Another 12 months have passed us by once again and Christmas Day is almost upon us. It can be a day for celebrating and reuniting with family, but it can also be a day to relax and give up any and all responsibilities for a while. As such, Christmas might be one of the most cosy days to get stuck into a good video game.
On the flip side, extroverts might enjoy the opportunity to get everyone involved in a few party titles. Regardless of your personal approach to Christmas, there’s probably a video game that’s suited to you.
Here are the five best games that are perfect to play on Christmas Day.
the jackbox party pack
If you’re looking for a party game to involve up to eight people at once, you really can’t go wrong with any of the Jackbox Games party packs. Each of them have up to five different games with weird and wonderful themes, all of which usually descend into hilarious chaos.
Most of the packs have their own decent offering, but some are better than others. Personally, I’m a huge fan of Party Pack 6. It easily has the best collection of the bunch, including ‘Push the Button’, ‘Joke Boat’, and ‘Role Models’. With the right crew, Jackbox can really elevate a family celebration.
It Takes Two
Taking things back a notch, It Takes Two is perfect for those that are celebrating a quiet Christmas. It’s a game that can only be played in co-op and thus requires a partner to join you on the adventure. It’s been received exceptionally well critically, recently winning the GOTY award at Geoff Keighley’s The Game Awards.
Despite the underlying themes of divorce, It Takes Two is about repairing a broken relationship and is surprisingly uplifting. Each of the puzzles in this 3D platformer require a decent level of collaboration, so it’s perfect for if you want to get a little closer to whoever your playing partner is.
It Takes Two is available to for just £19.95.
Any LEGO Game
It might just be me who feels this way, but LEGO games have always felt like a Christmas must play to me. When all of the socialising and schmoozing gets a little too much, LEGO games are perfect to slip into. They require very little thought to play with smashing and building becoming rather therapeutic. Combing through levels to discover collectibles and unlock new characters becomes an addictive checklist to round out the day.
At the same time they’re especially family friendly, meaning you can stick it on the big screen even while little ones are running around in the hustle and bustle of Christmas. You can even let one of them join in as a co-op partner, which can be helpful for mopping up trophies!
You can . You’ll find Christmas Day games from franchises like Harry Potter, Marvel’s Avengers, Star Wars. All from just £8.95.
Just Dance
For when the alcohol kicks in a little later in the day and you’re Nan stops denouncing video games as the worst creation ever, it’s time to whip out Just Dance. With so many of these titles out by now, you can pick up one of the older ones for super cheap. In fact, that’s probably desirable. The older editions have some of the better tracks, especially if you’re into your early 2010’s pop.
It doesn’t even matter if you’re keeping track of the score – Just Dance is a right giggle to get involved with. Just be sure you’ve digested your Christmas dinner first. Funnily enough, there’s quite a bit of movement involved.
You can at the GameByte Shop.
Grand Theft Auto Online
Plenty of live service games alter their ingame worlds to make the vibe more christmassy, but GTA V has always felt like the most cosy of the bunch. Log in on Christmas day and you’ll see Los Santos covered in several inches of snow. There’s nothing particularly any more christmassy about GTA Online than that, but it certainly sets the vibe.
GTA Online was a cracking game for me while spending Christmas in lockdown last year as it allowed me to meet up with my mates virtually. Throw on a few arcade races while you’re chatting away and GTA Online is an excellent social setting replacement for those more introverted this Christmas season.
Which games do you love to play on Christmas Day? Let us know across our social channels.
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[Featured Image Credit: TT Games]