Christmas is a time filled with tradition, and for those who enjoy combining the festive season with a bit of gaming, there are two quirky traditions that you won’t want to miss. Both traditions come with their unique charm and have become a hallmark of the Christmas experience for Rock Paper Shotgun (RPS) enthusiasts.
The first tradition to consider indulging in is Dracula Cha Cha, a game that injects a dose of festive fun into the platforming genre. This one-button platformer takes inspiration from Konami’s Tomena Sanner series and delivers a winter wonderland experience unlike any other. Here, players find themselves strolling through snowy scenes as none other than Dracula himself. The game features a straightforward control scheme yet offers endless entertainment as you karate-chop snowmen and engage in unexpected dance-offs with the Grinch—activities that Dracula likely never thought he’d partake in.
What makes Dracula Cha Cha especially memorable is its soundtrack, which has an odd but fitting Christmas association for those familiar with the game. The tune “Green Door” by Jim Lowe, which is very much not a traditional Christmas song, accompanies Dracula on his holiday escapade. Surprisingly, this song, with its catchy rhythm and vivid storytelling, has garnered a Christmas identity for those who've experienced it through the game. It echoes the same transformation that Bruce Springsteen's "Born In The U.S.A." underwent, morphing into an anthem far beyond its original intent.
The second gaming tradition is titled Christmas Pain In Christmas Town, an artistic piece of music from the game Hypnospace Outlaw. The game itself is an homage to '90s internet culture, and it features a soundtrack that sincerely captures the essence of the era. Christmas Pain In Christmas Town is one of the standout tracks, produced by the in-game musician known as The Chowder Man, with the real-world talents of Hot Dad and Dave Pino contributing to its creation. The song is a layered composition with powerful emotions that reflect on the complexity of the holiday season. It’s a carol of reflection, regret, and, inevitably, Christmas spirit.
