10 family friendly video games to play while COVID-19 social distancing in Charlotte
A few weeks after its highly anticipated US release, the gaming community understands that Animal Crossing: New Horizons couldn’t have come at a better time.
It doesn’t matter if you’ve been vested in any previous versions of Animal Crossing. New Horizons sets you off, off and away for some deserted island living where you can practice social distancing any way you like.
In Mecklenburg County, we’ve been isolating ourselves since mid-March, thanks to the novel coronavirus COVID-19 and stay-at-home orders that followed to help stop it from spreading. Before the game was officially released on March 20, my kids were already asking me for the purchase, but I had yet to see the value in the $59.99 price tag. Once Charlotte was asked to stay indoors, I grabbed our digital copy to find relief from the couch. What a fresh breath of sea, ocean and beach air this came to be.
We soon became very thankful for our small collection of family friendly games that help us escape our couch via console controller. Charlotte might be a little quieter than we’re used to at the moment, but we’re turning our volumes up and sharing our top 10 family friendly games to play while in isolation.
(1) Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Animal Crossing really checks all of the boxes for a socially challenging time. It’s a never ending game that allows you the freedom and creativity to make this island life your own, with the option to share with others in your own home and online. Spend minutes or hours in this free-for-all game, gathering sources to design an entire island as you please. The game even gives you options to get away to visit other islands and invite friends to check out your own breeze.
(2) Just Dance
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and PlayStation 4
Gyms are closed all throughout Charlotte, but you can still exercise. Just Dance 2020, or any previous version, can give you a fun option to keep your heart rate up in your own living room. Just mirror the moves off of your television while the sweat begins to trickle after the first song. Play your jams or filter by difficulty — no one’s watching, except everyone in your house.
(3) The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Platform: Nintendo Switch
A personal household favorite of ours, even months after we’ve completed the game. Well, not 100% completed the game, but that’s only because there is so much to do. The cool thing is, whichever direction you choose to go in Hyrule, you’re going the right way. This free roaming world is a beauty, and you can’t help but root for Link to do it all — battle, solve puzzles, buy, sell, tame wild horses and find clues to restore this hero’s memory. Over the years, we’ve spent over a hundred hours with this game.
(4) Mario Kart 8
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Race Mario, pals and some non-pals through multiple scenes of Nintendo’s most iconic stages throughout the years. This game makes the list based on pure adrenaline and the ability to play amongst yourself, with others in your household and online where the competition is heavily revved up.
(5) Minecraft
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC, iOS and Android
Another best seller comes to mind for the simple fact that the potential in this game is unlimited. Craft, fight, build, protect, hunt, hide, scavenge or simply hangout. Pixelated characters never looked so good. The possibilities are practically endless, so why not show your kids that you can Minecraft better than them. P.S. You probably can’t — kids are so good at this game it’s incredible.
(6) NBA 2K20
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC
For those missing the current basketball season, here it is. Especially those missing Kemba Walker representing purple and teal, you have the option to bring him back to the Queen City. I’d even go as far as thinking outside of the box and bring Cam Newton back as a virtual two-sport athlete. I’m sure he could lace up for the Charlotte Hornets as a small forward or power forward. Either way, bring your favorite team a championship as you play owner, general manager, coach and player.
Note: ESPN is even airing a NBA 2K20 tournament, where current NBA players get on the controllers.
(7) Overcooked 2
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC and Mac
This is just one way to stay out of the kitchen during a time where snacking is louder than ever. Sure, managing a chaotic kitchen scattered across multiple air balloons sounds like a great idea, but that’s just one level. Unique kitchens find themselves in the oddest locations, just so you can learn to tame the “unbread.” These levels are no cake walk. Hop on with multiple players and devise a scheme to manage multiple recipes, cooking, cleaning plates, serving the correct meals and keep your players from falling into physical traps.
(8) Rocket League
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and PlayStation 4
Flaming cars playing football, or soccer, depending on your preference. The game places you in your self-designed vehicle on a field with a large ball and opposing goal nets. The concept is easy, but get online and you might find the competition intense. Another game that can possibly fulfills that sports itch and finding yourself in the moment screaming at the TV screen.
(9) Super Mario Party
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Another multi-player game where competitive natures really shine while we place blame on our controllers for not coming in first place during each challenge. Travel across four different board games or flow the rapid rivers, all while teaming up and competing against one another for superior bragging rights. Whether it’s puzzles, baseball, cooking, pedaling a tricycle with your hands or many of the other ridiculously mini games, everyone but the winner is sure to place a comedic blame on something other than video gaming skills.
(10) Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Even the cutest of Nintendo characters have to find a way to get their rage out. This free-for-all battling really sets the stage to take out some aggression. Play by yourself, with friends or against friends, but whatever you do, understand your surroundings. As each stage shifts and changes with every kick, punch and blast, make sure you’re paying attention to every enemy jumping in the scene while not falling off the sure-to-crumble platform.
Bonus games
When I think of family friendly video games, I immediately think of the Nintendo Switch and its appeal to the whole family. So how about a bonus game mention? For all that are subscribed to Nintendo Switch Online, I’d like to note that various classics from NES and SNES are available for free. Here you have access to old school games like Mario Bros, Tecmo Bowl, Punch Out, F-Zero and much more.
