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The holidays are coming up fast and if you’re like me, you still have no idea what to get your friends and family. Well, never fear, because I’ve put together the Official Engaged Family Gaming Holiday Gift Guide! This guide is packed full of video games that will make any gamer happy. Whether your loved one is a seasoned pro or just starting out in the gaming world, I’ve got you covered. So sit back, relax, and let me help you find the perfect gift for the gamers in your life!

The EFG Holiday Gift Guide For Video Games

Below are recommendations for video games across all three major consoles.

Nintendo

Nintendo had a pretty good year this year. It started with Pokemon Arceus and then it kept going from there.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land

If you’re looking for a Nintendo Switch game that the whole family can enjoy, Kirby and the Forgotten Land is a great option. The game came out in 2022, and it’s already a hit with kids and adults alike. In the game, Kirby must save his home from an evil wizard who has cast a spell over the land. To do so, Kirby will need to use his special abilities to defeat enemies and solve puzzles. The vibrant colors and cute characters are sure to appeal to younger players, while older gamers will appreciate the challenging gameplay. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or a Nintendo fan who is just getting started, Kirby and the Forgotten Land is a great choice.

You can buy Kirby the Forgotten Land on Amazon here.

Splatoon 3

Nintendo Switch gamers rejoice! The newest installment in the beloved Splatoon series is finally here. And it does not disappoint. Splatoon 3 takes everything that was great about the first two games and cranks it up to eleven. The colorful ink-splattering action is as frenetic and fun as ever, and the new maps and modes provide endless hours of entertainment. But Nintendo has also added some serious depth to the game this time around, with a robust single-player campaign and a host of new online features. In short, Splatoon 3 is the perfect Nintendo Switch game for kids of all ages. So break out your splatanas and get ready to have a blast.

You can buy Splatoon 3 on Amazon here.

Pokemon Scarlet/Violet

The newest addition to the Pokemon franchise, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, are set to be released in 2022. These games will be the first open-world games in the history of the franchise, giving players a chance to explore the world of Pokemon like never before. In addition, Nintendo has announced that these games will be compatible with all current Switch models, as well as the new Switch Lite. So whether you’re a longtime fan of the series or just getting started, there’s a Nintendo Switch option for you. And with Nintendo’s commitment to quality family entertainment, you can be sure that these games will be fun for everyone. So mark your calendars for 2022 and get ready for a whole new world of Pokemon adventures!

You can buy Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet on Amazon here.

Nintendo Switch Sports

Nintendo Switch Sports is one of the latest releases for the Nintendo Switch. The game features six sports: Soccer, Volleyball, Bowling, Tennis, Badminton, and Chambara. Nintendo Switch Sports is a great game for kids because it helps them to stay active and have fun at the same time. The game is also easy to pick up and play, making it perfect for family gatherings or parties. Nintendo Switch Sports is a must-have for any Nintendo fan, and it’s sure to provide hours of fun.

You can buy Nintendo Switch Sports on Amazon here.

Mario + Rabbids: Spark of Hope

Nintendo has a long history of releasing games that are not only fun to play, but also full of charm and whimsy. Mario + Rabbids: Spark of Hope, is no exception. This game, which is exclusive to the Nintendo Switch, follows the unlikely team-up of Nintendo’s iconic plumber and a band of mischievous rabbids as they try to save the Mushroom Kingdom from an invasion. It features enough humor and clever gameplay mechanics to entertain players of all ages. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or a Nintendo fan who is just getting started, Mario + Rabbids: Spark of Hope is definitely worth checking out.

You can buy Mario + Rabbids: Spark of Hope on Amazon here.

Pokemon Legends: Arceus

Nintendo Switch owners were in for a treat when, this past January, Pokemon Legends: Arceus was released. This new style of action-focused gameplay is a departure from the turn-based games of the main series, and is sure to be a hit with kids. So if you’re looking for a new adventure to take on with your Nintendo Switch, be sure to check out Pokemon Legends: Arceus. You won’t be disappointed.

You can buy Pokemon: Legends Arceus on Amazon here.

PlayStation

Sony-Playstation-logo

PlayStation started the year strong with Horizon: Forbidden West and and is going to finish the year with God of War: Ragnarok. That is a pretty impressive one two punch for gaming audiences in general, but leaves a little to be desired from our perspective. (God of War isn’t on anyone’s Family Game of the Year lists).

