The holiday season means that people are far more likely to be spending time at get-togethers with their family. And video games can make the perfect activity to get the whole family involved.
Thankfully, there are lots of perfect holiday party video games available to choose from in 2019. Whether you want something that is child-friendly or just a game that will let you play with as many people as possible, we have you covered. Every one of these video games allows multiple people to play them on the same console at the same time.
Jackbox Party Pack
The Jackbox Party Pack series was something of a revelation when it launched in 2014. Rather than use traditional controllers, players use their smartphones or tablets. This has several advantages. Firstly, it allows anyone to pick up and play as everyone is familiar with how smartphones work. It also makes it possible for the developers to include games that utilize the touchscreen. The lack of normal controllers lets more people play as well, with some games supporting up to 10 players.
Now onto its sixth iteration, with The Jackbox Party Pack 6 released in October, the franchise has something for everyone. There are titles that focus on drawing, parlor games that are all about lying, and even traditional quizzes. It doesn’t matter what age group or type of company you have over, you are sure to have a blast with them. Most of the games in each pack also have toggles that can switch the content over for non-mature audiences. This is the perfect choice to get everyone involved at the same time.
Overcooked 2
Available for PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, Overcooked 2 is a co-op cooking simulator. Players take control of various kitchens and have to prepare different meals for customers. The action requires a lot of teamwork as there is lots to keep on top of.
Players have to chop up ingredients, cook food, and even wash dishes to keep everything running smoothly. As the meals become more complex and customers want their food faster, the challenge quickly ratchets up. Overcooked 2 definitely has the potential to cause arguments but will also provide lots of chaotic fun. Which is something you probably can’t say about your family’s actual holiday meal preparation.
Mario Kart 8
It is hard to go wrong with Mario Kart in terms of fast-paced arcade racers. The series has been a staple of local multiplayer since the very first entry launched in 1992. Mario Kart 8 is the latest version and has been available since 2014 for the Wii U. However, Nintendo released an updated edition of the game in 2017 for the Nintendo Switch.
This release includes new game modes as well as all previously released character and track DLC. With an upgraded Battle Mode and a host of split-screen options available, it is an ideal choice. Even more impressive is the fact that you can link several Switch consoles and play with up to eight users wirelessly.
Gang Beasts
Gang Beasts is a multiplayer beat ’em up party game that is available for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. Up to four players can battle it out with each other across a wide range of environments. The ultimate aim is to be the last person standing. Yet, there is little strategy or technique.
Combat in Gang Beasts is little more than a silly mess of flailing fists and headbutts. Essentially, you just have to knock out your opponents and throw them out of the arena. Despite the simplistic gameplay, Gang Beasts is riotous fun and will quickly become a firm favorite at gatherings.
Ultimate Chicken Horse
First released in 2016, Ultimate Chicken Horse is now available for PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. It is a four-player competitive platformer. Players build their own obstacles as matches progress by placing items. The goal is to make it too difficult for your opponents but easy enough for you to complete.
Points are awarded to anyone who can finish the level but things soon get complex. That’s because items save onto the map after each round. By the end of a match, there will be dozens of obstacles and traps to maneuver around.
Super Mario Party
Mario Party is, in many ways, the essential game to play with your friends and family. It is easy for people of all ages and abilities to play. This is largely because Nintendo aims to make them mimic real life board games as much as possible. However, there is also the added bonus of there being lots of mini-games thrown into the mix.
The latest entry in the franchise is Super Mario Party for the Nintendo Switch. Released in 2018, it returns the series to its roots but also introduces some new modes. One welcome addition is the ability to only play the mini-games, perfect for kids or those who don’t want to play an entire match.
It’s Quiz Time
It’s Quiz Time is another game that you can play via a smartphone app rather than a controller. Available on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, it is a trivia title that allows up to eight players to challenge each other. There are tens of thousands of questions and an incredible range of categories.
What makes It’s Quiz Time so good, though, is the variety of rounds. There are lots of unique modes to play that are inspired by real world game shows. You can even customize your own quiz experience to only include the rounds you enjoy the most. It’s the ultimate choice for those who prefer Trivial Pursuit at board game nights.
Towerfall Ascension
Originally released in 2013 for the ill-fated Ouya, Towerfall Ascension has found new life on more widespread hardware. Available for practically every console and PC, it is an action game developed by Matt Thorson. Players take control of archers who have to battle it out over multiple stages. The last one standing wins. Points are also awarded for taking down opponents.
Four-player matches can quickly become chaotic but the game is intuitive and easy to get to grips with. There are also a wide range of special powers and traps to add more depth to combat. Overall, this game has enough to make it interesting to beginners and more experienced users.
What is your favorite video game to play with your family? Let us know in the comments below!
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