With worldwide lockdowns keeping families cooped up for months on end in 2020, games with local multiplayer saw a surge. Many of these games are incredibly family-friendly with a focus on cooperative play.
Overcooked 2 is a chaotic same-screen co-op game that will have you screaming instructions at your kids and laughing hysterically together. It also has some mild cartoon violence.
Minecraft
The world of Minecraft is one of the most recognizable video game franchises in history, captivating millions of players from across the globe and inspiring countless creators. Its open-world sandbox gameplay is the perfect platform for exploration, creativity, and learning.
Kids can learn a variety of new skills while playing Minecraft, such as crafting, recipe creation, and resource management. They can also explore expansive cave systems, discover spooky ancient cities, or even create their own block-based buildings and structures inspired by real-life architecture.
While Minecraft is a great choice for children who enjoy creative play, it can also be challenging to manage the amount of time that kids spend on the game. Kids may become “addicted” to the game, which can lead to a lack of other activities, and some parents worry that too much Minecraft play can be damaging to their child’s mental health and development.
However, a balanced approach to gaming can provide kids with the cognitive, executive functioning, and social-emotional skills they need to thrive in life. Moreover, Minecraft can be played safely with children of any age, as the game can be played in single-player Creative mode on the Peaceful setting, which limits interactions with other players and the use of weapons. Alternatively, families can create their own vetted Minecraft servers for kids to minimize the risk of exposure to age-inappropriate content or language.
Super Mario Odyssey
The most recent 3D Mario game, Super Mario Odyssey is a once-in-a-generation masterpiece. It features best-in-class platforming action, a slew of new mechanics and a joyfully irreverent world populated by characters who are always one step ahead of themselves. It’s a must-have for anyone who owns a Switch and even those who don’t.
The story begins with a bang, with the iconic plumber’s head suddenly occupied by an animated hat called Cappy. His new ability to capture and control objects, animals and even enemies gives him a range of abilities that lets him explore incredible locations far from the Mushroom Kingdom. The main objective is to collect Power Moons, which power a hat-shaped air ship called the Odyssey and allow Mario to travel between kingdoms in search of Peach.
Various mini-games pepper the experience, and successfully playing them earns the player more Power Moons. One of these is an incredibly fun take on the classic Balloon World from Super Mario 64. It’s also possible to play a portion of the game in virtual reality via Nintendo Labo’s Toy-Con VR Goggles, which is a fun way to share the adventure with kids.
It’s a testament to the longevity of this venerable character that, despite being nearly 40 years old, Mario continues to innovate and expand his gameplay in ways that feel both fresh and familiar. Super Mario Odyssey is another chapter in this remarkable legacy, with a wide swath of unique puzzles, the most expressive cast of colorful characters ever seen on the big screen and some of the best, most spirited action in gaming history.
Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville
Plants vs Zombies games might not be the most high-profile franchises in the video game industry, but PopCap Games’ games are usually a lot of fun. This new Battle for Neighborville is no exception.
The game features a wide variety of plants and zombies, each with their own unique abilities and attack styles. Whether you’re fighting a group of zombies or taking on the entire town, there’s sure to be plenty of fun in store for you and your family.
Director George Fan was inspired to create the game after working on a more defense-oriented version of his previous game, Insaniquarium, and playing Warcraft III tower defense mods. He wanted to create a game that was both “gritty” and “sickeningly cute,” with strong strategic elements that would appeal to more experienced gamers.
In addition to the three free roam sections, Battle for Neighborville also includes a hub area where players can interact with other players, purchase random cosmetics with money earned in-game, or participate in PvP modes. The hub area also contains bases for both the eponymous plants and zombies, as well as an assortment of different missions that reward Medals.
While the game is currently available for pre-order, it will launch officially on October 18. Those who purchase the Founder’s Edition can get in on the early action and earn exclusive rewards for the first weeks of play.
Roblox
Roblox is a massively multiplayer online gaming platform that lets kids create and play 3-D games and virtual experiences with other users around the world. While the game’s digitized, blocky imagery has a childlike feel, some user-generated games include themes and images that may be too intense for young players. Fortunately, parents can enable Account Restrictions to prevent children under 13 from playing these games.
Kids can customize their in-game avatars, or characters, and interact using voice or text with other Roblox users. They can also purchase in-game virtual currency called Robux to enhance their avatars or unlock new games and other virtual content. It’s a great way to teach kids about money management and digital trust, but parents should be on the lookout for the potential for unauthorized purchases. Make sure to monitor your child’s spending in Roblox at least once a week.
Another danger of Roblox is that it allows players to communicate with strangers, a phenomenon known as “stranger danger” online. Kids should always be logged in to their parent’s accounts, use the 2 Step Verification settings, and select Contact Settings that restrict interactions to friends only. Parents should also make sure their kids are familiar with how to report users who are exhibiting abusive behaviors.
Whether your kids love playing video games or are still learning the ropes, you’re their best advocate. Take time to learn the ins and outs of the games they enjoy, so you can have an informed conversation about gaming safety and excessive screen time.