Christmas video games are a special kind of magic. Without us knowing, they deliver lasting holiday memories after the festive season. Long before modern consoles and live-service events, retro Christmas games delivered pure fun, creativity, and heart.

A selection of some of the most memorable holiday video games that still deserve recognition today can be seen below.

'Home Alone - Sega Genesis'

Top 5 Retro Christmas-Themed Video Games to Play This Holiday Top 5 Retro Christmas-Themed Video Games to Play This Holiday

Among all Christmas games, "SEGA Genesis's Home Alone" is a misunderstood gem. Critics tend to lambast it, but it's actually a clever adaptation of the basic premise of the movie into some really fun gameplay. You play as Kevin McCallister, who has to stop the Wet Bandits from robbing and flooding every house on the street until the police arrive.

Time management drives the experience. You must survive 20 real-time minutes on normal, while hard mode stretches that to a tense 40 minutes. You chase burglars on a sled-easily the game's highlight-then set traps inside homes to fill their pain meter before they escape.

Armed with everything from BB guns to mortars, the game delivers chaotic fun wrapped in holiday nostalgia. This game, to so many players, is childhood, family, and Christmas mornings in one.

'Daze Before Christmas'

"Daze Before Christmas" takes holiday gaming in an unexpectedly weird direction. This platformer casts you as Santa Claus on a mission to save Christmas after an evil snowman kidnaps the elves and reindeer. What truly sets the game apart is Anti-Claus, a demonic version of Santa triggered by drinking coffee.

Anti-Claus turns Santa invincible, but this means he cannot collect presents; thus, players have to be resourceful with this. Traditional platforming is mixed in seamlessly with sleigh rides and boss battles, ensuring the pace is quickened with festivity enough never to overstay its welcome.

'James Pond II: Codename Robocod'

Often overlooked, "James Pond II: Codename Robocod" actually deserves a lot more credit as a Christmas game. Set after the first, the game tells the story of James Pond infiltrating Santa's Workshop to put an end to Dr. Maybe, who has corrupted Santa's workforce.

The SNES version shines bright with colorful visuals, festively designed levels, and 50 inventive stages in which the Christmas magic unfolds. James' robotic suit lets him stretch across the screen, adding a unique twist to standard platforming mechanics. It is light-hearted, creative, and absolutely full of holiday charm.

'Special Delivery: Santa's Christmas Chaos'

"Special Delivery: Santa's Christmas Chaos" holds a special place in the history of gaming as one of the first games to have Santa Claus as a playable character, though the premise remains very simple: deliver presents. Surprisingly, depth is attained by multiple modes of play.

You pilot Santa's sleigh, dodging devilish hazards, down chimneys, and sneak through homes, dodging sleepwalking children. Each phase gets progressively tougher, making it a rather challenging yet memorable experience.

'Christmas Lemmings'

"Christmas Lemmings" adds a holiday makeover to the beloved puzzle series. The core gameplay stays the same, with snow-filled levels and Santa-hat-wearing lemmings in abundance, but that's part of its allure. It provides problem-solving at its classic best, with a new aesthetic covering for the holiday season: perfect for short holiday gaming sessions with family and friends.

Originally published on Player One