Xbox is such an interesting console because it has plenty of fans and the full force of Microsoft behind it, but it has never seemed to have the same appeal as Nintendo and PlayStation. Just like the other consoles, the Xbox has some exclusives, which makes it necessary if you want access to all the coolest games. Xbox also has Game Pass, which is huge for new players and those looking for nostalgia alike.
If you have an Xbox player in your house, you’re in luck. With an eclectic mix of games, there is sure to be one on this list that your family will love. The eight games my kids want most this Christmas are a mix between mass-distributed games, Xbox exclusives, and Game Pass finds.
I’ve included ESRB ratings with “E” for everyone, “E10+” for kids 10 years and older, and “T” for teens. As with all aspects of parenting, you should use your own judgement; perhaps a few teen-based games are fine for your younger kids, while others may be a little too mature.
‘Rhythm Doctor’ Sooths the Savage Beast In Your Home (Rated: E)
My middle would much rather be banging on her drumset than playing video games. I love that about her, but sometimes it’s nice to do something as a family, so the compromise is often video games. Rhythm Doctor is another in a long line of indie games that have embraced the 16-bit look, but it isn’t just another RPG. Don’t let its charm fool you; this game is more challenging than it looks.
The whole point of the game is to tap a singular button to the beat. It even brags about being the easiest game ever made —so why would this be one of the Xbox games my kids want most this Christmas? Because it looks like it’s going to be all kinds of fun. Tapping the button at the right time is a little more challenging than it sounds, but the real joy in this game comes from the settings and the music. I can see how Rhythm Doctor is one of those games where you will lose track of hours and not know how.
I can’t wait to get this game for my daughter, who is constantly drumming a beat everywhere she goes. I have a feeling this is going to become a huge indie success on Xbox because of the music, the aesthetic, and the way it looks way easier than it is. Rhythm Doctor has been available on PC for several years, but it is finally releasing on Xbox on December 6th, 2025.
‘Winter Burrow’ Is Next In A Long Line Of Hit Cozy Games For Xbox (Rated: E10+)
There are many cozy Xbox games, so it isn’t surprising that one of the most anticipated Xbox games for Q4 is a cozy game. Of course, the gameplay is important, but that is not what takes center stage in this game. Instead, parents and kids alike will fall in love with the gorgeous art style and soothing music.
Even though this is a cozy game, it’s hiding a little secret behind its calm exterior. The main point of this game is to make sure the tiny mouse you control can live through the winter. You must trek through the challenging winter landscape to collect items to build a shelter, find food, and keep the fireplace going. It doesn’t seem like there will be much combat in this game apart from a few bugs that, pardon the pun, bug you while you’re foraging.
My oldest wants this game as soon as possible. The aesthetic reminds her of PBS storybook movies from when she was a kid, and she is a sucker for any lifestyle sim. Winter Burrow is way more about survival than lifestyle role-play, but it still has those elements, which she loves. Ultimately, this looks like a title that will eventually be passed around the whole family. Winter Burrow will be available on Xbox on November 12th, 2025.
Dragon Quest 1&2 (Rated: E10+)
Dragon Quest 1 & 2 are being released across all consoles this holiday season, bringing much joy to old-school RPG lovers everywhere. This updated version of one of the first JRPGs is sure to be a major hit this holiday season. This game promises to keep everything players loved about the original, but update the look and some game mechanics to bring it into the 21st century.
If you’re not familiar with Dragon Quest, it is a popular RPG series that embodies the JRPG genre. You and your party traverse plains and crawl through dungeons searching for treasures and beating up bad guys. Since these games are updated versions of classic 16-bit games, the runtime isn’t as long as that of modern RPGs, which may be a good thing for young kids with shorter attention spans.
I’ve been doing everything I can to get my kids into the best RPGs, especially my oldest, so Dragon Quest 1&2 has her name all over it. I’m excited to share one of my all-time favorite RPGs with her, and she’s looking forward to a new one to sink her teeth into. This double release will be available from October 30th, 2025.
‘Once Upon A Katamari’ Updates An Old Favorite (Rated: E)
Gaming parents will probably remember when the first Katamari game was released in the early oughts. Since then, this franchise has had some ups and downs, but Once Upon a Katamari is promising to be the best version since the original. This franchise is delightfully strange and wickedly funny, which is why it has kept a solid fanbase even when it hasn’t delivered the best games.
The idea of the game is pretty simple: you roll around collecting items in open worlds to complete tasks for the King of the Cosmos. It’s not really the game mechanics that make this game series beloved; it’s the humor and music you get to enjoy while doing a relatively mindless task. There are goals to meet, but your kids could spend hours rolling contentedly around these maps.
My son is super excited to play Once Upon a Katamari, even though this will be his first version ever. I showed him a video of gameplay where tumbleweeds chase cowboys and giant monsters fight in the background, and he immediately said, “Can we get it?” Luckily for him, Once Upon a Katamari lands on Xbox on October 24th, 2025.
