Top 5 Greatest Rare Christmas Presents (Holiday Special 2012)

Next only to Pants Day, Christmas remains one of our favorite holidays featuring a rotund gift-giver garbed in red. While there’s always the hope of checking under the tree for something Rare shaped when December 25th rolls around each calendar year, the Twycross based studio have provided some particularly excellent festive gifts that keep on giving. Whether they’ve been tucked away as a secret Christmas code, or just feature some rather spiffing holiday DLC, you can always count on Rare to work a Christmas miracle that will keep us sated throughout our holidays. Ho, ho, hold on tight! These are the Top 5 Rare Christmas Presents!


#5. DONNING RARE APPAREL WITH PETULA’S PAPER PETS – VIVA PIÑATA (XBOX 360)


While designing gardens in the ice and snow would have to wait for the chilly Pinarctic regions in Trouble in Paradise, the first Viva Piñata title would compensate for some sorely missing holiday cheer with some timely DLC. Released on the fifth of December 2006 at a meager 90 MSP, the third Viva Piñata Accessory Pack would provide aspiring gardeners with a Santa Hat, amongst the likes of Mermaid and Romance Earrings to be purchased in Petula’s Paper Pets. From White Flutterscotch to enormous Elephanilla, donning the greatest apparel from the Paper Shop fit each Piñata snuggly, with a one-size-fits-all Christmas Cap that could be worn all season long. In the spirit of giving, the limitless supply could be purchased at no extra change to be shared amongst your Piñata residents to ring in the holidays.


#4. VERY MERRY INDEED – DONKEY KONG COUNTRY 3: DIXIE KONG’S DOUBLE TROUBLE (SNES)


Rekindling the spirits of Christmas past for a moment, Donkey Kong Country 3 has quite the treat in store if you’ve managed to enter a special code on the profile selection screen. Pressing “L, R, R, L, R, R, L, R, L, R” and entering “MERRY” in place of your file will activate a hidden Christmas mode, tucked away by the folks at Twycross. Each Christmas bonus may be found appropriately enough inside their respective barrels across the Northern Kremisphere, with their objects of desire replaced with something a little more fitting of the season. Rather than collecting stars and challenge bananas, Dixie and Kiddy will be tasked with acquiring a stash of Christmas tree baubles and alluring presents – all while a rather jazzy Christmas tune befitting of the third Country outing keeps the Kong’s holiday spirit at an all time high!


#3. A DIFFERENT KIND OF CHRISTMAS CARD – VIVA PIÑATA: TROUBLE IN PARADISE (XBOX 360)


You’ll have to brave more than chilling winds and hindering hailstorms if you hope to coax any residents in the Piñarctic regions out from the cold – especially if your frozen pastures wish to feature more than a couple of waddling Pengums or fierce Polollybears. It’s to Twycross we turn to reveal our next seasonal gift, which comes in the form of a Piñata Vision Card featuring a rather festive Doenut. Scanning the Vision Card at any time will reward you with an ordinary Doenut, but if you’re especially patient and manage to scan in this elusive card during Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or Boxing Day, your efforts will be rewarded with a prancing Doenut named Rudolph. Filling your garden with Christmas cheer, this enigmatic Piñata traipses about with its brilliant red nose shining bright all year long.


#2. WARM UP WITH THE WINTER WARRIOR SKIN PACK – KAMEO: ELEMENTS OF POWER (XBOX 360)


Released in timely fashion, the Winter Warrior Skin Pack arrived shortly after Kameo had arrived on the western shores in November, 2008. At a modest 80 MSP, the aforementioned pack was set to dress up Kameo and her multitude of transformations for the coming winter months ahead. While the femme fatale was garbed with some skimpy Santa wear, Rubble became a pile of Christmas baubles, 40 Below a malicious snowman, Snare into a hastily decorated Christmas Tree and Pummel Weed into a bit of lethal mistletoe. Chilla was rewarded with his own Santa suit, making him the spitting image of Sir Clause for the visually impaired. Pulling up the rear, Thermite tugged along Santa’s Sleigh while Major Ruin was turned into a tasty bit of Christmas Pudding. An absolute stocking stuffer to be sure!


#1. RARE CHRISTMAS PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE – XBOX DASHBOARD THEME (XBOX 360)


Paired alongside Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts, the Rare Holiday Theme features a smörgåsbord of Rare characters, tributes and nods to keep you warm through the coldest days of the season. Hidden behind the Game Library Pages, a Rare ice skating rink is surrounded by the likes of Joanna Dark, Conker the squirrel, menacing Dastardos, refuelled Jetman and a Mr. Pants snowman. Elsewhere in the Friends tab, Rare has crafted a massive mantel that showcases nearly all of their Christmas Cards released years prior; a sight that’s sure to bring about nostalgic Christmas wishes for any Rare fan. Found on the Xbox Marketplace for a mere 240 MSP, the Rare Holiday Theme is a must-have for any Rare fan looking to spice up their Dashboard with some appropriate festive cheer and warm wishes this holiday season.

Categories: Top 5 Lists

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