This month waves goodbye to 2023 andNintendois celebrating another year of fantastic game releases by offering unbelievable discounts in the eShop on a variety of titles, from horror, indie, and rhythm games to new releases likeHogwarts Legacy—and that’s not the onlydealfor Harry Potter fans.
2023 Holiday Gift Guide: Best Nintendo Switch Ideas For Christmas
If you resisted buying Tears of the Kingdom at launch, your reward is up ahead. Here are the best Christmas gift ideas and holiday deals for Nintendo
With up to 90% off on a plethora of games, including several indie titles that now only cost under $5, it’s worthwhile for anySwitchgamer to head over to theNintendo eShopto bag stellar games for cheap thisChristmas. Here are 10 of the best games in Nintendo’s festive eShop sale.
Best Harry Potter Games
Hogwarts Legacy
Your Hogwarts letter has arrived
WHERE TO PLAY
Avalanche Software’s 2023 action RPG is without a doubt the best Harry Potter game in the market when it comes to immersion and authentic roleplay. Filled to the brim with unique characters and original stories existing in familiar settings, like Hogsmeade, the Great Hall, and the Black Lake, the game’s full $60 price tag was well worth it for the expansive content, but now you can own it for 30% less through the eShop.
LEGO Harry Potter Collection
A cuter adventure, but still magical
This 2018 collection bundles the action-adventure titles by WB Games, LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 and LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7 remastered, to bring one, uninterrupted, experience to life. Relive unforgettable characters and locations in brick form, including the Basilisk and the Quidditch stadium, while following Harry and his friends on this LEGO recreation. The eShop is offering an eye-widening 80% off this collection, reducing the price to a cheap $10.
The Christmas season will see a band ofHarry Potterfans indulging in their annual movie marathon, but the sorcery shouldn’t stop there when these video games are on offer. Hogwarts Legacy is designed for fans who seek a realistic experience playing as a witch or wizard, and thanks to thePlayStation 5’sDualSense controller, you’ll get plenty of sensory feedback. TheLEGOHarry Potter collection can be binged in the same manner as the movies, since the bundleperfect LEGO giftfor building enthusiasts and gamers alike.
Best Horror Games
Blair Witch
Playing horror games at Christmas hits differently
Serving as a sequel to the hit found-footage movie, The Blair Witch Project, Bloober Team’s survival horror from 2019 follows police officer Ellis Lynch who’s searching for a missing boy in Black Hills Forest, and the experience of being lost in the woods is terrifying enough without the evil entities—but at least you have your canine companion with you. The eShop is delivering another stunning deal with 75% off your nightmarish exploration.
Blasphemous
Don’t worry, this Soulslike won’t scare off Santa
The 2019 Metroidvania title from The Game Kitchen follows the Penitent One as he explores Cvstodia and defeats enemies with his sword, Mea Culpa. The grungy, gothic graphics in Blaspehmous are some of the best in the horror genre, and many of the boss battles will surely test your spirit as a silent knight. The single-player onslaught carries a 60% reduction on the Nintendo eShop, making the unforgiving gameplay feel lighter.
Little Nightmares 2
Fade into another realm alongside the food coma
This puzzle-platformer by Tarsier Studios was released in 2021 as a prequel to its predecessor and brought new character Mono into the picture alongside Six, the protagonist from the previous game, as they’re tasked to survive the dangers of Pale City. If your vibe is cute but creepy this festive season, this horror game is the one for you and the eShop is currently offering 67% off.
Make yourself extra cozy this Christmas by wrapping up warm in front of your handheld to play any or all of these three horror titles, because facing your fears when there’s snow and colorful lights outside is usually never as bad.Blair Witchhas taken a backseat recently, but its ability to dial up the heavy, claustrophobic feeling of being trapped in an overbearing forest is applaudable, andBlasphemousis one of the best horrors to try out on the Switch if you prefer the style of retro gameplay.
Little Nightmares 2is aimed towards a younger audience, but there are still plenty of scares, and it’s the type of game that can be streamed at Christmas parties for everyone to try their hand at surviving.
Monster Hunter Rise
Turkey hunting is off the table
Capcom’s critically acclaimed series returned in 2021 with Monster Hunter Rise as the sixth overall entry, and the title not only introduced new monsters, such as the Magnamalo, but it also went on to sell more than 13 million copies worldwide to make it the second best-selling game in the franchise. With a variety of environmental features, weapons, and foes on offer, picking this title up as a gift for 60% off is a no-brainer.
Exploring the foreign land of Kamura Village riding on the back of your Palamute sounds like an essential escapism during the Christmas holidays, especially if you need to unwind after all the reunions with family and friends. However, if you fancy taking down some beasts with company, Monster Hunter Rise allows you to hunt in parties to earn extra rewards to beef up your arsenal.
Level Up Your Christmas With 10 Holiday Themed Video Games
Make sure to take some well-earned downtime this Christmas. Here are the best video games to play during the holiday season.
Best Indie Games
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons
Experience the original before the remake
The Game Awards 2023 announced the remake of this 2013 adventure game by Starbreeze Studios, following two young brothers who traverse a fantasy world in search of a cure for their father’s illness. Thought to be one of the best downloadable titles since Journey with an emotive narrative, you can own the original game for 80% off on the eShop to bide your time until the remake’s release next year.
Sky Caravan
It’s worth it just for the Capybara barman
With the Nintendo eShop selling this strategy RPG by RedDeerGames for $1.99, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t embark on this wholesome journey through space. Playing as the captain of a delivery ship, it’s up to you to manage your crew, made up of cook Barto, pilot Kleber, and engineer Jackie, and make deliveries fast—time is of the essence when there’s a debt from your past to be paid.
If you’re easily set off by emotional stories but love to binge them during the holiday season,Brothers: A Tale of Two Sonswill likely give you the cathartic release you’ve been searching for. With a remake on the way, now’s a great time to check out the original game before it arrives on June 20, 2025. Sky Caravan is a charming indie game with colorful graphics and investable characters, and the gameplay is riveting when there’s a galaxy full of obstacles trying to get between you and your delivery. The multiple-choice actions allow you to become the best or worst captain in the service, which creates interesting interactions between you, the crew, and the buyers.
Best Rhythm Games
Crypt of the NecroDancer
A great soundtrack for festive gatherings
The 2015 roguelike rhythm game by Brace Yourself Games has a dungeon full of vibrant characters and enemies, including dancing skeletons, zombies, and dragons, while trying to escape the dance of death. The key element that makes this title one of the best is the energetic score by Danny Baranowsky, and you’re able to experience the infectious beasts and synth bass for 80% off on the eShop.
Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythmic Adventure Pack
No better time to show off your drum skills
If you’re looking for a rhythm game that’s a little more interactive, the Taiko no Tatsujin series is worth your time, especially with the 50% reduction on the eShop. The Rhythmic Adventure Pack includes the first endeavor wth Tocky and Ticky and the second sees you retrieve treasure from The Hexagria Magical Society. With over 130 songs to play along to in Taiko Game Mode, including Gurenge from Demon Slayer, you’re in for an exciting gameplay session.
Rhythm games can also serve as party icebreakers instead of solo playthrough and these titles are some of the best examples to show off to your friends and family this festive season.Crypt of the NecroDancerdoesn’t even have to be played to be enjoyed, as the upbeat score is a lively accompaniment to any gathering. If you want to encourage attendees to interact, then the Taiko no Tatsujin pack is a great tool to bring the atmosphere to life and introduce a harmless bit of competition too.
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Turn your boring Christmas tree into a pixelated paradise with these amazing gaming decorations.
