Why you need gaming consoles this festive season

Ugandans save money every Christmas by travelling.

Why cook and clean till your back breaks when you can dump your children at a parent, aunt, uncle, grandparent, or sibling’s home for the next four weeks?

Feeding and housing nieces, nephews, and cousins is one thing. Dealing with their adult parents as well during this hectic period may overwhelm even your considerable patience. This is where party games enter the picture.

Christmas itself is just two days. What happens when the eating ends? I suppose you could spend a few hours roaming your neighbourhood. But unless you have the money to pay for potentially expensive outings, consider opting for party games.

Party games are video games that encourage the participation of multiple players. Think of all those board games and card games from your youth, the loud, explosive, competitive kind that consumed hours of your day and nurtured the bonds you enjoy to this day.

Party games are the video game equivalent, and fortunately for you, the market has plenty of exciting options. Super Mario Party (Nintendo Switch) can accommodate up to four players who must navigate an expansive setting in search of stars. Super Mario Party has more than enough mini-games to keep both children and adults occupied for days.

Nintendo Switch Sports (Nintendo Switch) pits players against opponents in the same room or across the world as they vie for dominance in eight distinct sports. You can play 1V1, 2V2, or a free-for-all.

The games are easy to master and relatively quick, which allows you to craft short tournaments. With online mode, the fun can continue even after your friends and family return home, assuming they have consoles.

Rocket League (PC, Xbox, PS, Nintendo Switch) is soccer with cars. But in this case, the cars can jump, flip, twist, and twirl through the air better than any real-life athlete. It is not enough to win. The game compels competitors to take advantage of their vehicle’s incredible aerodynamic capabilities by scoring the most stunning goals possible.

Overcooked 2 (PC, Xbox, PS, Nintendo Switch) demands cooperation. Four players must join forces to prepare and serve as many dishes as the time limit allows. Each of the six levels introduces a unique set of obstacles for gamers to overcome.

Overcooked: All You Can Eat gives you access to every Overcooked game along with the various DLC packs. Quest for the Golden Duck (PC, Nintendo Switch) attracts comparisons with Pacman because players spend the game running around a castle, collecting coins, and avoiding monsters.

However, Quest for the Golden Duck supports as many as four players. More importantly, one player can fill the role of the monster, chasing other players around to prevent them from completing the game.

If you are worried that Quest for the Golden Duck sounds like it could become stale after a few hours, the game has a whopping one hundred levels. With Heave Ho (PC, Nintendo Switch), four players will hold hands and either swing or climb over one another to traverse various obstacles.

Use Your Words (PC, Xbox, PS, Wii) converts your smartphone into a controller (if you don’t have enough controllers). It also offers a multitude of word-based mini-games for your friends and family to navigate.

I have not even mentioned the Just Dance series, Nidhogg, or Jackbox Party, but you get the point. And yes, gaming consoles are a relatively hefty investment. But think about it. You only buy the console once even though the entertainment value it offers lasts a lifetime.
 
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