‘Goodnight Universe’ Will Be A Cult Hit (Rated: T)
Who doesn’t want to know what it feels like to have Telekinesis? The only problem is that you have to be a baby to do it. This game doesn’t have the most up-to-date graphics or a crazy-long playtime, but what it lacks in those areas it makes up for in pure joy. Unfortunately, this game gets a T rating for good reason, so it will be up to parental discretion who gets to play it in your house.
The idea isn’t complex; you play as a baby with telekinetic powers, which you use to complete everyday tasks like cleaning your room. However, an evil company wants to kidnap you and exploit your powers, so half the game is using your powers to escape their evil clutches. Everything about this game screams cult hit — from its cartoonish style to its intriguing story —combining to make what looks like a fan favorite with plenty of room for sequels.
This is a game my kids want this Christmas because who doesn’t want to take control of a telekinetic baby? Some of the content in this game may not be suitable for my youngest, but I’m sure both my daughters, especially the superhero lover, will want to get in on it. Once Upon a Universe will be available on Xbox on November 11th, 2025.
‘Octopath Traveler 0’ Will Be The Most Talked About Game Of The Season (Rated: T)
Octopath Traveler 0 is an interesting title that I predict will become one of the biggest games of the year. It is unique in that there have already been a few Octopath Traveler games on the console, but this is a prequel to a mobile version. What truly sets Octopath Traveler apart from the rest is a combination of lifestyle sim and traditional RPG.
The game begins with your village being burned down, and you’re not really pleased about it. You swear vengeance, but not before you rebuild your town. The first part of the game is more about building and organizing your town, much like a Stardew Valley or Sims-type game. You still need to go out and collect materials, which leads to some fights. Building the buildings isn’t as straightforward as one would think, either, since upgrading your buildings can change how they function. The other portion of this game plays more like a traditional RPG with throwback 2D pixel graphics to give it that nostalgic feel.
I think I’m the most excited for this game because my oldest will love it. I’m always pushing her to get into RPGs, but at her core, she loves a cozy lifestyle sim, so this seems like the perfect fit. This game cuts it close with a December 4th, 2025, release, but I think it will be well worth the wait.
‘Monster Hunters Stories Collection’ Is A Great Beginner RPG (Rated: E10+)
This is another adaptation that brings two popular games together into a single updated collection. These games are set in the Monster Hunter universe but have distinctly different styles. While the traditional Monster Hunter games are action-based, much more mature, and have a more realistic aesthetic, Monster Hunter Stories Collection is a turn-based RPG with a softer anime-like style.
This game plays like your typical RPG, but with less violence. While the game starts with hunting monsters, it quickly turns into befriending them through turn-based rock-paper-scissors-style combat. It’s much closer to Pokémon than it is to the Monster Hunter source material. I suggest a lot of RPGs because I have instilled my love for them in my kids, but I like this one mainly because its lack of combat emphasizes family values.
There aren’t many good RPGs for younger kids, so I’m looking forward to getting this one for my youngest. I think it will be the perfect introductory RPG, but it will still have plenty of the action and adventure he likes in his games. This updated collection will release for Xbox on November 14th, 2025, just in time for peak gift-buying season.
‘Aery – Peace of Mind 4’ Brings Calm To The Storm (Rated: E)
Video games get a bad rap for being brain-draining garbage, but many of them have real-world benefits. The Aery series is one of those games, as it is designed to have a calming effect on players. We have a lot of anxiety at my house, so games like this are really helpful when dad is a little dysregulated himself or a bit too busy to give enough attention to the situation. Instead, my kids will turn on the newest incarnation of Aery and feel the anxiousness drift away.
Aery could be considered a cozy game, but it is unlike the others. While it is true that there is no combat or other danger in this game, it isn’t exactly boring. You take control of a tiny bird flying around gorgeous environments, collecting crystals while enjoying the scenery. On top of that, a calming soundtrack plays quietly in the background.
My kids are leaps and bounds ahead of where I was at their age in terms of emotional intelligence. So, when they come to me and mention that there is a new Aery game coming out, I know that they are hinting at something. Luckily for them, Aery is releasing on Xbox on November 20, 2025.
More to Come
Xbox seems to be in a transitional period where the focus is shifting more toward Game Pass than toward new games. There are also rumors that the next Xbox will basically be a PC that connects to your television. There are a few intriguing titles on the horizon for Xbox, but multiple games still have TBD release dates, and a few that should have been available in the last quarter of 2025 are still not. Hopefully, things get back on track early in 2026 and we have even more games to look forward to.
In the meantime, I live in a gaming household, and these aren’t the only games my kids are likely to receive; a few even appear on their lists for other consoles. Here are the games my kids want for Nintendo Switch and the PS5 games that top our family’s Christmas presents list.
