Why Sonic Adventure 2?

Originally released on the Sega Dreamcast, the game builds on its predecessor by refining gameplay, introducing new characters, and presenting a more dramatic, story-driven experience. It is especially known for its dual-story structure, fast-paced action, and memorable soundtrack.

Sonic Adventure 2: Battle is an enhanced version of Sonic Adventure 2, bringing one of the most beloved Sonic titles to the Nintendo GameCube. It builds on the original game by improving visuals, adding new features, and expanding multiplayer options. The result is a fast-paced and content-rich experience that remains a fan favorite in the Sonic the Hedgehog series.

The story is divided into two perspectives: the Hero story and the Dark story. Players can choose to follow either side, experiencing the events from different viewpoints. On the Hero side, Sonic the Hedgehog, Miles “Tails” Prower, and Knuckles the Echidna work together to stop a new threat. On the Dark side, players control Shadow the Hedgehog, Dr. Eggman, and Rouge the Bat, who have their own goals involving a powerful weapon known as the Eclipse Cannon.

The story is more serious and dramatic than many earlier Sonic games. It explores themes such as identity, loyalty, and sacrifice, particularly through the character of Shadow. As both stories unfold, players gradually learn how the two sides are connected, leading to a final storyline that brings everything together.

Gameplay in Sonic Adventure 2 is divided into three main styles, each shared between a Hero and Dark character. The first style is speed stages, featuring Sonic and Shadow. These levels focus on fast-paced platforming with loops, rails, and wide pathways designed for high-speed movement.

The second style is mech shooting stages, featuring Tails and Dr. Eggman. In these levels, players control robotic suits equipped with weapons to defeat enemies and navigate through areas. These stages are slower and more combat-focused than the speed levels.

The third style is treasure hunting stages, featuring Knuckles and Rouge. Players explore large environments to find hidden items, using clues and sensors to locate them. These stages focus more on exploration than speed.

This structure allows for variety in gameplay, keeping the experience from feeling repetitive. Each style offers a different type of challenge, and switching between them helps maintain player interest.

The level design is one of the game’s highlights. Speed stages are especially memorable, with exciting set pieces like city escapes, highways, and space-themed environments. The sense of speed is strong, and many levels are designed to reward skillful movement and timing.

Another standout feature is the Chao Garden, which expands on the system introduced in the first game. Players can raise Chao creatures by collecting items during levels and bringing them back to the garden. Chao can be trained, customized, and entered into races or competitions. This feature adds a relaxing and creative side activity that contrasts with the action-heavy main gameplay.

The music in Sonic Adventure 2 is widely praised. Each character and stage has its own theme, ranging from energetic rock songs to atmospheric tracks. The soundtrack helps give the game a strong identity and makes many moments more memorable.

Visually, the game improved on its predecessor with more detailed environments and smoother animations (for its time). The stages are varied and colorful, helping each level feel unique.

However, the game is not without its flaws.

One common issue is the camera system, which can sometimes be difficult to control during fast movement or in tight spaces. This can occasionally lead to missed jumps or confusion.

The treasure hunting stages may also feel slower compared to the fast-paced speed levels. Some players enjoy the exploration, while others may find it less exciting.

The mech stages, while offering a different style of gameplay, can feel repetitive over time due to their focus on combat.

Additionally, the voice acting and cutscene animations may feel dated by modern standards, though they remain memorable for fans of the series.

How We Test Games

For testing games we use a Nintendo Switch firmware version 2H. Hardware includes Joy-con and Pro controller on a large screen TV. Tests are done with up to 5 players. We take turns playing and evaluating games.

Whenever possible we play multiple players. We also use a Nintendo 2DS, DS XL, and for PC games we use a Ryzen 7 1700x CPU, AMD RX580, running on Win 10. This game is up to 1-player on PC/Steam and more.

Pros

Dual-story structure with Hero and Dark perspectives.

Variety of gameplay styles (speed, shooting, treasure hunting.

Fast and exciting level design for Sonic and Shadow.

Memorable soundtrack with character themes.

Expanded Chao Garden with lots of customization.

Strong and more serious story.

Cons

Camera can be inconsistent during certain sections.

Treasure hunting stages may feel slower than other gameplay styles.

Mech stages can become repetitive.

Animations and visuals show their age.

Summary

Overall, Sonic Adventure 2 is a fan-favorite entry that builds on the ideas of the original while adding more depth and variety. Its combination of fast-paced action, multiple gameplay styles, and a dramatic story makes it one of the most memorable Sonic games. While some elements may feel dated today, it remains a standout adventure for fans of Sonic the Hedgehog and a key part of the series’ history.