Horizon: Forbidden West

The long-awaited sequel to 2017’s Horizon Zero Dawn, Forbidden West picks up Aloy’s story as she ventures into unknown territories to uncover the secrets of the machines and save the world from a new threat. The game is set in a beautiful open world full of exotic landscapes and deadly creatures, and it promises to be an amazing adventure for fans of the first game. Whether you’re playing on PS4 or PS5, Forbidden West is a must-play title that shouldn’t be missed.

You can buy Horizon: Forbidden West on Amazon here.

Gran Turismo 7

Do you like racing games? Do you like cars? Well, I’ve got some good news for you: Gran Turismo 7 was released for the PlayStation 5. 

If you’re not familiar with Gran Turismo, it’s a series of racing games that has been around since the early days of the PlayStation. The first game was released in 1997, and since then there have been six additional installments, with Gran Turismo 7 being the latest. The franchise is known for its realistic portrayal of car physics and for its large selection of vehicles – Gran Turismo 7 has over 1200 different cars to choose from!

Whether you’re a longtime fan of the series or you’re just looking for a new racing game to try out, I highly recommend giving Gran Turismo 7 a shot. It’s an absolute blast, and I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

You can buy Gran Turismo 7 on Amazon here.

LEGO Star Wars Skywalker Saga

This year has been a big one for LEGO fans, with the release of the long-awaited Skywalker Saga game. The game lets players relive all nine movies in the Skywalker saga, from The Phantom Menace to The Rise of Skywalker. With over 100 playable characters and plenty of humor, the game is a must-play for any LEGO fan. And with the release of the new Clone Wars DLC, there’s even more reason to dive in. If you’re looking for a fun way to relive the Skywalker saga, or just want a good laugh, LEGO Star Wars Skywalker Saga is the game for you.

You can buy LEGO Star Wars Skywalker Saga on Amazon here.

WWE 2K22

If you’re a fan of professional wrestling, then you were probably excited for the release of WWE 2K22. This year’s installment in the popular simulation wrestling series promises to be the most realistic yet, with updated graphics and game mechanics that make it feel more like you’re watching a real match than ever before. With so much to offer, WWE 2K22 is sure to be a hit with wrestling fans of all ages. So don’t wait any longer, grab a copy and get ready to rumble!

You can buy WWE 2K22 on Amazon here.

Marvel: Midnight Suns

Marvel: Midnight Suns is an excellent strategy video game developed by Firaxis studios. In this game, players take control of popular Marvel superheroes and team up to fight a demon army. The gameplay is exciting and fast-paced, and the graphics are stunning. Marvel: Midnight Suns is a must-play for any fan of the Marvel universe.

You can buy Marvel: Midnight Suns on Amazon here.

Xbox

Xbox is really interesting to talk about. All of their first party games come to Xbox Game Pass

LEGO Star Wars Skywalker Saga

This year has been a big one for LEGO fans, with the release of the long-awaited Skywalker Saga game. The game lets players relive all nine movies in the Skywalker saga, from The Phantom Menace to The Rise of Skywalker. With over 100 playable characters and plenty of humor, the game is a must-play for any LEGO fan. And with the release of the new Clone Wars DLC, there’s even more reason to dive in. If you’re looking for a fun way to relive the Skywalker saga, or just want a good laugh, LEGO Star Wars Skywalker Saga is the game for you.

You can buy LEGO Star Wars Skywalker Saga on Amazon here.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection

If you’re looking for a blast from the past, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection is the perfect way to relive your childhood. This collection of SNES, NES, Genesis and Game Boy games features the turtles in all their retro glory. From the original arcade game to the classic side-scrolling games, this collection has something for everyone. And best of all, it’s now available on modern consoles! So whether you’re looking to relive some childhood memories or just want to try something new, be sure to check out the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection.

You can buy Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection on Amazon here.

Sonic Frontiers

Sonic Frontiers is an open-world game that lets players explore a vast and beautiful world as they collect items, solve puzzles, and uncover secrets. Fans of the franchise are sure to be delighted by the new direction the series is taking. With an expansive open world to explore and tons of exciting content to discover, Sonic Frontiers is sure to be a favorite. 

