During Listmases past, I’m pretty sure I’ve touched on the games that were either the most Christmas-y of had the best winter levels. There’s absolutely Something to be said for overall atmosphere and feel, but those don’t necessarily make for a place that’d be fun to visit. So, what would be a fun place to go if you could somehow enter your favorite game worlds? Here are a few of my top choices.

Phendrana Drifts – Metroid Prime

Hear me out

Of all the digital winter spaces I’ve seen in games, Phendrana Drifts has long been the most fascinating. The calmness, the senses of mystery and wonder that suffuse its every chamber, I just can’t help but wish I could take it all in first-hand. Well, that is, of course, if there weren’t hostile chozo ghosts and ice beasts all over the place. If the ghosts were at rest and the local fauna were more chill, then it’d be the perfect place to just roam around for awhile and just take it all in.

Freezeezy Peak – Banjo-Kazooie

It’s just so pretty!

Yes, it’s another place filled with hostile creatures, but that’s only because of Gruntilda’s magic. I’ve got the feeling that the snowmen and other creatures would chill out after her defeat, so it’d probably make for a great place to hang out of for the events of the game. I’d mostly just want to see the giant Christmas tree light up and take in the view from a top the giant snowman, but I think the whole place would make for some real festive fun!

Winterhold Skyrim

It’s just got that rustic charm.

Winterhold is something of a cliche choice by now, I’m sure, but that’s only because it’s just that good of a place. Seriously, it’s got everything! It’s got the wonderful, snowy environment; it’s got auroras; it’s got that old norse village charm, and it’s got a cozy inn with some super tasty-looking stew simmering over a roaring fire in a common area filled with quiet music and good cheer.

You could spend your days taking in the beautiful views, ruins and landscapes, and spend your nights over good food and better company. So long as the mages college doesn’t explode due to some idiot novice’s experiment, Winterhold would be an awesome place to visit over Christmas!

The Ski Lodge – 1080°

It just looks like such a chill place to hang out!

1080° might have been the one and only sports game I had during the days of the N64 and PS1. I’m not even sure how I wound up with it, but I’m glad I did because I remember the game being a blast despite my terrible skills. Even though the snow boarding was was fun, my favorite thing about 1080° was the ski lodge.

All you did there was select your rider and board, but it just seemed like such a cool space (especially with that boppin’ background music!). Even if it was just a typical ski lodge, I’ve always wished there was more of it to see roam around in. Hmm… maybe I should just go stay at a real ski resort sometime, eh?

The Village – Animal Crossing: City Folk

The ultimate in Christmas Coziness!

All of the Animal Crossing games offer a cozy Christmas experience, but City Folk takes it just a step further with its City area. Not only is your little town done up with Christmas lights and beautiful winter snow, but the city also gets a similar treatment.

So once Christmas rolls around, you get both the small town cheer of your little village and taste of the spectacle that is the city at this time of year. It’s altogether utterly charming, and it’s absolutely a place I’d love to get lost in while taking in its Christmas charms. It’s gotta have that background music going somehow, though. It’s just way too cute and charming!

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What are some places you’d like to visit for Christmas? What about them do you enjoy most? Let us know below and then make sure to hang around for more Listmas fun!!

Image is a screenshot by TheDuckofIndeed