If you enjoyed this review, you’ll also want to check out my Sonic Adventure review!

Mario – Review brought to you by Gaming Chickadee

Chickadee loves to have family gaming days. She loves birds, unicorns, ponies She also likes the Nancy Drew Games. She loves to play as Princess Daisy in the Super Mario Games, Her favorite games change a lot but right they are: Mario Party Superstars, Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Pretty Princess Party.

Why Sonic Adventure?

Released originally for the Sega Dreamcast, the game introduced new mechanics, multiple playable characters, and a more cinematic storytelling approach.

The story begins when a mysterious water-like creature named Chaos is released by the villainous Dr. Eggman. Eggman plans to use Chaos and the power of the Chaos Emeralds to take over the world. Sonic and his friends must stop him before Chaos becomes too powerful.

Sonic Adventure DX: Director’s Cut is an expanded version of the original Sonic Adventure, bringing one of Sonic the Hedgehog’s first 3D adventures to a wider audience. Originally released on the Sega Dreamcast, this updated version adds new features, improved visuals (for its time), and extra content.

One of the most notable features of the game is its multiple playable characters, each offering a different gameplay experience. Players can take control of Sonic the Hedgehog, Miles “Tails” Prower, Knuckles the Echidna, Amy Rose, Big the Cat, and E-102 Gamma. Each character has their own storyline that connects to the main plot, giving players different perspectives on the events.

Sonic’s gameplay focuses on speed and platforming. His levels are large and designed for fast movement, featuring loops, ramps, and multiple pathways. These stages aim to recreate the fast-paced feel of the classic 2D games in a 3D environment.

Tails offers a racing-style gameplay, where players compete against Sonic to reach the end of levels. Knuckles focuses on exploration, searching for hidden pieces of the Master Emerald in large open areas. Amy’s gameplay involves escaping from danger while solving light puzzles. Gamma introduces shooting mechanics, while Big the Cat has a slower-paced fishing gameplay style.

This variety was ambitious and helped make the game feel larger and more dynamic. Each character’s story adds new details, and completing all of them unlocks the final part of the game’s story.

Another major feature is the hub world system. Players explore areas like Station Square and Mystic Ruins to find entrances to levels and progress the story. This design adds a sense of adventure and makes the world feel more connected compared to simple level selection menus.

The game also introduced the Chao Garden, where players can raise small creatures called Chao. This mode allows players to care for, train, and interact with their Chao, which can later participate in races. It adds a relaxing side activity that contrasts with the action-focused main gameplay.

Visually, the game was impressive for its time. The environments are colorful and varied, including cities, jungles, and ancient ruins. Character designs were updated to fit a more modern and detailed 3D style.

The music is another standout feature. The soundtrack includes energetic rock songs, character themes, and atmospheric tracks that help bring each area to life. Many of the songs are memorable and closely associated with the Sonic series.

However, the game does have some weaknesses.

The camera system can be difficult to manage, especially during fast sections or precise platforming. This can sometimes lead to missed jumps or confusion about where to go.

Not all gameplay styles are equally enjoyable. While Sonic’s levels are often the most exciting, other characters—particularly Big the Cat—may feel slower or less engaging for some players.

The voice acting and cutscenes, while ambitious for the time, can feel awkward or outdated compared to modern games. Character animations may also appear stiff.

Additionally, the controls can feel less precise than in newer platform games, which may take some time for players to get used to.

Despite these issues, the game remains a landmark title.

How We Test Games

For testing games we use a Nintendo Switch firmware version 2H. Hardware includes Joy-con and Pro controller on a large screen TV. Tests are done with up to 5 players. We take turns playing and evaluating games.

Whenever possible we play multiple players. We also use a Nintendo 2DS, DS XL, and for PC games we use a Ryzen 7 1700x CPU, AMD RX580, running on Win 10. This game is up to 1-player on PC/Steam and more.

Pros

First major 3D Sonic adventure.

Multiple playable characters with unique gameplay styles.

Large, fast-paced levels for Sonic.

Hub worlds that connect the story.

Memorable soundtrack.

Chao Garden adds extra depth and replay value.

Cons

Camera can be difficult to control at times.

Some gameplay styles are less enjoyable than others.

Graphics and animations show their age.

Voice acting and cutscenes may feel outdated.

