Engaged Family Gaming Holiday
Looking for the perfect video game gift this holiday season? Whether you’re shopping for a curious first-time player or a family that already has a console collection, we’ve rounded up this year’s standout titles and systems. From sprawling strategy games to cozy farming sims and action-packed exclusives, there’s something here for every household.
Playstation 5 Or Xbox Series X
The Elephant in the Room
These consoles are pretty far into their respective life cycles and “they are what they are.”
The problem with both of these consoles is that they are both more expensive than ever thats to “evolving market conditions” and neither of them are focused on releasing family friendly content. So we can’t really recommend either of them unless
There is a specific PlayStation exclusive game that someone wants to play.
Or
You really want in on the Xbox Game Pass ecosystem. (Which is also very, very expensive in its own right.
Neither of these are a great purchase for younger children unless there are older players in the house that want to play games like Call of Duty or Battlefield.
Non-Exclusive Games
Civilization VII
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Buy Civilization VII on Amazon!
If you skipped Civilization VII when it first launched, now’s the time to give it another look. Firaxis has spent the year patching, polishing, and expanding on the game’s original release—addressing most of the early criticisms. The result is a deep, satisfying strategy experience that will keep players saying “just one more turn” well into the winter nights.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC
Buy Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown on Steam!
This turn-based tactics game somehow captures the energy of the turtles’ brawling adventures while adding real depth to the strategy. Fans will love seeing Leonardo and crew slice, smash, and quip their way through grid-based missions that still manage to feel fast and kinetic.
Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar
Platforms: Switch 2, Switch, PC
Buy Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar on Amazon! (There is a Premium edition, too!)
If someone on your list prefers calm to chaos, Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar is a standout cozy game this year. Players tend their farms, craft goods, and sell their creations at weekly bazaars. The week-long rhythm between markets encourages smart planning—balancing crops, animals, and crafted goods to make the most of each sale day. It’s charming, thoughtful, and delightfully low-stress.
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, PC
Buy Sonic Racing: Crossworlds on Amazon!
With so many kart racers out right now, CrossWorlds stands out for its inventive “world-switching” mechanic. Mid-race, players jump between themed zones that shift track layouts in real time. It’s bright, fast, and surprisingly competitive—an excellent alternative for families without Mario Kart World on Switch 2.
Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, PC
PopCap’s tower defense classic returns in full bloom. Replanted updates the original with new visuals, modern controls, and some fresh surprises—making it an easy pick for both nostalgic players and new fans. It’s still the perfect blend of silly and strategic.
Platform Exclusives
PlayStation (PS5)
Astro Bot
As mentioned in our review section, Astro Bot is an amazing game. It’s a single-player experience, but parents can join in by sharing the multiple references from PlaySta tion history. Giving gamer parents a chance to bond with their new gamer. PlayStation finally has a mascot platformer that can rival some of the best games from Nintendo.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (FF7 Rebirth) is the second game in the Final Fantasy Remake Trilogy and is better for teens and above, especially with an ESRB rating of Teen (T). This is one of the most beautiful games we’ve seen on the PlayStation 5. We loved our time with the game and are waiting eagerly for the third game. This is a must-own for Final Fantasy fans.
Buy Final Fantasy VII Rebirth here on Amazon!
Spider-Man 2
Spider-Man 2 may have come out a few years ago, but we still consider it to be a perfect holiday addition for your PlayStation 5 owner. This is a direct sequel, so you may want to get the original Spider-Man and Spider-Man Miles Morales before you pick this game up.
Buy Spider-Man 2 here on Amazon
Xbox Series X / Xbox Series S
One of the best parts of the Xbox ecosystem is Xbox Game Pass (even if its price has gone up since last year). The Game Pass is a subscription service bought through Microsoft for Xbox users; it provides a rotating gaming library and access to previously played games so long as the subscription remains active. Xbox Game Pass is accessible across multiple platforms, and gift cards are an easy purchase for those with Xbox gamers to shop for.
