The Fighter: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Genre: Fighting Game | Players: 1 – 4 (local), 8 online | Released: 07.12.2018 | Cost (in Nintendo eShop): $69.99
What kind of game is this? Smash Bros. is also a long-time favorite among local multiplayer games: in the series, the most diverse characters from different worlds have been fighting with their special abilities for years.
The roster of fighters is extremely diverse. From Mario to Cloud, Kirby to Pikachu, Link, Samus, Bayonetta, and more… all kinds of game franchises are represented with their heroes and villains in Smash Bros. The latest DLC character, Sora, even caused a particularly emotional afternoon for MeinMMO author Lena.
The game principle is quite simple: after selecting your fighter, it’s off to the arena. These usually consist of multiple platforms, are based on different games, and are very varied. You will also find items there that you can use in battle.
The aim is to knock your opponents off the edge. For this, you can use various basic and special attacks. In general, Smash is a game that one can quickly dive into by just casually bashing around. However, it should also be noted that one can build a lot of skill. And then it becomes difficult for beginners to keep up.
However, the game is definitely made for some fun rounds with friends!
How many can play? 1 to 4 players can join matches locally. Each player needs a controller, a Joy-Con is sufficient. However, Smash plays better with a “larger” controller than just with a Joy-Con.
The Dance Party: Just Dance 2022
Genre: Party / Dance Game | Players: 1 – 6 | Released: 04.11.2021 | Cost (in Nintendo eShop): $40.19 (until 30.12.2021, after that $59.99)
What makes Just Dance special? The name couldn’t be more fitting, as it’s effectively just about dancing. You choose a song, take the Joy-Con in hand, and then try to mimic the moves on the screen.
The principle is simple, but the moves can sometimes be quite challenging. Don’t be surprised if you work up a sweat while playing Just Dance – a little “dancing in front of the TV” is much more strenuous than one might think.
However, you can usually play the songs on various difficulty levels. This way, dance beginners get just as much of a chance as absolute superstars.
The principle has largely been carried through the series – so if you want to save some money, you can also use one of the earlier installments and don’t necessarily have to choose “Just Dance 2022”.
Additionally, there is a paid online service called “Just Dance Unlimited” from Ubisoft that provides you with additional songs. This can typically be tested for free for one month – perfect if you only plan to play the game for the holidays.
How many can play? Six people can play simultaneously, one Joy-Con is needed in hand. Theoretically, more people can also dance along, but they won’t be recognized. Especially, however, there can be a space issue with a certain number of people, since you need a decent movement radius for Just Dance.
To Wind Down: Stardew Valley
Genre: RPG | Players: 1 – 4 | Released: 05.10.2017 | Cost (in Nintendo eShop): $13.99
What makes Stardew Valley special: Stardew Valley is the ideal game if you’re looking for something calm, almost meditative. Yes, there is also the alternative “Animal Crossing” on the Switch, of course. But Stardew Valley is still worth taking a closer look at.
In the game, you take over a farm in Pelican Town, near the small village of Pelican. Here you can start growing vegetables, building stables, and cultivating various resources. However, Stardew Valley is not just a farming game.
Among other things, you will quickly get to know the mayor and various other characters from the village for whom you can complete tasks and with whom you can build relationships. Each character is unique and has its own little story elements that you discover as your relationship deepens through gifts and conversations. A marriage and family founding is even possible.
In addition, there is also fishing, a fair amount of magic, including a local wizard, a comprehensive cave system full of monsters, and a ton of secrets. Stardew Valley is incredibly versatile.
So together, you can manage the farm, become cave heroes, or do whatever you feel like. Stardew Valley is the perfect game to wind down after a stressful year.
You can find a more in-depth look at the game here.
How many can play? It depends: in split-screen, you can move into Stardew Valley as a pair. Online, you can even play up to four.
The Indie Favorite: Lovers In a Dangerous Spacetime
Genre: Action | Players: 1 – 4 | Released: 16.10.2018 | Cost (in Nintendo eShop): $14.99
What makes Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime special: Christmas is often referred to as the “Festival of Love”, so what could be more fitting than this game?
But the situation is critical: The love that holds the universe together is threatened by the nasty anti-love. Therefore, you, the Lovers – the “League of Very Empathetic Rescue Spacenauts” – come into play.
With up to four astronauts, you now set off with your spaceship to save love. However, what sounds a bit cheesy quickly turns into a tricky puzzle: You must not only steer your ship but also shoot enemies, organize shields, complete various tasks, and defeat a few bosses.
The catch: usually, you have more to do than you actually have astronauts on board. Therefore, extremely good coordination is required, much like in Overcooked mentioned above. It also applies here: distributing resources correctly without cracking under stress is the key.
How many can play? Up to four lovers can embark on the journey through space together. Being in love is not a prerequisite, don’t worry.
Also in our list of the 25 best co-op games is Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime.
Bonus: Photo Tour with New Pokémon Snap
Genre: Adventure | Players: 1 | Released: 30.04.2021 | Cost (in Nintendo eShop): $59.99
Why Pokémon Snap? If you’re wondering: No, Pokémon Snap does not have a multiplayer component. However, it makes this list as a game that you can play wonderfully in small groups – especially when you’re looking for something quiet and nice during the holidays.
The mechanics in Snap are quickly learned: You simply move a camera while your vehicle moves automatically through beautifully designed Pokémon levels. A beach, enchanted forests, glaciers, the ocean, a volcano, and many other biomes are available. The levels offer different routes and day/night versions that you unlock over the course of the (secondary) story.
Effectively, it’s about capturing the wandering Pokémon at the right moments and immortalizing them in your photo album.
To do this, you can use apples, melodies, or other gadgets to lure the Pokémon, motivate them to perform crazy actions, or feed them. This way, new motives can emerge to complete your album.
In Pokémon Snap, you experience the Pokémon in a very detailed and lively way that sometimes gets lost in the “normal” Pokémon games.
The tours are usually only a few minutes long. Accordingly, you can beautifully alternate after each ride and simultaneously look for new motives during the tour.
If you are Pokémon fans and want to do something different than just collecting and battling, New Pokémon Snap might be just the right thing for you.
Otherwise, Pokémon GO is of course always a good option for Pokémon trainers, which is great for a joint walk. This is also valid after the holidays. Find out what’s happening in Pokémon GO in January here.
- 1
- 2