Summary

Overall, Sonic Adventure is a groundbreaking game that helped shape the future of the Sonic series. While it has some flaws due to its age, its ambition, variety, and memorable moments make it a classic. For fans of Sonic the Hedgehog, it remains an important and enjoyable adventure that introduced Sonic to the world of 3D gaming.

Sonic Adventure – Review brought to you by Gaming Chickadee

Chickadee loves to have family gaming days. She loves birds, unicorns, ponies She also likes the Nancy Drew Games. She loves to play as Princess Daisy in the Super Mario Games, Her favorite games change a lot but right they are: Mario Party Superstars, Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Pretty Princess Party.

Why WHOT! Sonic Edition?

Whot! is a fast-paced and entertaining card game that combines strategy, luck, and plenty of surprise moments. Originating in Nigeria, the game has become popular with families and friends thanks to its simple rules and exciting gameplay.

At its core, Whot! is easy to learn. The game uses a unique deck of cards featuring symbols rather than traditional suits. These symbols usually include Circle, Triangle, Square, Cross, and Star but for the Sonic Edition they change them to be Gold Ring, Chaos Emerald, Item Box and other sonic related items anyway each numbered from 1 to 14, along with special “Whot” cards. On a player’s turn, they must match either the symbol or the number of the top card on the discard pile. If a player cannot make a valid move, they must pick up cards from the draw pile until they can play. This straightforward mechanic makes Whot! accessible even to new players, including children, while still allowing room for strategic thinking.

What truly sets Whot! apart from many other card games is its use of action cards. Certain numbers carry special abilities that can dramatically shift the course of a round. For example, some cards force the next player to pick up extra cards, while others require opponents to miss a turn or allow the current player to choose a new symbol. These action cards introduce unpredictability and excitement, ensuring that no lead is ever completely safe. A player who appears close to winning can suddenly find themselves falling behind, which keeps all participants engaged until the very end.

Another appealing aspect of Whot! is the strategy involved in hand management. Players must constantly decide whether to play powerful action cards immediately or save them for a more critical moment. Holding onto a Whot card, which allows the player to call any symbol, can be a game-changing decision if used wisely. This balance between luck and strategy means that skilled players can improve their chances of winning over time, but newcomers still have opportunities to succeed, making the game fair and enjoyable for mixed-experience groups.

Whot! also excels as a social game. The fast pace and frequent surprises often lead to laughter, playful frustration, and lively conversation around the table. Because rounds are usually short, players can easily play multiple games in one session, encouraging friendly competition and rematches. The game supports different numbers of players and is often adapted with house rules, which adds to its versatility and long-lasting appeal.

Visually, the Whot! deck is bright, colorful, and easy to read. The use of bold symbols rather than traditional card suits makes the game accessible to younger players and those who may struggle with standard playing cards. The durable card design also holds up well to repeated use, which is important for a game that is often played frequently and enthusiastically.

Pros:

• Easy to Learn and Play
  Whot! has simple rules that are quick to understand, making it accessible for beginners, children, and casual players. Most people can learn the basics within a few minutes, which makes it ideal for family game nights or social gatherings.
• Fast-Paced Gameplay
  Rounds of Whot! move quickly, keeping players engaged and reducing downtime. Because games are short, it’s easy to play multiple rounds in one sitting without the experience feeling repetitive or tiring.
• Fun and Strategic Action Cards
  The special action cards add excitement and unpredictability to the game. Cards that force opponents to pick up cards, miss turns, or change symbols create tense moments and encourage strategic thinking.
• Great for Social Play
  Whot! encourages interaction, friendly competition, and laughter. Surprise moves and sudden turnarounds often lead to lively reactions, making it an excellent choice for parties and group settings.
• Flexible Player Count and House Rules
  The game works well with different numbers of players and is often customized with house rules. This flexibility allows groups to tailor the experience to their preferences.
• Colorful and Accessible Card Design
  The bold symbols and bright colors make the cards easy to recognize and suitable for younger players or those who may find traditional playing cards confusing.

Cons:

• Heavy Reliance on Luck
  While strategy plays a role, luck can heavily influence the outcome. A player’s success often depends on the cards they draw, which may frustrate players who prefer games with more skill-based outcomes.
• Can Feel Repetitive Over Time
  Because the core mechanics are simple, frequent play without variation or house rules may cause the game to feel repetitive for some players.
• Action Cards Can Be Frustrating
  The same action cards that make the game exciting can also feel unfair, especially when players are forced to pick up many cards or miss multiple turns in a row.
• Limited Depth for Experienced Gamers
  Players who enjoy complex strategy games may find Whot! too light or shallow compared to more advanced card or board games.

