Tis the season to get cozy and cuddle up with video games by the fireplace (or whatever nook/cranny you choose)!

Luckily, with the holiday season usually comes a little time off from the daily grind, and some excess time to spend with the friends and family. Unfortunately, this season more-so than others. However, it is important that we all still spend time with the ones we can, in any safe way we can.

What better way to do that than to boot up a console and delve into an amazing adventure that you may enjoy with everyone, and all from the comfort of your own home. Or even if you just feel like spending some quality time with numero uno, video games give us a chance to explore infinite worlds right at our fingertips. Here are some of my favorite cozy games that are perfect for this time of year.

Animal Crossing

Obviously, when it comes to the holiday season, not many games take it to the level that Animal Crossing does. Get the full experience from weather and environmental changes, to special items and events, the Animal Crossing franchise has it all. It really doesn’t matter which game you choose, as they are all adorable and delightful and full wonderful holiday themed goodies! If you can’t afford a new game right now, Animal Crossing Pocket Camp is free to play on mobile devices. If you are looking for the ultimate Animal Crossing experience, you’ll want to pick up Animal Crossing New Horizons for the Nintendo Switch.

Ooblets

Another super adorable game that doesn’t shy away from the winter month’s is Ooblets. Ooblets is a cute creature collection game with some pretty epic dance battles. Just recently, the developers updated their game to help players enjoy the immersion that is experiencing the holidays in real life, and in game. The update (of course) brought a snowy environment as well as’ “We put in a load of work on this update to bring you a whole new region with its own storyline, characters, ooblets, crops, and craftables.” – via devlog.

Overcooked 2

Nothing beats the frantic action with friends that a good party game can stir up. Overcooked 2 is fast paced action with food that gets super crazy super fast, and is always a hilarious good time. And, with the Winter Wonderland DLC, you can take the game to a whole new holiday level (literally speaking). “Moreover, with these 5 new festive kitchens, you can cook s’mores by the campfire, feed the Horde which are now holiday cookies and candy canes, and use those awesome new cannons from the carnival levels!”

Portal Knights

If you love exploring wintery worlds and crafting darn anything your mind can come up with, Portal Knights is perfect for you and friends. Rebuild the festive portal and head over to the Winter Wonderland, where you’ll be greeted with new quests, holiday themed enemies, and cool festive items! There’s even an adorable reindeer pet waiting for you! Players need to have visited the first island of the second cluster (Landlubber’s Leap) in order for the event to trigger.

Slime Rancher

The developers have announced that the new 1.4.1 update helps prepare Slime Rancher for Wiggly Wonderland. It is currently available on PC and consoles. The developers promise “There will be plenty of fun surprises happening both on the Far, Far Range and outside of the game.” Every day of the event, the Twinkle Slime will appear in-game somewhere on the Far, Far Range. Follow the music to find the twinkle slime and receive a collection of musical chimes!

Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley is still held as one of the greatest indie games ever made. And considering that fact that it is a true blue life sim, you can most certainly expect to see some harsh times during the winter months. The entire gets covered in a nice blanket of snow, the trees change colors, and most of your crops will no longer grow. So, all that’s left to do is enjoy the coziest weather in one of the coziest games currently available.

Garden Paws

Garden Paws is an adorable life-sim game just full of the cutest creatures, and is still planned for a release on Nintendo Switch. Don’t take my word for it, though, here is a review from Steam “Cutest game EVER! So adorable! Mix of Animal Crossing and Harvest Moon! hours of fun! they’ve updated and added so much since the last i played it! <3”. The game also got its very own winter update. Of the many wintery things brought to the game, included are 21 new and unique winter themed items including a Candy Cane Fence, Ice Table, Ice Shelves, a Sleigh and a Winter Tree.

Did I miss any?

These are just some of the cute games I love that include a winter update. If there are any games that you think belong on this list, let me know in the comments, please!

For more cute games, check out the myPotatoGames Best Cute Games series.