Metaphor: ReFantazio
Atlus has been making RPGs for years. The Shin Megami Tensei and Persona series are marvelous, but they are definitely not made for the light of heart. Metaphor, however, earned a T rating from the ESRB by cutting out a lot of the violence, language, and other questionable content from its other franchises. Instead, we have a beautifully animated story exploring freedom and what it means to different people.
Buy Metaphor: ReFantazio here on Amazon
Star Wars Outlaws
Who doesn’t love Star Wars? Outlaws is an open-world action game that takes place between Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. You play as a smuggler named Kay Vess as she gathers a group of scoundrels to set up and pull off a major heist.
It’s full of excitement and adventure as you travel from planet to planet infiltrating bases and completing missions for various cartel leaders.
Ubisoft games are known for being on sale often, so this is a game that should be easy to find at less than full price. Buy Star Wars Outlaws here on Amazon
Nintendo Switch 2
For families, this is the clear winner of 2025. It’s the most affordable home console outside of its predecessor, and it’s compatible with all previous Switch games. Add Donkey Kong Bonanza and Mario Kart World to the mix, and you’ve got an unbeatable lineup.
Buy the Nintendo Switch 2 on Amazon!
Donkey Kong Bonanza
Developed by the team behind Super Mario Odyssey, DK: Bonanza is a joyful return for the big ape. The game’s punch-through-anything mechanics give exploration a fresh twist, you don’t walk around walls anymore; you blast through them. It’s beautiful, clever, and full of challenges that live up to its name.
Buy Donkey Kong Bananaza on Amazon!
Mario Kart World
It’s hard to follow Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, but Mario Kart World makes a solid effort. The open-world format lets players explore themed regions, complete challenges, and unlock a huge roster of racers and outfits. It’s not perfect, but it’s endlessly fun—and perfect for family game nights.
Buy Mario Kart World on Amazon!
Nintendo Switch
The OG Nintendo Switch still has plenty of life in it. There is a stacked library, and plenty of indie games that continue to be released for it. Some of our favorites are:
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
Finally, Zelda stars in her own game and it’s a great one. If you have a daughter that wants to play a game with a female protagonist. It may be single-player, but you can also play along with your kids and give each other ideas on how to beat the many different puzzles the game throws at you. If you want more information about this game, there is a full-length review elsewhere in this magazine.
Buy The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom here on Amazon
Mario and Luigi: Brothership
This is a game that someone new to the RPG genre can pick up and play and not have any problems with the mechanics. The series does a great job of making RPGs accessible to all ages, as long as they can read. Mario and Luigi: Brothership is coming soon to retail. Stay tuned for updates.
Buy Mario & Luigi Brothership on Amazon!
Super Mario Party Jamboree
This game is the perfect multiplayer game for the whole family. It adds five brand-new boards and two boards from previous games in the franchise. You can also add handicaps for the younger players in your group so that they are not always at the back of the pack.
If you don’t have time for a full Mario Party playthrough, you can also save in the middle of the game or just have some fun playing minigames.
Buy Super Mario Party Jamboree here on Amazon
Princess Peach Showtime
This is another game with a strong female protagonist. Princess Peach explores different stage productions throughout the story and each one plays differently. This means you get to play multiple different kinds of games during your playthrough. Your kids will have fun putting Peach in different outfits and decorating her dress as the game progresses.
Buy Princess Peach Showtime here on Amazon
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Remake
This GameCube remake takes the original fan favorite and makes everything awesome about the original even better. This is a little more advanced of an RPG than the Mario and Luigi series, but it is still friendly and accessible. The best part of the game is the companions you meet along the way and how they interact with Mario and the world around them. The writing is witty and some of the scenarios are laugh-out-loud funny. (Just wait till you get to the wrestling sequence.)
Buy Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Remake here on Amazon
Nintendo World Championship: NES Edition
Has mom or dad ever wanted to show their kids what games were like back in the day?
This game takes thirteen NES games and slices them up into challenges.
Who can get a mushroom faster in Super Mario Bros.? Who can get the sword faster than the old man in The Legend of Zelda? This game has 148 more challenges for a fun family game night.
Buy Nintendo World Championship: NES Edition here on Amazon
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