By
Yuliya Geikhman
Published 13 minutes ago
Yuliya Geikhman has been writing professionally for over 17 years. She started out in the MMO scene with Pando Media Booster and now dives into everything gaming at Screen Rant. She's a lifelong gamer, a relentless industry sleuth, and a passionate follower of everything happening in the games industry.
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With the holidays approaching, you might only have one big question on your mind: What do you do with all those family members? The answer, obviously, is to game with them! There are so many family-friendly party games meant to be played with your loved ones. Nintendo still dominates the family gaming industry, but there are also plenty of options for other consoles and even just mobile devices.
I have a gaming family, and my husband, daughter, and I often find ourselves in a group gaming session. Over the years, I've learned that any multiplayer title can become a go-to family party game, whether it's marketed that way or not.
Any multiplayer game (or a game that can be played as multiplayer) that can be quickly picked up and played in short bursts has the makings of a good party game. So, I'd like to share my personal favorite group games that anyone can enjoy over the holiday season (or any other time of the year!).
Tetris Effect: Connected Shows Why Tetris Has Remained A Classic
Tetris Has Never Looked So Good
Tetris Effect is an overall beautiful game, from the dynamic backgrounds to the different block designs and gorgeous music. It's also one of my family's favorite games to play together.
The game has a co-op mode that has us all working together to defeat "bosses," which is fantastic when you don't want to compete against each other. Plus, if you get knocked out of the round, you can get back in, making it a great option for kids.
Tetris Effect is easy to pick up and never gets old (there's a reason why Tetris has endured through all these years, after all!).
Super Mario Party Jamboree Has A Ton Of Content
The Best Of The Mario Party Titles
Mario floats before a Toad to claim a star in a cloud in Super Mario Party Jamboree.
I know I said that Mario Party tends to ruin friendships, but Super Mario Party Jemboree is still a whole lot of fun with the family. The title is a "party game" in the truest sense of the word, intended to be played together with others. There are over 110 minigames and a whopping seven boards, so you know you'll never get bored while on the board.
The 2024 title is considered by many to be the best in the spinoff party games—a fact that's reflected in the game having the highest Metacritic rating (82) out of all the Mario Party titles.
As the icing on the cake, Jamboree has an online multiplayer mode, so you can include both your in-person family members and ones who couldn't make it home for the holidays.
Just Shapes & Beats Is Chaotic Fun
A Rhythm Shmup
Berzerk Studio's Just Shapes & Beats is a high-paced adventure through a musical landscape. The game tells a story using nothing but sounds, music, and colorful geometric shapes, with a minimalist presentation that works exceptionally well.
The multiplayer mode is where this little gem truly shines. Up to four players can join in and play through the levels together, dodging bullets, laser beams, and enemy attacks to catchy chiptune music.
Any time someone is knocked out, they can be revived by anyone else on the team, so you can really work together to make your way through 35 unique stages. This isn't an easy game, though, so it might not be a good choice for families with young kids.
Jackbox Games Can Be Personalized To Your Family
The Quintessential Holiday Party Game
Jackbox Hear Say game asking players to give their best impression of a dolphin.
I have to admit that I've personally never played any Jackbox games, but the series is a must-mention when talking about family party games.
Jackbox Games is designed to be picked up and played at parties (or family holiday gatherings), and can be easily played on nearly any device. That means you don't need to have multiple extra controllers—other players can simply use their phones to participate.
There are dozens of games and 11 game packs that run the gamut from classic Charades and trivia sessions to robot rap battles and cookie decoration.
Escape Academy Is A Virtual Escape Room
Work Together To Solve Each Room's Puzzles
If you can't get out to an actual escape room this holiday season, Escape Academy is the next best thing. Up to two people can play at the same time to explore various escape room scenarios by solving puzzles. As in an actual escape room, communication is key, and puzzles range in difficulty.
