20 Best Halloween Video Games for Chills and Thrills in 2026

Our Top Picks for Halloween Video Games

I’ve collected quite the monstrous list of Halloween games, but these three are truly the cream of the creepy crop. They nail every vibe – from eerie and emotional to lighthearted and nostalgic. If you only play a few this season, make it these.

Silent Hill 2

SURVIVAL HORROR

A true masterpiece when it comes to horror games that manages to outdo the already formidable original.

Luigi’s Mansion 3

ACTION-ADVENTURE

Exorcise a haunted tower with Luigi (and friend) in this mildly spooky adventure that’s perfect for casual gamers or for family-friendly fun.

Costume Quest

RPG

Rekindle your old Halloween childhood memories with this short and sweet trick-or-treat RPG.

But while these are the best of the best, there’s plenty of fantastic picks on this list, so do read on.

20 Best Halloween Video Games to Set the Perfect Mood

Halloween video games don’t always have to be frightfests. Thanks to the many feelings associated with Halloween (ranging from spooky, to festive, to inviting, to warm and cozy, and not to mention that it’s time to start making holiday preparations for year-end festivities), we’ve got a truly mixed bag here.

Now, let’s dive right in.

Silent Hill 2

Psychological Horror Masterpiece

Our Score
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
PC, PlayStation 5
Creator/s
Bloober Team, Konami
Average Playtime
~16 hours
Metacritic Score

Silent Hill 2

is probably the
best Silent Hill
game
, so people had extremely high hopes for this remake. What we got was a game

that not only matched, but exceeded expectations.

You’ll play as James Sunderland, a widower exploring the dreary, eerie town of Silent Hill while looking for his wife, Mary.

The catch? Mary died three years ago, but the handwriting is unmistakably hers. And as if that wasn’t bad enough, things quickly take a turn for the dark with a shift in reality, as well as a huge horde of disgusting yet seemingly familiar monsters.

Why we chose it There are scary survival horror games, and then there’s

Silent Hill 2

. There’s nothing quite like this game when it comes to the execution of its scares, and you’ll have to play it to understand where I’m coming from.

The Silent Hill franchise is widely lauded for its psychological angle, and that’s definitely the case in this game. As you wander the town and face off against its monstrous denizens, you’ll start asking yourself some important questions, the most important of which is “who is James, really?”

It’s very likely that you’ve played the original, and so you might think that you’d be desensitized to the scares. I’m happy to report that this is absolutely not the case, as the

Silent Hill 2

remake utilizes modern graphics and sound, as well as a refined story, to bring you top-notch horror perfect for Halloween night.

My Verdict:

The

Silent Hill 2

remake is a top-shelf title for players on the hunt for a thoroughly scary Halloween game.

What do players say?

NurglesConceptualBathwater ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ I thought I was over this game, but I guess it’s time to relive my nightmares.

Luigi’s Mansion 3

Family-Friendly Ghost-Hunting Fun

Our Score
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
Nintendo Switch
Creator/s
Next Level Games, Nintendo
Average Playtime
~15 hours
Metacritic Score
This vibrant, family-friendly Nintendo adventure is perfect for setting the Halloween mood, and is an especially
great co-op game

for young kids or those new to gaming.

Luigi’s Mansion 3

, you’ll join Luigi and friends as they dive into the Last Resort for what should have been a relaxing vacation. Naturally, the place is infested with ghosts, so it’s up to Luigi, the Poltergust G-00, and some new faces to trap King Boo and his minions.

Why we chose it

Luigi’s Mansion 3

both looks gorgeous and is very fun to play, even if it is on the easier side. Despite its subject matter being a haunted hotel, it’s not a horror game; instead, it’s lighthearted, and even cute at times.

As Luigi, you’ll explore the tower a la Zelda, using your trusty Poltergust to suck up obstacles, enemies, and ghosts. Mostly ghosts. Every floor holds a powerful (and naughty) boss ghost, each of whom has an elevator button that Luigi will need if he wants to ensure the Last Resort remains ghost-free.

