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With every day that passes, we get another step closer to Christmas. While different people will most certainly have different experiences when it comes to Santa Day - especially those who don’t celebrate the holiday - the fact remains thatmanyof us lifelong gamers directly associate this day of frosty festivities with the games we’d pull out from under the tree.
We’ll be reminiscing about Christmases past throughout December. Join us as we march down the hallowed halls of our memories, and reflect on specific years. Don’t be surprised if you have your own memories kick-started in the process. Because what is Christmas without some good ol' vidya games?
Make sure to check back frequently as we’ll be updating this hub all December.
The Christmas Of 1879
While this hub is filled with pieces that celebrate the diverse gaming landscape, they largely talk about systems like the Dreamcast, the Xbox 360, or the Super Nintendo. In other words, they are all focused on modern gaming.spit What about the moreclassicgaming hits? Worry not, Joe Parlock, our resident hardcore gamer, is here to tell you about a year filled withrealretro classics!
The Christmas Of 1991
With the 16-bit era of gaming kicking off, 1991 presented a strong argument for why gamers of all shapes and sizes needed to upgrade their consoles. Helen Ashcroft will guide you through this magical year and show you why 1991 was a Christmas to remember.
The Christmas Of 1993
You can typically expect pretty awesome games to be released once the current generation has been active for a few years. That holds true with 1993, which was a year that saw the 16-bit consoles firing on all cylinders. Join James Kennedy (that’s me!) as he takes the reins and shows you how the Christmas of 1993 had something for everyone, whether you be a fighting enthusiast or vampire slayer.
The Christmas Of 1994
To this day, the 16-bit era is seen as a high mark in gaming. This makes 1994 a pretty important year, as it was when the 16-bit generation was firing on all cylinders. Follow features editor Andrew King as he gives you a taste of all the glorious games one may have been gifted on this monumental Christmas for gamers.
The Christmas Of 1995
1995 was a transition year, which meant new consoles and late-gen gems. TheGamer’s seasoned specialist, Matt Arnold, will walk you through what gold may have been glistening under the tree in a gamer’s household this Christmas.
The Christmas Of 1997
1997 was a big year for the 32-bit consoles. Both the PlayStation and the Nintendo 64 had quite possibly their biggest games released just weeks from each other. As the great Ken Watanabe would say ‘Let them fight.’ Another legend who’d say that is TheGamer’s own Josh Coulson. He’ll tell you all about this mighty conflict while touching on everyone’s favorite egg-shaped pal.
The Christmas Of 1999
The 90s were a truly incredible decade for games. However, you may not know how big a deal 1999 was. Follow Meg Pelliccio as she rips the wrapping off of this mystery and reveals that the year of ‘99 saw no less thanfivemassive franchises launch. Which franchises, you ask? Well, you’ll have to read this article and find out!
The Christmas Of 2000
Want to tear it up at the skate park with your egg-shaped pal while speaking utter gibberish? Well, then the year 2000 had the games for you. There are so many iconic pieces of gaming history that released this year and Staff Writer extraordinaire, Gabrielle Castania, is here to walk you through them all.
The Christmas Of 2001
From the release of Nintendo’s boxiest console to some of the sixth generation’s best games, 2001 was one hell of a year. TheGamer’salwaysmerry Stacey Henley will take you through this monumental year, and tell you all about the titles gamers could expect to unwrap that Christmas.
The Christmas Of 2002
Pivotal platformers, Bethesda’s magnum opus, a double dose of Metroid, AND a new Grand Theft Auto game? That’s one hell of a year for gaming, friends! Andrew King will show you why this Christmas was one of the biggest for fans of games.
The Christmas Of 2003
2003 was a landmark year for games. From one of the best WRPGs ever made to one of the strongest entries in the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series to an incredible Zelda game, 2003 had it all. And that is just scratching the surface. Allow Tessa Kaur to remind you of everything that was released during this tremendous year. They’ll show why gamers were feasting that Christmas.
The Christmas Of 2004
From quite the most important FPSes ever released to the height of the MMO, 2004 was an incredibly important year that helped gaming grow. Being set in the heart of the 6th generation, this was a year when gamers won without exception. All kinds could expect a gift under the tree, that would likely fill their gaming hearts with glee. Follow Jade King as she takes you through this wonderful year, and let her memories fill your hearts with holiday cheer!
The Christmas Of 2007
Join TheGamer’s very own Jade King as she takes us through the Christmas of 2007. Prepare to return to the early days of the seventh generation, and witness the tingling excitement vicariously through her eyes.
The Christmas Of 2009
Follow TheGamer’s resident indie advocate, Ben Sledge, as he takes you through the Christmas of 2009, a time before independent games existed outside the dingy corners of the PC market. What 2009 lacked in artful independent gaming, it made up for in shooters. And it was a hell of a year for them. Curious? Then take this waltz down memory late - in the first-person perspective, of course.
The Christmas Of 2010
While it is inarguable that 2010 was a tremendous year for games, it also included one of the most massive pitfalls alongside it. For a change of pace, Stacey Henley a humorous account of what this Christmas looked like for those unlucky children whose parents made an unfortunate present-buying decision and turned what should have been a blessed Christmas into the Christmas of the damned.
The Christmas Of 2011
If there was a year when the seventh gen finally started to emerge from its cocoon, it was 2011. From open-world fantasy epics to action-packed cinematic extravaganzas to one of the best platforming games ever made, this was a year that had great games for most folk. Our always enthusiastic George Foster will take you through the excitement that a young gamer experienced while tearing wrapping paper during Christmas that year.
The Christmas Of 2012
In 2012, the next generation of consoles was clearly on the horizon, so this was the last hurrah for the seventh generation of games. And, as is often the case, some of the best games made the end of this generation a memorable one. Reminisce with Tessa Kaur as they take you through to the end of that era and give you a glimpse of what Christmas looked like for gamers in 2012.
The Christmas Of 2013
2013 is a special year. Not only did the new consoles release, but this was the year when games were allowed to be whimsical, vibrant, and fun again. It all made for a very merry Christmas indeed. James Troughton will take you through this joyous Christmas filled with games of all types. Relive the joy alongside them.
The Christmas Of 2016
From top-tier stealth games, to remarkable FPS titles, 2016 is a strong year in the modern era of gaming. TheGamer’s experienced editor, Andrew King, has provided us with a wonderful breakdown of this fantastic year, and given us a glimpse of what a doe-eyed gamer could expect to receive from Santa that Christmas.
