Music Monday – Christmas-inspired Tracks
I hope everyone has had a wonderful December so far! It’s hard to believe that we’ve entered the final month of the 2020 year, and Christmas is just around the corner. I know so many of us would just love to leave this year behind, but the Christmas season is one that always gives many a sense of hope and wonder, no matter what the circumstances. Through the years, I’ve discovered many Christmas-inspired video game tracks, or melodies that remind me of the holiday season. I’d like to keep things light today and share some of these with you today. I hope you enjoy them!
“Toy Day” – Animal Crossing series
I admittedly don’t play the Animal Crossing series as often as I should anymore, but I enjoy listening to the soundtracks of the various titles throughout each iteration One of my favorites is the Toy Day theme that plays on December 24th. On Toy Day in Animal Crossing, you can help deliver gifts to your fellow villagers and make their own Christmas a little bit brighter at the behest of Jingle the Reindeer. How cool is that? Like other melodies in the franchise in all seasons, Toy Day will keep you the player engaged and relaxed as you help Jingle deliver those presents and make the holiday just a bit more special for everyone you help.
“Happy Holidays!” – Kingdom Hearts II
This track was not in the original release of Kingdom Hearts II, but as added as a battle track for the updated Final Mix HD edition. I don’t think I was the only one who agreed that this was a much better fit for the Christmas Town portion of the Nightmare Before Christmas world. I like how carefree and light it is when you first step foot on the snow and get to explore the North Pole. If anything encompasses the childlike joy that Christmas can bring, it would be this melody. Kingdom Hearts III followed suit with Arendelle’s world theme, but Happy Holidays did it first and did it best, in my opinion. Have a listen and share your opinion!
“Buried in the Snow” – Final Fantasy VII
Icicle Inn is one of my favorite locations to visit in the world of Final Fantasy VII, and part of the reason is that this melody helps bring the town it’s set in to life. The way the village of Icicle Inn is presented gives it a sense of intimacy and warmth despite it being isolated and below freezing. This cover by Patti Rudisill and the visuals she presents in her video shows that many other listeners feel the same way that I do. The chimes and softness in Buried in the Snow helps me picture the location, and imagine that I’m actually there taking careful steps through the snow. It helps me feel closer to the Christmas season, no matter what time of year I’m playing.
“Songs of Yultide” – Crusader Kings II
The more I play Crusader Kings II, the more I can’t help but fall in love with it. There aren’t too many grand strategy games out there that are both willing to take the player seriously while also having fun with them at the same time. I remember playing a campaign one December, when I heard some familiar music play softly in the background. I realized it was a traditional Christmas carol, and I continued to play on, appreciating the fact that Paradox Development Studio had added a little bit of the Christmas spirit in time for the season. I soon realized that the lyrics weren’t exactly what I remembered. I soon stopped playing and just listened to the song instead, straining to pay closer attention to the lyrics. The result was…well, I’ll let you listen to it in the video above. Let’s just say I couldn’t stop laughing for a few minutes afterwards and have been looking forward to hearing this song each year ever since.
“Sherbet Land” – Mario Kart series
This track is in each iteration of the Mario Kart series, I believe, and it’s always a welcome one to me. I have to admit that this, more than the other tracks I’ve shared on this list, is the most nostalgic for me as I remember hearing this tune for the first time while playing Mario Kart Double Dash for the Gamecube, one of my very first console games in my early childhood. I always love the challenge of having to avoid the icy obstacles that keep trying to knock you down while also fending for yourself during the race in order to win. Depending on the difficulty and your own skill level, Sherbet Land can sometimes be quite the challenge to complete as a level, but I love coming back to it, if only for this wintry melody.
I love winter and snow levels in video games, especially those that remind me of Christmas time. Recently some of my friends over at Gaming and God shared their own holiday music favorites. I highly encourage you to check them out! Before we set off to celebrate the Christmas season, do you have any video game melodies that you love to listen to during this season and would like to share? I would love to hear what you have to say!
