7 Family-Friendly Games You Should Play Right Now

With all the time we’re spending at home, now’s the perfect opportunity to brush up on your games. Whether you’re on the search for a quick game to pass the time or an immersive simulation, you’ll have a fun time with these picks:

1. Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Platform: Nintendo Switch

The timing of the release of Animal Crossing: New Horizons could not be better: with most folks staying at home due to a global pandemic, the game offered a welcome relief from real-world stress. Players have spent dozens of hours on the game beautifying their islands, collecting rare items and creatures, and getting the best animal villagers–and it’s about time you join in the fun. 

2. Sid Meier’s Civilization VI

Platforms: PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, macOS, iOS, Macintosh operating systems, Linux

If world domination has always been one of your life’s goals, this game is for you. In this turn-based strategy game, you will be tasked to turn your early settlement into a world power by founding new cities, amassing a formidable army, engaging in trade and diplomacy, and discovering new technology. There are also game expansions available should you require a more difficult challenge.

3. Overcooked!

Platforms: PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows

Imagine: You and your friends preparing a range of dishes and serving them to customers. Oh, and parts of the kitchen are moving or disappearing, your customers are getting impatient, you’ve run out of clean dishes, and whatever was on the stove is now on fire. That’s normal in Overcooked, the most chaotic cooking game this side of the Onion Kingdom. It’s up to you and your family to work together to become the best cooking team the game has ever seen.

4. Minecraft Dungeons

Platforms: PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows

The latest Minecraft game will have you exploring several dungeons with monsters, puzzles, traps, and treasures. Use whichever armor and weapon you want to accomplish your goals. The gameplay is simple enough and the graphics are charming, making this a great multiplayer pick for kids.

5. Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield

Platform: Nintendo Switch

Sword and Shield is the latest addition to the ever-expanding Pokemon world, introducing 81 new creatures to catch and train. Set in the Galar region (a place inspired by the United Kingdom), its new features include “Dynamaxing” and “Gigantamaxing”, which make Pokemon grow to a tremendous size; and Poke Jobs, which allow Pokemon to complete requests to gain experience points or special items. It’s definitely not the Pokemon game you grew up with–and that’s a good thing.

6. NBA 2K20

Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS, Google Stadia, Microsoft Windows

Basketball fans shouldn’t miss NBA 2K20, which lets you go on the court with real-life and customized players and teams. There are several gameplay options, meaning you’ll never get bored: You can play using your favorite NBA team, create an all-star team with your favorite players, control a single character in MyCareer mode, or face other players online. It’ll take some time to get used to the technicality of NBA 2K20, but don’t let the challenge deter you: As they say, this is why we play.

7. Just Dance 2020

Platforms: Wii, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Google Stadia

Just Dance is one of the most fun ways to burn calories. The premise is simple enough: you’ll just need to copy the on-screen dancer’s choreography using your controller to rack up points. Before you know it, you’d have spent a couple of hours dancing in front of your screen. Now, if you’re a bit uncoordinated, the more complicated tracks might prove challenging. But that’s what makes it more fun, don’t you think?

Don’t forget to take pictures of the fun times you’ll have with your family while gaming! Display them on a Nixplay Smart Photo Frame so you’ll have new moments of the past few months to keep close to your heart.