What makes

Luigi’s Mansion 3

especially great is that it’s not that scary, while still being very fun for up to two people.

This means that this is an excellent title for parents looking to include their young kids, or for players who want to include their casual gamer friends.

My Verdict:

Luigi’s Mansion 3

may look cartoony, but don’t be fooled by its surface: this is a very meaty and fun game for both seasoned and newbie gamers.

What do players say?

thespoonybard ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ Halloween or not, it’s hard to go wrong with this title.

Costume Quest

Trick-or-Treat RPG Adventure

Our Score
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
PC, OS X, Linux, Playstation 3, Xbox 360, Android, iOS
Creator/s
Double Fine Productions
Average Playtime
~8 hours
Metacritic Score

One of my favorite things about Halloween is the costume parties, where you can put on some different clothes and props and be someone (or something) else for a while. That’s the core concept of

Costume Quest

, a fantastic RPG game, even out of season.

Costume Quest

is quite simple: it’s Halloween, you’re a kid, it’s time to get candy. Things don’t work out as planned, though, as one of the houses you hit has an actual monster come out and abduct your sibling.

Thankfully, it’s Halloween, so you’re not helpless. Whenever you encounter a monster, you’ll transform into whatever it is you’re pretending to be, so it’s like wearing a really good Halloween costume. Robot, ninja, vampire; anything is fair game so long as you get your sibling back. Because getting grounded on Halloween would suck.

Why we chose it

Costume Quest

is easy to pick up and play, but that doesn’t mean it’s just for casual players. Even veteran players enjoy

Costume Quest

’s witty humor and festive spirit, both of which make it easy to love and hard to put down.

This simple premise is accompanied by simple gameplay: you’ve got typical RPG fare (in somewhat irreverent and hilarious combat) and outside of the transformation thing, not much is new. However,

Costume Quest

scores huge in its presentation, and playing this game really makes you feel that you’re a kid going trick-or-treating again.

My Verdict:

Costume Quest

is short, sweet, cute, and positively loaded with Halloween spirit. If you’re looking for a casual or cozy Halloween game or want to reawaken that child inside you, you should definitely check this one out.

What do players say?

MikesNameWasTaken ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ Cute decor, nice costumes, and Halloween decor. What more can you ask for?

Five Nights at Freddy’s: Sister Location

Animatronic Terror in the Dark

Our Score
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Android, iOS
Creator/s
Scott Cawthon
Average Playtime
~5 hours
Metacritic Score
The
Five Nights at Freddy’s
(
FNAF
) series has been a horror game mainstay since the mid

s, and while they were always frightening, the formula did get predictable.

Sister Location was developer Scott Cawthon’s attempt at mixing things up; while some didn’t like the departure from the traditional style, I think it’s a pretty neat point-and-click adventure game.

As per series tradition, you play as a random person working a dangerous job with terrible hours and miserly pay. This time, the game is set in Circus Baby’s Entertainment and Rental, where all the killer animatronics come from. Once again, you’ll “only” have to survive five nights against these monsters. Good luck.

Why we chose it Despite Sister Location being much different from traditional FNAF games, it still offers the same pulse-pounding gameplay where a single slip-up can lead to a jumpscare.

Rather than passively sitting in a room and monitoring the animatronics, in Sister Location, you’ll need to crawl through pitch-blank vents and deep into hostile territory.

And since each night offers a very different experience, it leads to an all-around amazingly terrifying experience where all you’ve got on your side are audio cues and timing. Good luck.

My Verdict:

Sister Location offers a different but good spin on the FNAF series while keeping the scare factor at an all-time high.

What do players say?

Pogonosticator ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ Incredibly relatable writing, very deep characters. Perfect for a cozy Halloween game.

Goosebumps: Terror in Little Creek [Classic Goosebumps Scares Brought to Life]

Our Score
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
PC, Nintendo Switch,
Creator/s
PHL Collective, GameMill Entertainment
Average Playtime
~9 hours
Metacritic Score
You might not believe me, but when I was a kid in the

90s, reading was cool.