Summary

Overall, Whot! is a timeless card game that successfully blends simplicity, strategy, and excitement, a lot like Uno. Its easy-to-learn rules make it welcoming to beginners, while its action cards and tactical decisions keep experienced players engaged. Whether you are looking for a fun family game, a casual party activity, or a nostalgic favorite, Whot! delivers a rewarding and memorable experience. It is a game that proves you don’t need complex rules or expensive components to create lasting fun—just a well-designed deck and a group of eager players.

WHOT! Sonic Edition Review brought to you by Gaming Chickadee

Chickadee loves to have family gaming days. She loves birds, unicorns, ponies She also likes the Nancy Drew Games. She loves to play as Princess Daisy in the Super Mario Games, Her favorite games change a lot but right they are: Mario Party Superstars, Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Pretty Princess Party.

Sonic & SEGA All-stars racing

This was Sega’s first big attempt at a Mario Kart-style racer. It focuses on classic kart racing, featuring Sonic and a wide range of Sega characters like AiAi (Super Monkey Ball), Ulala (Space Channel 5), and more.

Gameplay: Traditional kart racing with drifting, boosting, and item use.

Roster: Wide mix of Sonic and non-Sonic Sega characters.

Tracks: Based on various Sega franchises (Sonic, Billy Hatcher, etc.).

Signature Feature: Each character has a special “All-Star Move” that gives them a temporary power boost, similar to a unique ultimate ability.

Style: Simple, accessible, and a great introduction to Sega’s racing world.

Best for fans who want a straightforward kart racer with Sega flair.

Sonic & All-stars racing transformed

This sequel took the concept and transformed it—literally. The main feature is vehicle transformation, where cars morph into boats or planes mid-race, creating a dynamic and challenging experience.

Gameplay: Cars, boats, and planes all control differently; tracks shift between these forms during races.

Roster: Even bigger than before, including deep Sega cuts (e.g., Vyse, NiGHTS) and special guests like Wreck-It Ralph.

Tracks: Evolving courses that change between laps (e.g., flooding, collapsing, opening aerial routes).

Signature Feature: Transforming vehicles and highly dynamic track design.

Style: Deeper mechanics, more skill-based than the first game.

Best for players who want variety and skill-based racing with a strong Sega celebration vibe.

Team Sonic Racing

This game shifted gears (pun intended) to focus exclusively on Sonic characters and introduced team-based racing mechanics. Sega dropped the wider Sega roster to tell a Sonic-focused story and experiment with cooperative gameplay.

Gameplay: 12 racers split into 4 teams of 3. You win by working together—sharing boosts, passing items, and pulling off coordinated Team Ultimate moves.

Roster: 15 Sonic characters divided into Speed, Technique, and Power classes.

Tracks: All Sonic-themed, inspired by various zones.

Signature Feature: Team mechanics (slipstream trails, item sharing, coordinated boosts).

Style: Emphasizes teamwork over individual glory.

Best for Sonic fans who want to race strategically with friends or AI teammates.

If you’d like to learn more about the game, I wrote a post that you can check out here.

Sonic Racing CrossWorlds

Sonic Racing CrossWorlds is like a upgraded version of Team Sonic Racing that makes it even better. It takes place in different virtual racing worlds created by Dodon Pa, and it borrows many mechanics from Team Sonic Racing.

Gameplay: Focuses on being more like Mario Kart, high-speed racing in a different environments.

Roster: Sonic and friends and more in a cross-over racing world.

Tracks: courses from all different series from Sonic to Pac-Man filled with warp rings and glowing energy trails.

Signature Feature: Crossing between “worlds” mid race and then back again.

Style: A stylized concept blending racing and adventure.

Best for fans of Team Sonic Racing that felt it needed a little more or those curious about a Pac-Man with Sonic or Minecraft with Sonic.

I also wrote a post about the game which you can check out right here.

Summary

Overall, If you want classic Sega nostalgia with simple, fun kart racing go for Sonic & SEGA All-stars racing. If you want the deepest and most dynamic racing experience Transformed is widely considered one of the best. If you prefer Sonic-only content with a unique team-focused twist Team Sonic Racing is the pick. And if you like Team and Transformed combined with crossing to different tracks mid race concepts, CrossWorlds gives a peek at a whole new racing idea and personally my favorite.

• Sonic & SEGA All-stars racing Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.
• Sonic & All-stars racing transformed 8 out of 10 stars.
• Team Sonic Racing 8 out of 10 stars.
• Sonic Racing CrossWorlds 9 out of 10 stars.

