Rated E For Everyone
Why take your kids outside and toss the old pigskin around when there is a world to discover on their screens? We’re just kidding. Maybe it's cold or rainy, or you just don’t feel like it. Fair. If you’re looking for a fun night that doesn’t involve your kids sitting alone on their screens, check out some of these family-friendly multiplayer games that everyone can enjoy.
1. Mario Kart
A family bonding game that spans generations, Mario Kart has been bringing families together for years for good old-fashioned racing fun. The newest edition of this 32-year-long series is Mario Kart World, where players have the freedom to run around to their hearts' content.
2. Jackbox
A great option for parties or when you’re looking for something new to do together, Jackbox party packs have a plethora of games to choose from. Pick from word, picture, strategy, or trivia-based games and have the time of your life.
3. Super Mario Bros
Another family staple, the Super Mario Bros. franchise has been around since 1985. Years later, Nintendo is still coming up with fun ways to make the classic platformer fresh, fun, and exciting for each generation.
4. Splatoon
Yes, it’s a shooter game. However, Splatoon is still kid-friendly. You play as humanoid characters that can swim through ink or hide in solid surfaces, making it a colorful, interesting, and less violent spin on an area-based shooting game.
5. Boomerang Fu
Boomerang Fu is a top-down arena-based fighting game where you play as adorable food items attempting to slice each other up. Each game can host up to six players, and you’ll have a wickedly good time trying to destroy one another (in the game).
6. Overcooked
The source of many a family fight, Overcooked is a terribly chaotic cooking game. The premise is simple: prepare, cook, and serve food orders before the customer gets mad. While it sounds easy enough, wars have been waged in the Overcooked kitchen. It’s like your own personal episode of The Bear.
7. Bomberman
Bomberman is a maze-based game that has a solo or two-person story mode and a multiplayer battle mode. Hosting up to eight players, you must use strategy to be the last man standing. With very cute characters and varying styles of mazes, you’ll almost forget this is a fight to the death.
8. Ultimate Chicken Horse
This platformer game requires its players to build the level as they play. Your goal is to trap the other players and be the only person to make it to the end, which will score you points. An incredibly silly game, Ultimate Chicken Horse is fun for the whole family.
9. Heave Ho
Heave Ho requires four players to work together by forming a chain to get across each level. If one person slips up, you’ll all fall to your doom. Sounds fun, right?
10. Super Mario Party
Super Mario Party is a digital board game that requires players to move around the board, either by rolling dice or completing minigames along the way. This game can host up to four people, and you can complete a full game in under two hours, making it a great option for an evening in.
11. Minecraft
The world of Minecraft is expansive and can seem a little daunting. But its sheer amount of space leaves so much room for creativity, and you can spend hours upon hours building memories with your loved ones.
12. Castle Crashers
Castle Crashers is a side-scrolling adventure game that requires four players to defend their kingdom against various monsters. Featuring a gorgeous art style and simple gameplay, you’ll have no problem sinking hours into this game.
13. Towerfall
Similar to Castle Crashers, TowerFall is a multiplayer fighter game. Players can choose to work together in a cooperative mode, or fight against each other if that's more their speed. An archery-based game, Towerfall pays homage to the classic couch multiplayer games.
14. Disney Illusion Island
Featuring hand-drawn animation reminiscent of Disney’s feel from the 20th century, Disney Illusion Island is a platformer game. Hosting up to four people, you can play as Mickey, Minnie, Donald, or Goofy as you attempt to save a mysterious island.
15. Just Dance
Sometimes, platformers or fighting games aren’t your thing. In that case, it's time to boogie down with the Just Dance series. Featuring countless hits, workout options, and unlockable content, Just Dance can get the whole family moving.
16. The Lego Series
The Lego games are fun for everyone. Featuring a cast of silly characters, non-gory combat, and puzzles galore, you can live in the LEGO version of your favorite movie series in a flash. Play through the Harry Potter, Star Wars, and Indiana Jones series and have a blast.
17. Stardew Valley
Leave your 9-5 at JojaMart and start anew in the town of Stardew Valley. Plant seeds, mine for gems, fight enemies, and unlock the many secrets this small town has to offer. A file can hold up to eight players, and each of you can create your own space while still working together to build a beautiful virtual life. It’s the perfect mix of collaboration and independence.
18. Pico Park
Pico Park is a cutesy action puzzle game that features 48 levels. The game focuses on player cooperation, asking you to form staircases with the characters, build your way out, and trust each other not to leave anyone behind.
19. Runbow
Runbow is a fast-paced platformer game that features a strong color scheme, hundreds of levels, and multitudes of unlockable content that will keep you coming back for more. Play in multiplayer mode and go head-to-head with your loved ones.
20. Smash Bros
The ultimate, ultimate combat game. Smash Bros is unlike any other and continues to be a staple in households today. There is truly nothing as satisfying as beating the snot out of your younger sibling, cousin, or father who has no idea how the controls work. Happy fighting!