And with its cheesy scares, memorable characters, and constant cliffhangers, nothing was cooler than Goosebumps. But even though we’ve all grown up, the Goosebumps games, including this newest one, still offer the same charm.

Terror in Little Creek puts you in the shoes of Sloane Spencer, a young teen caught in a storm of something sinister. As per Goosebumps tradition, everything is fine until it isn’t. When her town is suddenly plagued by strange incidents and creepy monsters, it’s up to Sloane to explore (Resident Evil style) and find a way to put an end to things, one way or another.

Why we chose it Terror in Little Creek has surprisingly solid gameplay for a game tied to a franchise, while not being super scary. It also comes with a lot of easter eggs for those who grew up reading the books.

Goosebumps: Terror in Little Creek

distinguishes itself by being immensely faithful to the brand. With its just-right scares, memorable locations, and plot hooks, Terror in Little Creek always feels like you’re playing through a new novel straight out of R.L Stine’s imagination.

My Verdict:

Goosebumps: Terror in Little Creek

remains true to the series’ roots while packing meaty gameplay that’s perfect for younger or casual gamers.

What do players say?

lifepaintinglove ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ Good gameplay and story for new fans, and lots of references for older ones.

Alien: Isolation

Survival Horror in Space

Our Score
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 3/4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Android, iOS
Creator/s
Creative Assembly, Sega
Average Playtime
~20 hours
Metacritic Score
When you think of the
best horror games
, your mind probably wanders to the supernatural, whether that’s the psychological torment of
Silent Hill
or
Resident Evil
’s bioweapons. But

Alien: Isolation

proves there’s scares aplenty in the sci-fi genre, too.

Rather than running around in a quiet suburban town, this time, you’ll play as Amanda Ripley, an engineer and the daughter of Ellen Ripley. When Amanda discovers that the Nostromo’s flight recorder has made its way to Sevastopol station, she jumps on the opportunity to go on the retrieval team. Naturally, everything goes sideways once they land.

Why we chose it Alien Isolation is a terrifying feast for the senses: every single shadow, sound, and closed door will feel like a threat, ensuring the game keeps the scares high from start to finish.

Alien: Isolation

takes cues from other hyper-persistent, invulnerable predator games such as Outlast. But while games like these tend to lose their edge once you learn the quirks of the monster, this one does not. Thanks to the Xenomorph’s absolutely brilliant AI, you can’t get complacent, and every encounter is absolutely terrifying.

My Verdict:

A horror tour de force,

Alien: Isolation

doesn’t just hit fast and hard with its horror, but manages to sustain its dread all throughout.

What do players say?

Long_Live_Foehn ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ Would’ve been another generic Outlast game if not for the brilliant AI. Scary and fun.

Little Nightmares

Creepy Fairy Tale Horror

Our Score
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Android, iOS
Creator/s
Tarsier Studios, Bandai Namco Entertainment
Average Playtime
~5 hours
Metacritic Score
Next up is

Little Nightmares

, a fun, nightmarish romp through a twisted fairy tale. This horror game is particularly great for its creepy atmosphere, striking visuals, and superb sound design. And because it became so mainstream, there are a lot of games like Little Nightmares today (but I maintain that the original is still the best).

This time, you’ll play as Six, a little girl trapped in a vast underwater complex known as The Maw. How you get there is a mystery; all that’s important is that you get out ASAP, because it’s filled to the brim with giant, evil adults. Luckily, their size works to your advantage as you’ll be able to creep and hide among their giant everyday objects.

Why we chose it

Little Nightmares

hits that perfect spot of curiosity about what happens next and dread of what awaits when you get there. The pacing is also superb, jumping between sinister silence and frantic chase sequences.

Little Nightmares

excels in how tense it is. You’re always just one step away from getting seen and caught by the denizens of The Maw, whether that’s the Janitor that patrols the prisons or the chefs that serve The Maw’s many monstrous guests. But equal to this tension is satisfaction: the feeling of finally figuring out a room and watching your frustrated foes is amazing.

