Ok we’ve all got the bad news that we won’t be playing GTA-VI until 2025, that’s going to be a long wait for us to save up the money (and the sick days) for the release of that epic title. So what do we do for Christmas 2023 though?
Whether you are buying a game for someone else or just looking for something to pass the time over the holiday period we’ve got you covered with the Top 10 Video Games for Christmas 2023. But this is not a competition so they are in no particular order.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
If you own a PS5 there are some titles that are simply “must own” and of course one of them is this year’s exceptional exclusive Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. Graphically stunning and game play that is still enjoyable after hours of exploration this follow up to Spider-Man and Mile Morales that features both characters to play as is most people’s pick for game of the year and a sure fire hit under the Christmas tree this year. For extra love grab the limited edition dual-sense controller and the Spider-Man 2 console covers to truly immerse yourself in the fandom.
Only on PS5 and retails for around $125 but you can grab it cheaper in the sales. It’s only $99 on Amazon.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage
Ubisoft went back to the roots of the series with this title and the fans reacted with praise. It’s one of the most fun Assassin’s Creed games we’ve played and the history of Bagdag throughout the experience is worth every part of the journey. Basim is a brilliant character as you grow from cunning street to deadly Master Assassin.
Available on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One and PC. Retails for around $59, but once again is on sale for around $49 so see if your local shop will price match.
Assassin’s Creed Nexus (VR)
While we are talking Assassin’s Creed we need to discuss “Nexus”. This is a purely Virtual Reality title that takes the fan favourite franchise and truly lets you become the character. There are loads of good games on VR but very few great ones and this title is up there with the best of them, I’d go as far as to say it’s almost “Half Life Alyx” level great. You play as three powerful assassins throughout history in order to track down memory fragments and uncover a mystery. The feeling of parkour in this title is fluid and fun.
Available on Meta Quest 2, Meta Quest 3 and Meta Quest Pro
Retails for $59.95 in the Meta Quest Store. Grab a discount on it by getting a friend who owns it to send you a referral code.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
It’s been a big year for Mario with the release of the amazing movie and a few titles including remakes and new. The stand out though is the classic platform stylings of “Super Mario Bros Wonder”. This title takes everything you love about classic mario platformers and gives it a major graphic upgrade and a stack of new found features from adventuring the “Flower Kingdom” as opposed to the regular “Mushroom Kingdom”. The multiplayer on this will really surprise you.
Available on Nintendo Switch. Retails for $79.95 but get it as low as $64.
Just Dance 2024
Christmas is about family and friends and when you get together you’ll want a game like Just Dance 2024 to really bring out the fun and break the ice. This title has 40 new tracks to keep you dancing away and multiple modes. Most of all it’s super inclusive to all sorts of levels of players meaning even “Uncle Peter” with his unique fairy skip style dance will be a winner at some point during the day.
Available on Nintendo Switch, Playstation Consoles, Xbox Consoles and PC
Retails for $79.95 but pick it up for $47 in the sales leading up to the big dance.
Alan Wake 2
Horror survival at its best is Alan Wake 2. The title is full of intense gameplay with a twists and turns you’d expect from a “Stephen King Inspired Drama ”. This dark secretive story is in a class of its own.
Available on PC, Xbox Series X/S and PS5 and is interestingly a digital only release with no physical copy in stores.
Retails for around $120 for the deluxe edition or $90 for normal.
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
I’m going to put it out there, most games based on a movie franchise are bad. Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is not one of those games in fact at times I found it more fun than watching the second film. The first-person, action-adventure game is set in the Western Frontier. Abducted by the human militaristic corporation known as the RDA, you, a Na’vi, were moulded to serve their purpose. Fifteen years later, you are free, but find yourself a stranger in your birthplace. Reconnect with your lost heritage and discover what it truly means to be Na’vi as you join other clans to protect Pandora from the RDA. A stunning visual experience with top level action and a great story.
Available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC
Retails in various packages of content from $89 up to around $189.95 – So pick based on how big a fan you are.
Mortal Kombat 1
The newest addition to the iconic franchise reinvents itself perfectly. All the signature brutality, battles, and fan-favourite characters are there, it’s just a fresh take on the universe that is very welcome. In this latest entry, you’ll see the debut of the all-new Kameo Fighters. Players can summon characters from this unique roster of fighters to assist you in battle. With an all-new gameplay revamp, Mortal Kombat 1 is the perfect game for players seeking thrilling action with cinematic storytelling.
Available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC and Nintendo Switch (but we don’t recommend the Nintendo Version)
Retails for around $77 but as low as $69
Jackbox Party Pack 10
In the same way that Just Dance is for the family and friends to come together in active play, Jackbox allows you all to play, laugh and enjoy each other’s company with unique party games that anyone can play. The series has been around a long time and really owns their space. Jackbox Party Pack 10 includes Fixy Text, Tee-KO 2, DodoReMi, Time Jinx and Hypnotorious so there is literally something for everyone to excel at.
Available on Playstation, Xbox, Nintendo and PC
Retail is around $26.24 on sale
Bluey: The Video Game
It’s not the greatest game you’ll ever play, but also it’s Bluey, so we forgive it. Plus the kids who I’ve seen play it really enjoy just moving around the world as their favourite characters and playing the familiar games from the show. It feels like an episode complete with all the moral lessons that we love. Playing ‘Keepy Uppy’ and ‘Magic Xylophone’ are the stand-outs.
Available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One and PC
Retails for $69.95
There’s something on this list for everyone and that is a testament to the gaming industry that had a really great year for releases. Of course if you don’t see anything here you like, grab an Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Plus Subscription and you’ll have instant access to hundreds of titles. Merry Christmas Gamers!