You can buy Sonic Frontiers on Amazon here.

Marvel’s Midnight Suns

Marvel: Midnight Suns is an excellent strategy video game developed by Firaxis studios. In this game, players take control of popular Marvel superheroes and team up to fight a demon army. The gameplay is exciting and fast-paced, and the graphics are stunning. Marvel: Midnight Suns is a must-play for any fan of the Marvel universe.

You can buy Marvel’s Midnight Suns on Amazon here.

For the Grown-ups

Look. Adults play games too. Below are just a few games that are a great recommendations for grown up gamers looking for something a bit more Mature.

God of War: Ragnarok

The God of War series is one of the most popular video game franchises of all time. The original God of War was released in 2005 and was an instant classic, spawning multiple sequels over the next decade. The most recent entry in the series, God of War 2018, was a massive hit, selling over 10 million copies. Now, fans are eagerly awaiting the next installment in the series: God of War Ragnarok. Set to release on November 9th, 2022 for PS4and PS5, God of War Ragnarok is one of the most highly-anticipated games of the year. In this latest installment, players will once again take control of Kratos as he embarks on an epic quest to defeat the Norse gods. With stunning graphics, intense action, and a compelling story, God of War Ragnarok is sure to be another blockbuster hit for the franchise.

You can buy God of War Ragnarok on Amazon here.

Elden Ring

From Software, the makers of Elden Ring, have a history of creating amazing action RPGs. Their most recent game, Elden Ring, is no exception. It has quickly become one of the most popular games of the year. The game is set in a vast and beautiful open world, and the player takes on the role of a brave warrior who must save the kingdom from a powerful evil. The combat is fast-paced and intense, and the game features a unique magic system that allows players to cast spells in strategic ways. With its gorgeous graphics and captivating gameplay, Elden Ring is sure to be one of From Software’s most iconic games.

You can buy Elden Ring on Amazon here.


What do you think? Sound off in the comments and let us know your thoughts!

Make sure to keep your eyes on Engaged Family Gaming for all of the latest news and reviews you need to Get Your Family Game On!

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The board game industry just keeps putting out amazing games. We have gone through some of the new games that have caught our attention, and fit a wide range of ages, styles, and experience. Not to mention some themes that will grab your attention.


Games for the Whole Family

These games are easy to learn, and perhaps hard to master games that can be enjoyed by a wide range of players. These games are great for multi age game play and a range of gaming experience.

Doomlings

After major board game conventions there are always a few games that everyone is talking about, and that was the case for Doomlings. Once gamers go their hands on this game they could not stop talking about it. This was originally funded on Kickstarter and was picked up by Breaking Games to be distributed through major retailers.

Doomlings is a card game where you are trying to survive from the birth of lift to the end of the world. Each turn you are adding trait cards, but with each round an Age Card is drawn which affects all the players. Mixed in with these Ages cards are Catastrophe cards, which negatively affect everyone. When three Catastrophe cards have been drawn, that signals the end of the world and players add up their points to see who is the winner.

Chonky Donkey

Hilarity ensues with the latest party game from Gamewright, Chonky Donkey. In many party games, there is a judge of the cards submitted to a prompt in games such as Apples to Apples. Chonky Donkey takes it in a different direction. Instead of the judge selecting the card they like best, instead the reader must not laugh or smile. Especially when you know maintaining a straight face is required, it becomes increasingly challenging. If the reader laughs or smiles when reading an “answer” they player who submitted the card wins the card and point. However if the reader can maintain a straight face the entire time, they get the card and point.

Akropolis

Transport yourself to the Mediterranean and take on the role of a Greek architect to build the best city against your rivals. In Akropolis, players are drafting and laying tiles to build their cities. Stone can be earned from the quarries and used to select the best features for you city. Tiles can also be placed on top of existing tiles and those earn you more points at the end. There is a handy player guide so you easily can tell what features on the tiles have the potential to earn you the most points.

While the game box and enclosed rules are for two to four player, the publisher, Gigamic has also posted a solo mode varient on their website and you can print the rules here.