My Verdict:

Little Nightmares

is a short but exceptionally thrilling adventure/horror game that lingers in your memory even after it’s done.

What do players say?

Nonnopales ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ Short but very memorable.

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night [Gothic Vampire Hunting with a Timeless Vibe]

Our Score
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Network, Xbox 360, Android, iOS
Creator/s
Konami
Average Playtime
~12 hours
Metacritic Score
When it comes to gothic masterpieces, one of the first titles that comes to mind is

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

. Don’t be misled by its old release date: this title isn’t just one of the best
Castlevania

games you can play, it’s also on my list of best games of all time.

In this Castlevania title, you play as Alucard, the dhampyr (half-vampire) son of Dracula. When Dracula once again rises from the dark, Alucard takes up sword and sorcery in defense of humans. That’s right: in this title, you play as a vampire fighting Dracula.

Why we chose it Symphony of the Night offers a stunning one-two punch of fantastic Metroidvania combined with an immersive ambience.

Aside from the usual platformer fare, Alucard has many tricks up his sleeve, such as magic spells that require specific inputs, lots of equipment options, and tons of foes to fight. All of these would make for a very good game, but Symphony doesn’t stop there: its amazing soundtrack and art are the cherries on top of an already excellent game.

My Verdict:

Symphony of the Night was and still is a must-play for any fan of the Metroidvania genre.

What do players say?

interested_in_this ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ If you haven’t played this one, you’re missing out.

Castlevania Dominus Collection

Vampire-Hunting Gothic Classic

Our Score
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Creator/s
Konami
Average Playtime
~30 hours
Metacritic Score
Next up is

Castlevania Dominus Collection

. Just like the
Advance Collection
, this one’s an anthology of old
Castlevania

titles:

Dawn of Sorrow, Portrait of Ruin, Order of Ecclesia, all of which are fantastic Metroidvania games worth a shot. As an added bonus, the collection also comes with the elusive arcade game Haunted Castle.

Dawn continues the saga of Soma Cruz and the Power of Dominance, Portrait lets you have double the fun with two playable protagonists (and yes, you can switch on the fly), and Order sees a return to the series’ gothic roots.

Why we chose it The DS Castlevania titles contain a nice mix of Metroidvania mechanics and experimentation, from Dawn’s continuation of Aria of Sorrow to Portrait’s dual character system and Order’s blurring of lines between builds.

While none of these games are as genre-defining as the original Symphony of the Night is, they’re nonetheless fun games that are worth playing, whether you’re a Metroidvania veteran, new to the genre, or want to start up a new semi-horror series this Halloween.

My Verdict:

Castlevania Dominus Collection boasts a nice selection of titles that still remain solid to this day.

What do players say?

JimmyTheBosun ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ Great to see they rereleased the DS trilogy for modern systems.

Graveyard Keeper

Darkly Humorous Graveyard Management

Our Score ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ PC, Mac OS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Android, iOS Creator/s Lazy Bear Games, tinyBuild Average Playtime Variable Metacritic Score Not every Halloween pick has to be a terrifying survival horror game. Take

Graveyard Keeper

, for example, which its developers bill as “the most inaccurate graveyard management simulator of the year”. I’d call it “Stardew Valley but with a graveyard instead of a farm”. Both are pretty accurate, but don’t quite capture just how zany

Graveyard Keeper

is.

Believe it or not,

Graveyard Keeper

is an isekai. One day, you’re out grabbing groceries. The next thing you know, you get hit by a car and wake up as a new Graveyard Keeper. A few misunderstandings later, you’re assigned to tend to the local cemetery. Hey, it’s free real estate.

Why we chose it

Graveyard Keeper

thrives on the complexity and depth of its crafting system, where virtually every tree is interconnected; ergo, you’ll never run out of stuff to do.

Where other games of the same genre would have you planting seeds and foraging for crops,

Graveyard Keeper

has you do that…while working with corpses. Yet, despite this rather grim premise, the game never plays anything straight. Its dark humor shines through virtually everywhere, and the very meaty gameplay is sure to keep you hooked.

