It’s the age-old parental problem: sat in the living room on Christmas Day, with a flock of hyperactive kids for company (on Christmas, the chocolate starts early). How do you keep them entertained?
Forget board games: Monopoly is a minefield. No, when it comes to family entertainment, the best bet by far is to sit down with a console and indulge in some good old-fashioned gaming. From the Nintendo Switch (arguably the most versatile console on the market currently) to the Xbox, we've rounded up a list of some of the best games to entertain those of all generations.
In the increasingly crowded gaming market, truly excellent multiplayer games are nevertheless a rarity, but there are some obvious places to look if you want something both easy and fun: Nintendo's ever-expanding list of Mario titles, for instance, are a must-play. Yes, we're talking Mario Kart (and all its iterations), but those willing to experiment will find a lot to love with new titles such as WarioWare Move It – surely the most bonkers minigame ever created – and the critically acclaimed Super Mario Bros. Wonder.
Moving away from Nintendo, why not try something like Overcooked 2 or Manic Mechanics? Don't be fooled by their simple graphics and controls; these games require tight-knit teamwork and become progressively harder the longer you play.
And finally, if you're truly in the mood to let loose over the festive season, Just Dance is the obvious choice: family friendly and crammed with the latest releases. No drunken dancing required – though of course, it's always helpful.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
It’s cute, it’s fun and it’s relatively easy to play: what more could a game deliver? Released earlier this year, the exceptionally good Super Mario Bros. Wonder lets up to four players tackle this level-based platforming game. The aim is to collect Wonder Seeds and defeat the evil Bowser, but the sheer inventiveness on show here (plus the fact that Wonder Seeds trigger a rather trippy in-level challenge) make it a joy to play – and will keep people entertained for hours.
Buy now £39.99, Amazon
Overcooked 2
Setting fire to the kitchen has never been so entertaining. This indecently addictive game puts players in the shoes of a bevy of cooking enthusiasts who must learn to deliver excellent dishes on time in order to save the Onion Kingdom from the blight of the Unbread. Up to four people can play this at a time, but be warned – it does require co-operation, and there will be a fair bit of shouting at the screen as somebody’s meal goes up in flames yet again.
Buy now £9.99, Amazon
Just Dance 2023
What screams festive more than a living room rave? In that spirit, the latest entry in the Just Dance franchise should have you covered – plus, it’s invaluable practice time ahead of the New Year’s Eve party. Using either your phone or Switch controller, the challenge is to move in time to the choreography being displayed on-screen. The song list is pop-heavy, including Justin Timberlake and Taylor Swift – and for the ultra-dedicated, there’s even a campaign story, intriguingly titled ‘Enter the Danceverse’.
Buy now £20.00, Amazon
Mario Party Superstars
For those short on the old concentration span, Mario Party Superstars is the perfect party game. Yes, it was released in 2021, but it still holds up: up to four players must compete to move across a series of board games – and complete a series of minigames to boost their chances of winning. It’s colourful, it’s cute, the minigames are the right level of silly (plus, there are more than a hundred of them): an easy one to casually play on a cold night with the fire roaring.
Buy now £39.99, Amazon
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
It’s such a classic: how could Mario Kart not be on this list? Race your family members as whichever Nintendo character you please on an ever-evolving series of racetracks and racecars. Even better, the Wave 6 booster pack has just come out, which will add a staggering 48 additional tracks and eight additional characters – so there’s no chance of getting bored over the festive period. Rev up those engines and enjoy.
Buy now £39.95, Amazon
WarioWare Move It!
Could this be the dottiest game Nintendo has ever created? Maybe: in the gloriously silly WarioWare, play as Wario and a revolving cast of family and friends to complete a series of 10-second minigames that range from plucking nose-hairs at speed to moving a snowball across the screen using the power of your… erm, bum. It makes no sense, and the graphics are basic, but that doesn’t matter – kids will adore it, and the chances are good that adults will, too.
Buy now £29.99, Amazon
Manic Mechanics
Grab those boiler suits and get ready for a stressful second career as a car mechanic. The premise of the game is simple(ish): cars come into the garage. You and up to three others are responsible for fixing them, which involves selecting the right parts, transporting them across the room and slotting them into space. And that’s before the random cataclysmic events start happening: get ready for lava, alien invasions and more grease than an a Full English breakfast.
Buy now £19.99, Nintendo
Disney Illusion Island
It’s not often we get a Disney game, but this one has lashings of charm. This is a cuddle in a game – literally, players get a dedicated hug button with which to embrace their pals – perfect for Christmas, in other words. The premise is simple: Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy arrive on the island of Monoth for a picnic (as you do) but are soon tasked with finding three mysterious magical tomes. With gorgeous, 2D inspired artwork and a quirky world to explore, it’s well worth the six hours it takes to play.
Buy now £29.99, Argos
Lego 2K Drive
What’s more fun than racing cars? Why, racing lego cars, of course! Released in May this year, this is a kart-racing game with a twist: you get virtually unlimited control over the types of carts available to create. Go nuts and forge the biggest, most ludicrous roadster on the market, then let it loose on a series of changing courses while also plugging opponents full of Lego-lead. What’s not to love?
Buy now £33.00, Amazon