Planted

Caring for house plants can present its own challenges in remembering what each plant needs. In Planted by Buffalo games you are collecting house plants and trying to take care of them to earn the most points. There are multiple game mechanics going on throughout the game, but the cards make it easy to understand what needs to be done for each plant, and helps players streamline their strategy, and keep the game from becoming overly complex. The game is played over four rounds, and players can collect up to six plants. This Target exclusive game has top notch components for the MSRP of the game at $29.99 (and Target regularly has sales on their board games).

Teeter Tower

Teeter Tower combines two favorite genres of family games, dexterity and cooperative games. This innovative game, combines rolling dice, cooperation and collaboration to place all the tiles before the pool of dice is used up or dice fall off the tower. You also can set the difficulty from Novice, Normal, Hard, to Insane to customize for your group. With simple rules Teeter Tower can be learned in minutes.

Everyone wins or looses (and then tries again) in this new spin on dexterity, strategy and cooperation. Challenge your family to build a tower upon the base block and successfully add the capstone block to with.

Next Station London

Take on the roll of planning subway lines in flip and write game Next Station London. In this game players are using a common deck of cards to dictate what their choices are for the next station they can select on their individual map paper. This plays over four rounds, and the neat twist is that each round players complete their line in a different colored pencil. Players are trying to score as many points as possible by adding lines to as many of the 13 districts as possible, go to tourist locations, and crossing the River Thames. No matter your choices you may limit future moves, so plan your routes carefully.

Summer Camp

For those of you who have enjoyed in the unique experience of summer camp this game will bring you back. For those of you like me who never went, you can get a taste of the unique dynamic. Each ga me players determine with three camp activities they will play in that game. By changing the actives each game it also changes which actions are available. On each turn, you play five cards from your personal deck. These cards will allow you to perform actions and acquire new cards. As you gain more cards, it adds to what you can do by gaining more power and abilities, and as you reach milestones, earn merit badges. Once a player earns all three merit badges, that triggers the end of the game, and the player with the most points wins.

Games For the Expert Gamer

Some of us have that gamer in our lives, or are that gamer, that loves complex games that take over an hour to play. These are new games that will be a good fit for making it a game day just to play one or two games.

Paint the Roses

You take on the roll as the royal gardeners for the Queen of Hearts in the fantastic world of Alice in Wonderland. You must work together to finish the royal grounds according to her ever changing whims before the Queen catches up to you. Each player has a secret Whim card which you may not share with the other players. However, there are some clues you are able to give to work towards your common goal, and some discussion is permitted with limits.

To move the gardeners players must guess the Whim cards, and if the card is guessed correctly the gardener token moves forward. If the players guess wrong when the Queen moves double her movement. There is also an expert mode that can be utilized. Since it is Alice in Wonderland, there is also the White Rabbit which moves when the gardeners pass the White Rabbit token.

For those who love the Alice in Wonderland theme, and are looking for a more complex game, this is a great option.

Ark Nova

Work to build the most successful zoo. To grow your zoo, you will build enclosures, work for conservation projects, and even release animals into the wild. With five actions to choose each turn, and the power of that card determined by the location on the tableau.

The Action Cards include: Build, Animals, Cards, Association, Sponsors. Build cards let you add to your zoo through building enclosures, kiosks, and pavilions. Animal cards allow you to accommodate animals. With the Cards you can gain new zoo cards (basically the others listed), Associations give you the chance to let your workers perform different tasks. Finally, Sponsors allows the player to play a sponsor into your zoo or to raise money for your zoo.

This is a complex game, and time is needed to learn to play. For the experienced gamers looking for a game with more complexity and time commitment.

Games that Fuel Your Nostalgia

These games include a theme or characters from something we remember. Hard to believe we fell in love with these in some cases 20 or 30 years ago (or more)!

A Goofy Movie Game

The 90’s seem even closer when you open up the box for The Goofy Movie Game. The map has all of the charm and bright colors that were the hallmark of the 90’s Disney, plus there is a Powerline concert poster picture on the back side of the map. As you move across the map, you are going to collect pictures for your scrapbook, and there are right from the events and locations from the movie! If you land on a spot to roll the die, you may send Goofy on a detour or get Powerline closer to the concert venue.

