The holiday season has finally arrived, and with the biggest shopping season of the year here, now is the best time to plan out which gifts will be laying under the tree at the end of December. There are a lot of choices in the world of video games, but there’s always been only one best choice of console for families, especially with younger members. The Nintendo Switch (and the recently released Switch 2) provides an easy outlet for family bonding with its simple controls and couch co-op first-party titles.
The following choices prioritize easy access for anyone in the family that wants to bond over a holiday break and enjoy some chaos. These games have simple controls and rules, for both kids who want to be included or even grandparents who haven’t touched a controller since the Atari.
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Overcooked!
- Price: $39.99 USD (Physical and Digital)
- Year: 2016
First on the list is an indie classic from 2016 (and its sequel from 2018). Overcooked! and Overcooked! 2 are cooking simulator that place up to four players in a fast-paced restaurant where orders pile up at an absurd rate. Cooperation is key in Overcooked!, which means that some tension can arise from a mismanaged kitchen, but the hectic gameplay is enough to smooth over any mistakes.
The only major difference between Overcooked! and its sequel is the inclusion of online multiplayer, though the gameplay stays essentially the same. Both games are sold as a bundle, which is worth it for the diverse number of levels available, especially as the sequel ramped up how zany each new themed restaurant becomes.
Ultimate Chicken Horse
- Price: $14.99 USD (Digital) or $34.99 USD (Physical)
- Year: 2016
Another classic indie game perfect for the Nintendo Switch is Ultimate Chicken Horse. This platformer game, in which players each choose a farm animal to play as, is all about reaching the finish line first. What complicates that simple goal is that the players themselves have to build the platforms that will allow everyone to cross.
At the beginning of every round, players can pick out objects to place on the map, which will include simple platforms, fans, cannons, ramps, and a huge array of spikes. Players can make truces for a fair race, or set up obstacles they think only they’ll be able to overcome, which ensures players will never play the same exact game twice.
Castle Crashers
- Price: $7.49 USD (Digital) or $29.99 USD (Physical)
- Year: 2008
For any family that wants to smash buttons and slice through hordes of enemies, Castle Crashers is the perfect gift. This four-player beat ‘em up takes place in a medieval style kingdom, where a group of primary-colored knights mow through rival knights, dragons, ninjas, and evil wizards to rescue the King’s kidnapped daughters. Each knight has a different special ability, as the Blue Knight shoots ice, the Green Knight uses poisons, the Red Knight throws out lightning bolts, and the Orange Knight uses fire.
This side scroller is energetic and easy to pick up, which makes it especially great for younger family members that don’t have as much experience with a controller.
Super Mario Party Superstars
- Price: $49.99 USD (Physical or digital)
- Year: 2021
There are a lot of options for party games on the Nintendo Switch, but none is more of a classic staple than Mario Party. For recent releases, Mario Party Superstars is the best choice (over Mario Party Jamboree, which has its merits). Superstars pays homage to the series’ earlier eras by recreating iconic boards like Peach’s Birthday Cake from the original Mario Party and Space Land from Mario Party 2.
Superstars also brings back the entire roster of minigames from every entry in the series, which means family members of all ages will likely find something they love from the past few decades.
Boomerang Fu
- Price: $14.99 USD (Digital)
- Year: 2020
Like Ultimate Chicken Horse and Castle Crashers, Boomerang Fu is an indie game that allows for maximum co-op chaos. Up to six players go against each other with boomerangs, with different game modes like free for all or hide and seek.
The real feature of Boomerang Fu is the powerups, which bring powers like explosions, teleportation, and mimicry to the battlefield. The fruity characters and the non-stop boomerang action are sure to make this a popular game for everyone.
Nintendo Switch Sports
- Price: $49.99 USD (Physical) or $39.99 (Digital)
- Year: 2022
One of the most overlooked games in the Nintendo Switch catalog, Nintendo Switch Sports is the absolute best title for getting kids off the couch. The successor to the iconic Wii Sports, Switch Sports brings games like tennis, golf, bowling, soccer, and sword fighting to the TV with simple motion controls. The game encourages players to stand up and act out the motions of each sport, which becomes addictive after a few matches.
Players can also customize their avatar with fun outfits that can be unlocked on a weekly basis through a rotating battlepass system. This encourages consistency in playing, so it’s less likely Switch Sports will sit on the shelf after a few hours of playtime.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
- Price: $59.99 USD (Physical or digital)
- Year: 2023
For the most classic gaming experience, look no further than Super Mario Bros. Wonder. This side scroller brings back the traditional Mario Bros. experience for the Nintendo Switch generation, and was met with critical acclaim across the board when it first released in 2023.
For families, Wonder is a great choice, since the multiplayer function allows younger players to tag along without feeling left behind. Features like riding Yoshi allow kids to skip more difficult parts of any level and respawns are plentiful and easy.
