Video Games: How to Find the Best Gaming System for Families

If you’re looking for a great way to bond as a family, you may want to consider a new video game system. With a wide variety of consoles and games to choose from, you can find the best gaming activities and adventures that suit the ones you love. You can find multiplayer games for all ages or invest in the latest games for kids or adults.

But with so many choices, it can be challenging to determine what is the best gaming system for families. Are there benefits and advantages for different family game systems? And how can you discern which one is right for you?

To learn more, keep reading to discover how to choose the best game console for family play.

Nintendo Switch for family gaming

Nintendo is a classic choice for family-friendly gaming. Since the 90s, Nintendo has prioritized offering family-friendly alternatives to more mature gaming content, so you can play games with your kids without exposing them to excessive amounts of violence. And now, with the creation of the Switch, finding video games to play with family members has never been easier.

Nintendo Switch family benefits

Choosing the Nintendo Switch for family gaming comes with some significant advantages. With a Nintendo Switch console, you can connect your Switch system to your TV with the supplied docking station, so everyone in the family can grab their Switch controllers and play together on one screen. Or, you can undock the console so your kids can take their Switch anywhere, and turn it into a handheld gaming device for on-the-go play. With this added versatility, you can use your Nintendo Switch to play together or let your kids play on their own with games you trust.

Nintendo Switch family games

Thankfully, you have plenty of choices when it comes to family games for Nintendo Switch. You can play a variety of third-party games on your Nintendo console, but some of the best Nintendo Switch family games come from Nintendo franchises. For example, you can play popular Nintendo family games, like Mario Brothers, Pokémon and Animal Crossing, that are appropriate and fun for almost any age.

And if you decide to purchase an online family membership, you can have access to a large library of digital games. But exactly what is a Nintendo Switch Family Membership? This online family plan allows you to link up to eight Nintendo Switch systems to a membership account so you can play multiplayer games as a family, even if you live in different households. With a Nintendo Switch Online Family or Individual Membership, you also have access to cloud storage, voice chat, and special deals on Nintendo Switch accessories and games.

PlayStation family gaming

PlayStation gaming systems are another great option for gaming as a family. The two most recent models, the PlayStation 4 (PS4) and PlayStation 5 (PS5), both offer a wide selection of PlayStation family games for kids and adults.

PlayStation family benefits

With the PS4 and PS5, you can choose the console that is right for you and your loved ones. For instance, the PS5 is ideal for anyone who wants to play first-person action or adventure-based video games. The PS5 has incredible graphic capabilities so you can play fast and complex video games in 4K or even 8K resolution. And the PS4 is a wonderful choice for anyone who wants to play a wide variety of different games at a lower price point. So, if you know you want to get a PlayStation console, it can be helpful to understand the differences of PS4 vs. PS5 .

And don’t forget about PlayStation VR. This virtual reality system can let you and your family truly immerse yourselves in the game. You can invite all family members to play fun mini-game collection packs. Or take turns sharing the VR headset, so everyone can get a chance to step into the game.

PS5 and PS4 family games

PlayStation has a lot of fun options for video games for both kids and adults. You can play the PlayStation games you already know and love, or explore new titles by their ESRB ratings, which provide age and content guidelines for gamers. For example, if you want video games that are suitable for everyone in your family, shop for E-rated video games for PS5 or PS4. Or if you want video games just for the adults (after the kids have gone to sleep), browse PS5 or PS4 video games rated M for mature (17+).

If you have a specific video game that you know you’ll want to play, first make sure that it’s compatible with the PlayStation console you choose. Since almost all PS4 games are backward compatible on the PS5, you can find family PS4 games that you can play on either the PS4 or the PS5. However, no PS5 games can be played on a PS4. This means that choosing the PS5 can expand your video game title options. And if you plan to play multiplayer games together as a family, remember to invest in an extra controller or other useful PlayStation accessories for PS5 or PS4.

Explore Xbox for families

Xbox systems are another choice option for a family game console. You may want to find some new Xbox One games for your old system, or upgrade altogether with a new Xbox Series X or S console. Regardless of which gaming system you choose, Xbox has a wide selection of games for the whole family.

Xbox family benefits

The Xbox Series X | S offer high-quality gameplay for a variety of titles. But what sets Xbox apart from other family video game consoles? One of the family-friendly advantages of Xbox is that you can use the Xbox Family Settings app. After you choose your favorite Xbox console, you can download the Xbox Family Settings app on your smartphone or tablet. The app lets you monitor each family member’s gameplay, so you can track how much time your children spend playing video games. It also monitors which games each family member plays and sends notifications straight to your phone anytime your child wants to make an in-game purchase.

Xbox family games

Xbox offers a large catalog of compatible games, but it can depend on which Xbox console you choose. Xbox Series X is backward compatible, which means you can play both Xbox Series X and S games on this console. However, the Xbox Series S does not have a disc drive, so keep in mind that you’ll only be able to play digital games with this system.

A major benefit of Xbox is that you can play Xbox Series X family games that are appropriate for all ages, or you can find advanced games that offer more mature content and challenging levels. One of the best ways to ensure you have games for everyone in your family is to invest in an Xbox Game Pass. With this membership, your family will have access to hundreds of high-quality games like Minecraft, Halo, Banjo-Kazooie and more. The Xbox Game Pass even adds new games as soon as they’re released. Just make sure you have the right Xbox Series X and S accessories so everyone in your family can get in on the fun.

Finding the best family video game system for your home

Now that you know a little about the different advantages of some of the most popular video game systems, you can pick the console that best fits your family. You may want a console that’s compatible with your children’s favorite video games or a system that offers family-friendly features and parental control. Regardless of which system you select, the best video game console for families will be one that meets your crew’s unique needs.