If the Christmas games list has you feeling nostalgic, this companion piece looks at older titles that still hold up brilliantly today. Some are easy to find via modern collections, others may need a bit of effort, but all are worth revisiting if you fancy a retro holiday.

Part of the charm of playing older games at Christmas is their simplicity. You can dip in for a level or two between family commitments, or sink an evening into an old favourite without wrestling with live service menus and daily challenges. Many of these picks are now available on modern platforms, whether through official remasters, mini consoles, or subscription services, so revisiting them is easier than ever.

Super Mario World

Nintendo’s SNES classic remains a near perfect 2D platformer. Levels are short and readable, secrets are cleverly tucked away, and the world map gives you just enough freedom to experiment with routes.

What makes Super Mario World a strong Christmas choice is how well it fits into short bursts. You can clear a stage in a couple of minutes, hand the controller to someone else, and keep a casual rotation going. For more committed sessions, hunting down secret exits and unlocking Star Road gives you a gentle, satisfying puzzle layer on top of the straightforward platforming.

If you are playing with younger family members, this is also one of the easiest classics to share. The early levels are forgiving, the controls are responsive, and Yoshi is universally appealing. Whether you are using a Switch Online version or dusting off a SNES, it retains its warmth and clarity.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2

On the Mega Drive, Sonic 2 refined the original with smoother level design, the spin dash, and a punchy soundtrack. It is still one of the best ways to experience the high speed side of 16 bit platforming.

Sonic 2’s zones offer a pleasing mixture of straight line speed and more exploratory sections. Chemical Plant and Casino Night remain standouts, both visually and mechanically. The two player split screen mode can be chaotic, but it is a fun way to share the game with a friend or sibling over the holidays.

Modern collections make it simple to rewind a mistake or drop a save mid campaign, which smooths over some of the rougher difficulty spikes. With those comforts in place, Sonic 2 becomes a breezy festive palate cleanser, especially if you have been playing slower paced games elsewhere.

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

This top down adventure set the template for many later Zelda games. Its overworld and dungeons are tightly designed, and the light and dark world structure gives exploration a pleasing sense of progression.

Link to the Past feels dense but not bloated. Each dungeon introduces a new idea or tool, then uses it in a handful of smart ways before you move on. The shift to the dark world, still striking decades later, effectively doubles the map while encouraging you to think about space and traversal differently.

At Christmas, the appeal lies in its rhythm. You can clear a dungeon in an evening, then pick up where you left off after a few days away without feeling lost. The story is simple but enduring, and the soundtrack has a cosy, storybook quality that fits well with winter nights.

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

A defining metroidvania, Symphony of the Night mixes action, exploration, and light RPG elements into a generous package. It is often cited as an influence by modern indie platformers for good reason.

Symphony’s castle is a joy to unravel. New movement abilities open up previously unreachable chambers, while subtle environmental hints nudge you towards secrets without spelling everything out. Levelling up and finding stronger gear gives a steady sense of growth, but the core appeal is still that sense of spatial mastery as you map the entire structure in your head.

Because of its structure, Symphony is a good game to chip away at over several evenings. Clear a boss, explore a new wing, then call it a night. By the time the credits roll, you will feel as if you have genuinely lived in that strange, gothic space for a while.

Metal Gear Solid

Konami’s PS1 classic feels clunky in places by modern standards, but the cinematic presentation, stealth mechanics, and fourth wall tricks still land. It is a fascinating piece of gaming history that is genuinely enjoyable to play.

Metal Gear Solid’s fixed camera angles and chunky controls take a little adjustment, yet once you acclimatise there is real tension in creeping past guards and avoiding vision cones. The boss fights remain varied and playful, mixing tricksy mechanics with strong character moments.

Revisiting it at Christmas works well if you enjoy sharing stories about games. Few titles are as fun to discuss with friends or family who played it back in the day, from the cardboard box antics to the more outlandish narrative beats. It is an ideal “remember when?” choice for a quiet evening.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2

Few games capture score chasing as well as Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2. Its short runs, responsive controls, and unforgettable soundtrack make it perfect for quick festive sessions.

The two minute timers on each run give Tony Hawk 2 a natural “one more go” pull. You know exactly how long a session will last, which makes it easy to slot between meals or social plans. Chasing a slightly higher combo or hunting for one last hidden tape remains compelling, especially when muscle memory from old playthroughs starts to resurface.

If you are playing with others, taking turns on the same pad to beat each other’s scores or clear objectives can be surprisingly social. It is low pressure, yet there is enough depth in the trick system to keep experienced players hooked.

Street Fighter II

Whether you play an arcade version or a home port, Street Fighter II is still a great introduction to fighting games. Simple moves, distinct characters, and clear feedback make it easy to grasp, hard to master.

For Christmas, the appeal is obvious. A fighting game you can boot up, play a handful of matches with whoever is in the room, then walk away from without worrying about unlocks or online rankings. The classic roster and iconic sound effects give it instant nostalgic pull.

If you want to dig a little deeper, there is satisfaction in learning a couple of simple combos or anti air moves for your favourite fighter. Even that small investment can make casual matches more interesting, especially when both players are improving at a similar pace.

Chrono Trigger

Chrono Trigger‘s time travelling story and multiple endings give it a light, breezy feel compared with many lengthy RPGs. Its combat is snappy, its characters are likeable, and it never drags.

Unlike many role playing games of its era, Chrono Trigger respects your time. Battles are quick and visually readable, there are few random encounters, and the story moves briskly from one setting to another. The cast is small but memorable, which makes its emotional beats land without feeling overwrought.

As a Christmas project, it is long enough to feel substantial yet compact enough to finish over the holiday break. If you are feeling particularly dedicated, the option to chase multiple endings on New Game Plus gives you a reason to revisit favourite scenes with newly overpowered characters.

Resident Evil 2

Fixed camera angles and tank controls take a little adjustment, but Resident Evil 2’s police station remains a brilliantly designed hub of intersecting routes and escalating tension.

Part of the game’s enduring strength lies in its structure. The Raccoon City Police Department feels like a puzzle box, with locked doors and strange contraptions slowly opening up as you find keys, solve riddles, and backtrack through previously dangerous rooms. Ammo scarcity and limited saves keep the pressure on without tipping into cruelty.

Playing Resident Evil 2 over Christmas might sound odd, yet there is something appealing about curling up with a blanket and embracing a bit of scripted horror. The “A” and “B” scenario structure also doubles the value, encouraging you to replay with the other protagonist and see how events interlock.

James Pond 2: Codename Robocod

This festive skewing platformer is a lovely curio. Its stretchy secret agent fish, colourful levels, and Santa’s workshop framing make it a charming choice for a Christmas retro session.

Mechanically, Robocod is simple, leaning on basic jumps, enemy stomps, and that distinctive stretch move to reach higher platforms. What sells it is the atmosphere. The toy factory environments, whimsical enemies, and cheerful music give it a distinctly Christmassy flavour without leaning too hard on licensed characters.

It works well as a low commitment side dish. Dip in for a few stages when you fancy something that feels explicitly seasonal and just a little bit odd, then return to the bigger epics on this list when you are done.