Summary
The Nintendo Switchis the perfect console forparents and kids to play togetherthanks in large part to the huge range of family-friendly games available. Outside of that, the Switch is built for party-style gaming with motion controls and multiple controllers coming as standard. Not only is it great for families to play together, but it’s also a solid choice for children alone; the Switch’s portability allows them to stay occupied on long journeys or when waiting for appointments.
Not every Nintendo Switch game is suitable for kids, of course, and many of those that are aren’t challenging or engaging enough for adults to fully enjoy. It’s a fine line for developers to walk, but several of them have managed to create the perfect product thatparents and their childrencan both enjoy together.
Updated on January 9th, 2024 by Blaise Santi:With every new week, it seems that the Internet is becoming more and more flooded with rumors and leaks regarding the Nintendo Switch’s highly-anticipated successor. One of the biggest hopes that fans have for this new era of gaming is for backward compatibility, which would allow all owners of the next Nintendo Switch to carry over not just their old games, but all their save data as well to the new console. This will be a great way for parents and children to continue playing the games they love together while also experiencing whatever Nintendo has in store for the next few years. With that in mind, here are some other fun games families will want to get started on before the official Nintendo Switch 2 announcement!
Super Mario Party Jamboreeshould be a no-brainer to buy for anyone who’s ever had funwith Nintendo’s premiere party franchise. The latest title boasts over 20 playable characters, with the addition of a single-player mode as well as the ability to turn off minigames that require players to use the often frustrating motion controls.
In addition to all the typical multiplayer fun thatJamboreeoffers, the game also has online multiplayer, allowing families to connect from far away to join one party together. It may not mend any difficult relationships (in fact, asMario Partydoes, it’ll likely strain them), but it’ll certainly turn a boring afternoon into a fun evening in any type of household!
Pikminhas never been a franchise that’s necessarily appealed to multiple players at once, butPikmin 4is the exception to this rule! The game’s main story can be entirely played with a second player, albeit you will both be working together to control the same character. It certainly has its own learning curve, but in no time at all you’ll find yourself coordinating strategies with your partner!
Compared to most of the other games on this list,Pikmin 4allows for the most cooperationin any actual co-op mode, as players work together to complete the main story and keep their Pikmin safe. Plus, the franchise famously has a breezy and relaxing atmosphere that will entertain the little ones while keeping adults fascinated by the story developments!
Castle Crashersmay seem like an unconventional recommendation to kids, given that its sense of humor is a little more adult. However, there’s nothing more fun as a kid than getting to play something that’s a lot older than your demographic, and with a parent’s supervision, this can make for a memorable experience for all members of the family!
InCastle Crashers, players venture through an absurd beat-‘em-up worldas knights rescuing kidnapped princesses. The game is at times juvenile, but will no doubt derive laughter from kids as well as adults! It’s the type of game that’s quick and easy to complete, and each character offers enough variety to give it tons of replay value as well!
The mainlinePokemonfranchise is tough to recommend to more than one player, but a game likeNew Pokemon Snap!has a lot of broad appeal. As a highly-anticipated follow-upto the iconic N64 title, there are definitely parents out there who will have nostalgic love for this Switch title, while their kids might simply just be entranced by getting to see their favorite Pokemon out in the wild.
The game doesn’t have any official co-op mode, but it’s easy for spectators to get enthralled watching players attempt to snap perfect shots of over 200 Pokemon from across eight generations. It may only allow for one player to control the camera at a time, but by taking turns going on research expeditions, families can make a competition out of who can snap the best photos!
One of the most popular fighting games on the market,Super Smash. Brosis a Nintendo crossover fighting series that players can’t get enough of. The latest game in the series features the biggest cast of characters in aSmashgame to date, letting players use iconic characters from their favorite video games to defeat opponents and knock them off the map.
WhileSmashis a competitive game, the level of violence is completely cartoonish, with characters like Mario and Pikachu smacking each other with paper fans and giant slapstick hammers, making the game an excellent pick for a lighthearted fighting game that the entire family can join in on for a great time. A parent and child can team up together to take out their enemies too, or to make their way through the game’s story mode, which can make for a great bonding experience.
One of the most charming farming simulators around and one that shows the power of indie gaming,Stardew Valleyfeatures a vibrant, retro art style with fun gameplay and numerous characters that players can befriend as they explore this wondrous town. The game is already a fun experience when played solo, so it’s nice to see that it supports co-op too.
Parents and children can jump into the game at a moment’s notice and manage a farm together, which is a surprisingly enjoyable experience given the simple yet rewarding gameplay of this title. The fact that a total of eight players can join a multiplayer session is pretty impressive, meaning that the entire family can have a great time making the most of what Stardew Valley and the surrounding environment have to offer.
Super Mario Bros. Wonderis a game that some people wrote off as nothing more than a run-of-the-mill 2.5D platformer, with some people feeling like it simply wouldn’t do enough after the disappointment players faced with the other games in the series. In the eyes of many, these games didn’t live up to the legacy of theMariofranchise.
So, fans were glad to see thatSuper Mario Bros. Wonderinnovated the series formula in a way that pleased many. From the incredible animation work to the Wonder Seeds and how they changed every stage in new and interesting ways, it’s easy to see why the charm ofSuper Mario Bros. Wondermakes it the perfect game for a family to enjoy together.
The frenetic action ofRunbowcontinues to be engaging long after its release, with its simple yet compelling gameplay loop making it the perfect party game. Of course, that doesn’t mean that parents and their kids can’t have a fun time competing against each other as long as everything is done in good spirits.
Runbow’s quick-paced action forces players to adapt on the fly and use all their abilities to gain as many victories as possible. No matter who wins, it’s only a given thata group of playerswill be more than entertained after this game draws to a close.
Boomerang Fumay seem like a cute game, but it doesn’t take too long for players to realize just how action-packed this title really is. A single mistake can be deadly, which is why players must use a combination of short and long-range attacks to take out the opposition and rack up as many points as possible.
To make rounds more engaging, players can attain a wealth of powers to turn the tide of battle and shift things in their favor. It’s amazing just how competitive this game can get, but the charming aesthetic ofBoomerang Fumeans that things never get too overbearing. It’s a near-perfect game for parents and their kids to get into, especially once a few rounds are done and everyone is on the same skill level.
The re-release ofSuper Mario 3D Worldalong withBowser’s Furywas a smash hit, with players loving the additional content and how it marked another evolution in theMariofranchise.Levels inBowser’s Furymerge seamlessly with each other, almost feeling like a mini open-world game where objectives could be tackled in any order.
This additional mode along withSuper Mario 3D Worldcan both be played with another player, although the original game’s content is more suited for co-op. Regardless, both friends and family can have a great time tackling the many enemies in this title.
