Epic MegaGames released Jazz Jackrabbit: Holiday Hare as a free Christmas special in 1994 — two standalone holiday-themed levels of the fastest DOS platformer ever made. Available as complete freeware directly from Epic, it remains one of the best free gifts in gaming history.
About Jazz Jackrabbit: Holiday Hare
Developed by Epic MegaGames and released in December 1994, Holiday Hare is a Christmas-themed bonus episode for Jazz Jackrabbit. Jazz — a green rabbit commando who runs at blazing speed and shoots everything in sight — navigates two winter levels filled with festive hazards and enemies. Epic distributed it freely as a holiday gift to players, and it remains free today.
A second Holiday Hare was released in 1995, also free.
Gameplay
Jazz Jackrabbit is famous for its speed — this is the DOS equivalent of Sonic the Hedgehog, and Holiday Hare shows that off in two well-crafted seasonal levels. Jazz runs, jumps, and shoots through snow-covered environments packed with enemies. The controls are tight, the action is relentless, and the winter theme gives the art team plenty to work with.
Why It’s Worth Playing
Holiday Hare is a perfect introduction to Jazz Jackrabbit for players who have never experienced it. Two complete, polished levels showcase exactly why the series was so beloved — speed, action, and a visual style that still looks vibrant today. As a free release it was a remarkable act of generosity from Epic, and as a game it remains thoroughly enjoyable.
How to Download Jazz Jackrabbit: Holiday Hare
New to DOSBox? Our complete DOSBox setup guide walks you through everything you need. Looking for more classics? Browse our top free DOS games list.
How to Run with DOSBox
- Extract to
C:\JAZZHARE - In DOSBox:
mount c c:\jazzhare→c: - Run:
JAZZ.EXE
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