My Verdict:

Cheeky, charming, and fun. If you’re looking for games to play on Halloween and beyond,

Graveyard Keeper

is a good choice.

What do players say?

misternonice ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ Darkly funny take on Stardew Valley. Lots of interconnected crafting systems though.

Inscryption

Creepy Deck-Building Horror

Our Score
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
PC, macOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Creator/s
Daniel Mullins Games, Devolver Digital
Average Playtime
~15 hours
Metacritic Score

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again:

Inscryption

is a one-of-a-kind experience. It’s a chilling and creepy indie game, it’s a fantastic roguelike game too, if you choose to play it that way. But anything more will be venturing into spoiler territory.

The Halloween ambience is on point in this title, and though there are no jumpscares (that I remember), it all comes off as immensely creepy and sinister. You’ll face off against an unknown figure in a pitch-black room, playing a simple yet mechanically tight card game, which involves blood and teeth.

Why we chose it

With spoilers in mind, this is all I can say: nothing comes close to

Inscryption

. You can only ever play it once, but what a ride it’ll be.

But as you might have surmised,

Inscryption

is much more than meets the eye. While I can’t dwell on those, suffice to say that its unsettling story, unforgettable characters, and masterful use of tension and atmosphere are perfect for this spooky season.

My Verdict:

Whether you’re looking for a creepy deck builder or want to dive into a deep, unpredictable abyss, there’s nothing quite like

Inscryption

What do players say?

ManNumber48 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ Don’t look anything up on the internet. Just play it.

Mika and the Witch’s Mountain

Whimsical Witchy Adventure

Our Score
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Creator/s
Chibig, Nukefist
Average Playtime
~6 hours
Metacritic Score
Ever wished that they’d make
Kiki’s Delivery Service

a game?

Mika and the Witch’s Mountain

is probably the first title that does that down to the letter.

In this cozy game, you’ll play as apprentice witch Mika, who’s been recently apprenticed to Olagari. While the path may seem straightforward, Mika gets quite a shock when Olagari expels her from the mountain, and breaks her broom for good measure before telling Mika to climb back up.

Why we chose it

Mika and the Witch’s Mountain

is a simple, cozy, and wholesome game, perfect for those who’d prefer to chill on Halloween night.

To complete this hard lesson, Mika will need to take a job delivering packages to earn some more money while honing her flying lessons. While it is rather simple, getting your packages dropped off in time is always rewarding. The flying controls deserve a special mention, and flying around on a broomstick has never felt as fun.

My Verdict:

While

Mika and the Witch’s Mountain

doesn’t offer much new to the genre, it remains a fun and light title that’s great for casual gamers.

What do players say?

Wrrangda ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ Hope you have your V-bucks ready.

Witchtastic

Chaotic Co-op Witchcraft Fun

Our Score ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ PC, Nintendo Switch Creator/s Red Fur Games, Application Systems Heidelberg Average Playtime ~7 hours Metacritic Score N/A (unrated)

Let’s not mince words:

Witchtastic

is essentially a reskin of Overcooked. But that doesn’t make it a bad thing; if anything, the witchy flavor and aesthetic puts this one on a shortlist of games to play on the 31st, and it’s a fantastic multiplayer game for capping off the celebration.

Witchtastic

, you (and up to 3 other friends) play as witches in charge of brewing potions. As with Overcooked, each potion requires specific methods and ingredients, and failing to do so will probably set the kitchen on fire, or worse.

Why we chose it

Witchtastic

is every bit as fun and chaotic as Overcooked is. While it’s not quite as refined, it does offer a different spin to the usual kitchen co-op simulators that’s worth experiencing.

As if navigating increasingly complex potion formulas wasn’t enough,

Witchtastic

also constantly ups the challenge by introducing new twists and turns. Every level adds something to the mix, ensuring that you and your fellow witches will always need to be on your toes to get that perfect score. Just remember: chaos is fun.

My Verdict:

Witchtastic

doesn’t offer anything new apart from its presentation, but it’s a worthy addition to the co-op scene that offers hours of fun.