The best family games for that new console, whatever age your children are
WAS there a shiny new games console under your family's Christmas tree this year?
If so, you might be feeling a little lost, or indeed feeling like you're in danger of losing your family to it. But don't worry -- Andy Robertson editor of is here to help.
He's rounded up the top family games you can get right now that you can jump into, whatever age you are -- helpfully grouped by their PEGI rating so you know they're going to be suitable for whichever family members are gathered around the telly.
Children might not think they need help finding video games to play, but parents can guide them discover a wider range of experiences. To keep gaming healthy it's also important that mums, dads and carers find games that they want to play together with their children, too.
One valuable resource here are the PEGI ratings that designate in great detail which game are appropriate for which age groups. While it's worth noting that this is about appropriate content rather than how old you need to be to enjoy a particular game, these ratings are a good place for parents to start when looking for new games.
PEGI 3 Rated Games
New Super Marios Bros. U Deluxe (Switch) - A great two-dimensional Super Mario game that up to four players can play at once. It's a great way to introduce kids to the world of Mario, especially if you happened to play NES or SNES Mario Bros. games. Challenging (but not too challenging) and great multiplayer make this one a winner.
Wordhunters (PS4 PlayLink) - This is a PlayStation 4 game played with mobile phones. This not only means you don't need lots of controllers, but that the interface is super simple for all ages. With the world travelling word puzzles this is a brilliant game for parents and children. The combination of the big screen and handheld devices words perfectly.
Crayola Scoot (Switch, PS4, Xbox One) - Crayola Scoot combines fun scooting action with the colouring entertainment of crayons. You can execute a range of special moves as you traverse the world and improve your scooting skills. Families will also enjoy the split screen colour clash mode and the 4-player party pop challenge. Brand collaborations like this are sometimes questionable, but this is one that offers real value.
Overcooked 2 (Xbox One, PS4, Switch, PC) - Overcooked is suitable for all ages, but children probably need to be 8 or 9 to play it competitively. It's a beautifully simple cooking challenge where you collaborate to create specific dishes of food in increasingly strange locations. The genius is how well balanced each level is. Players have to pay attention to the screen, but also communicate with each other to do well. A video game that encourages parents/carers and children to talk to each other is a video game worth having in the family.
PEGI 7 Rated Games
Starlink Battle for Atlus (Xbox One, PS4, Switch, PC) - This is a beautiful open space adventure where players pilot a variety of customisable craft as they follow a high quality fully animated story line. You can play it electronically, but it really comes to life for slightly younger players when you get it with the integrated toys. These spaceships, weapons, pilots and wings are interchangeable. Snap them together, place them on the controller and they instantly appear in the game. You can also get the starter pack for a big discount at the moment. This is a real winner.
Spyro Reignited Trilogy (Xbox One, PS4, Switch) - If you enjoyed playing Crash Bandicoot or Spyro the Dragon in your formative years these remakes are a great way to revisit those characters and worlds with your children. But even if you didn't, Spyro Reignited Trilogy offers and action adventure experience that children will love. It's perfect for youngsters as it combines exuberant action with exploration and collection.
Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle – Donkey Kong Adventure (Switch) - This is the new expansion to the Mario + Rabbids turn based strategy game. Players take turns to move their characters and attack each other in the battles. It looks amazing, with Mario, Peach, Luigi and the Nintendo crew taking on the Rabbids and other baddies. What's best for younger players is that there is no time limit so they can take their time with each go, and mum and dad can help along the way as need be.
PEGI 12 Rated Games
Towerfall (Switch, Xbox One, PS4, PC) - This is a great retro combat game, featuring knights with limited stocks of arrows to fire at each other. It offers a chaotic and frantic experience on all platforms, but on Switch this extends to 6 players and a few new settings. Upping the number of players makes this idea for larger families, or when you have others round for a gaming session. The detailed settings also let you tailor teams and abilities to make sure it's a balanced match even when you have a range of ages playing.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (Switch) - This is the latest update of the Super Smash Bros. franchise. On the Switch it looks amazing with a huge array of characters and locations that children will recognise from other Nintendo games they play. Again you can have a large number of players all fighting together, but it's the depth of the roster and need to really learn how to use each fighter, that makes this really good value for families.
Sea of Thieves (Xbox One, PC) - This is an open world game about pirates and the high seas. Players explore the world by ship, and can collaborate with each other to take on missions and earn treasure. The open nature of the game makes it suitable for children who don't want a directed experience, although it's worth noting that more work is required by the player for this to be enjoyable.
PEGI 16 Rated Games
Marvel’s Spider-Man (PS4) - This is an open world super hero game perfect for fans of Spider-Man. It's rated for older teenagers because the combat, and for that audience is a perfect fit. There's a combination of strong character progression with an original and emotionally compelling story. Along with the downloadable content that offers new missions and story elements, Spider-Man is one of the best super hero games on the PlayStation platform.
West of Loathing (Switch, PC, Mac) - This is a tongue in cheek slapstick adventure. Players explore the black and white hand drawn world to take on enemies and earn better weapons. Along with the entertaining scenarios and comedic writing, this is a game that feels completely original from the outset. But more than a novelty this offers older teenagers a unique role play experience with quests, puzzles and mysteries.
Ark Survival Evolved (iOS, Android, Xbox, PC) - Another open world game. This takes the basic survival concept of Minecraft but puts it in a realistic universe. Players must survive a world full of dinosaurs and other environmental threats by collecting materials and developing food supplies. It's not an easy game, but one that can be played in many different ways.
- is a joint venture between the VSC Rating Board and games trade body Ukie to help educate parents about all aspects of video gaming