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Top 10 best games to play this Christmas for Nintendo Switch

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Top 10 best games to play this Christmas for Nintendo Switch

Play these by yourself, or with all the family this holiday season

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Updated on December 26, 2022 - added 2 games, original list by Dave Aubrey, Updated by Pocket Gamer staff 

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays one and all, it is that most magical time of the year where we are forced to hang out with family members and swap stories around the dinner table. For some, this is a wonderful time, while for others, it makes us want to bury our heads under the sand. Or snow. Whatever analogy works best.

When you've got a whole bunch of potentially inebriated family members running around the house at Christmas, you need two things: the first is something to distract yourself from the chaos, and the other is something to distract your family members when they attempt to talk to you.

Thus we turn to video games, and if you have a Nintendo Switch, or received one for Christmas, then these are the definitive games you need to pull out on Christmas day. These will either mentally remove you from your surroundings enough to survive, or will prove to be enough of a distraction to stop those family members from causing chaos on the big day.

If you haven't got these essential Nintendo Switch games yet, now is the time…

Click Here To View The List »

Super Mario Party

Publisher: Nintendo
Available on: Switch
Genre: Party/mini-games
Find out more about Super Mario Party
Super Mario Party

This is for Christmas day itself. Get four people together and no matter what their age they will be able to enjoy a good game of Super Mario Party.

Super Mario Party is possibly the best game in the series, and it has loads of brand new game modes and stages exclusive to this version. If you don't feel comfortable going around a game board solo, you can team up with friends, or alternatively you could have the whole family work together to sail a raft downstream.

Everyone is sure to enjoy this excellent party game.

Stardew Valley

Publisher: Chucklefish
Available on: iOS + Android + Switch
Genre: Multiplayer, Simulation
Find out more about Stardew Valley
Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley is non-violent, so none of your family members will judge you if you put it on the TV, showcasing your farm to younger members of your family. It's a lovely farming game, where you slowly can get to know townspeople, expand and grow your farm, and attend festivals!

If any of your cousins have this game, they can join you, working together on your farm. As it's your farm, you can direct and boss them around, meaning that you have complete control over what you are playing and how!

Among Us

Developer: InnerSloth
Publisher: InnerSloth
Available on: iOS + Android + Steam
Genre: Multiplayer, Strategy
Find out more about Among Us
Among Us

When the time comes, and you feel like you cannot take your family anymore. You just want to secretly destroy them one by one, Among Us is there for you. This game became a hit this year, and it allows one person to be an imposter on a space ship. That imposter gets to slowly and secretly kill off everyone else on the ship.

If you end up being the imposter, which after a few rounds is very likely, then you get the satisfaction of being a sneaky individual and destroying your family one by one, in a way that won't leave a lasting mark.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Publisher: Nintendo
Available on: Switch
Genre: Racing
Find out more about Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Get everyone in the family involved in this. Pass around the JoyCon, get heated, and play some Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the best kart racing game in existence - fact - and all of the multiplayer options in this version make it the definitive experience to play with a group or people.

Show off your racing talent, jump into the battle modes, and blow away the competition. Everyone can involved with the accessibility options, and everyone is sure to smile while playing. It really doesn't get much better than this.

When you want to share the joy at Christmas, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the perfect choice. And yes, I realise this list of five Switch games has two games with Mario in the title included. He's a strong choice, honestly.

Untitled Goose Game

Available on: Switch
Find out more about Untitled Goose Game
Untitled Goose Game

Want to play a game where you can be just as annoying as the people around you? Untitled Goose Game allows you to be a complete jerk, all while rewarding you for it!

Start solving puzzles by being an annoying goose, in hopes of unlocking new areas and annoying the heck out of the farmer near you. It's a great distraction from your family, and one that can be easily picked up and played.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Publisher: Nintendo
Available on: Switch
Genre: Casual, Simulation
Find out more about Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is looking so festive this holiday season! With Toy Day on Christmas Day, you are going to want to remember to grab your cartridge and switch to bring along with you to wherever you end up eating Christmas Dinner!

You can visit your family's farms, show your friends around yours, and possible even trade recipes if you have any spare. It's a great game to share with your family - and you'll still be able to take part in more celebrations!

New Pokemon Snap

Available on: Switch
Genre: Casual
Find out more about New Pokemon Snap
New Pokemon Snap

New Pokemon Snap is the type of game you can put on the TV. Maybe everyone has eaten their fill, there is nothing good on in the evening and nobody can decide. So instead, you dock your Nintendo Switch and put in Pokemon Snap. Each of your younger cousins can have a go at trying to get the perfect picture, while your parents, who probably played at least one Pokemon game in their life, can talk about how different these creatures looked then they pictured.

New Pokemon Snap is a photography game that is relaxing, it is beautiful, and it showcases a lot of amazing Pokemon!

Jackbox Party Pack 8

Available on: Switch
Genre: Casual
Find out more about Jackbox Party Pack 8
Jackbox Party Pack 8

If you are looking for a game to properly play with your family, including adults that might be hanging out away from the dinner table, Jackbox Party Pack is always a good option. The newest version, Jackbox Party Pack 8 has a bunch of new games, which will provide something for everyone. There is even a drawing game where you get to guess what was drawn, which works good for most ages!

Just Dance 2023

Available on: Switch
Genre: Casual
Find out more about Just Dance 2023
Just Dance 2023

Just Dance 2023 is the latest and final release of a popular party game. It is a game where you have to dance and enjoy the music. In this game, you will find many new exciting songs, incredible dance moves, and online multiplayer.

Just Dance 2023 will be a great choice to play for both children and adults. Also, it is one of the most fantastic games for a Christmas party. Therefore, if you are looking for a game to have some fun with a group of friends, Just Dance 2023 will be a great option!

Super Mario Odyssey

Publisher: Nintendo
Available on: Switch
Find out more about Super Mario Odyssey
Super Mario Odyssey

Super Mario Odyssey is an incredible world full of interesting and exciting events. The game has many advantages, such as high-quality and cute graphics, a fantastic world, and a beautiful story. It is one of the best games to improve your mood before the Christmas holidays.

Super Mario Odyssey is definitely a game with a wonderful atmosphere. If you are a Super Mario fan and looking for a game to relax, have fun, and explore the amazing world, this game will be one of the best options!

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Jupiter Hadley
Jupiter Hadley
Jupiter is a prolific indie game journalist with a focus on smaller indie gems. She covers thousands of game jams and indie games on her YouTube channel, letting every game have a moment in the spotlight. She runs indiegamejams.com, a calendar of all of the game jams going on in the world, and judges many jams and events. You can find her on Twitter as @Jupiter_Hadley