Daily Debate: Which Zelda Games Make You the Most Nostalgic for the Winter Holidays?

Regardless of what you celebrate, we all remember that magical moment. Waking up to a day filled with joy, cheer, and a few mysterious presents, just waiting to be opened. For a lot of us, our first Zelda game was a beloved Christmas or holiday gift. A beautiful (sometimes gold) cartridge bundled up with love. But, does receiving a game as a holiday gift automatically make it the most nostalgic for this magical time of year?

For a quick non-Zelda example, I received The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim as an anniversary gift in March, almost four months after the title’s initial release. Yet, hands down, it’s one of my favorite games to play when I’m in that holiday mood. Why? Well, just look at it. All Norse and snowy, with cozy taverns and the like.

In a similar fashion, even though I didn’t receive it as a Christmas gift, Twilight Princess tops my list of Zelda titles to play in the days leading up to Christmas. After all, Snowpeak is the perfect holiday vacation spot, complete with a hearty stew! In fact, Majora’s Mask, a game I did receive as a Christmas gift, often doesn’t make the list. It’s nostalgic, for sure. But Majora’s Mask simply doesn’t hit the same holiday notes for me the way Twilight Princess does. For me, I suppose, the holidays are a little more Lord of the Rings and a little less existential horror.

What about mainline Zelda adjacent titles like Super Smash Bros. or Mario Kart? Depending on your family, these games could bring up lovely memories of playing with siblings or cousins. Or, perhaps, the gifted games truly are the best reminders of the holiday.

So, what do you think? Does replaying a game you received as a gift get you in that holly jolly mood? Or is it the game’s content that gives you the warm fuzzies? Write your naughty and nice list in the comments below!

Featured image by Captain Dangerous.