2022 saw plenty of great games being released, but which ones are suitable for your family? Whether you're looking for games that you can experience together to make memories, or games that you can give to younger family members, safe in the knowledge that they're age-appropriate, we've found the best family-friendly games from 2022.

Related: Best Board Games Released In 2022

Go on a huge adventure across sprawling lands, share some classic multiplayer family fun, or try a new gaming experience. There's lots of variety here, so you're bound to find something that suits you and your family.

Kirby And The Forgotten Land

Kirby and the Forgotten Land opening logo screen

Age Rating

Platform(s)

Genre

Players

Everyone 10+

Nintendo Switch

  • Platform
  • Adventure
  • Single Player
  • Local Co-Op

In Kirby and the Forgotten Land, you play as the titular Kirby as he makes his way through the New World, on a mission to find and rescue the kidnapped Waddle Dees. Kirby has a range of skills at his disposal thanks to his Copy Abilities, making every level and encounter with enemies feel creative and unique.

This entry has the same bright and colorful feel that the series is known for, and you can jump right in without having played any other Kirby titles before. It’s a vibrant adventure that every member of the family can enjoy.

Get it on Amazon here!

Splatoon 3

Splatoon 3 - Yellow And Blue Inklings Shooting Ink At Each Other

Age Rating

Platform(s)

Genre

Players

Everyone 10+

Nintendo Switch

Third-Person Shooter

  • Single Player
  • Local Co-Op
  • Online Multiplayer

Splatoon 3 has both a story mode and a multiplayer mode, giving plenty of options when it comes to playing together. The story mode is single-player, where you make your way through stages and beat a boss at the end. With multiplayer, you can choose to play online, or use local co-op, whichever you prefer, and you can play either Turf Wars or Salmon Runs.

Turf Wars are great, simple fun, as you splash ink across the stage to earn points for your turf among eight other players. Salmon Runs can be a little more difficult, as you team up with up to three players to take down hordes of enemies. Regardless, there are hours of fun to be had here, both playing solo and as a group.

Get it on Amazon here!

Pupperazzi

Pupperazzi a wide shot of a children's park with dogs using the various swings and springy horses with a row of buildings in the background

Age Rating

Platform(s)

Genre

Players

PEGI 3

  • PC
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X/S
  • Adventure
  • Photography

Single Player

Pupperazzi is an adorable game where your only mission is to take photos of dogs. What else could you possibly need? Throughout the game, you'll meet a wide range of cute canine friends and take photos of them. You upload the photos to Dognet (the game's fictional social media platform), upgrade your camera for better snaps, and progress your career as a dog photographer — everyone's dream job.

If you or a family member love dogs, you can relax while playing Pupperazzi together, and bask in the utter happiness that is this game.

Get it on Steam here!

Sonic Frontiers

Sonic Frontiers

Age Rating

Platform(s)

Genre

Players

Everyone 10+

  • PlayStation 5
  • PlayStation 4
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X / S
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Platform
  • Action-Adventure

Single Player

Sonic's classic platforming is given a modern makeover in Sonic Frontiers. The game has five islands to explore, and you can race around them any way you like. Each island has secrets to discover, challenging platform sequences and tough battles to take on. There are hours of family fun to be had simply racing around the islands, but the story is great to experience too.

The story begins with Sonic alone on a strange island, separated from his friends. You'll need to uncover the mysteries behind each island to find the Chaos Emeralds and reunite Sonic with his friends.

Get it on Amazon here!

Time On Frog Island

Time on Frog Island - player looking at their wrecked boat

Age Rating

Platform(s)

Genre

Players

Everyone

  • PlayStation 5
  • PlayStation 4
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X / S
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC

Adventure

Single Player

After becoming shipwrecked, the sailor in Time On Frog Island finds themselves lost on an island inhabited by, as you might have guessed, frogs. To fix up your ship and be on your way again, you must explore the island and work together with the frogs, learning about them and their way of life in the process.

You can go at your own pace, making friends with the local amphibians as you solve their problems and find a way to fix the boat. All in all, Time On Frog Island is a charming game with vibrant graphics and fun puzzles, and is sure to be a hit with every member of the family.

Get it on Xbox on Amazon here! Get it on PS5 on Amazon here!

Nintendo Switch Sports

A screenshot showing bowling in Nintendo Switch Sports

Age Rating

Platform(s)

Genre

Players

Everyone 10+

Nintendo Switch

  • Sports
  • Action
  • Single Player
  • Local Co-Op
  • Online Multiplayer

Wii Sports was an immediate hit when it released on the Nintendo Wii, and Nintendo Switch Sports offers just as much family fun. Choose to play tennis, volleyball, badminton, bowling, golf, football, and chambara in single-player mode, with the family using local co-op, or even with family and friends far and wide with the online multiplayer feature.

Tennis and bowling are classics to play on a family game night, but you could also try something different with volleyball and chambara. Chambara is a mode that kids will find especially fun, as you swing a sword at the opposing player to knock them off the stage and win.

Get it on Amazon here!

Just Dance 2023

Just Dance 2023

Age Rating

Platform(s)

Genre

Players

Everyone 10+

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PlayStation 5
  • Xbox Series X / S
  • Music
  • Rhythm
  • Dancing
  • Single-Player
  • Local Co-Op
  • Online Multiplayer

Get ready to dance your heart out with Just Dance 2023. This entry to the series introduces online multiplayer, so you can dance online with friends wherever they are. 40 chart-topping hits are included, so you can choose some of the most popular songs to get your groove on to.

Based on which songs you choose to dance to, you'll also be offered tailored suggestions to help improve your experience, and find the songs that you and your family will love dancing to the most. This one's perfect for a whole-family game night, or someone who loves to both game and be active.

Get it on Amazon here!

Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

pokemon scarlet and violet covers koraidon and miraidon

Age Rating

Platform(s)

Genre

Players

Everyone 7+

Nintendo Switch

  • Monster-Catching
  • Adventure
  • Single Player
  • Local Co-Op
  • Online Multiplayer

Pokemon Scarlet & Violet is the first open-world adventure in the Pokemon series. In Scarlet, you get access to the legendary Pokemon Koraidon, and in Violet, you'll get Miraidon. Both games also have a small set of exclusive Pokemon that aren't available in the other version.

In both games, you explore the vast version of Paldea, catching and raising Pokemon to take on Gym Leaders, members of Team Star, and powerful Titan Pokemon. You're free to choose where to go and what challenges to take on, but you're guaranteed to have a memorable Pokemon journey. You can also join up with other trainers on their journey using local or online multiplayer to explore the region together or take on Tera Raid battles against especially strong Pokemon.

Get it on Amazon here!

We hope you like the items we recommend and discuss! TheGamer has affiliate and sponsored partnerships, so we receive a share of the revenue from some of your purchases. This won’t affect the price you pay and helps us offer the best product recommendations.

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