Although this game is for two players only, it works really well as a team experience. Everyone can work together to try and figure out solutions and suggest things for the people in control to try. A second game, Escape Academy 2: Back 2 School, is scheduled for a 2026 release, so if you like this one, you'll have something new to do next holiday season.
Among Us Is Still A Fun Social Experience
Aunt Edna Seems Sus
Several players in the airship map on Among Us.
Among Us was released in 2018, but it became a huge hit in 2020 when it allowed friends to play together despite lockdown. Today, you might be able to meet with your Aunt Edna in person again, but that doesn't mean you can't still play the classic social deduction game from Innersloth.
You don't need any special hardware or consoles—all participants need is their own phones. Create a private group for your family and have them sit in a way that no one can see anyone else's phone screens. You'll have one potentially hilarious gaming session where everyone tries to outwit everyone else.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge Is A Retro Rampage
Old-School Beat-'Em-Up Action
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Shredder's Revenge
Back in the day, you used to have to go to an arcade with your friends to get your social gaming fix. Shredder's Revenge brings that to your home with a classic pixel adventure that won't require you to keep popping quarters into the machine.
It might not be considered a traditional "party game," but support for up to six players (or four on PlayStation) makes this a great option for your holiday party group. It's easy to pick up and a lot of fun to play, further cementing its "party game" status in my book.
The Dark Pictures Anthology Is The Best In Hotseat Multiplayer
Can You Survive?
I'll preempt this one by saying that the Dark Pictures series of games is definitely not for kids. But if your group of adult friends and family is looking for a game to play together that's not as childish as many party games, look no further than Supermassive Games' horror titles.
Each game places a group of friends in a horror scenario, then has them use their wits and quick reflexes to survive through it (or fail to). There's built-in hotseat multiplayer, so you only need one controller for up to five players, and the game prompts you when to hand the controller and to whom.
There are currently four games in the series, and we played through them all with our friends over the course of just about two sittings. Our favorite of the bunch was Little Hope, but I also recommend The Quarry—though it's not officially part of the Dark Pictures series, it has the same gameplay and eight characters, making it perfect for larger groups.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Is Fun To Pick Up And Play
Fun For Casual And Competitive Gaming
Super Smash Bros Ultimate Art, featuring the majority of the game's roster.
The Super Smash Bros. games have always been great for quick sessions to night-long brawling marathons. The most recent game came out in 2018, but it still remains one of the most engaging party games you can play with family.
The best thing about Super Smash is how customizable it is. You can modify it for casual gaming with non-gamers and kids, or you can amp up the difficulty and challenge each other to a battle to the death. There are plenty of familiar characters to choose from and support for up to eight local players, and the potential for hours of fun for your holiday bash.
Mario Kart World Shows Why Nintendo Still Wins At Couch Co-Op
Race With Your Favorite Mario Bros. Characters
Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, Peach, and Donkey Kong posing in cars in Mario Kart World.
One of Nintendo's most recent entries, Mario Kart World delivers everything you've come to expect from the Mario racing franchise, upgraded for modern gamers and the new Nintendo Switch 2.
It's worth noting that the game's new open-world exploration mode is not available in co-op mode, but it's still an incredibly fun game to pick up and play whenever you have a group get-together.
While other consoles have drifted to mostly online multiplayer titles, Nintendo has always been a great option for couch co-op. Mario Kart World is no different, letting players choose their favorite Mario franchise characters and zoom down colorful race tracks.
Nintendo
Date Founded
September 23, 1889
CEO
Satoru Iwata
Parent Company
Nintendo
Subsidiaries
Nintendo EPD, Nintendo SPD, Nintendo EAD
Consoles
Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo 64, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Nintendo Entertainment System, Nintendo Wii U, Nintendo Game Boy, Nintendo Game Boy Color, Nintendo Game Boy Advance, Nintendo Switch Lite
Services
Nintendo Switch Online
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Nintendo
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