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Top 30 Winter-Themed Video Games (PC, Mac, Mobile, and Consoles)
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As we find ourselves in the heart of winter, with cold temperatures and short days, many of us are spending more time indoors. This makes it the perfect opportunity to explore winter-themed video games. These games offer a wide range of experiences, from cozy adventures to challenging survival scenarios, all set against snowy backdrops and icy landscapes.
Whether you're looking to embrace the winter spirit or escape to a virtual winter wonderland, there's a game for every preference. Let's pe into our comprehensive list of the top 30 winter-themed games that will keep you entertained and engaged during these chilly months.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links; as an Amazon Associate, I earn a small amount from qualifying purchases. I appreciate your support.
Immersive Winter Worlds
The Long Dark
Platforms: PC (Steam, Microsoft Store, Epic Games), Mac, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Survive in the Canadian wilderness in this game set in a frozen post-apocalyptic landscape. The Long Dark offers a challenging winter experience with its visuals and gameplay. You need to find supplies, make items, and make decisions to survive in cold temperatures, deal with wildlife, and navigate difficult terrain.
Frostpunk
Platforms: PC (Steam, Microsoft Store, Humble Store, GOG), Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Lead a group in a frozen dystopian world where your choices affect your citizens' survival. This city-building survival game tests your resource management skills in extreme cold. As the leader of the last city on Earth, you must balance your people's needs with the challenges of survival in a world that's getting colder.
Skyrim
Platforms: PC (Steam, Microsoft Store), PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Online
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is a must-mention for winter games. Its large, snow-covered areas and Nordic-inspired setting make it a great winter gaming experience. From snowy mountains to icy caves across the province, Skyrim offers many opportunities to explore a detailed winter environment.
Cozy Winter Adventures
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Platform: Nintendo Switch
See the seasons change on your island, with winter bringing snow and festive activities. Build snowmen, catch snowflakes, and celebrate Toy Day in this fun life simulation game. The winter season in Animal Crossing: New Horizons turns your virtual home into a cozy place, perfect for long winter nights.
Stardew Valley
Platforms: PC (Steam, Humble Store, GOG), Mac, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android
While not only winter-themed, Stardew Valley's winter season offers a comfortable farming experience with special activities and events. Improve your tools, build relationships with townspeople, and join the Feast of the Winter Star. The game's art style is especially charming during winter, with snow-covered fields and festive decorations in town.
It Takes Two
Platforms: PC (Steam, EA), PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
This cooperative adventure game has a beautiful winter setting in its Snow Globe level. Explore a detailed snowy landscape while doing various winter activities with a partner. The Snow Globe level is a highlight, offering a magical winter area with creative puzzles and enjoyable moments.
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Winter Sports and Action
Steep
Platforms: PC (Ubisoft), PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Enjoy this open-world winter sports game that lets you ski, snowboard, wingsuit fly, and paraglide across large Alpine mountains. Steep captures the excitement and beauty of winter sports, allowing players to explore big, snowy areas at their own speed or compete in exciting challenges.
SSX Series
Platforms: Various PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo consoles
For classic snowboarding action, the SSX series (if you can find them) offers thrilling experiences across various snowy peaks. These games combine impressive tricks with exciting races, all set against impressive winter backgrounds. The SSX series has been popular among winter sports fans and casual gamers for a long time.
1080° Snowboarding
Platform: Nintendo 64 (original release)
This Nintendo 64 classic remains popular for its responsive controls and fun snowboarding gameplay. While it may not look as good as modern games, 1080° Snowboarding still captures the feeling of moving through fresh snow and performing impressive tricks.
Survival in the Cold
Subnautica: Below Zero
Platforms: PC (Steam, Microsoft Store, Epic Games), Mac, PlayStation 4, Playstation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
Explore an alien ocean on an ice planet in this cold survival game that mixes underwater exploration with harsh winter conditions. Below Zero takes the successful elements of the original Subnautica and adds an icy challenge, making players deal with both the dangers of the deep sea and the difficult arctic environment above the water.
Project Winter
Platforms: PC (Steam), PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
Test your social skills in this multiplayer survival game where players must work together (or betray each other) to survive in a harsh winter environment. Project Winter adds a unique element to the survival genre by including aspects of deception and teamwork, all set in a well-designed snowy background.
Valheim
Platform: PC (Steam, Microsoft Store, Humble Store), Mac, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
While not entirely winter-themed, this Viking survival game has challenging snowy areas that will test your ability to handle the cold. The mountain areas in Valheim offer some of the game's most impressive views and difficult encounters, requiring players to prepare carefully before going into the cold heights.
Festive and Cozy
Fortnite (Winter Events)
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android
Epic Games' popular battle royale game transforms into a winter setting during its yearly Winterfest events, offering festive outfits, challenges, and snowy map changes. These limited-time events bring a holiday feel to the fast-paced action, allowing players to have snowball fights and open virtual presents.
Overcooked! 2 (Winter Wonderland)
Platforms: PC (Steam), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Cook in festive kitchens with this chaotic cooperative cooking game's winter-themed kitchens. The Winter Wonderland update in 2019 added new recipes, characters, and kitchens all themed around the holiday season, providing a good reason to gather friends and family for some cooking chaos.
World of Warcraft (Winter Veil Event)
Platforms: PC, Mac
Experience the holiday season in Azeroth with WoW's yearly Winter Veil celebration, featuring holiday quests, items, and decorations. This long-running event changes the game's major cities into festive centers, giving players a chance to participate in seasonal activities and earn unique rewards.