What’s the difference between the Sonic Racing games? brought to you by Gaming Chickadee

Chickadee loves to have family gaming days. She loves birds, unicorns, ponies She also likes the Nancy Drew Games. She loves to play as Princess Daisy in the Super Mario Games, Her favorite games change a lot but right they are: Mario Party Superstars, Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Pretty Princess Magical Garden Island.

Because of this, we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite games that we know for sure can be played with four players on one Nintendo Switch console. Please note that to be able to play these or any other games for the Nintendo Switch with four players, you’ll need to have at least one controller or set of controllers for each person playing.

Moving Out

In Moving Out, you and your friends can become Packmore’s “best” moving team and save the world (along with everybody’s stuff). The concept is fairly simple; carry everything from one place to another as fast as you can. Of course, you’ll have to avoid ghosts, guava-lava, giant crushers, oil slicks, and oncoming traffic while you do it! You’ll also occasionally have to chase down your cargo and keep it from escaping the truck while you load everything else on! We have a more in-depth review of Moving Out. We also have a gameplay guide that lists out all the levels, and we have an achievements guide that tells you how to get 100% on every level in the main campaign.

Moving Out 2

Moving Out 2 is the sequel to Moving Out, and it includes even more locations than the first. In this game, the F.A.R.T.’s (Furniture Arrangement and Relocation Technicians) will be traveling to new dimensions and will leave no box unmoved. This game also has more types of levels, such as score attack, and moving in, which is now a type of level rather than a mode like it was in the first game. You can read more about what we think of the game here in our review of Moving Out 2.

Overcooked!

In Overcooked! You save the world by cooking! Chop, scrub, dash, and deliver orders as fast as you can to curb the hunger of the Ever Peckish! Master the many challenges that each dynamic kitchen has to offer as you cook your way to victory. You’ll have to make orders such as soup, fish-and-chips, hamburgers, and pizza, in some of the most unimaginable places like outer-space, inside volcanoes, and even in multiple trucks driving alongside each other on the highway! You can read more of our thoughts about this game in this review of Overcooked! right here on Family Game Squad.

Overcooked! 2

An amazing sequel to Overcooked, Overcooked! 2 takes the principles established in the first game and manages to refine and improve upon them. It even introduces new mechanics, such as the ability to throw ingredients! This game has some of the same recipes as the original, but it also adds in sushi, cakes/pancakes, and more! This time in the Onion Kingdom, the Onion King has accidentally unleashed a hangry horde of Unbread monsters! While you don’t really need to have played the first game to understand the story of this one, I still recommend getting both since they’re both great games.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Just like most other installments in the Mario Kart series, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe offers lots of high-speed fun and madness for all. Up to four players can participate in Grand Prix, Battle, and VS Modes with just a single console and four controllers. It’s our number one most played game on the Switch, so all of us here at Family Game Squad can highly recommend this one! We’ve had plenty of fun times with this game, and you can about some of our best moments in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe here.

Super Mario Party

With a whopping eighty two mini-games that support four players on a single Nintendo Switch, there’s lots to do in Super Mario Party! Not to mention all the game modes, such as Mario Party, Partner Party, River Survival, Sound Stage, Mariothon, and Square Off. As a side note, this game does not support Pro-Controllers, meaning that you’d need four individual Joy-Cons to be able to play with four players.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020

Go for gold in these super-powered sports events starring your favorite characters from the Mario and Sonic universes! Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 features real-life olympic sports events such as equestrian, relay, rugby, football (soccer), table tennis, and many others. In Addition, there are “Dream Events”, which are events that are somewhat based on real life events, only with some unique twists thrown in, and some of them even take place in iconic locations from Mario’s and Sonic’s other adventures, such as the Mushroom Kingdom from Mario Odyssey or Metropolis from Sonic Forces!

Disney Tsum Tsum Festival

Play as the adorable Tsum Tsum versions of characters from popular Disney movies in lots of fun mini-games! In Disney Tsum Tsum Festival, there’s mini-games like Tsum Maze (Pacman), Tsum Curling, Spinner Battle, and more! Plus in each mini-game you can choose to play in either co-op or competitive mode, which completely changes how the game works! This game also includes challenges for each mini-game via Bingo Challenge Cards which provide more opportunities to earn coins (which you use to unlock characters), adding just that much more to the already fun-filled mini-games!

