The best holiday-themed Android game updates

With only a few more sunsets to go before the holidays hit their peak, game devs have been pushing their holiday updates live all across Google Play. We’re going to find some of the cheeriest, jingliest, and jolliest among them, just in case you needed some help getting into the holiday spirit.

Ski Safari

Ski Safari is now fully in its season, and some of the stuff this iconic endless runner has included for the holidays are really great. Not only can you swap out your skis for a sleigh pulled by reindeer, but there are tons of new costumes, challenges, and even a few new snowmobiles to ride.

Dead Trigger

Android’s pre-eminent zombie shooter game has cranked the festivity knob up to 11 with their last update. You can now try to survive as long as possible in their North Pole Christmas arena, face off against the terrible Zanta as a boss, and enjoy a few new themed story missions. Oh, and there’s a new grenade launcher with a holiday spin.

Angry Birds Seasons

Rovio’s dedicated seasonal game has 25 holiday-themed levels and includes a new ice element. The classic puzzler gameplay is still intact - the bad piggies are still in rickety structures, and you still have a limited number of birds to crush them mercilessly inside. The only real difference now is that everybody is wearing adorable santa and elf hats.

Subway Surfers

One of the more popular endless runners on Android, Subway Surfers, now has a new Winter Wonderland level, a limited-time elfin character to unlock, and a bunch of new hoverboards to enjoy - including a free one as a gift. Clearly the character in question was on the naughty list, as the fat man chasing him is wearing a santa costume and has a little red-nosed dog as back-up.

Arcane Legends

Arcane Legends has a few new goodies for the season, including a limited-time pet called snowball. Think of him as Tim Burton’s take on Frosty the Snowman. There are also new holiday goblins that are hidden in treasure chests that have unique presents for adventurers. The holiday update has a bunch of other great new content, such as a new area called the Dead City, new abilities for each class, and an increased level cap.

The Sims FreePlay

If you just haven’t been exhausted enough by decorating your home, how about a virtual one to spruce up with a tree, lights, stockings, and all manner of new virtual items. There’s a quest line which gives a unique prize at the end, along with daily Christmas prizes running all the way to the 25th. For those into clothes, there’s a new fashion design career path, and some elf costumes to go along with the season.

Honorable mentions: Where's my Holiday?

What have you been playing leading up to Christmas? Any particularly awesome holiday updates that you’ve been enjoying?