The Rocketeer: Fate of the Future

For those of us who remember watching the 1991 movie The Rocketeer, this board game will bring back some of your favorites from the movie. In the board game, The Rocketeer: Fate of the the Future, you are playing either as the Good Guys (Cliff Secord AKA The Rocketeer), Peeve Peabody, and Jenny Blake), or the Bad Guys (Eddie Valentine, Neville Sinclair, and Lothar). Just like in the movie, the Good Guys have the plans for the rocket that Cliff wears, and the bad guys are desperately trying to get those plans. Game play happens over rounds, but once the Luxembourg Zeppelin reaches Los Angeles, the final round is triggered and player with the most points wins.

While this game follows the premise of the movie, it has a lot of cards, and steps within a turn. The complexity of the Rocketeer: Fate of the Future, , makes it a game better suited for an experienced gamer, rather than an novice.

Our Favorite Themes

We all have favorite themes whether they are books, movies, shows, or other games. There is something about playing a game within your favorite world or with a beloved character. There have been a several games released in the past year that tap into a favorite topic.

Exit Lord of the Rings: Shadows Over Middle-Earth

For all those Lord of the Ring fans, now you can complete secret assignment for Gandalf, and buy Frodo and the Fellowship time. Escape rooms are a great way to spend an evening with friends, and the Exit games are an escape room in a box. These have puzzles and clues to complete a series of tasks and meet the objective. Depending on how long you take and how many clues you need determines your ” score”. Exit games are ranked by difficulty level, and this one is level 2 out of 5, making it great for those inexperienced with Exit games.

Star Wars Villainous

Ravensburger has brought the Villainous property to a whole new theme…Star Wars! For gamers who love Villainous and the Star Wars villainous, this is a must buy. While the villainous games are not best suited for the novice gamer, they are a blast to play with your favorite villain! In Star Wars Villainous you can play as: Darth Vader, Kylo Ren, General Grievous, Asajj Ventress, or Moff Gideon. Each villain has their own objective they are working toward to win. So players need to both work on their villain’s objective and try to disrupt the progress of the other villains.

Wordle Party Game

The hit digital game Wordle has become an analogue party game using dry erase boards, where players take turns writing five letter secret words. Just as in the digital game. The other players need to guess the word in the fewest guesses. There are also four ways to play Wordle: Classic Play, Fast Mode, Timed Mode, Compete Mode. Classic Mode is the same format as the digital game. In Fast Mode, players race to be the first to solve the word. Timed Mode players are trying to beat the clock or earn the most points. Finally, there is a team mode, where players can play in groups.

For fans of the digital game, now you can play it in person with your friends and family.

Games for Younger Gamers

There are so many options for games for young children beyond the “classic” games everyone knows. What is great is the newer games tend to be more fun for the grown-ups playing with the kids. These are some of the newest games for kids age 7 and younger.

Burger ASAP!

Can you build the burgers to order first? In this wild party card flipping game, players each get 7 double sided ingredient cards and try to be the first to build the burger or burger from the challenge card. All cards must be used in each challenge, and you are likely to need to overlap cards. The challenge cards come in three levels of difficulty indicated by the number of stars at the bottom. There is also a puzzle aspect because there is only one solution to each challenge card.

With a Cherry on Top

For some of the youngest gamers who can resist ice cream sundaes. In this adorable games players roll the dice and count out that number of scoops and place them on the open spaces on the banana split. This beginning strategy game has players consider where to best place the ice cream scoops. When they place the final scoop on a banana split, the player gets to put a cherry on top and get the card.

Octopie

Set your sights under the sea as you work to build the first octopus with eight tentacles with the same color wins. Being a Gamewright game, even in games for young gamers, they make sure to add a few elements to keep the game interesting for all players. What a player can do each turn depends on the die roll. If a pie is revealed during your turn you get a pie token. These tokens give you an additional action or the ability to block another player’s action.

Board Game Accessories

Being a gamer lends itself to collecting. Sometimes it is challenging to find an amazing fit or you want to get something that is not a new game. Perhaps you need a small item for a small holiday container. There are great accessories that can enhance the gaming experience for a huge range of gamers.

Game Storage On the Shelf

Storage of board games can get challenging. Depending on your storage situation you may need to store them on their sides instead of laying flat. One item I have invested in are bands to hold the box closed and minimize the change of pieces falling out. This also helps with traveling with games where the lid is a smidge loose.

