Save Christmas with these festive mobile games

Mobile merriment

The holidays are a time to hang out with family, reminisce about your most awkward moments in life, or impress all little relatives with your sick gaming skills. Why not impress them even further and reassure them Santa Claus is on his way? Most holiday-themed mobile games are geared towards children, so they're not only short but they're more like coal in your stockings. Luckily, some are good enough even avid gamers can appreciate.

So if youre someone that cant get enough of all those renditions of Jingle Bells or those silly commercials featuring some big guy dressed up as Santa, then look no further. These Christmas apps are great when you have some time to kill between opening presents and schmoozing with the family or when you want to give your niece or nephew to mellow out after all that sugar.

5. Elf Command (Free)

Kids dream about going to Santas workshop to see where all the magic happens. But Elf Command makes it look more like a factory than a magical place, and one that needs your help to ensure all those gifts get shipped to the right place.

You need to have fast fingers to move presents from conveyer belts to their correct bin before time runs out. Things start off slow at first, but soon enough different types of presents start showing up. Three lives are all you have to make sure Christmas goes off without a hitch. Make too many mistakes or stress out too much and youve just ruined it for all those kids out there. No pressure at all.

iOS

4. Cut the Rope Holiday Gift (Free)

Cut the Rope 2 was just released this week, and if you still cant get enough of Om Nom and his love of candy, why not get into the spirit of the season with 25 holiday-themed levels? Christmas trees, stockings, and even twinkly lights make this physics game even merrier and still just as addictive.

As with past games, each level requires you to get that piece of candy into Om Noms mouth. Cut rope--or in this case Christmas lights--pop bubbles, or use gravity to feed him that candy and challenge yourself a little more by getting all the optional stars in each level. Stockings have also been introduced that not only make things more festive, but also let you teleport candy from one to the other. And as is any holiday gift, this one is free.

iOS

Android

3. The Santa Saga ($0.99)

Mario isnt the only one with a mean-spirited doppelganger. Anti Claus has not only attacked Santa Claus during his yearly journey, but now all those presents have dropped down below. Thankfully, penguins and even a few toys are ready to lend a hand in this holiday-themed puzzler.

Each of its 25 levels requires you to lead your toys or animals towards the presents. Tap ice blocks to dislodge gifts stuck inside or tap switches to create platforms for your helpers. Its puzzles give it a very Mario vs. Donkey Kong feel to it, but keep things much more simple. If anything, this game will remind you to pick up presents for everyone on your list this year.

iOS

2. OvenBreak (Free)

Nothing says Christmas like some freshly baked gingerbread cookies. But if one of those cookies decides to escape his fate and run away from that cruel hell-hole known as the oven, you better leave Santa some Oreos instead.

OvenBreak is a runner starring a martyr-like gingerbread man that has to run through dozens of levels, collecting jellybeans that spell out Freedom in hopes that someone saves his imprisoned brethren. In addition to its dark humor, OvenBreak features simple controls and lots of challenging levels that will put your reflexes to the test. Not all cookies want to get in your belly; some want you to work for it.

iOS

Android

1. Holiday Havoc (Free)

Holiday Havoc is a game that shows you what would happen if some toys suddenly decided they didnt want to be delivered to children all around the world. Armed with nothing but a snow ball gun, its up to Santa to ensure the rest of the presents make it to his sleigh before the big night.

This simple arcade title is all about survival, so you need to aim your gun at both sides of the screen shooting down out all the bad toys while ensuring your elves make it to your sleigh with presents that want to be delivered. Accidentally knock out too many elves and Christmas is ruined. You monster! Pixelated visuals, a chiptunes soundtrack, and high-scoring action all add to the fun.

iOS

Stocking stuffed

So there you have it--some mobile merriment to keep you busy until you get that next-gen console youve been bugging Santa about. Happy holidays!

Let us know what mobile games youll be playing through the holidays or check out some of the 25 Best Android Games or 25 Best iOS Games if you need some more ideas.