REINDEER GAMES
THE TITLES EVERY GAMES FAN WILL BE HOPING SANTA WILL BE LOADING ON TO HIS SLEIGH THIS YEAR
SANTA is just a few days away from popping down the chimney with gifts for all the good little girls and boys.
But if Santa is in need of some last minute inspiration for what games to get your kids for the big day – then allow me to help with some suggestions...
JURASSIC WORLD EVOLUTION
PS4, XBOX ONE, PC Age: 10+
I RECENTLY went to see Jurassic Park at the cinema, where it was marking its 25th anniversary.
Some might say that the first film is still the best – and after this year’s Fallen Kingdom, I’d be hard pushed to argue with them.
But the one good thing to come out of the movie is the game. Jurassic World Evolution was billed as a natural extension to Fallen Kingdom, but trust me, it’s much better. It starts where all good simulators do – from the ground up.
The graphics are beautiful – long sweeping shots across lush, green vistas on Isla Matanceros where you’ll build your dino parks.
You set about building an ecosystem for your park, enclosures for your dinosaurs and, more importantly, services for your guests. So in between incubating and releasing your creations, you have to build restaurants, toilets, hotels and gift shops to keep the visiting masses happy. You might also want to build a few bunkers too – just in case anything goes wrong.
As fun as it was though I found it still suffered from the same thing as the movie – not enough Jeff Goldblum... but then, can there ever be enough Jeff Goldblum? Bargain Buy: £36.85 (XBOX) including bonus skins for ACU helicopter and ranger vehicle from shopto.net
SUPER SMASH BROS. ULTIMATE Switch Age: 12+
THIS game has just landed in the last few weeks, so I’m sure it would go down a treat.
The latest version of the 1999 fighting classic brings together a host of Nintendo favourites from past and present.
An explosion of colour and charm, Smash Bros has a single goal – beat your opponent and reign as King of the Ring.
As fun as it is to button bash your way through a match, there’s also a lot be said about tactics – watching your opponent, predicting their next move and countering them.
Hosting up to eight players at once, this is a great family party game, and one that will keep adults entertained as much as the kids.
Bargain Buy: £47.99 from amazon.co.uk Bundle: Super Smash Bros, plus Nintendo Switch console, £299.99 from amazon.co.uk
OVERCOOKED 2 XBOX ONE, PS4, PC, Switch Age: 8+
THE old saying goes that too many cooks spoil the broth – but spend any time in the Overcooked kitchen, and you’ll find out that that’s a lie.
Play as chefs in various kitchens stuffed to the brim with obstacles and hazards that you must navigate to fulfil orders before the timer runs out.
With up to four chefs making straightforward meals in a not-sostraightforward-kitchen, it’s a simple premise that’s oodles of fun.
The thing I really like about this game, quite apart from it being a culinary retelling of The Evil Dead, is that you are working together with the other players, rather than trying to beat them.
Online play is available so you can enjoy some chaotic couch co-op, even if you aren’t in the same room – and an emote system has been added whch allows players to communicate if chat isn’t an option.
Bargain Buy: £24.99 (Switch) from argos. co.uk. £17.99 (XBOX, PS4) from game.co.uk
LEGO DC SUPER-VILLAINS
XBOX ONE, PS4, PC, Switch Age: 10+
WITH a new Lego movie on the horizon, it’s fair to say the little plastic block makers are vying for world domination.
This game is unbridled chaos, jam-packed with action and, most important of all, bags of fun.
Players create their own evil persona ‘The Rookie’, who joins a roster of impressive villainy alongside the likes of The Joker, Harley Quinn – and some more obscure baddies like Solomon Grundy.
With a surprisingly good plot, and some of the best voice acting I’ve heard this year, you’ll get to battle superheroes from a parallel Earth. And if you’re worried about the kids blasting through the game, then there’s extra levels you can download to give more playing time – although, that will cost you extra.
Bargain Buy: £31.85 (PS4) from base.com Added Extra: Season pass, which allows you to download all the extra levels as they’re released, £11.99 from store.playstation.com
SPLATOON 2
Switch Age: 10+
SPLATTERING paint has never been this much fun, and while this may be an old release, it’s still one of the best kids games on the market.
If you have already got this game, then this year’s Octo Expansion release will give it a new lease of life. But if Santa is bringing the kids a Switch this year, then this is the game you’ll want to go with it.
With support for up to eight players, you can also take the action on-the-go as in
Splatoon 2, Turf War supports local multiplayer, and online multiplayer.
Smart Device support means you can tie your smart phone into your Switch and use it to boost matchmaking and give you ingame voice chat options.
Bright, colourful and great fun for the whole family.
Bargain buy: £41.99 from smythstoys.com