Videogames can be a great way to bond, build communication skills and just have some good, clean, family fun! But with so many choices out there, it can be difficult to know what’s good for family gaming and what is best steered clear of.

Here, we take a look at some of the best options for games nights, casual play, and family appropriate games that can be played solo or together across Nintendo, Xbox and PlayStation consoles.

Which is the best game to play with family?

There is no definitive ‘best family game’ but there are a handful of games that stand out as fabulous options.

Mariokart World – Nintendo Switch 2

The latest in the Mariokart series, this beautiful game allows you to compete in kart races across the kingdoms featured in the Super Mario games. You can race in matches of up to 24 people (up to 4 players on a single screen) or compete in balloon battles and other fun challenges.

Great for family fun, its chaotic, colourful and full of twists and turns (both literal and metaphorical) making it perfect for some crazy racing fun.

Overcooked 1 & 2 – All Major Consoles

Overcooked is a local cooperative experience where you play as chefs in kitchens filled with obstacles and hazards. Each time you complete a challenge, a new more complex kitchen is unlocked or even more detailed recipes to cook up, which will involve you having to work together to get the dishes delivered in time to keep customers happy and the tips rolling in.

Frantic but thoroughly enjoyable, there are several versions of the games available, and you won’t be missing out if you start with 1 or 2 as they’re the same in principle just with different challenges. You can even find combo packs and extra downloadable content (DLC) to keep the cookery chaos going.

Rocket League – All Major Consoles

Like a cross between football and racing, rev up these RC cars and drive about in up to 4v4 matches as you try to punt a ball into the opponent’s net while defending your own in some wildly creative stadiums.

You don’t need to be a football fan to enjoy this unique take on a competitive ball game as the fun comes from bashing into each other and trying to control your car to get the best purchase on the ball, with it often flying in unexpected directions.

What are good games for family game night?

Games night can involve the whole family, if you’ve got the right setup. With these games that offer multiplayer action, there’s no need to take turns. But don’t forget to get enough controllers for everyone!

Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch & Switch 2

A bit like a digital board game featuring your favourite Mario characters, roll (virtual) dice to guide them across wacky boards, landing on spaces that trigger an array of awesome minigames. Team-up to take others down and stop them running away with the win, or plunge headfirst into a chaotic free-for-all.

If you don’t fancy a full game, just enjoy the minigames on their own, or play in other features to work together to defeat Bowser on a rampage or win a footrace by being the fastest to complete minigames. With so many great things to do it’ll keep the whole family coming back for more.

100 in 1 Mini Games Ultra Mega Extra Party Challenge – Nintendo Switch (backwards compatible with Switch 2)

100 minigames all packed into one, this is perfect for family games night or parties as you battle it out against others in an array of funky challenges. Simple, silly fun, the eclectic mix of mini games means there’s something for everyone.

Play to your strengths and compete in games that test skill, patience and hand-eye coordination. Battle it out to be the best and win bragging rights over the whole family.

Just Dance – Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X

There are loads of different editions of Just Dance to have fun with, but they all feature fantastic pop hits and unique dance moves to try and imitate. Use motion controls to follow the steps on screen and throw some shapes in time to the beat.

With the biggest pop songs, team up for a group dance or compete against each other to see who is the grooviest mover in the family.

What are some family friendly video games?

There are loads of brilliant games that are family friendly and can be played as single player games or with others hopping in and out.

Stardew Valley – All Major Consoles

Stardew Valley is the epitome of cosy gaming as you travel to an idyllic rural valley to take over your grandfather’s old farm. It can be played in so many ways, as a simple farming sim, as a relationship sim, as you meet the townsfolk and interact with them to get gifts and help on your farm, as an action adventure game where you battle creatures in the mine and discover new islands, or as all of these unravelling the mysteries of the valley and collecting cool items around it.

You can play through the storyline on your own or farm together, with many hands making light work of the changing needs of each season. Even play a different aspect of the game whilst still in the same world together. An indie game that has all the charm and character of something far bigger, it’s a delightful slice of life game that will have you pining for the simple life yourself.

Minecraft – All Major Consoles

The building game that has become a phenomenon, this is partly due to the creativity it encourages and the endless adventure it holds. Plunged into randomly generated worlds, you can gather resources through mining, chopping wood and more and then build whatever creations you can imagine.

Play and create solo or jump in together to collaboratively build. Alternatively, just pop in for visits to help out from time to time and invite others into your domain to see your fabulous constructions.

Animal Crossing New Horizons – Nintendo Switch & Switch 2

Another cosy game with no great peril, Animal Crossing allows you to build your own island, create the houses and fill up the museum with fish, crabs, bugs and other things you discover whilst curating your own idea of paradise.

Invite others over to stay and play or create islands together. With friendly animal neighbours and new aesthetics and accessories to unlock, you can while away the hours with more always on the horizon.

LEGO City Undercover – Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One

An open-world LEGO adventure, dive into LEGO City with 20 distinct districts to visit, plenty of cool vehicles to race and hundreds of collectibles to find.

Follow the storyline of stopping a crime wave with LEGO’s signature humour or play together and discover all that the city has to offer. A fun way to discover action and adventure in a LEGO setting.

There are so many great video games out there suitable for all age ranges, and these are just a handful of some that are great for the whole family to enjoy. Check out our gaming hub to find your next favourite game that everyone will love.

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