From super-competitive races to brainteasing puzzles, here are our recommended games to elevate your night out with loved ones.
Remember when you and your friends were kids crowding around a single PlayStation controller, eagerly awaiting your turn? Or the joy of hoarding an Uno Reverse card, waiting for the right moment to slap it down?
No matter how many years it’s been since you dusted off the Monopoly board, you’re never too grown-up to connect with your pals over a game. Check out our list of recommendations for couples, families of all ages, or large groups of friends to help you relive those carefree hours spent honing your Mario Kart skills.
It’s hard to believe that the Street Fighter franchise has been around for 37 years — and remains one of Capcom’s most popular games today.
Grab a controller each and go 1-vs-1 in an offline match or opt for Battle Hub mode to take on players from around the world in a virtual battleground.
What makes Street Fighter 6 unique is its Drive Gauge system, with six stamina bars displayed on screen. These enable players to use new attacks — such as Impact, Reversal, Parry and Overdrive — and introduce a strategic element to managing their Health Points (HP). Enemy strikes drain large amounts of HP or deplete the bars of the Drive Gauge, adding a layer of tactical depth to every battle and making Street Fighter 6 more than just an exercise in button-mashing.
Now here’s a console game designed for real-life interaction between two players, who must rely on their Joy-Con controllers for cues and face each other instead of the TV screen — perfect for couples on a gaming date.
In the game’s collection of 28 mini games, players are challenged with a variety of competitive tasks, such as a gun duel, a dance-off or an air guitar contest. The magic of 1-2 Switch lies in the Joy-Cons’ haptic feedback technology, which captures players’ movements to determine the winner based on real-time performance.
Rekindle your childhood gaming memories of Princess Peach, Bowser and, of course, Mario himself. This award-winning eighth instalment of the Mario Kart racing franchise sees characters speeding down a course in a go-kart (or motorcycle, hang glider, or underwater vehicle), grabbing power-ups to go faster, or tossing Boomerang Flower projectiles to stun opponents and slow them down.
Launched in 2014, Mario Kart 8 features a multiplayer mode where up to four players’ controllers can be connected to the same console in a race to the finish line.
Football enthusiasts, get ready for EA Sports FC 24. After parting ways with FIFA in 2022, EA Sports has launched its latest football game, maintaining the classic gameplay familiar to FIFA veterans but under a new name.
Enjoy the same thrilling gameplay, now augmented with features like FC 24 Playstyles, which enhances top players with unique abilities in areas like ball control, defending and passing for a tailored experience. The Ultimate Team experience allows you to mix players across clubs and even gender — think: Sam Kerr playing alongside Kevin De Bruyne, for example.
Visuals remain top-notch, with the game’s realistic football play continuing to be powered by EA Sports’ latest HyperMotion Technology — such that Mo Salah running down the wing will look almost like the real man in action.
This award-winning game serves up a delicious blend of strategy and fun, accommodating up to eight players. Imagine you and your friends are seated at a conveyor belt sushi restaurant. Your objective is to grab the best combination of dishes — each represented by a card — to score the highest points.
This game’s charm lies in its ability to cater to a wide audience, making it an excellent pick for families or gatherings of mixed ages. The scoring system is easy enough for kids to get the hang of.
Bonus: The adorable illustrations of Japanese favourites like onigiri, maki and tempura will make you smile (and possibly hungry for sushi).
This high-energy game is perfect for large groups with varying levels of video game savvy — all you have to do is, well, just what the title says.
This sequel features new co-operative Duet routines, with choreography for two players, so you can practice your moves in sync with your partner or bestie. There’s also a Dance Battle mode, where teams of up to four players face off across songs and mini games to accumulate points that will decide the winner.
Groove to a soundtrack that features classics from the Beastie Boys, The Clash and Donna Summer, alongside fun pop tracks by Katy Perry and Rihanna.
As we get older, we play less – but research has shown that play benefits adults’ mental well-being, making us more creative, motivated and open to new opportunities. Additionally, engaging in games contributes to physical wellness by reducing blood pressure.
While the potential for video game addiction exists, moderate gameplay is believed to enhance neuroplasticity (the brain’s capacity to adapt and absorb new information). Evidence suggests that gamers exhibit more brain activity in areas related to attention and memory, compared to those who don’t play video games.
As for board games, studies have found that they reduce cognitive decline from dementia and lessen depression in older adults, while helping children foster rule-following and concentration in a structured environment.
Ready for Game Night? All these titles and more await at PlayPen at HomeTeamNS Bukit Batok, an entertainment space designed for bonding with friends and family over your favourite console and board games.
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