Video games you won’t regret buying

Review of 5 family-friendly video games for the holidays

Video games are always at the top of wish lists of many Canadian children once again this holiday season, but parents may be concerned some of the most sought-after titles are too much of a time sink, violent or both.

Here are five games that children and young teens can enjoy, and for parents looking for an alternative to the Fortnite craze.

NINTENDO LABO Nintendo Switch

A solid entry-level gaming choice for younger children, Nintendo’s Labo ($80-90) kits are essentially cardboard toy construction sets and video games rolled into one.

The Labo debuted in April with the variety pack, and robot kit, and a vehicle kit that came out in September added steering consoles for car, submarine and airplane games.

The car steering wheel and pedal can also be used as a controller for the popular racing game Mario Kart 8, and it works pretty well.

The real gem of Labo is the basic coding language kids can access to learn the fundamentals of programming while adding more functionality to the toys.

SUPER MARIO PARTY Platform: Nintendo Switch

For sheer family entertainment that appeals to gamers of all ages, Super Mario Party ($80) has the edge.

The casual mini-games that make up the heart of the game are fun, particularly with a full complement of four players. And playing the board game modes is a must for any family whose holiday get-together includes a heated round of Monopoly.

OVERCOOKED! 2 PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC

Another chaotic family-friendly multiplayer game, Overcooked! 2 ($25-50) is a game that stresses co-operation and teamwork as a group of chefs are tasked with cooking and serving an increasingly complicated array of dishes within a time limit. As the dishes get more complex, so too do the kitchen layouts the chefs must work in.

The attractive price point and availability on a wide variety of platforms makes Overcooked! 2 one of the more accessible holiday gaming recommendations.

FORZA HORIZON 4 Xbox One, Windows

The latest entry in the Forza Horizon ($80) series takes place in an open-world rendition of Britain, where players vie for supremacy in high-speed races to earn enough money to add more vehicles to their garages.

It’s a game more suited to older kids, as the driving mechanics can get a little complicated, and of course the thought of recklessly driving through the streets of Edinburgh might be a turnoff for parents with smaller children. But with the amount of vehicles available and the variety of racetracks on offer, “Forza Horizon 4” will offer plenty to keep young, aspiring gearheads busy.

SPIDER-MAN PlayStation 4

The latest Spider-Man ($80) game exists outside his film counterparts, with an excellent original story serving as the backbone of the title. It may not be suitable for younger children due to a few intense scenes and some mild language, but any kids who can handle the Marvel films won’t have any problems with the content here.

Spider-Man even has time to clean up some of New York City’s pollution.

— The Canadian Press