Team Sonic Racing

How could you go wrong with a game where the fastest thing alive teams up with his friends and drives some of the fastest race cars on the planet? In Team Sonic Racing, you don’t just share your points in grand prix. You can also send your items to your teammates to help them take down the competition, or help them with a slipstream boost if they’re going a little slow by driving near them, or they can follow in your tracks to build up a small speed boost! All of which adds points to your Team Ultimate meter that, once full, lets your whole team perform a Team Ultimate speed boost that makes you all invincible!

Carnival Games

Have a fun day at the carnival without ever leaving your living room! In Carnival Games, you can take part in twenty fun mini-games, ranging from flying mini-rockets through outer space tunnels to bouncing around collecting bananas! You even play each game as your own custom made avatar! And if you want to just jump into the action without having to make a character the first time you play, the game comes with some premade characters ready for you to choose from.

Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury

Race the clock together in these purr-fect 3D platformer games! In Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury, Bowser has captured the seven Sprixie Princesses, and up to four players can team up and play as either Mario, Luigi, Toad, Peach, or (later) Rosalina to save the day! In Bowser’s Fury, Bowser is on a rampage that even his own son, Bowser Jr., can’t stop alone! Explore the various islands around Lake Lapcat to find and collect Cat Shines to clear the goop and calm Bowser down!

Kirby Star Allies

Make friends wherever you go in this side-scrolling adventure! In Kirby Star Allies, player one plays as Kirby, while the other players control Kirby’s friends and enemies-turned-allies. All players can harness elemental abilities that affect the environment and enemies in unique ways, and each player can combine their powers to get new abilities, such as combining the sword ability with Burning Leo’s fire breath to get a Sizzle Sword that can slice and burn obstacles at the same time!

Kirby Fighters 2

Battle for glory with (or against) your friends in Kirby Fighters 2! Win battles to level up and unlock more stages, abilities, and headgear to choose from! With four players, you can do either free for all battles or team battles where you could do two versus two, two versus one versus one, or even three versus one! And if you have save data from Kirby Star Allies (listed earlier in this post) or Super Kirby Clash (a free download on the Nintendo Switch eShop that can also be done with up to four players on one console), you can even unlock exclusive headgear for some of the abilities!

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Build the island paradise of your dreams in Animal Crossing: New Horizons! Amass a fortune to decorate and upgrade your home and island to make it a nice place for you, your family, and up to ten animal neighbors to call home! Time in the game is synced up with your Nintendo Switch’s system clock, so you can watch the seasons and time of day change on your island at the same time as your own backyard! You can even catch two hundred different kinds of bugs and fish that can be donated to your island’s museum where you can learn some interesting facts about the real-life counterparts!

Snow Moto Racing Freedom

Pull off crazy stunts as you zoom through gorgeous snowy landscapes on your snowmobile in Snow Moto Racing Freedom! You can choose between three different modes when doing four player split-screen mode; Snocross, Sprint, and Leisure. Each of which can take place on one of the three expansive maps where you can even set things like the time of day and weather!

Mario Tennis Aces

Tennis just got a whole lot more intense in Mario Tennis Aces! Fill up your power gauge to pull off impressive feats like Zone Speed to slow down time, or Zone Shots that can weaken or even break your opponents’ rackets if they don’t counter it right, or save up all your power to do your character’s Special Shot and send the ball rocketing toward your opponents’ side of the court with enough force to instantly break their rackets if they counter it wrong, if they can even get there in time!

Snipperclips Plus – Cut it out, together!

Work together to cut the paper pals Snip and Clip into keys, gears, hooks, and whatever else you can come up with to solve lots of challenging puzzles! In Snipperclips Plus – Cut it out, together! You catch creatures, pop balloons, and more in Party mode. Or get competitive in Blitz mode with mini-games like hockey, hoops, and territory! There’s also a relaxing Stamp mode where you can use your characters as stamps to make beautiful masterpieces!

Sonic Mania Plus

Sonic Mania Plus is a retro-styled 2D pixel art platformer where you race through vibrant levels going for the best time and most points. Collect rings, destroy robots, and break power-up monitors to help you in your quest to save the world from Dr. Eggman’s (Robotnik’s?) latest evil scheme! If you have the Encore mode DLC (included in the “Plus” edition of Sonic Mania), you can race with up to three other players in Competition mode, where you can play through most of the levels available in the main story mode! Each playable character has their own set of unique abilities that open up possibilities for different routes, even in Competition mode!

