Family reunions are a perfect time to have a go at classic board games for the whole family. However, getting older relatives and younger siblings to play video games is another matter entirely. Despite going mainstream in recent years, the gaming medium is still very much attached to youth culture.
While senior gamers are on the rise, many still deem video games not age-appropriate or flat-out uninteresting. Other non-gamers are apprehensive about using a joystick or a gamepad for the first time. That said, many games both casual and competitive now cater to a broader audience.
So, let’s explore some fun multiplayer games that every family member can enjoy.
Super Mario Party
If you want your relatives to play along, you’d better introduce them to an iconic figure even they can recognize at first glance. Perhaps the most famous Italian plumber ever, Mario is to gaming what Mickey Mouse is to animated pictures. The roaring success of the Super Mario Bros.
Movie at the box office further solidified its popularity beyond gaming circles. Any Mario game is a good fit for newcomers typically averse to picking up a controller, from the whimsical two-player experience of Super Mario Odyssey to the chaotic fun of Mario Kart.
Yet, party games take the cake for how convivial and uncomplicated they can be. In titles like Super Mario Party, chance matters much more than skill.
Fortunes can shift in a flash, leveling the playing field for all four players involved. With over 80 minigames, there is no wonder why this refreshing spin on the Mario Party franchise made it to the top 10 best-selling titles on the Nintendo Switch.
Disney Dreamlight Valley
The Walt Disney Company has been capturing the hearts of generations for over a century. If you’re trying to convince your millennial cousins or little brothers and sisters to play video games, Disney is a magic word that might take you places.
While movie tie-in entries are often subpar compared to their animated counterparts, some licensed games have done much better for themselves. Disney Dreamlight Valley is one such wet dream for Disney adults and gamers alike.
This life sim meets adventure game transports you to an eerie valley inhabited by Disney and Pixar heroes and villains. A mysterious spell has afflicted these infamous characters and tainted their memories.
Your main objective is to lift this amnesia-inducing curse, but the game’s non-linear gameplay allows you to navigate this fairytale world as you see fit.
As you progress, you get to activate a multiplayer mode to invite friends over. This functionality is cross-platform. Accordingly, any relatives can visit your Valley across different devices.
Stardew Valley
Stardew Valley is a casual game that anyone can enjoy regardless of their past gaming experiences. This laid-back farming sim has been ported on virtually every platform. While an upcoming patch will allow eight players to share a game, current versions limit the co-op mode to four farmers at a time.
Cross-platform isn’t available either, meaning all players must share the same device. Once you’ve settled on your homestead, you can explore the never-ending content that this cozy title has to offer, befriending residents or ridding the local mines of monsters.
Many side quests are easier to complete with fellow players. Hence, you can join forces to unlock access to a tropical island or even a hidden desert casino. If entertaining, though, these casino minigames can feel a tad lackluster for seasoned gamers.
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Rocket League
Even if soccer is not your thing, you might give this wacky game a try. Blending the madness of a demolition derby with the strategic elements of indoor soccer, Rocket League is unlike any other sports game.
This fast-paced arcade-style game can accommodate up to eight players soaring through the air to score epic goals or colliding with rival rocket-powered cars to stop the opposing team from taking the lead.
Even better, the game has been free-to-play for years. All versions include cross-platform play both locally and online, meaning you can easily partake in friendly matches and tournaments with relatives living at a distance.
Also read: The 20 Best Pokemon Fan Games You Can Play
