It’s sad but true: there aren’t a lot of Christmas video games out there. Sure, you can dig out your PS2 game adaptation of The Nightmare Before Christmas or load up a holiday-based texture pack in Minecraft or Team Fortress 2, but there’s not a lot else that may be common knowledge (or any good). As a gift to Sheaf readers, here’s a list of holiday and winter-themed games, all of which are enjoyable and a great way to get in the holiday mood while you procrastinate studying for finals. Better yet, they’re almost all available for free online!

Infectonator! Xmas Edition

by Toge Productions

Because we may as well get zombies out of the way before anything else, let’s start with this gem. The Infectonator series has several versions, but the goal in all of them is the same. Players move from area to area, infecting as many civilians with the zombie plague as they can before time runs out, and use the money earned to buy upgrades and bonuses.

In this case, you have 24 days to reach Santa’s workshop and infect the jolly old fella himself before Christmas. Who would have thought undead hordes and yuletide cheer would go so well together?

The Snowrider and Winterbells 

by Ferry Halim

Ferry Halim’s games are known for being short, simple and lovingly presented, and these two are no exception. In The Snowrider you play a cute little critter that finds itself on a snowball rolling down a mountain, and you have to jump over rocks and maintain your speed if you hope to reach the bottom in one piece. In Winterbells, you control a rabbit hopping into the night sky, bouncing off bells and birds to gather as many points as you can before falling. Neither game will hold your attention for more than a few minutes, but they’re a beautiful few minutes thanks to the charming art and music.

Colour My Fate 

by Silver Stitch

Part of the Colour My World series that discusses love and caring in a cold world, this game has the same interesting and introspective thoughts with a softer tone to fit the holiday season. The main character can’t find a gift for his loved one’s birthday and decides instead to explore the area in order to help everyone remember the true meaning of the holidays. While such an excuse may not work in everyday relationships, this is still a sweet platform adventure game with some cute bonuses to folks who like exploring and clicking on everything.

Yeti Sports 

by Chris Hilgert

Yeti Sports is a collection of five short games in which you attempt to gain as many points as you can. You do this by hitting penguins with a baseball bat, knocking them into a giant target with snowballs, tossing them into the sky with the hope that an albatross will carry them as far as possible or by using them as golf balls with a flamingo as the club.

Snowing 

by 58 Works

Room escape games are a dime a dozen on the Internet, and you can find plenty that are themed to the holiday and winter season, but Snowing makes the cut thanks to its cute art style. Click around the screen to gather up items, solve puzzles and get everything ready for Christmas Eve! A short game, to be sure, but it’s a fun one.

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Images: Supplied