Super Mario Maker 2

Ever wanted to design your own levels for a Mario game? Well, now you can! In Super Mario Maker 2, you can make your very own courses inspired by games like Super Mario 3D World, Super Mario Bros. 1 and 3, New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, and Super Mario World! Even if you’re not the creative type, if you have an online membership, you can play courses made by Nintendo and other players from all over the world! While you can’t make courses or do story mode with four players at once, you can still play already made courses with four players.

Game Builder Garage

While actually making games is limited to single player (though multiple controllers can be connected to control the pointer on the screen, we find that it’s a bit hectic to try and collaborate on making a game in that way), the number of players in the games you make is essentially only limited by your creativity and skills. In Game Builder Garage you can make basically any kind of game you can dream up if you have the imagination, problem solving skills, and patience required to make it a reality. You don’t even need to have any coding experience! All the logic and visuals are created by placing and connecting things called “Nodon”, and there are several helpful lessons that teach you how to make good use of them to make the game of your dreams.

Hello Kitty Kruisers With Sanrio Friends

In Hello Kitty Kruisers With Sanrio Friends, you race in adorable cars, boats, and planes in this game starring Hello Kitty and her friends! This is a great first racing game for younger players who might have trouble with a more complex game such as Mario Kart or Team Sonic Racing, as this game has fairly simple controls and straightforward courses.

Pretty Princess Party

Experience a day in the life of a magical princess in Pretty Princess Party! Race your horses, pick flowers, dance, and more to restore magic to the kingdom! You even get to dress up your own pretty princess and make her look however you want! While story mode is only single-player, all the mini-games can be done with up to four players on one console. Chickadee especially loves this game, and has even written a guide on it!

I hope that this list has helped you find some games that you and your family can enjoy together.

The Best Family-Friendly Four-Player Games for the Nintendo Switch brought to you by Unicorn Gamer

Unicorn is Cool and really good at video games. She likes to play with her family and is really good at finding secrets, doing hard things and things like that. Her favorite games right now are: Sonic Frontiers, Super Mario Odessey and Kirby And The Forgotten Land.

1 – Sonic Mania

Sonic Mania Plus is one of Foxy Gamer’s favorite games. It has Tails playable in Story mode and all other modes too.

2 – Tails Adventure

Tails’ Adventure was for the SEGA game gear but has been put on the Nintendo 3DS/2DS to buy. It’s a fun game starting Tails and his inventions.

3 – Team Sonic Racing

Team Sonic Racing was our very first Nintendo Switch game we ever played. It has Tails playable and you can change the color of his car and more.

4 – Mario & Sonic

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 is the full name for the game. You can play as Tails in all the events (enclouding 2D events).

5 – Sonic Forces

Sonic Forces may not have Tails playable he is still in the game. You can make avatars that look like him.

6 – Sonic Superstars

Sonic Superstars is a newly released game with a lot of fun (and glitches) in it. It has Tails playable and he can even double!

7 – Sonic Adventure

Soni Adventure is a great game. Tails has his own story but can also be played in SOnic story for some levels. This game is not for Nintendo Switch.

8 – Sonic Adventure 2

Sonic Adventure 2 is fun and great for Tails. You can play as Tails in the Hero’s story or in the battle mode. This game is not for Nintendo Switch.

9 – Sonic Origins

Sonic Origins (or Sonic Origins Plus) is a game with Sonic 1, Sonic 2, Sonic 3 & Knuckles and Sonic CD so I think with all those games in one this game is good for Tails fans.

10 – Sonic Generations

Sonic Generations does not have Tails playable but he is in the game. You can do challenges with him or see him and cutscenes and things like that. This game is not for Nintendo Switch.

Top 10 Games with Tails the Fox brought to you by Gaming Chickadee

Chickadee loves to have family gaming days. She loves birds, unicorns, ponies She also likes the Nancy Drew Games. She loves to play as Princess Daisy in the Super Mario Games, Her favorite games change a lot but right they are: Mario Party Superstars, Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Pretty Princess Party.

We added Sonic Superstars to our library of multiplayer Nintendo Switch games. Since we love everything Sonic, we had to try out this game.

It’s a classic side scrolling game but with a new twist: it supports 4 players! Since they added the capability to play as Tails in Sonic the Hedgehog II. Playing Sonic with two players has provided us with hours of fun.

Four player games are our favorites, so combining two of our favorite things sounded very appealing. We were a bit shocked by the price but couldn’t resist the appeal of this multiplayer action.

If you love the classic Sonic the Hedgehog games then Sonic Superstars is an ideal choice. This game won’t disappoint. As we played we noticed many elements of previous Sonic games make an n appearance in Superstars.

