Jackbox Party Packs are some of the easiest games to play, especially with a mix of family members who may or may not know that Nintendo is in fact not a system in and of itself. All of the Jackbox games are super fun, but each iteration offers a unique set of games based around talking, trivia, drawing, and more! For instance, Party Pack 8’s The Wheel of Enormous Proportions offers easier trivia than Party Pack 2 and 6’s Trivia Murder Party. while Drawful can be tackled by almost anyone. Regardless of which pack is played (or if all of them are) it’s a great time for grandma, the kids, and everyone in between! Only one person needs to host using almost any device, and most phones or tablets can be used to play along. Plus, non-players can join in the audience to simply vote for their favorite players, often giving them points in the process. This party game is one of the best options for passing the time between gift giving events!
Like its predecessors, Nintendo Switch Sports supports in-person multiplayer, making it easy to compete against friends and family. The games are still as quick and easy as with Wii Sports, featuring games like tennis and bowling. Again, the mass appeal of these short, competitive games means that everyone will want to have a chance to de-throne the reigning champ, whether that person is a favorite aunt or the long-time family friend!
Mario Party is the perfect way to distract kids of all ages without letting them get crushed by their elders. The luck elements of the game make it easy for players to catch up and even win against players that are performing well in the minigames. However, Mario Party manages to do this without making it feel like the minigames are useless or boring. In fact, most of the minigames are hilarious, challenging, and most importantly, a blast!
The basic cooking game keeps players on their toes by putting them in kitchens with moving parts and even hazardous falls. Ideal for close friends or siblings, it’s highly likely that it will end in a lot of shouting and laughter as everyone inevitably fails to properly control their chef. Overcooked 2’s best feature is how it brings back holiday memories of couch co-op challenges we faced with our favorite people. It also helps that the controls are extremely simple, so even for siblings that may not have picked up a controller in recent years the gameplay will be about as easy for them as it is for more experienced gamers.
Most everyone is familiar with Mario Kart thanks to its long history of success and ease of play. The Wave 3 tracks are brand new, having just been released on December 7th, so even players who play the game regularly will have fun experiencing new raceways, including a Christmas themed one! For players that already own the game, picking up the DLC tracks will make the season bright, especially considering the new rainbow road track!
Gathering with loved ones is always a blast, no matter what events are going on. The holidays are perfect for catching up and having a laugh together, and what better way to do that than to play party games that will quickly become a family favorite?
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