Click here for Silicone Rubber Bands on Amazon

Click here for Elastic Box Bands on Amazon

Traveling with Games

There are bags for carrying games, and then there are bags! You can get a more basic tote bag to bring your latest favorite to game night, or go all out on a special game hauling backpack or tote.

Click here for a USA Board Game Bag

Basic tote from Amazon

Game Box Storage

Ticket To Ride storage bins

Bins for game components

Jazz Up Your Game

100 Wooden Meeples

Keeping it Neat On the Table

Foldable bowls

Dice Trays

Simplifying for the Little Games

Gamewright Card holder


For More Gift Ideas

EFG Essentials: Great Board Games for Kids


What do you think? Sound off in the comments and let us know your thoughts!

Make sure to keep your eyes on Engaged Family Gaming for all of the latest news and reviews you need to Get Your Family Game On!

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Here at Engaged Family Gaming we want to help you with your holiday shopping.  These are some of our favorite new games for a range of ages and gaming styles.  For additional ideas of games that would best suit your family or friends you can check out recommendations by age articles, which are linked at the bottom of the gift guide.

Azul

 

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Azul is an abstract game for two to four players ages eight and up, and won the 2018 Speil De Jahar. Players are working to replicate the design on their board.

Azul plays in rounds. Players score points as  they place their tiles.  Adjacent tile or completing a column or row on their “wall” earn additional points.  The game ends when one or  more players have completed a row by the scoring phase of a round. This is a beautiful game and a great addition to anyone’s game collection.

Photosynthesis

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Photosynthesis is a beautiful science-themed game that features the tree life cycle and a rotating sun to collect light points. The game plays two to four players ages eight and up. In Photosynthesis the sun moves around the board three times and players plant and progress trees through their life cycle to collect points.  The trees are three dimensional and provide a beautiful visual as the forest “grows”.

Photosynthesis plays in rounds. Each round consists of two phases: the Photosynthesis Phase and the Life Cycle Phase. The game ends after the sun makes three complete revolutions around the board.  Points are then calculated based on scoring tokens and unused light points.

See our review here.

Go Nuts For Donuts

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Go Nuts For Donuts is a card drafting and set collection game for two to six players ages eight and up where players are trying to collect the best donuts to eat.  Player bid on the different donuts available in the donut row. Players bid in secret, and at the end of the bidding players may only collect those donuts where they are the sole bidder.

Each kind of the 21 kinds donut ( and two beverages) has either points it gains you, an action you can take immediately upon retrieving the card, or both. The kinds of donut cards available to players increases with the player count. While the game is recommended for ages eight and up, it can be scaled down to age five by reading the text on the cards for them and a little coaching.

Funky Chicken

Funky chicken, which is found in a chicken shaped carrying case, is more or less an expansion to Happy Salmon. It is for three to six players ages six and up, and includes four new moves:  Swing, Bump, Spin, and Funky Chicken.

Funky Chicken is a great party game where everyone is laughing and being silly.  At the encouragement of the publisher North Star Games the Engaged Family Gaming team successfully combine Happy Salmon and Funky Chicken into one massive silly game! 

Monster Match

The Monster Match Game is a matching game for two to six players ages six and up. A series of cards are laid out on the table, and players roll a pair of dice. One of the dice represents an number between zero and five. The other will show either eyes, arms, or legs. Players then race to pick an card featuring an monster that has the appropriate number of arms/legs/eyes indicated on the dice. The game is adorable, fast, and accessible for almost all ages. Each card has a stack of doughnuts on them and the winner is determined by who has the most doughnuts on their total cards at the end of the game.

Forbidden Sky

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Forbidden Sky is the next installment in the Forbidden series by Gamewright.  It is a cooperative game where players work to lay tiles to create the paths on a floating platform in the sky.  As players build, large and small circles are created on the board and they lay disks.  Players also  lay circuit components. Meanwhile, players are trying to survive against the wind and lightning.

As in previous Forbidden games each player has a role with special powers, and players are all trying to get the the rocket before the circuit is complete to indicate it takes off. Completing the circuit lights up the rocket and includes sound effects.

