What to play on the weekend: Fresh releases for the New Year holidays

When the main feasts are over, the gifts are unwrapped, and the snowy Canadian winter is outside the window, it is the perfect time for a "lazy" vacation. January 2025 greeted us with a whole scattering of new products that are perfect for passing the long winter evenings.

Now holiday slots are not only bells, but also bold experiments with mechanics, high multipliers and completely different atmospheres: from cozy classics to daring urban.

For a cosy cocoa evening: Santa's Slay

If you want peace and quiet after the noisy holidays, this slot from Pragmatic Play will be the best choice. It does not chase extreme performance, instead offering a warm visual aesthetic and a clear process.

The action takes place in a snowy forest on a 5x5 grid. This is the most friendly game possible: there is no aggressive payout chase, and the max win is capped at 2,000x, making the session softer and more predictable.

• Mechanics: The gameplay is built around "sticky" Wild symbols during free spins, which remain on the screen and help to collect combinations.
• Verdict: Perfect for those who just want to spin the reels without too much stress.

For winter fishing enthusiasts: Big Bass Christmas Frozen Lake

What's a Canadian winter without ice fishing? The Big Bass series has received a seasonal update, sending players (and Santa) to a frozen lake.

The base game here is calm, but everything changes when you catch the scatters. In the Frozen Lake Free Spins mode, all "empty" symbols disappear from the field, leaving only the cash fish and wilds. Each Fisherman collects all the money values on the screen, and every 4 collected Fishermen retrigger the spins and increase the multiplier up to 10x.

• Risk: High volatility and a potential of up to 5,000x are suitable for those who are willing to wait for a big catch.
• Atmosphere: The real excitement of ice fishing from the comfort of your home.

If you're tired of "Jingle Bells": Le Santa

Hacksaw Gaming decided to break stereotypes. If you are tired of the classic good Santas, launch Le Santa. This is a stylish, modern slot with urban aesthetics and a hooligan mood.

There are no usual lines here — the winnings are awarded by the Scatter Pays system (in clusters) on the 6x5 field. The main feature is "Golden Squares". Winning symbols mark the cells, and if the Rainbow symbol lands there, you can get instant prizes or even hit the jackpot up to 20,000x your stake.

• Bonuses: Three modes, including "Wreck the Halls", where activation symbols are guaranteed.
• Drive: A fast and fast-paced game for those who want to cheer up.

For those who believe in miracles: Wisdom of Athena 1000 Xmas

For lovers of epic scale, Pragmatic Play has dressed up the Greek goddess in winter outfits. This is a highly volatile 6x6 grid slot with cluster payouts and avalanche-like wins.

The essence of the game is the accumulation of multipliers. With each cascading win, they can grow, reaching a fantastic 1,000x mark. This is a game about patience and hope for one perfect spin that can pay up to 10,000x.

• Visual: Snow on antique columns looks fresh and unusual.