It’s that time of year, again–the fire is roasting, the bells are ringing, and the turkey is cooking in the oven. Another part of the holidays that should also be recognized is video games. They’re a great way to spend time with the family, and the music from the games we’ve grown up with can be extremely nostalgic. Here are some festive video game covers to add to your holiday playlists.

Tales of Symphonia - “A Snow Light, A Wood Carving Star” by envatilea

In the world of gaming, there is nothing more magical than a nostalgic JRPG OST during the holidays. Tales of Symphonia from the GameCube has an underrated, yet gorgeous sound to its soundtrack. The two tracks “A Snow Light” and “A Wood Carving Star” are blended into one track from envatilea. The piano playing is absolutely gorgeous, and the melody is carried through by a wonderful performance by the cover artist. The pitter-patter of the notes makes you think of the snow that is drifting towards Lloyd and the squad. 

Final Fantasy X - “Mt. Gagazet” by Andre Kane

Final Fantasy X is another magical JRPG that brings all sorts of memories to those who played it in the early 2000s era. In the game, the Mt. Gagazet theme plays while Tidus, Yuna, and their party are traveling through a snowy mountain wilderness. It’s a gorgeous theme that helps dramatize the tension of the journey as it reaches its climax. The xylophone is a magical element within Andre Kane’s cover as the violin plays over the top. The drums depict the march that the team is partaking, and the guitar adds an enticing element to the overall piece. 

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time - “Zora’s Domain” by ArnyUnderCover

It’s always fun when cover artists attempt a Christmas version of a nostalgic song, and ArnyUnderCover absolutely nails it with “Zora’s Domain.” This cover gives the track an upbeat, jolly lift with the lovely strumming of the guitar and fantastic use of some bell-like synthetic sounds. ArnyUnderCover also works in “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” adding a charming element to the original song. Despite the faster tempo, this cover still maintains the tranquility of the song by Koji Kondo. 

Undertale - “Snowdin Town” by The Consouls

One of the jolliest tracks in video gaming is “Snowdin Town” from Undertale. The charming melody and overall vibe of the town mixes together like a warm hug in a winter storm. This jazzy take from The Consouls has a superb piano solo by Zorsy, and while it steers away from the main melody, it still exudes the same happy vibes that the original song provided.

Super Mario 64 - Frappe Snowland by The Game Brass

Something about the rich sound of brass instruments makes you think of the holidays, and The Game Brass successfully brings that holiday cheer to their album Snowtopia. Mario Kart 64 by itself is nostalgic, bringing me back to the holidays when I got my first console, the Nintendo 64. At first, the jingle of the bells brings a festive vibe as the rich brass instruments play the melody impeccably. In the second half, the tempo speeds up, leading to a bombastic rendition that adds a fun dynamic to the composition. All in all, it’s a joyful track, perfect for any occasion. After all, joy is what the holidays are all about.

If that isn’t enough for you, you can check out last year’s list as well, or this list from 2020, which includes covers from the Kingdom Hearts series and Undertale. Happy Holidays!