What’s on Your Playlist for Christmas Weekend 2024?

Ollie Reynolds, Staff Writer

I have to give credit where it’s due—CD Projekt Red and Saber Interactive really pulled off something amazing by getting The Witcher III to run on the Nintendo Switch. But revisiting it for another playthrough recently, I couldn’t resist the pull of my Series X for a much crisper experience. Those visuals just don’t hold up like they used to! On another note, I’m enjoying The Thing: Remastered on the PS5. It captures that John Carpenter vibe pretty well, even though it has a few rough edges. As expected, Nightdive Studios has given it a fresh coat of paint with upgraded performance and visuals.

And my beloved Switch? Don’t worry, I’ve got something lined up for a review, but you’ll have to wait a bit longer to hear about it!

Jim Norman, Staff Writer

Let’s be honest, my weekend gaming plans usually have me diving into Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake or maybe a round of Marvel Rivals with friends. I also want to knock out some more islands in Mario & Luigi: Brothership. But, I’m heading back to my parents’ place for the holidays. So, naturally, that means plenty of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, some Nintendo Switch Sports, and explaining Mario Party rules yet again (yes, the 100th time indeed).

Ah, the holidays are almost upon us. Wishing you all a great one!

Gavin Lane, Editor

I’ve got quite the list of games I’m eager to jump into. Unicorn Overlord is definitely a top priority, with Nin Sols, Tales of Kenzera: ZAU, and Loco Motive also beckoning my attention. The recent sale saw me grabbing Braid: Anniversary Edition, and for just 99 cents, I couldn’t resist the charming puzzler Railbound.

Plus, I’m looking to sink some time into Yakuza and maybe give Arco a whirl. Although I’ve heard some grumbles about its performance on Switch, that 30% discount was just too tempting. Hope everyone has a fantastic week ahead!

Alana Hagues, Deputy Editor

After wrapping up Nine Sols, I’m feeling a bit stuck in my gaming journey. I’ve been meaning to dive back into Trails through Daybreak or kick off 1000xRESIST. Yet somehow, I find myself bouncing between Balatro, Tetris DX on NSO, and Bust A Move 4 on the PlayStation.

Oh, and now that Arco is on sale, my backlog might just get a little heftier before 2025 rolls around. Consider it an early Christmas gift to myself! Have a wonderful and safe holiday, everyone!

Kate Gray, Contributor

Guess what… I’m off flying again this weekend! My baggage will include my Switch, Steam Deck, and iPad, giving me plenty of gaming choices. But let’s be honest, I should probably finally dive into Brothership, which has been patiently waiting since a pre-order ages ago.

In reality though, there’s a good chance I’ll spend my time with Hello Kitty Island Adventure, and maybe explore a few titles I grabbed from the Steam sale like Fields of Mistria, Void Stranger, and Lorelei and the Laser Eyes. And then there’s that ever-persistent backlog… but who are we kidding, right?

Gonçalo Lopes, Contributor

‘Twas the night before Christmas, not a creature was stirring—except for me, busily setting up a display of mini retro arcades under the gleaming LCD in my living room. This time of year beckons for nostalgic gaming, reliving classics on my SNES, Mega Drive, and PC Engine minis. I’m particularly excited about the Spectrum joining the mix, an instant crowd-pleaser for anyone who stumbles across it next to the A500 Mini.

My game of the week remains New Star GP, and I’m immersed in the 1990s season championship. Convincing my dad to get the PS4 version on his PS5 was a win, and boy, using those analogue triggers is a joy in this arcade racing gem. I hope someone at Nintendo is taking notes—analogue controls for Mario Kart 9 should be a no-brainer!

Wishing everyone a delightful holiday! I’m gearing up for yet another round of Secret of Mana on my SNES (Santa makes an appearance, if you’d forgotten). By the way, the developers confirmed that world ten is indeed the final hurdle in Abathor. Fingers crossed for a sequel!

That’s the weekend plan for us, but what about you? Vote in the poll below and tell us which games you’ll be turning to in the coming days.