Every Christmas they’re are games that tide you through holiday cheer, some are great and some like bon bons, looks sweet on the outside  but pop the inside and all you get is a dodgy knock off. Today offcially marks the end of term for a lot of people and maybe even time off work for others so lets bring a little ‘ho, ho ho’ onto your iphone this year and look at some of the top yuletide greats. Please note, due to me living no where close to snow I thought I’d add some snow inspired games into this Christmas round up as well.  In no order whatsoever, and if anyone wants to add to it by all means!.

1. iStunt [App Store]

Nothing short of fun, stuntin physics and simple brilliance.  It reminds me of moto games of yesteryear and with a learning curve *no pun intended* to ease you into the snowboarding game.  A massive 20 stylin levels that will keep you occupied all throughout the December holiday season and onwards.  Leader-boards a plenty with Openfeint FTW!! No Brainer!

2. Artic Shuffle 2 [App Store]

Chillax with this puzzler of a game.  The Pinball Penguins are back with a vengeance!  Play by aiming your penguin at the desired target, steady on because you need the midas touch to avoid all the obstacles in your way.  Its all about the points yo! start with ice curling, move onto iced up mini golf and try to avoid exploding your flightless friends while your at it.  Big 50 levels with in-app purchases.  Cute game, big leader-board rewards, using the Agon Online platform. If your a thinking person rather than a mindelss shooter like me this is a must have xmas game.

3. Elf [App Store]

Hide y Ho, diddle dee Potatoes.. kinda leprechaunish in design but don’t let this little gem fool you, its a lot better to play than it looks.  The polish on this addictive jumper will shine brighter than the star above “you know who”.  I wouldn’t ask any more from Matmi (who feature with more than one game on this list).  Guide you Elf into the stratosphere while catching stars, boosters and avoid those nasty thistles for that high score.  Simple but be warned, this game is addictive!!

4. Flight Before Christmas [App Store]

On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me another line drawing game! This is one of the better versions of the many line drawing games that have appeared since the huge success of Flight Control. As the image below shows, the graphics are crisp and rather pleasing. The aim of the game – simple! You play as Santa deleivering presents to children, got to be more fun than having to dress up as Santa!

5. Crazy Snowboard: Holiday Special [App Store]

Oh yeah, its the silly season and we grabbin some air and gone crazy, in the original and best iPhone snowboarder.  Fantastic graphics, huge gameplay with 30 stacked missions with a global ranking system to boot.  the ninth major update delivers with better lighting effects, even more locations, a santa suit and crazy snowman snowboard.  Now who want’s to knock over some elves? Further on from the holiday season you know that this App is a worth purchase given the great work from the developers to keep it consistantly fresh.

6. Snowy’s Cristmas Pinball [App Store]

From the guys that brought you the award-winner Monster Pinball, the Matmi style is back at again with Snowy’s table.  Smoother than hot egg nog in the frame rate, the physics engine hits overdrive when the ice ball is activated.  Heaps of new and quirky sound effects, standard Facebook, local and online leader-boards.  Bashing a snowball round a field has never been so much fun!

7. Amateur Surgeon: Christmas Edition [App Store]

Bah Humbug! The brainiacs at Adult Swim decided they wanted you to dissect and put back together Santa and his helpers. In this free edition of Amateur Surgeon you get five levels of holiday fun, DIY surgery on Rudolph? why not.  Snip here, tuck there and apply some Pixie Dust for the healing touch.  The background story alone is worth a chuckle.  Oh, its up to you to save Christmas!!

8. Ho Ho Ho Yellow Snow Deluxe [App Store]

Online notoriety in 2007 and it went viral, its been played worldwide by the masses,  now available for our iphone.  Its had a visual revamp and quite frankly, pisses (ed – seriously…) on all pretenders.  New game modes and touch controls if that tickles your fancy or you can just pee free in “Zen” mode.  Naughty or nice, I spelt pee freely in the ice.. (ed. note - EWWWWWWWW seriously I worry for you sometimes)

9. Holiday Smash [App Store]

Colour my Christmas with this arcade stunner!  Keep your balls in the air and your lasers charged, goal is to smash the bejesus out of the lights as quickly as possible.  Christmas inspired levels a noteworthy mention and yes, you can take out the Gingerbread Man’s gum drop buttons.  Plenty of Openfeint achievements to jingle your bells to with more to come.  For a limited time, its free so start your downloads and spread the word!

10. A Christmas Santa [App Store]

Last but not least, calling a strike on Christmas is one low blow by Rudolph.  He works for free for goodness sake!  And did I mention Santa of all people hit by the recession, is broke? With only a few days to go, he’s made up his mind and will go it alone.  Let’s launch the jolly sod! Sleigh or Rocket? either way its all about the angles.  Openfeint a go go with achievements and also a hidden mission.  I’m aiming for that little drummer boy! I hate that song..