See our reviews of the predecessors:  Forbidden Island, and Forbidden Desert

 

Queendomino

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Queendomino takes the Kingdomino game that we recommended in last year’s holiday guide (click here for the 2017 guide )  and adds several interesting elements to it.  In Queendomino there is a new land tile and that tile that allows you to place buildings. These buildings can give you a range of perks including, knights, towers, and crowns.  In each round if player has the most towers or matches another player in number of towers they get to have the queen visit their lands and the player enjoys some perks from her presence. This is a great tile laying game for two to four players ages ten and up with elements beyond just basic tile laying.

Ice Cool 2

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Ice Cool2 is the sequel to the original Ice Cool game.  It is a flicking game about penguins in a frozen high school. The game is for two to four players ages six and up. If you combine it with the original Ice Cool game you can play up to eight players and set up multiple layouts.  New to this game there are: Tasks on the 1-point cards, Fish-moving power on the 2-point cards, and there are optional tournament scoring.  This takes a silly flicking game and adds even sillier components to it.

Rhino Hero Super Battle

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Rhino Hero- Super Battle is the sequel to Rhino Hero and is a dexterity game where you build a tower with the cards.  The game is for ages five and up and plays two to four players. This game adds three more superheros:  Giraffe Boy, Big E. and Batguin.  The walls now come in two sizes; tall and short and there is a superhero medal.  Additionally there are spider monkeys which attack.

The gameplay has additional steps they includes: 1. Build!, 2. Spider monkey attack (place a spider monkey hanging from the floor if there is a spider monkey symbol and see if it makes the tower fall), 3. Climb the skyscraper! by using a die to determine how many floors to climb, 4. Super battle if two superheros are on the same level, 5. Superhero medal goes to the players if their super hero is the furthest up at this phase in their turn, 6. Draw another floor card.  The game ends when all or part of the tower collapses or all the playable floors are used.

Roller Coaster Challenge

 

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Roller Coaster Challenge is a single player STEM game focusing on engineering for ages six and up.  It come with 60 challenge card in a range of difficulty.  The player sets up the posts and required pieces on the challenge card.  They then need to design a roller coaster that travels to the bottom successfully using some of the additional posts, 39 tracks.  The roller coaster is successful if the roller coaster car makes it to the end.  This was a Toy of the Year Finalist in 2018.

Additional Resourced by age:

Games for 2-4 year olds
Games for 5-7 year olds
Games for kids 8 and up 

What do you think? Sound off in the comments and let us know your thoughts!

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The Holiday season is fast approaching! Games are coming out so fast that it can be very difficult to keep track. We take  time every year to list the very best family games of the year that came out on every console.

Take a look below for our list of the best video game gifts for Nintendo Switch owners!

(Full disclosure: These Amazon links are affiliate links. Purchases made using these links will help us earn revenue.)

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Nintendo Switch

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Fans of our podcast will know that this is one of our most hyped games of the year. We haven’t been able to play this game a great deal so far, but everything that we have seen points to Ultimate being a great Smash experience. If your family has enjoyed Smash Bros on other platforms and owns a Switch, then this should be under your tree.

 

 

Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu/Eevee

Nintendo Switch

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The next Generation of Pokemon games won’t be out until next year. But, younger players and players who have come to the Pokemon fandom will have their own game this year. Pokemon: Let’s Go Pikachu! and Pokemon: Let’s Go Eevee! Are coming out just in time for the holidays. They are different versions of the same story, but they each feature a different partner Pokemon for your trainer. 

 

 

Dragon Ball  FighterZ

Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch

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Dragon Ball FighterZ is one of the best fighting games and the best Dragon Ball game of the year. It is a three on three tag team brawl with a character roster than pulls from the deepest corners of Dragon Ball lore. It was developed by Arc System Works, a company known for high quality animation and flashy combat. Dragon Ball FighterZ is a beautiful game to watch thanks to its tag and assist system, but the real fun starts when you take the controls yourself. This is a very accessible fighting game that is great for tweens.

 

 

Kirby Star Allies

Nintendo Switch

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Kirby games have always been great for kids, but Kirby Star Allies is just as great for families to play together. It features up to four player co-op so whole family can get in on the action (most of the time). My favorite part of Star Allies is the theme. It’s all about love, cooperation, and friendship. Your family is in for a lot of fun together if you pick this one up.

