Family Games On The Nintendo Switch Everyone Can Play
Published on 28th April 2020 by Guy Lanham
When it comes to family gaming, the Nintendo Switch has something for everyone and is one of the most popular video game consoles amongst young and old gamers alike. Not only is the portable system designed to be played on the go, in and out of the house, it also looks and plays great on a TV offering great fun for the family and kids of all ages.
With a rich catalogue of colourful games that are easy to learn and play, the Nintendo Switch provides a great balance of fun and accessibility to keep the adults entertained as much as the kids! Whether you’re looking for a challenge, a progressive story or a child friendly game for beginners, the Nintendo Switch has something for everyone. Plus, thanks to the range of controllers and Joy-Con, that allow you to connect up to 4 players at once, you can enjoy playing with the whole family, making it the perfect console for family games night or for keeping multiple kids entertained at once…without causing any family feuds.
If you are considering a Nintendo Switch for family fun, here is a short list of some of the best games to play.
Mario and Sonic At The Olympic Games Tokyo 2020
Whilst sadly the Tokyo 2020 Olympic games have been postponed, you can recreate the magic of the action-packed sporting event in Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. With a diverse assortment of minigames and Olympic events, from horseback riding, surfing, 100-metre dash and discus throw, there are plenty of games to be enjoyed by the whole family. Play as Mario, Sonic or choose from a star-studded cast of characters as you surf, skateboard, and race your way to the top as you compete against each other, or as a team to win take home the gold medal.
Plus, thanks to the Joy-Con motion controllers you can fully immerse yourself in the game and imitate actions like taking aim with a bow or throwing a javelin. If you’re looking for a bit of family competition or to set your own Olympic record against friends, Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games carries the torch.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Few games strike the balance of "family fun" quite so well as Mario Kart. With 48 different tracks, local four-player multiplayer, kart customisations and a host of different characters from popular Nintendo franchises, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe delivers the fun kart-racing experience for the whole family. Thanks to a host of optional settings such as, motion-controller steering, smart steering, and auto-acceleration it can be enjoyed by gamers of all ages regardless of skill level at the wheel.
You can even buy steering wheel accessories for the Joy-Con controllers, that take full advantage of the motion steering settings and make you feel like you’re fully behind the wheel of the Kart. Plus, the hilarity ensues across a variety of game modes from Grand Prix, Time Trials, Balloon Battles and more. You will never get tired of playing Mario Kart...just don’t fall asleep at the wheel.
New Super Mario Bros U Deluxe
Mario games come in all shapes and sizes and whilst Super Mario Odyssey was a hit sensation Switch Mario game, the New Super Mario Bros U Deluxe provides the perfect family fun for everyone. With over 164 classic side-scrolling, platforming stages, the New Super Mario Bros U Deluxe is a great remaster of the classic Wii U game and evokes the 2D, flat level design of the original Mario games, that are sure to bring back fond memories with older gamers.
You can play as your favourite Mario characters, using their unique abilities and power ups, including the beloved Mushroom, Fire Flower and Acorn Suit as you navigate around vibrant and chaotic levels. Plus, with the addition of multiplayer and new playable characters, Nabbit and Toadette, the game is made even easier for younger players, making it a lot of fun for the whole family. Bowser’s minions won’t know what hit them!
Dr. Kawashima's Brain Training
If you are looking for more of a mentally stimulating challenge for you and the family, then Dr. Kawashima's Brain Training is here to help. Designed to played in handheld mode or on a big TV screen, you can enjoy a range of new and classic Brain Training exercises and games from math problems, speed counting, word scramble, reading aloud and of course Sudoku.
In both single-player and multiplayer, the game makes full use of all the Switch’s motion-sensor functions and Joy-Con IR-camera, providing a more immersive interactive experience for younger children. If you have got multiple Joy-Con you can face off against family and friends in unique challenges and go head-to-head in brainy battles. You can even calculate and compare your overall Brain Age Score in a series of back-to-back exercises. Just try not to get too competitive when competing for Brain Age Scores.
Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield
Pokémon has always been a family friendly game and is super fun and kid friendly, while still appealing to adults and older gamers that have grown up with the franchise. Although the main story is single player, the game encourages you to interact with other players by trading and battling Pokémon. Plus, unlike its predecessors, you can team up with up to three players locally or online in the new multiplayer co-op Raid Battles and face off against gigantic Pokémon.
As with all new Pokémon games in the series Pokémon Sword and Shield introduces a host of new Pokémon, Gyms, battle features and activities, most notably the Gigantamax ability and power set of G-Max moves. You can even play with your Pokémon in the Pokémon Camp and assign your Pokémon with Poke Jobs to help them level up. If only they could help around the house.
