Oh man, can you feel it? That electric buzz in the air as December 2025 rolls in, with Christmas lights twinkling, hot cocoa steaming, and the holiday rush hitting full throttle? It’s the perfect time to snag the top 3 best video games December 2025 has to offer! Forget scrolling through endless sales—I’ve got your back with the ultimate lineup that’s dominating charts, blowing up on X, and making gamers everywhere lose sleep. These aren’t just games; they’re epic adventures that’ll have you glued to your screen from Black Friday through New Year’s Eve.
Picture this: families gathering around the TV, friends trash-talking in multiplayer lobbies, or you sneaking in solo sessions after the kids crash. With holiday spending on video games skyrocketing—hello, $253 billion online shopping spree!—now’s the moment to grab these must-haves. Whether you’re hunting deals on PS5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch 2, or PC, the top 3 best video games December 2025 are Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Donkey Kong Bananza, and Hades II. They’re critically acclaimed (Metacritic scores in the 90s!), best-sellers in the making, and tailor-made for festive fun. I remember unboxing my Switch 2 last week—pure joy! Let’s countdown why these are the best video games December 2025 hands down.
Why 2025 Was the Most Insane Year for Gamers (And Why December’s Your Last Chance!)
Dude, 2025? What a beast of a year! From Nintendo’s Switch 2 launch dropping bangers left and right to indie darlings like French RPGs stealing the show, it’s been non-stop hype. Rolling Stone called it an “onslaught of gaming goodness,” with heavy hitters like Battlefield 6 battling COD for sales supremacy and surprises like Expedition 33 snagging IGN’s Game of the Year. Metacritic’s top lists are stacked: Hades II at 95, Zelda remasters at 95, and our top picks crushing 91-92 scores.
But December 2025? That’s prime time. Holiday sales are slashing prices—think 20-30% off on Steam, Amazon, and Best Buy. Circana reports COD Black Ops 7 topping sales, but for pure quality, our top 3 best video games December 2025 shine brightest. These gems mix heart-pounding action, emotional stories, and replayability that’ll carry you into 2026. Grab ’em now before stock vanishes—I’ve seen Switch 2 bundles flying off shelves! Ready to level up your holidays? Let’s smash into #3.
#3: Hades II – The Roguelike Revolution That’s Addictively Perfect for Holiday Binges!
Kicking off our top 3 best video games December 2025 at #3 is Hades II, Supergiant Games’ sequel that’s straight fire! Released September 25, 2025, on PC, Switch 2, PS5, and Xbox, it boasts a jaw-dropping Metacritic 95 and IGN’s 10/10: “Breathtaking art, captivating characters, fast fun combat!” If you loved the original Hades, this is that on steroids—more content, deeper combos, and a story that hits like a thunderbolt from Zeus.
You play as Melinoë, the witchy daughter of Hades, trained by Hecate to slay her grandpa Chronos (yep, the Titan). Battle through Tartarus downward and Olympus upward in roguelike runs packed with Greek myth drama. Each death? Not a fail—it’s fuel for richer convos. I binged 20 hours over Thanksgiving, unlocking bonds with gods like Apollo and Nemesis. The dialogue? Subtle gold—friendships evolve, rivalries spark, making every run feel alive.
Combat’s a dream: Witchy omega attacks, incantations for buffs, and boons that remix playstyles. Swing a staff like a blender, hurl moon blasts, or go tanky with armor. It’s tactical yet fluid—parry projectiles mid-air, chain combos for god-slaying highs. Art pops with hand-drawn beauty, music pulses like a heartbeat (those vocal tracks? Chills!). And the scope? Early access was huge; full release doubles it with dual paths and endless builds.
Why #3 in top 3 best video games December 2025? Holiday co-op vibes (local or online swaps), short bursts for family game nights, and infinite replayability. My buddy and I traded controllers—hours vanished! At $30-40 on sale, it’s a steal. Perfect for Switch 2 portability during road trips. Downsides? Steep learning curve early, but once it clicks? Unstoppable. If roguelikes are your jam, Hades II’s your holiday hero—grab it and ascend!
#2: Donkey Kong Bananza – Nintendo’s Punch-Out Platformer That’s Pure Banana-Fueled Chaos!
Climbing to #2 in the top 3 best video games December 2025? Donkey Kong Bananza, Nintendo’s 3D platformer masterpiece on Switch 2 (July 17, 2025 release). Metacritic 91, IGN 10/10: “Groundbreaking with satisfying movement, destructible worlds, and clever level design!” IGN crowned it best Nintendo game, edging Mario Kart World. First big DK 3D since ’99—Nintendo delivered big!
DK and Pauline smash through sandbox worlds, collecting banana loot in open-ended collectathons like Super Mario Odyssey. But the star? Physics-based destruction! Pound ground to crumble boulders, shatter ice, pulverize magma—hours of “just one more smash.” Verbs feel chef’s kiss: Barrel-rolls, ground pounds, wind-up punches that ripple environments. I demolished a mountain for hidden bananas—addictive!
Visuals? Prettiest Nintendo ever—vibrant jungles, lava caves glow. Soundtrack slaps with tribal beats and goofy grunts. Minimal story keeps focus on joy: Be DK, wreck stuff, hoard bananas. Co-op shines—kid grabs Pauline for tag-team chaos. My niece (8) and I cleared worlds giggling nonstop.
For best video games December 2025, it’s family gold: Kid-friendly, 20-40 hours main, 100% hunts forever. Switch 2’s power makes it buttery 60fps. $60, but sales hit $50—pair with console for ultimate gift. Minor gripes: Repetitive late-game, but destruction saves it. If platforms are life, Bananza’s your Dec must-buy—punch into fun!
#1: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – The Underdog RPG That’s Crowned King of 2025!
Drumroll… #1 in top 3 best video games December 2025: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33! Sandfall Interactive’s AA gem (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC; April 24, 2025) owns Metacritic 92-93, IGN GOTY (landslide win), Rolling Stone #1. “Emotionally arresting, fun turn-based RPG!”
Belle Époque France-inspired fantasy: The Paintress paints a number yearly, erasing all that age—humanity dwindles. You lead Expedition 33’s suicide squad to stop her. Story wrecked me—grief, hope, melodrama that sticks. Characters? Deep: Fencers, mages with unique arcs. French accordion OST? Haunting masterpiece.
Gameplay blends JRPG nostalgia (Final Fantasy vibes) with innovation: Turn-based battles demand real-time parries (Mario RPG-style rhythm). Perks tree? Build god-squads—exploit synergies for boss melts. Linear exploration uncovers gloomy vistas, mimes, shattered reality. Graphics stun for mid-sized team—pristine yet stylized.
Why undisputed #1 top 3 best video games December 2025? Word-of-mouth phenomenon, broad appeal (RPG fans or not), 40-60 hours epic. Solo perfection for cozy nights, or share triumphs. $50-60 on sale, Game Pass day-one. I wept at endings—raw! Tiny flaws (some melodrama) fade. This is 2025’s soul—buy now!
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