What are the best PS4 games for families to play together? The PlayStation 4's vast library of titles caters to every type of genre and video game player imaginable. From RPGs and first-person shooters through to driving simulators, it really does have the lot. However, occasionally you'll want to bond with your family over a good PS4 game, even if some close relatives didn't grow up with a controller in their hands.
Thanks to Sony's own range of titles aimed at the family and interactive takes on classic board games, the PS4 is the perfect console to choose when it comes to sitting down with the family and engaging in a bit of video game playing. These are the best PS4 games for families to play together, and don't forget to check out our list of the best PS4 kids games. Also, you may be interested in our guides to the best PS4 co-op games and best PS4 local multiplayer games. If you're looking for a list of the best PS4 games in general, check the link.
Best PS4 Family Games
Below is a list of the best PS4 games to play with the family. Presented in no particular order, these family-friendly games have been selected by the editorial team.
Erica (PS4)
Erica is probably the best FMV game of the past 10 years, and it makes for the perfect place to start this list. Perhaps not one for kids, Flavourworks' depiction of what appears to be a normal care home quickly descending into madness is gripping. It's easy to pick up and play, devoid of any thumbstick control, and gives you time to think about your choices and actions. If you're looking for a captivating story which requires minimal interaction, Erica is about the best you're going to get.
Hidden Agenda (PS4)
Hidden Agenda was the flagship title of Sony's PlayLink initiative earlier in the generation — a feature which allows you to play a PS4 game through your mobile phone. Everyone and their dog has a smartphone nowadays, so the touch controls should become second nature in an instant. Using your thumb, you can control the basic action of Hidden Agenda's murder-mystery to impressive effect. It's simple, if a bit mature for younger viewers, but this one will have the family gripped from the word go. Better yet, anyone in the room can control the experience with ease.
It Takes Two (PS4)
Designed specifically for two players, It Takes Two is a family-friendly action adventure that emphasises cooperation. Playing as an estranged couple shrunk down into dolls, it's a quest to not only return to normal size, but also to repair their relationship and start fresh. The story isn't as heavy as it sounds, and more importantly, this is an extremely fun game that's constantly mixing things up with new ideas from start to finish. A perfect game for friends and family to play together.
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Jackbox Party Pack
The Jackbox Party Pack games are ideal for family gatherings. Playable using smartphones as controllers, you and your loved ones can compete in a wide variety of party games and zany quizzes. With eight collections containing the likes of Drawful, Fibbage, Quiplash, Joke Boat, and many more, there's hours and hours of madcap entertainment in these quirky collections.
Just Dance 2022 (PS4)
It's the classic — you knew that Just Dance would appear somewhere on this list. From Billie Eilish, Khalid, and Blackpink through to Lil Nas X and Ed Sheeran, pop's greatest hitmakers have reconvened to make Just Dance 2022 the definitive dancing game on PS4. Better yet, the entire family can join in via a smartphone app that'll have them busting some moves in no time at all.
Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes (PS4)
If you've got a PlayStation VR headset and have been looking for a way to show it off to the family, Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes is the perfect blend of virtual reality and real-life problem-solving. While one person wears the VR device, the rest of the family helps them to disable a bomb via a real-life manual filled with solutions to the puzzling devices on the explosive. With rounds only lasting a short while, you can be in and out of a puzzle in no time at all — potentially even giving those less experienced with video games a shot at disabling the contraption.
Knowledge Is Power (PS4)
Knowledge Is Power is another PlayLink game that anyone with a smartphone can get the hang of in the space of just a couple of minutes. This is essentially a quiz show where you pick the categories and make questions harder to answer through Power Plays. Lots of questions are going to be keeping you occupied for many rounds, while quick-fire matches will have you coming up with answers at a blistering pace. It's fun for the whole family, especially those with a big brain.
Knowledge Is Power: Decades (PS4)
If you and your family enjoyed Knowledge Is Power, why not extend the enjoyment with the follow-up, titled Knowledge Is Power: Decades? This expansion features an all-new round, more characters, and another theme. It's more Knowledge Is Power, and that's quite alright in our books.
Monopoly Plus (PS4)
Everybody's favourite board game comes to PS4 with a real, living, 3D board that gets rid of the mess when you inevitably flip it over in disgust. Up to six players can gather around the TV for an interactive game of Monopoly that features house rules and the ability to change them along with a neighbourhood brought to life, featuring inhabitants who celebrate your achievements. No matter how you play Monopoly, the PS4 version can cater to you and your family's needs.
Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl (PS4)
Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl is a "platform fighter", which means your objective is to knock your competitors off the screen by dealing out damage. This game stars a bunch of recognisable Nickelodeon cartoon characters old and new, making this a fun game for various ages. Adults will appreciate the likes of Ren & Stimpy and Rugrats characters, while younger members of the family will be happy to see Lucy and Lincoln Loud, among others. For up to four players, this is a fast and frantic fighting game that'll have everyone whooping and laughing in minutes.
Sackboy: A Big Adventure (PS4)
Now, here's a super-jolly game for the whole family to play. Sackboy: A Big Adventure is an adorable platformer for up to four players, each taking control of a customisable burlap doll. Gather bubbles for points, jump on the heads of baddies, and solve simple puzzles in wonderful craft-themed levels. There's even a pantomime-style story to follow starring some top British talent, such as Dawn French and Richard E. Grant. It's just a little bundle of joy that players of any age will enjoy.