 

 

Nintendo LABO

Nintendo Switch

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Who doesn’t want a cool activity to do with your family on a Holiday morning? The advantage to Nintendo LABO kits is that they are both a game AND a STEM construction activity. There are three kits available right now. The Variety Kit includes several smaller kits including a fishing rod, a piano, and a house. The Robot Kit includes a massive backpack powered device that lets you control a giant transforming robot. The Vehicle Kit includes materials for three steering devices; one for a car, one for a plane, and one for a submarine.

 

 

Mega Man Legacy Collection 1 and 2

Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch

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Mega Man is a well loved character and Mega Man 1 through 10 are the reason why. These two collections include 10 devilishly challenging platformers that have inspired a generation of gamers. This is a must own for families that have an interest in gaming history.

 

 

Mega Man X Legacy Collection 1 and 2

Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch

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Mega Man X is one of the best platformers on the Super Nintendo and it spawned a series of sequels that kept ramping up the action. Capcom released two Mega Man X collections this year. The second collection falls flat, but collection 1 included Mega Man X through X4 and is a great value.

 

 

 

Mario Tennis Aces

Nintendo Switch

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Mario Tennis was a huge disappointment on the Wii U. I was super nervous about whether or not Mario Tennis Aces on the Switch would be a repeat. Fortunately, it wasn’t. Aces is gorgeous, mechanically sound, and full of multiplayer fun. This one should definitely be on your radar if your family has (or will have) a Switch.

 

 

 

Sonic Mania Plus

Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch

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Sonic Mania was a big deal when it came out initially. Many critics lauded it as the best Sonic the Hedgehog game in decades. (Some went so far as to say it was the best Sonic game of all time). Sonic Mania Plus is a re-release that also includes two new characters: Mighty the Armadillo and Ray the Flying Squirrel. They both move differently from Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles and have different powers.

 

 

Valkyria Chronicles 4

Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC, Nintendo Switch

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Valkyria Chronicles 4 is the spiritual successor to the popular PS3 title after two offshoot titles launched for the PS Vita. The game is a tactical strategy game set in an alternate, and more fantastical, version of Europe during the Second World War. The game unfolds in a series of journal entries placing the battles in context of a series of well told cut scenes and storyboards. Game play alternates between battles where you control each character in a unit as you advance and fight your way to an objective, and coordinating and upgrading your ever increasing squad in an offstage headquarters. This is a family friendly title that bridges the gap between the popular title XCOM (and XCOM 2) and [Mario and Rabbid’s Tactics battle?] and also has a playable demo with a save that can be rolled over to the full title. A strong title for strategy or warfare fans.

 

 

Mega Man 11

Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch

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It’s been eight years since the release of a new official Mega Man game and we have been long overdue. Mega Man is one of the essential franchises that gave birth to the platforming genre, and this newcomer to the Mega Man family is a most welcome addition. It promises new mechanics and challenges that will push the series to new heights. If you are a fan of the series or a fan of retro platforming games, then Mega Man 11 is a no brainer.

 

 

Starlink: Battle for Atlas

Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC, Nintendo Switch

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Starlink: Battle for Atlas was my game of the show at E3 this year. I was stunned to see a toys to life game (not called Skylanders) in 2018 and I loved it.

This is releasing this holiday season on all three major consoles and on PC, but the best place to play Starlink is going to be on Switch where it will feature exclusive content based on the legendary Star Fox franchise.

 

 

Just Dance 2019

Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch

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What is there to say about Just Dance that hasn’t been said before? This is becoming one of the most venerable franchises in gaming. Just Dance is released every year with new dance routines and new songs to very little coverage from gaming sites. Just Dance 2019 has a large audience and you’ll know if your family falls into it. Do you love music? Do you love dancing? If the answer to either of those questions is yes, then this should be on your radar.


What do you think? Sound off in the comments and let us know your thoughts!

Make sure to keep your eyes on Engaged Family Gaming for all of the latest news and reviews you need to Get Your Family Game On!

Follow us on Facebook!

Like us on Twitter!

Follow us on Instagram!

Subscribe to our Newsletter!

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