darksnowman Posted December 22, 2008 Posted December 22, 2008 We did it for Halloween, tis the season, so let's do it for Chrimbo too. What games do you associate with Christmas and what games have the best snowy, Christmas themed sections? I will get the ball rolling with not only the best game ever, but also the greatest Christmassy game out there. Thats right- Donkey Kong Country 3. Released in time for Christmas 96, you are eased in with a variety of levels in the opening world, Lake Orangutanga. Needless to say, its not long before you reach the first snow level of the game, Skidda's Row, up in that north eastern corner of the map: Lake Orangutanga + Skidda's Row That's only a taster though, because later on you come to the deal sealer- K3. From Tearaway Toboggan and Lemguin Lunge, right up to the boss Bleak, its top notch festive platforming at its very best. Fantastic Now as if that wasn't enough, there's more. DKC 3 has one of the best "cheats" in gaming history- the MERRY cheat, oh yes. Stick this bad boy in and every bonus room will be elevated to levels you never even could have imagined possible. The normal tune will be replaced with Jangle Bells and those stages where you have to collect banana's or stars, well those will be converted to baubles and presents. Couple that with the HARDR or TUFST cheats, and you have a game with lasting challenge thats perfect for replaying each Christmas. (Hint hint...) -------------------------------- Thats my offering (and what a way to kick things off ), I'm just sticking to one game because I know there are plenty for everyone else to mention, and hopefully some that I wouldn't have thought of myself. Bring it!
nekunando Posted December 22, 2008 Posted December 22, 2008 I'm sure I will have more to add in a later post, but for now I will mention one game.. Banjo-Kazooie Freezeezy Peak Make no mistake.. that level is PURE CHRISTMAS! A wonderful Christmas Tree, Presents, a Gigantic Snowman, Jingley Music.. a special level from a very special game! I love it
Hero-of-Time Posted December 22, 2008 Posted December 22, 2008 In keeping in the spirit of Christmas and Rare games I will put forward Diddy Kong Racing. Snowflake Mountain is the snow themed world in the game and it hosts a bunch of races in winter/Christmas themed levels. The best of which is Frosty Village. Just listen to that music and tell me you dont feel the spirit of Christmas Rare does it again!
Emasher Posted December 22, 2008 Posted December 22, 2008 Zelda has always been a game I associate with christmas. Mostly though because they tend to come out just before christmas and I'm still playing them over the christmas holidays. TP and MM had some snowy parts though. And OoT had the Ice Cave.
Retro_Link Posted December 22, 2008 Posted December 22, 2008 HoT, DKR is a great choice, those levels were awesome and very Christmasy! But I'm with Emasher; there is no game that reminds me of Christmas more than...
Guest Captain Falcon Posted December 22, 2008 Posted December 22, 2008 Any game that I tore the wrapping off on Christmas morning tends to remind me of Christmas and that's normally around the time of the year I get the urge to replay them too. Since I got OoT on day one, it doesn't have the same pull as something like GoldenEye or DKR which I opened on Christmas day in terms of reminding me of the festive season. As for greatest snowy themed areas, well DKC1 is right up there with DKC3. And we couldn't forget Ice Cap Zone from Sonic 3 - possibly the greatest music ever in a Sonic game and the level is almost as good. But in the end, there is only one contender for greatest ever snowy place... ...even if it has nothing to do with Christmas.
Roostophe Posted December 22, 2008 Posted December 22, 2008 I said it in my column and in the Roundtable; this here music will always and forever remind me of christmas.
Hero-of-Time Posted December 22, 2008 Posted December 22, 2008 I said it in my column and in the Roundtable; this here music will always and forever remind me of christmas. *claps hands and nods head in approval*
tapedeck Posted December 22, 2008 Posted December 22, 2008 Although he would never admit it, Shigsy STOLE this idea from DKC (which could never be bettered...even though (as Darksnowman said) DKC3 is stellar with MERRY and K3) GOD I LOVE DKC!!!! And this... C'est Magic!
Cube Posted December 23, 2008 Posted December 23, 2008 Any game that I tore the wrapping off on Christmas morning tends to remind me of Christmas and that's normally around the time of the year I get the urge to replay them too. Ah...I remember wasting Christmas morning looking for some damn bungee rope. Eventually I found out that Bond just does the jump without it.
darksnowman Posted December 23, 2008 Author Posted December 23, 2008 Glad to see that the games I was expecting to get mentioned are getting mentioned. Especially Yoshi's Island because I thought it might be a less obvious one! DKR is Christmas bliss- even the non-snowy stuff in it is still full of sparkle. Back to the DKCs, I think what DKC 2 is lacking is a good snowy world. All it has is a few icey levels here and there which just ain't enough.
tapedeck Posted December 23, 2008 Posted December 23, 2008 Glad to see that the games I was expecting to get mentioned are getting mentioned. Especially Yoshi's Island because I thought it might be a less obvious one! DKR is Christmas bliss- even the non-snowy stuff in it is still full of sparkle. Back to the DKCs, I think what DKC 2 is lacking is a good snowy world. All it has is a few icey levels here and there which just ain't enough. Truth. The atmosphere in DKC2 is altogether other-worldly. DKC3 brings more "fun" ala DKC1. (Although the graphics in DKC1 were very "serious". Great Christmassy games. Also must say that I always think of Diddy Kong Racing too when thinking of Christmas!
Patch Posted December 23, 2008 Posted December 23, 2008 Rare did have that festive spirit, didn't they? This is going back a bit, but James Pond 2: Robocod had an unforgettable Christmas theme: [ATTACH]2421[/ATTACH] I also can't avoid associating Christmas gaming with OoT.
Guest Captain Falcon Posted December 23, 2008 Posted December 23, 2008 Ah...I remember wasting Christmas morning looking for some damn bungee rope. Eventually I found out that Bond just does the jump without it. Never mind trying to find a bungee cord (not that he uses one ) - I spent absolutely ages trying to work out how to open the gate where the truck waits... Finally cracked it after wandering around the yard for well over 30 mins.
Columnar Posted December 23, 2008 Posted December 23, 2008 Not really Christmas games but Shenmue I & II always remind me of the festive period since they both came out near xmas and I got them as presents in 2000 & 01 respectively. Come to think of it, Shenmue I started at the end of November and as you got nearer to Christmas, Dobuita was adorned with decorations!
Retro_Link Posted December 25, 2008 Posted December 25, 2008 Not really Christmas games but Shenmue I & II always remind me of the festive period since they both came out near xmas and I got them as presents in 2000 & 01 respectively. Come to think of it, Shenmue I started at the end of November and as you got nearer to Christmas, Dobuita was adorned with decorations!Great choice!! I forgot about Shenmue! Yeah I played it over Christmas aswell, and when it was snowing and Dobuita was all festive, and you would travel to the docks for work in the snow... what a magical experience! As was the whole game!! Music - Christmas on Dobuita Street
Jonnas Posted December 25, 2008 Posted December 25, 2008 I'm a bit late, but gotta agree with Robocod. The game sucked, but I have fond memories of it. It had charm, at least Now...the Ice Climber levels in Smash Bros. Brawl/Melee are quite christmas-y (and so is Wario's red outfit ). Speaking of Wario, I always found his "Snowball form" to remind me of a fluffy christmas snowman.
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