10 Festive Video Games To Play During Christmas 2018

Super Mario Odyssey, alongside Zelda’s Breath of the Wild, was one of the most compelling reasons to pick up a Nintendo Switch early on in the console’s life cycle. An entry so stunningly innovative that it very nearly rivals what Nintendo did in 1996 with Super Mario 64, fans of the portly plumber aren’t likely to see the series change this much again until the 2027 release of Super Mario Bros. VR Boogaloo.

Those looking for an excuse to jump back in to New Donk City will doubtlessly remember that, much like many other Mario games, Odyssey included a winter-themed zone appropriately titled Snow Kingdom.

Hidden below an icy snowdrift lies Shiveria Town, a warmly-lit, festive place populated by unforgettably-adorable parka-wearing seal-like creatures. The soundtrack is filled with sleigh bells and reeks of the holidays, and the overall presentation is just joyous.

What’s more, players can collect purple snowflakes as they make their way through the area’s various stages, and most of the enemies are wearing little Santa hats, which is almost too cute for words. Some may argue that Mario 64’s Cool Cool Mountain takes the cake, but those people clearly haven’t played Super Mario Odyssey.