Grove's Winter Festival Is A Relaxing And Charming Holiday Event
Event Runs From December 20 To January 23
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Cozy Grove
Platform(s)
Android
, iOS
, PC
, PS4
, PS5
, Switch
, Xbox One
Released
April 8, 2021
Cozy Grove is a relaxing life simulation similar in ways to Animal Crossing: New Horizons that lets players take on the role of a young Spirit Scout who is tasked with helping out the local ghosts while camping on an island. While it is not specifically a holiday game, because its in-game clock runs in real time, if it's the holidays in the real world, then it is also time to celebrate in the game.
Each year Cozy Grove has a Winter Festival event that runs from December 20 to January 23 which features seasonal decorations, clothing, and lots of snowfolk to meet. Every day, snow piles will spawn where players can get snowballs that can be used to make snow sculptures or have snowball fights with imps. Players can also craft gifts like fruitcake to gift to the bears for festival rewards. Plus, since Cozy Grove is a game that has much more than just the Winter Festival, players can keep enjoying it long after the holidays are over.
9
Röki Offers A Winter Theme To Its Platform Adventure
8/10
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Roki
Released
July 23, 2020
ESRB
E: Animated Blood, Fantasy Violence
Roki is an adventure set within Scandinavian folklore where players explore challenging puzzles and story without violence, yet still carrying the heavy weight of an emotional journey. The snowy backdrop filled with mystery and monsters, some of whom may actually be friendly despite their scary appearance, and its deep connection to family provides a uniquely festive feeling even without having the holidays specifically woven into the story.
Roki is a story with many emotional twists and turns and heavy themes of death and family.
Roki is a beautiful and wonderfully-crafted adventure game, carefully weaving Scandinavian folklore into a personal story of family bonds.
Playing as a young girl named Tove, players must set off on an adventure to save her brother Lars from evil creatures of folklore. Along the way, she meets many mystical beings and helps to heal more than just her own family. It is a touching story of love and family set in a beautiful wintry setting.
Hug A Yeti And Explore The Snow-Covered Freljord
ESRB
E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence, Language
Song of Nunu: A League of Legends Story is another wintry adventure that does not specifically hold holiday themes yet evokes a wonderful feeling for the festive season. In Screen Rant's review of the game, it is said to be "a gentle and accessible game which can be completed in one or two sittings, and very few platformers let you hug a yeti."
A gentle and accessible game which can be completed in one or two sittings, and very few platformers let you hug a yeti. - Screen Rant Review
Played as a 3D platformer, the game follows Nunu and his yeti companion, Willump, as they search for Nunu's lost mother. Despite it being connected to League of Legends, players do not need to have any knowledge of the LoL universe in order to enjoy Song of Nunu, yet those who do may get more out of it from cameos and references.
7
Santa's Xmas Adventure Provides Christmas Puzzle Fun
720 Levels Across Three Modes
Santa's Xmas Adventure is a pretty straightforward, yet challenging, puzzle game with a holiday theme to it. Released in 2020, the game features the basic premise that Santa had a little accident and lost the gifts, so players need to help him get across sliding tiles to reach the goal while picking up presents along the way.
The lighthearted Christmas-themed game is great for all ages, or for families to try figuring out the puzzles together. Though the initial levels are simple, there are 720 levels spread across three modes, which can get much more difficult. Hints are available as needed though.
6
Ebenezer And The Invisible World Puts Ebenezer Scrooge In A Metroidvania
A Truly Unique Version Of Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol
A classic Christmas story gets an entirely new telling in Ebenezer and the Invisible World. Ebenezer Scrooge becomes a hero in this 2D Metroidvania where Scrooge works with a team of ghosts to save London from a wealthy industrialist. Playing as Ebenezer, and wielding powers bestowed by ghosts as they become unlocked in the story, players see a tale that twists and turns through a vastly re-imagined version of A Christmas Carol.
The action platformer is listed for everyone 10 and up, and features hand-drawn artwork and an intricate map in a typical Metroidvania style.