The stages had similar themes and layouts as most Sonic games, albeit fewer speed runs. Which helped with having multiple players on screen. Depth was added to this side scroller by sprinkling in some foreground and background paths. But it was a traditional Sonic game plus 4 players.

We played as Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Amy. Running our way through the stage collecting rings and fighting enemies along the way. There were also plenty of boss fights with Dr Eggman.

If you enjoyed the bonus stages from the original Sonic game, then Superstars is the game for you. The rotating bonus levels are accessed at every checkpoint, as long as you have 50 rings.

These new and improved rotating worlds were one of my favorite parts of the game. I was glad the checkered globe or half pipe from previous versions did not make an appearance in this game.

If you like classic Sonic games mixed with a lot of new content, then this is the game for you.

We tested Sonic Superstars with 1 player, 2 players, 3 players, and 4 players.

Having 4 controllable players on the screen takes some getting used to. At first it was awkward. But after 10 minutes we adjusted to the respawning from going off screen.

Having 4 players on screen didn’t feel too busy to me. While Sonic II was impossible to stay on screen, Sonic Superstars made it much more forgiving. It was easy to track each character with a few exceptions.

We really enjoyed having each character’s abilities available. It actually plays like a Sonic co-op game should be. I liked that they give you the choice to respawn, similar to Mario 3D world.

We also tested it solo, double, and triple players. Whether it was 2, 3, or 4 players didn’t change much. We still respawned from time to time. The only advantage of 2 or 3 players is the camera tracking was a bit more predictable.

Solo playing was fun too. I missed having the abilities of the other characters available but I was able to go faster.

Sonic Superstars is similar to Super Mario Bros Wonder. I preferred Sonic Superstars, but both games are great side scrollers.

It’s odd but Super Mario Wonder seemed faster, or at least seemed to have more speed runs. In my opinion the levels were hard in Mario while the bosses were easy. But the levels in Sonic were easy compared to the bosses.

The levels in Sonic didn’t require the precise aim or excruciating timed jumps found in Mario Wonder. Bowser was a milk run compared to the mid or final boss in Sonic.

I liked that Sonic just gave you unlimited lives. I didn’t care for the way Mario Wonder leeched away lives just for going off screen. While Mario gave you 5 seconds to recover. An entire level jumping across blink blocks resulted in a brutal loss of lives.

Both games had players transform into different characters, floating through zero gravity, and finding secret paths. They both added new and interesting abilities. Sonic in the form of chaos emerald abilities, compared to Mario’s power ups.

In my opinion, Sonic Superstars is geared for casual gamers while Mario is for hardcore gamers. Sonic is a game anyone can join in and have fun. While Mario just left me speechless at times. Were the game developers trying to make it impossible?

After 10,000 hours of practice I could do some of these levels without Yooshi. Yes, I admit it, I needed to play as Yooshi to make it easier.

The best parts about Sonic Superstars was the new features. Swinging like Spiderman through space after a chaos emerald was fire. Rotating the level and running on the ceiling was great. Playing as a squid, mouse, and rocket was unexpected fun.

I can’t say enough about the graphics and sounds. It just kept getting better and better the further we progressed. The final levels were captivating. We loved the graphics and sounds throughout the game.

The cons were they nerfed Sonic. I missed the super peel out and insta shield. Still, Sonic’s drop dash came in handy many times. But Sonic struggled to get to higher places or have much defense solo. Having multiple players really helped.

Tails could fly. Knuckles could glide and climb. Amy has a double jump and hammer. Trip has climb and double jump. But Sonic just had drop dash.

Then there were the glitches. This game was full of them. I think it has to do with releasing it before Super Mario Wonder. So hopefully they will fix them soon.

Drowning while out of water was weird. Occasionally falling through the floor when it shook was annoying. This only happened once but it was infuriating when the camera glitched and we were all off screen fighting a boss.

Our Sonic Superstars review gives it 9 out of 10 stars. I liked it a lot more than I thought I would. Some may not like the simplicity and find it boring. Still, there’s something about remodeling I found appealing.

It isn’t the most expensive or challenging game. But it offers simple multiplayer fun. It’s not diverse enough to play for hours on end. But we enjoyed playing it for an hour at a time here and there.

Sonic Superstars review brought to you by David M.

I’m David M. I’ve been playing video games a long time, my pong game was fire. Now, my kids run circles around me but we always have a good time. We mostly play party and family games. Strategy and battle games are still among my favorites. I like writing about games almost as much as I do playing them. My favorite games are: Moving Out 2, Out of Space and Overcooked All You Can Eat.