Classic Winter Levels
Super Mario 64: Cool, Cool Mountain
Platforms: Nintendo 64 (original release), various Nintendo platforms (re-releases)
This famous snow level from the N64 classic features penguin races, snowmen, and slippery slopes. Cool, Cool Mountain has become a beloved part of 3D platforming, offering a good mix of challenge and fun in a winter setting.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3: IceCap Zone
Platforms: Sega Genesis (original release), various platforms (re-releases)
Move quickly through icy caves and snowy hills in this memorable winter-themed level from the Genesis era. IceCap Zone is often mentioned as one of the best levels in the Sonic series, combining fast-paced action with catchy music and beautiful winter visuals.
Banjo-Kazooie: Freezeezy Peak
Platforms: Nintendo 64 (original release), Xbox platforms (re-releases)
Explore a festive winter wonderland filled with holiday-themed challenges and interesting characters. Freezeezy Peak captures the magic of the holiday season, with its giant snowman, Christmas lights, and cozy log cabins creating a memorable winter playground.
Atmospheric Winter Stories
The Last of Us Part II: Jackson Chapter
Platforms: PC (Steam), PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
Experience a tense and atmospheric winter setting in this post-apocalyptic action-adventure game (also remastered). The Jackson chapter offers a brief break from the game's intense story, allowing players to explore a snow-covered town and engage in activities like snowball fights, all while building tension for the events to come.
Until Dawn
Platform: PlayStation 4
Survive a scary night in a snowy mountain lodge in this choice-driven horror game that uses its winter setting. Until Dawn uses its isolated, snowy environment to create a sense of fear and confinement, perfectly matching its teen-horror inspired story.
Kona
Platforms: PC (Steam), Mac, Linux, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Shield TV, Stadia
Investigate strange events in a blizzard-affected Northern Canadian town in this atmospheric detective game. Kona's eerie, snow-covered landscapes and supernatural elements create a unique and immersive winter gaming experience.
Ice Lakes
Platform: PC (Steam)
Experience ice fishing in this detailed simulation game available on PC. Ice Lakes offers a surprisingly deep and engaging ice fishing experience, perfect for those looking for a more relaxed winter gaming option.
Indie Winter Gems
Röki
Platforms: PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
Embark on a charming point-and-click adventure inspired by Scandinavian folklore, set in a magical, snow-covered world. Röki's hand-painted art style brings the wintery Nordic wilderness to life, creating a cozy yet mysterious atmosphere that's perfect for cold nights.
Never Alone
Platforms: PC (Steam, Humble Store, GOG, Indiegala Store), Mac, Linux, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Wii U, iOS, Android, NVIDIA Shield
Experience Alaskan Native culture in this beautiful puzzle-platformer that follows a young Iñupiat girl and her arctic fox companion. Never Alone combines educational insights into Alaskan Native culture with stunning arctic environments, offering a unique and enriching winter gaming experience.
A Short Hike
Platforms: PC (Steam, Epic Games, GOG, Itchi.io), Mac, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
While not exclusively winter-themed, this cozy indie game features a snowy mountain peak to explore. A Short Hike's charming art style and relaxing gameplay make it a perfect choice for those looking for a more laid-back winter gaming experience.
RPG Winter Adventures
I Am Setsuna
Platforms: PC (Steam), PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Vita
Journey through a world of perpetual winter in this JRPG with a touching story and melancholic atmosphere. I Am Setsuna's piano-driven soundtrack and soft, snowy visuals create a melancholic yet cozy atmosphere that's perfect for those long winter nights.
Icewind Dale
Platforms: PC (Steam, Epiga Games, GOG, DVD), Mac, Linux, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, iOS, Android
Explore the frigid Forgotten Realms region in this classic isometric RPG filled with winter-themed adventures. Icewind Dale's challenging gameplay and rich storytelling make it a must-play for fans of classic RPGs looking for a winter-themed experience.
Final Fantasy VI (Opening Sequence)
Platforms: PC (Steam), PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, iOS, Android, Various platforms across multiple generations
While not a fully winter-themed game, the iconic opening sequence featuring characters walking through snow sets a memorable tone. This brief but impactful winter scene has become one of the most recognizable moments in RPG history.
Mobile Winter Fun
Snowboard Party: World Tour
Enjoy snowboarding action on the go with this mobile game featuring various snowy locations and tricks to master. Snowboard Party: World Tour brings the excitement of winter sports to your mobile device, offering a variety of challenges and customization options.
Ski Safari 2
Platforms: iOS, Android
Escape an avalanche while performing tricks and riding various animals in this fun endless runner. Ski Safari 2's humor and addictive gameplay make it a perfect choice for quick winter gaming sessions on mobile devices.
That's a Wrap
Whether you're looking for intense survival experiences, cozy adventures, or festive fun, these winter-themed games offer something for every type of player. So get a warm drink, get comfortable, and let these snowy digital worlds entertain you during the winter season.
Key Takeaways
- Explore winter worlds in games like The Long Dark and Skyrim
- Enjoy cozy experiences with Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Stardew Valley
- Challenge yourself with winter sports games like Steep and SSX
- Survive harsh conditions in Subnautica: Below Zero and Project Winter
- Revisit classic winter levels from Mario, Sonic, and Banjo-Kazooie
- Experience winter stories with The Last of Us Part II and Until Dawn
- Discover indie games like Röki and Never Alone for unique winter adventures
- Play winter-themed RPGs such as I Am Setsuna and Icewind Dale
- Try mobile winter games for on-the-go fun with Snowboard Party: World Tour and Ski Safari 2
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