10 Best Family Games Of 2023

These rankings are based on a direct vote put out to DualShockers’ 100+ contributors, writers, and editors, not our individual reviews.

It’s been another massive year for video games, but one category that’s really shined this year is family-friendly titles. Whether you’re searching for that perfect relaxation game to unwind with after a hard day, or you plan on jumping into some action-packed adventures with your family, there really has been something for everyone this year.

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With such a wide array of massive family games released this year, we decided to ask the whole of DualShockers: what were the best family games of 2023? Here’s what came out on top.

10 Just Dance 2024 Edition

Mamma Mia, Here We Go Again!

Is it really the festive period if you don’t gather around the TV, dust off the Switch, and bust out your finest dance moves with Just Dance?

The latest edition of Just Dance proves exactly why it’s loved by all ages. You’re likely more than familiar with how Just Dance works, but for those who aren’t, Just Dance 2024 features some of the most iconic music of all time for you to dance along to as you mimic the on-screen characters.

Not only does Just Dance 2024 keep all of the same features as its predecessor, but there’s now a highly requested fan feature known as “Song Sharing.” This means you can transfer any of your songs from Just Dance 2023 into 2024, or vice-versa. Plus, you can now dance it out with your friends who own Just Dance 2023. There’s also the brand-new “Challenge” mode, which allows you to compete with players around the world, side-by-side, to see if you can beat their high score.

9 SpongeBob Squarepants: The Cosmic Shake

More Underwater Shenanigans

Nothing screams “pure entertainment” quite like the combination of SpongeBob Squarepants and a 3D platform game. After the massive success that was SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated, THQ Nordic gave Purple Lamp the green light to develop a spiritual sequel, and thus, SpongeBob Squarepants: The Cosmic Shake was born.

Although SpongeBob has his usual motley crew by his side in The Cosmic Shake, players can only take control of the titular character this time around. But fear not, as the gang at Purple Lamp has given SpongeBob a whole new array of abilities. As players navigate their way through vibrant and extravagant worlds, they’ll be able to test out all of SpongeBob’s new moves as he attempts to save his friends and Bikini Bottom.

8 Kirby’s Return To Dream Land Deluxe

Dream Land Looks Better Than Ever

Kirby had a pretty great 2022, following the release of Kirby and the Forgotten Land and Kirby’s Dream Buffet, so why not keep the fun going? February saw Kirby’s return once again, quite literally, in Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe.

Return to Dream Land Deluxe is a remake of the original Return To Dream Land, which was first released for the Nintendo Wii in 2011. You can take on this exhilarating platformer alone, or with up to three friends. With new Mecha and Sand abilities, updated visuals, and brand-new subgames to discover, Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe is another fantastic and vibrant platformer for all ages.

Find out exactly why this is a remake worth shouting about (and why we gave it a 9.5/10) in our official DualShockers review.

7 Detective Pikachu Returns

Pika-True Detective

Detective Pikachu has become something of an icon in recent years. After everybody’s favorite Pokemon decided to don the deerstalker in 2018’s Detective Pikachu, a live-action movie adaptation was released the following year, featuring Ryan Reynolds as the titular character. But now the mysteries continue, as Detective Pikachu made his triumphant return in Detective Pikachu Returns earlier this year.

There are new crimes to solve, more adventures to have, and (most importantly) more coffee to drink. Detective Pikachu Returns allows you to be the detective you’ve always wanted to be as you investigate crime scenes for clues, use your notebook to make deductions, and even speak to fellow Pokemon to uncover more clues.

6 Warioware: Move It!

Are You Ready To Move It?

With over 200 lightning-fast mini-games to play, Warioware: Move It! is another great game to get the whole family up and moving. You’ll need to make sure you’ve got perfect form as you take on a plethora of mini-games, each tasking you to shake, punch, wiggle, and more.

Warioware: Move It! is simple, but wildly entertaining when played with a group of friends or family members. Up to 4 players can play on one Nintendo Switch console, with each simply needing one joy-con controller. But for those looking for some solo entertainment, Move It! also features a story mode, where players must help Wario complete a selection of mini-games to escape the Woods Watchers.

5 Disney Illusion Island

Iconic Characters Embark On A Platforming Adventure

Disney Illusion Island features some of Disney’s most iconic and recognizable characters – Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy, who are embarking on a new adventure with a classic design that gives the group a real throwback look. This 2D platformer can be played solo, or with up to three friends in local co-op right from the comfort of your couch.

Hand-drawn animations and an original, fully orchestrated score with authentic voice acting make this one a triumphant return for Disney’s video games. In our official DualShockers review, we gave the game an impressive score of 8.5 out of 10, calling it “beautiful, imaginative, freewheeling, and magical.”

4 Party Animals

Punch, Kick, And Throw

If you’re familiar with the likes of Fall Guys and Gang Beasts, you’re sure to love Party Animals, another hilariously entertaining game to play with your friends. Whether it’s a dog, cat, otter, cow, or gorilla, there are plenty of animals and party games to get through. In total, there are 20 different maps and 3 different modes, including Arcade Mode, Team Score, and Last Stand.

Arguably the most popular of the bunch is Last Stand, which sees a total of 8 players battle it out to see who can punch, kick, and toss their way to victory to be the last animal standing.

Although it might seem simple at first, Party Animals shines in the “chaotic fun” department, with realistic ragdoll animations, vibrant design, and endless hours of fun to make it one of 2023’s best family games.

3 Minecraft Legends

Unite The Overworld

Over a quarter of DualShockers voters are in agreeance: Minecraft Legends is one of the best family games of the year. It’s the second Minecraft spin-off from Mojang Studios, with big boots to fill after the hugely successful Minecraft Dungeons. Thankfully, it lived up to expectations.

Minecraft Legends is an action strategy game set in the Minecraft universe. If you’ve ever played Minecraft before, you’ll feel right at home as you explore a wide array of biomes, encounter friendly villagers, and battle it out against hordes of Piglins to save the Overworld. In our official DualShockers review, we gave Minecraft Legends a 7.2 out of 10.

2 Pikmin 4

They’re back!

Pikmin once again took the gaming world by storm with the franchise’s latest installment, Pikmin 4, earlier this year. New missions, such as Dandori challenges, task the player to collect all treasures and creatures inside of caves within an allotted time, whilst the game’s overworld is vastly more vibrant and detailed than its predecessor. There are also new Pikmin, ability upgrades, and more, making this one of the best Pikmin games to date.

For the unaware, Pikmin 4 is an RTS game that once again sees the return of the titular tiny plantlike creatures, each with their own distinct abilities. To succeed in Pikmin 4, you’ll need to grow, guide, and gather your Pikmin for a series of adventures and battles. And, for the first time in the series’ history, you’ll even get to customize your very own character. What more could you ask for?

1 Super Mario Bros. Wonder

Wacky, Wonderful, And Vibrant

Despite stiff competition from the likes of Pikmin 4 and Minecraft Legends, Super Mario Bros. Wonder came out on top as DualShockers’ best family game of 2023. With a massive 43% of votes, Super Mario Bros. Wonder isn’t just regarded as one of the best family games of the year, it’s one of the best games of the year too.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder not only keeps classic 2D platform elements that the series has become known for, but it also throws in plenty of new concepts and elements that completely revitalize it. New enemies, new power-ups, and a visually stunning and immersive experience from start to finish (especially on the Switch OLED) make Super Mario Bros. Wonder a must-have for anybody with a Nintendo Switch.