That's You (PS4)
That's You is an approachable, engaging title based around quizzes that the whole family can enjoy. PlayLink once again sets the scene for an experience centred around the mobile phone — even allowing you to take selfies and edit them in the game. The comedic value here is truly through the roof with over 1,000 questions to answer for up to five players, and picture-based rounds where you get to do your worst to a friend's image. That's You is probably one of the best quiz-focused titles on PS4 that'll have everyone in the room laughing.
UNO (PS4)
The classic card game UNO has been faithfully recreated on PS4 to allow you and three friends or family members to engage in the quest to rid your hand of cards. It's playable online, or locally via PlayLink, which means friends and family can join the fun with their smartphones. If you don't have the real thing, UNO on PS4 is a great replacement.
What do you think are the best PS4 family games to play at home together? Do you and members of your family play any of the titles featured on our list, or have we missed something out? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, and be sure to check out our best PS4 games list too.
Comments (34)
Thanks for this, chaps. I've been ISO for 3 weeks now with four little ones... this makes things a hell of a lot simpler. Not all heroes wear capes, brothers. Stay safe x
@AhabSpampurse Yeah, we wanted to put something together for those at home right now.
Thanks, this will be helpful now that we're quarantined until June.
I really dig the art style of Knowledge is Power by the way. I should look into that game.
Been playing Dreams with my 11 year old daughter, she enjoyed the 2 player story mode, had some good fun
@get2sammyb probably a good shout to leave off overcooked. Isolation is going to be tough enough without the arguments that brings 😂
@Rob_230 Exactly! 🤣
"We know PS4 doesn't have Animal Crossing so... here ya go!"
Just kidding, honestly I love Monopoly. It's just that no one is ever willing to play it with me till the end. They always rage quit after one bad turn.
My additions are:
I've tested many 4 player splitscreen games and tested them too: https://medium.com/@scarbir/best-local-4-player-games-ps4-3904dc150cc3
I'll always put a shout out for Stikbold. One of the funniest local MP games I've ever played. Had my mate and I in agony from laughing so much every time we fired it up.
Monopoly- everyone's favourite board game!?!? As if being stuck at home with my family isn't bad enough, you're suggesting we tear each other apart by playing a game about greed and tax!?
Savages, the lot of you.
@LiamCroft I think the second page links are wrong? It goes on to Ericka and A Way Out?
Where are Crash Team Racing, Sonic Racing, Little Big Planet 3 and so forth?
@Kienda Nope, that's correct. They're purposefully on a separate page because they're for older family members.
Jeopardy and mix ups have been big ones here. The music from mix ups will forever haunt me, even in death.
Can buzz please make a comeback. Should have been a play link game
@Octane "Thanks, this will be helpful now that we're quarantined until June."
June you say.
I recommend Sackboy as well. Me and my daughter completed this together, it's a lot of fun.
It's a shame Rayman: Legends isn't on this list. Best family game I've every played. My niece and I had a riot for a whole summer playing this together.
Use Your Words needs to be on here for their "Sub-the-title" mini-game alone! Getting a chance to fill in the line for a sub-titled foreign film is unbelievably hilarious!
Love Knowledge is Power and Knowlegde is Power, Decades, although winning or loosing is not a receipy for a harmonious household 😂
Can't wait for the Tetris Effect update. My kind of family game.
Pretty disappointing list to be honest, surprised there aren’t more interesting family games on the PS4 given how great the platform has been in general.
@quinnyboy58 This list is a bit weird and sparse as there are loads of family games on the PS4, it just depends what genre you're into.
Driving games? Sonic Racing, Crash Team Racing, Horizon Chase Turbo
Platform games? Little Big Planet, Rayman Legends, any Lego game.
Actually, I didn't know that Lego Ninjago was 4 player until I downloaded it when it was free earlier this year. Bodes well for Lego Star Wars: Skywalker Saga next year!
@LiamCroft @get2sammyb You guys should do an article - Games to Play While All Your Footie Games Are Postponed. 😝
@Octane I suppose when you said "June" you never did qualify which year.😂
Is this article a year old or is it actually still 2020, I'm honestly not sure any more.🤷
My PS4 games recommendation for kids and family.
Rated Everyone, Everyone 10+, PEGI 3 & PEGI 7 only.
@LiamCroft Thanks for this list — great info for all of us sheltering from Omicron and eager to have some family gaming fun.
However, I need to correct you — you referred to Monopoly as "Everybody's favourite board game". I think you meant "Everybody's favourite soul-crushing, family-destroying board game".
@Anti-Matter Megaman 11 is hard to hard for me. 🤪
LEGO city undercover also a great game only one big issue i had ceash issues so many it corrupted my save after 30 i played it again but i got so sick of it.
Trivial pursuit should probably be on here. As far as quiz games go it does it pretty well and has a nice difficulty level.
@rjejr LOL exactly!
@Anti-Matter Great selection of games there! Have you beaten all of them yet?
@KidBoruto
Well, only LEGO CITY UNDERCOVER, Ratchet & Clank, Dragon Quest Builders 2, Portal Knights, Paw Patrol Mighty Pups, Yonder the Cloud Catcher Chronicles is have finished the storyline. 😀
I'm still working on my PS4 backlogs.
@Anti-Matter I highly recommend playing thru Skylanders next, love anything that has Spyro in it.
One reason I love the PS4 is for Playlink. Always reminds me of Buzz and it saves having to buy new controllers. There are hardly any decent family and party games on the Xbox.
Monopoly is the worst game ever man, come on.
Don't forget Ticket to Ride. One of the better board games without dice. Never thought I'd have a digital board game but can now play with family.hundreds of miles away.
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