Looking for a video game to play with your mum this Mother’s Day? We’ve got a few recommendations.
Forget high teas and fancy lunches–gaming is what Mother’s Day is all about. We’re only half-joking, because gaming really is a splendid way to spend time with your mum this Mother’s Day, so long as you’re capable of picking the right game to play. Your mum might not be into intense games like Dota 2 (kudos if she is), or laidback casual affairs like Minecraft, so you’ll have to scrutinise her skill level and tastes to find the best game for her.
Fortunately, we already have a list for you. Call it a cheat sheet:
Stardew Valley
By Timothy Raj Augustin
If you’re looking for a cosy low-stakes gaming sesh with mum this Mother’s Day, there might be no better option than Stardew Valley. Sure, this farming game is slow-paced and lacking in flashy visuals, but that’s the point. Taking things at your own pace and figuring out your own way forward is the way it’s meant to be played.
With this game, you won’t have to worry about teaching mum the controls for more than an hour, or keeping her from getting frustrated over too many in-game deaths. Just let her meet the good folk of Stardew Valley, plant a few seeds, and buy a few cows. If she wants more action, send her to the mines and watch her slaughter a bunch of jelly monsters. See a new side of your now-bloodthirsty mother. Watch her small farm grow into a capitalistic nightmare, as she sides with Joja and sentences Shane to a lifetime of corporate slavery. That’s what Stardew Valley is all about.
Snipperclips–Cut it out, together!
By Anna Bernardo
Even if your mum's not a gamer, Snipperclips–Cut It Out, Together! is one that she can easily get into without being intimidated. Snipperclips is an action-puzzle game that’s all about communicating, co-operation and cutting things out. The game can be played with two-to-four players.
In the game, you control Snip and Clip, who have uniquely shaped, rotatable bodies. By overlapping and snipping each other, players can form their characters into different shapes to solve a variety of puzzles. Each puzzle presents a different challenge, such as fitting into a specific outline, transporting objects, or forming a sharp edge to pop balloons.
Those who want to play with a bigger group could still join in with a Joy Con through Party and Blitz modes, which fits up to four players. Party mode offers puzzles specifically created for group play, while Blitz mode introduces fast-paced competitive mini-games like basketball, hockey, and snip-based battles.
To get through, communication is key. It's a great way to bond with your mum and the rest of the family, as you try to solve puzzles together.
Cooking Mama or Overcooked 2
By Tommy Makmur
Does your mum love cooking? If yes, then we recommend Cooking Mama to play with your mother and make her do her favourite dishes virtually, without the hassle of cleaning the dishes after she has made them. It can also be a bonding experience between you and your mother, as you share recipes and the process of making her dish. Nothing makes a mother happier than her kids showing interest in what she likes to do.
If your mom is the totalitarian or family leader and wants to try commanding an entire kitchen, we recommend playing Overcooked 2 with her. Both of you can take turns commanding the kitchen and become immersed in the chaos that ensues. If you need help, grab your father or siblings to play together with you and your mother. All of you will have a good time… until someone forgets to wash the dishes and ruins the entire stage.
Super Smash Bros Ultimate
By Jay Chan
When people think of games to play with their mothers for Mother’s Day, a fighting game is probably the last on the list, but If you are looking to finally one-up your mom while keeping the competitive edge to something a little more family-friendly, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is an ideal starting point.
For one, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has some of the most iconic characters in the history of video games, and I am sure almost everyone’s mom can at least recognise one of them (I'm calling it now: it’s Pikachu). This means the battle to get your mum to play a game with you is already half-won, because she can choose that character (Pikachu) and know what the character is about (it's Pikachu).
Of course, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a much better experience with more players, so feel free to invite more of your family to join on Mother’s Day, and embrace in a day of familial warmth while… extending some of your familial feuds onto a video game.
Okay, I'm just kidding, but Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is probably the easiest fighting game to pick up (so your mum and everyone else in your family can play with one another quickly), and the mechanics of losing by getting knocked off a platform on the map makes this game way more family friendly.
Besides, it will be entertaining to watch your mom getting launched out of the platforms on the map multiple times, and figuring a way to get back up. If you have a score to settle with your mum, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is more than an ideal game, but on a more serious note, this game is just great party fun, and your mum will no longer feel left out of a game night with your family once she has a main (Pikachu).
Super Mario Party Jamboree
By Kurt Lozano
We all love party games, right? Everything is in good fun, and there are no cutthroat competitions turning what should be a relaxing play session into a veritable Cold War between you and the people who used to be your family and friends. So, to celebrate Mother's Day, why not play some Super Mario Party Jamboree with your mum and the rest of the family?
As with previous titles in the Super Mario Party series, Super Mario Party Jamboree will see you and four other players engage in an interactive board game to compete to collect the most stars by the end of a select number of turns. At the end of each players' turn, everyone gets to play any one of a wide variety of minigames, with the winner earning a star. Sounds fun and not at all a catalyst for a competitive drive that may end up ruining some relationships!
Since it's a special day, why not put a little twist on how you typically play in Mario Party? Try actually playing for fun since, you know, your mum most likely doesn't play video games and won't have fun if you beat her in every minigame while she's still trying to figure out the controls. You can also try having a different main objective other than collecting the most stars. Perhaps you can collect some nice memories with your loved ones instead? Those seem valuable. But hey, who am I tell anyone how to best celebrate Mother's Day? I hope you all have a good time playing Mario Party!
