The Best PS5 Family-Friendly Games, Ranked

This list of the best family-friendly games for PS5 is ranked according to OpenCritic’s highest percentage recommendation levels. Some of these family-friendly games include Promenade, Overcooked 2, and Just Dance 2024 Edition. There are games to every taste, from simulation and adventure to racing and arcade titles.

One of the problems many families face is choosing a game that is both fun and age-appropriate. Engaging with games enables the entire family to enjoy quality time together and makes for a great weekend activity. In fact, according to UNICEF, parents should play video games with their kids as it will bring them together and create a stronger bond.

10 Promenade

Play As Nemo And Solve Tricky Puzzles

Released in early 2024 by Holy Cap, Promenade is suitable for children over 7 years old, allowing the family, including the little ones, to bond while playing. What makes this game family-friendly is the colorful and dynamic characters. The game’s goal is to collect different types of objects and solve all kinds of puzzles to progress to the next level. It’s easy and user-friendly, and the calming video game music will eliminate stress levels during gameplay.

In addition, the game has an interactive, easy-to-follow story. It’s ideal for beginners who aren’t used to video games, but features enough depth to entertain more experienced gamers too. The end of the game is a bit more challenging, but in a good way—nothing too difficult. It also ends with a positive message by making a throwback to where it all began, leaving players feeling proud of their efforts.

9 Overcooked 2

A Chaotic Kitchen Adventure For Patient Gamers

With Overcooked 2, fans love it or hate it, there is no middle ground. This option is ideal for patient gamers or for people who are trying to get better in that area. The game’s goal is to roleplay as a chef and prepare meal orders in a chaotic kitchen environment. What makes Overcooked 2 family-friendly is that it generates dialogue during challenging times, forcing players to work together despite the chaos of the kitchen. It also teaches how to work as a team to find solutions, not create problems.

Some players won’t recommend this game to those who are overly competitive, as things can go south quickly and could be frustrating to those types of gamers. Communication skills are the key to success. Made with all ages in mind, this game is easy to play and can feature up to four co-op players at once.

8 Just Dance 2024 Edition

A Game To Put Dancing Skills To The Test

Just Dance 2024 Edition will get the whole family sweating with all its choreographed dances. The game’s goal is to complete all sequences of steps at a satisfactory level. 40 new songs are available for families to pick from, featuring artists like Miley Cyrus, REMA, and BLACKPINK. This family-friendly game is considered easy when it comes to difficulty.

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The positive thing about Just Dance is that it keeps everyone active and on the move. It is also kid-friendly. In fact, it was nominated for the Kids’ Choice Award for Favorite Videogame. In addition, there is no sexual content; however, families should keep in mind that some of the songs contain suggestive lyrics.

7 Cuphead

A Challenging Cartoon-Inspired Game

Cuphead is a fun multiplayer game to play with the family. Some patience is required, as the game can be very challenging despite its simplistic appearance. With this in mind, an average skill level is needed, as Cuphead is not very beginner-friendly. During this game, the two players must deeply rely on each other to advance to the next level.

Cuphead‘s creator, Jake Clark, presented this 2D game back in 2017, and his inspiration from 1930s cartoons like Mickey Mouse was plain to see. The game’s soundtrack is by a jazz band, which was recorded live. Cuphead is entertaining, fun to play, interactive, and an award winner for Best Independent Game. It is officially recommended for players over 10 years old as some violence (non-realistic) and mild language are present.

6 Guitar Hero Live

A Classic Family-Friendly Game To Entertain The Whole House

Guitar Hero Live is a highly-rated, family-friendly game. Sometimes, the real challenge will be knowing when to stop playing. It was developed by RedOctane, and this multiplayer game has no violent language in its songs, so it’s appropriate for the whole family. In addition, some players have learned some basic guitar skills from playing, making it an educational game as well.

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Guitar Hero Live has over 40 songs available to pick from, with each being ranked from easy to difficult levels. Artists like Fall Out Boy, the Rolling Stones, and Green Day are some of the big names included in this family game, which makes it a great way to introduce music into the lives of young gamers.

5 Untitled Goose Game

A Game Where You Get To Be A Goose For A Day

Developed by House House, Untitled Goose Game is an easy game to play, allowing people to be a loose goose for a day. It’s very entertaining, funny, relaxing, and appropriate for all ages. Players mention how hilarious the game is, as it allows them, while playing as a goose, to go around an Model Village and take items (without permission) from other people’s gardens, and then use them to cause mischief. It’s a short game, but it’s easily replayable with different people.

Untitled Goose Game is also an award winner for The British Academy Games Award For Family. In addition, it was also nominated for an award for The Best Game at the same awards show. It’s an iconic indie game that knows what it wants to be, keeping things fun and light throughout.

4 Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart

A Family-Friendly Adventure With Stunning Modern Graphics

Platformer

Third-Person Shooter

Systems

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Released

June 11, 2021

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

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Released in 2021, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is a platforming adventure game, an award winner, and was nominated for the 2021 Game Award of the Year. What makes it family-friendly is its simple gameplay and interactive characters that appeal to all ages. Players praise this game for its attractive graphics, which resemble well-known Pixar or Dreamworks animations, and a bombastic and entertaining story.

In addition, it is also fun to play, with smooth controls and diverse weapons that feature visually-stunning animations and have amusing effects on the game’s enemies. It also has adjustable difficulty levels, making it entertaining and the best game yet in the Ratchet & Clank series. While there is some cartoonish action throughout the game, it remains safe for younger players.

3 Unravel Two

A Teamwork Focused Puzzle Platforming Game

Unravel Two is a family-friendly game published by Electronic Arts. It falls under the adventure and puzzle platformer genre, and it is appropriate for the whole family, including little ones over 8 years old. The game’s goal is to solve all levels by working as a team, using the unique yarn tether between both characters to solve puzzles and progress through the story.

Unravel Two is a great family game because it requires communication and teamwork at all times. It’s impossible to pass a level without the cooperation of the other player. Lastly, as proof of its quality, it won the award for Family Game of the Year.

2 Sonic Superstars

A Classic Family Game From SEGA

Released in 2023 by the Sonic Team, Sonic Superstars is an award-nominated platformer for The Best Family Game. Many gamers who are long-time fans of the Sonic games were impressed by the game’s level design. No violence is presented in the game, making it appropriate for all ages.

Parent reviews of Sonic Superstars mention the ease of the gameplay, the graphical quality, the vibrant colors, and the great agility of the characters. The goal of the game is pretty simple—to destroy enemies and obstacles and pick up rings along the way. Interested players can also purchase the Sonic Superstars Deluxe Edition LEGO and play with Sonic, Knuckles, Tails, and Amy in a special edition adventure.

1 LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

A Skywalker Saga-Inspired LEGO Game For The Whole Family

With 300 characters, 23 planets, and hundreds of vehicles to choose from, this multiplayer family-friendly game is a great selection for players looking to spend some time indoors. Published by Warner Bros., LEGO Star Wars, inspired by the Skywalker Saga, sold over five million copies, proving the success rate of the game. Fans of the LEGO franchise noted that what highlights this game compared to the previous ones is the quality of the camera angles.

Players can do split-screen multiplayer and join in anytime without the need to restart the game. Considered by many to be an easy game to play, LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga makes for a great choice for a family game day. In addition, it also teaches some problem-solving skills, and acts as a great introduction to the Star Wars franchise as a whole.

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