5
Disney Dreamlight Valley's Gift Of Giving Event Includes Festive Gift Giving
Event Runs From December 18th To December 31st, 2024
Platform(s)PC
, PS4
, PS5
, Switch
, Xbox One
, Xbox Series X
, Xbox Series S
, Apple Arcade
Released
December 5, 2023
ESRB
E For Everyone
Already an incredibly popular cozy game, Disney Dreamlight Valley is beloved by many people for its relaxing life simulation gameplay in a world with familiar Disney friends and villains. Each year, the live-service game includes a festive Gift of Giving event where players can craft special gifts to give to their NPC neighbors and complete several holiday tasks for rewards.
For 2024, the game includes a new task where players must track down specific items and build a special snowman. The steps to build this cheerful snowyman are quite involved, and ultimately it doesn't do anything, but it is a wonderful one-of-a-kind item to collect and display during the winter months.
4
Snowman Story Is A Warm Story Of A Snowman Named Chris
An Emotional Puzzle Adventure Of Escaping The Coming Spring
Snowman Story is a beautiful and emotional tale of a sentient snowman named Chris who goes on a journey to the north in hopes of surviving longer than just one winter. Though it has cute graphics and a charming childlike premise, it is a journey of self-discovery told through conversations and puzzles.
The themes of death, acceptance, regret, and trauma may be a bit heavy for younger audiences, despite it having a rating of E for Everyone. The plot is touching and thought-provoking in ways that one might not initially expect from the artwork and title. Anyone looking for a holiday story that inspires some introspection and emotions should give Snowman Story a try.
3
The Grinch: Christmas Adventures Is A Festive Platformer Inspired By A Classic
One Or Two People Can Play, Good For Enjoying With Kids
The classic story of The Grinch has become a staple component to seasonal festivities for many in today's culture. While Dr. Seuss's story has been told and retold in numerous ways over the years, the video game adaptation of The Grinch: Christmas Adventures brings it to life in all new ways. Players get to help the Grinch and his dog Max attempt to steal the presents of Who-ville through a creative platforming adventure.
In the colorful game inspired by Dr. Seuss's illustrations, different objects are used to help complete the mission. Things like wearing a Santa suit for stealth, riding a snowboard for speed, and even a candy cane lasso and jumping jetpack are all useful tools in the Grinch's arsenal.
2
Animal Crossing: New Horizons Toy Day Event Brings Jingle To Town
With A Festive Season Between December 15 And January 6
9/10
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Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Platform(s)
Switch
Released
March 20, 2020
ESRB
E for Everyone: Comic Mischief
Animal Crossing: New Horizon's yearly festive season is already in full swing for 2024, with colored lights adorning the trees from December 15 to January 6. Like the above-mentioned Cozy Grove, the world of ACNH follows the same time and calendar of the real world, and gives particular importance to December 24.
Taking place on Christmas Eve, Toy Day is a special holiday event where players dress their character as Santa Claus and make deliveries to villagers in order to help Jingle the Reindeer. Unlike older versions of Animal Crossing games, in New Horizons Jingle is visiting the island all day long on December 24, beginning at 5 am. This allows people more time for any real world holiday activities they may be taking part in.
1
The Legend Of Santa Combines Christmas Cheer With Mario-Style Platforming
Up To Four People Can Play Together
In The Legend of Santa, players help Santa fight off an army of Penguins and the South Pole Troll invade the North Pole and his workshop. After being blasted out of the sky, Santa must fight through 18 levels to find his way back and save Christmas itself from these evildoers. The game is very obviously a holiday-themed version of a Super Mario style platformer, and up to four players can join in and enjoy the experience together for extra chaos.
Its bright graphics, classic gameplay, and holiday themes make The Legend of Santa a wonderful way to get into the festive spirit of the season. Run, jump, and throw candy canes while saving Christmas itself this season on the Nintendo Switch.
custom image by Carrie Lambertsen
English (US) ·