Episode 412 – Video Game Gift Guide

Our yearly show with Engaged Family Gaming, where we talk about what video games might be on your kids’ wishlists.

00:00 Fact for 412

412 is the area code for Pittsburgh (and they seem really proud of it).

The most people washing dishes simultaneously is 412 and was achieved by Henkel (Algeria) and Pril-Isis, in Algiers, Algeria, on 16 June 2017.

https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/112306-most-people-washing-dishes-simultaneously

Sponsor Message

If you want some help finding solid footing underneath you, or help finding the right step to leap to the next level, head to firstmovefinancial.com/familygamers to schedule a quick phone call and see how First Move can help.

0:04:30 What We’ve Been Playing – with November Monthly Report!

Anitra: 54 plays of 28 unique games. H-index: 4 (Chit Chat, Trio, INK, Leaders, Odin) – and Andrew is the most played-with person by a huge margin!

Andrew: 40 plays of 18 unique games. H-index 4 (Chit Chat, Leaders, Odin, Trio). 35 games together with Anitra! Pretty much everything was 2 players or 5 players.

Check out our recent reviews for INK and Odin.
Leaders
Jungo (check out our review!)
Logic & Lore
S’mores Galore Roast & Write
For Sale

0:10:40 The Family Gamers Community

Welcome to our newest community members on Facebook! In these darkest days of the year, let’s share some light with each other. Stop in and say hello.

#Backtalk

We asked what you like to do with your family that ISN’T boardgames.

A few of you answered on the #backtalk channel on the Discord and in our Facebook community.

0:19:00 Video Games with Engaged Family Gaming

Stephen Duetzmann helps us with the best video games to give this year, via the Engaged Family Gaming holiday list.

But first we talk about videogames we’ve been playing:

Dogpile (on Steam)
Metroid Prime 4
Dredge (more info)
Hollow Knight: Silksong (which Andrew just finished – more info)

0:36:00 Consoles

PS5 or Xbox Series X – They are very expensive and not focused on family-friendly titles. Not recommended unless you really want it for games you can’t get elsewhere.

0:37:15 Multi-platform Games

Civilization VII – the rough edges have been sanded off. Pick a leader, but jump to different civilizations in each age. Plays pretty well on any console and on PC, but if you have a Switch 2, buy it for that system, so you can use the mouse controller.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown – turn based tactical game that still forces you to move forward like a typical side-scrolling brawler.

Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar – cozy “farm and town” game with engine-building. Has a week cycle as well as a day cycle.

Sonic Racing: Crossworlds – good if you don’t have Mario Kart.

Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted

0:45:00 Playstation Exclusives

“Playstation didn’t put out anything that didn’t involve mass-murder.”

Ghost of Yotei – only for grownups, but gorgeous.

nothing else really new, but Astro Bot, Final Fantasy VII, and Spider-man 2 are still great choices.

0:46:50 Xbox Exclusives

Also not much new that isn’t “headshot-central”. But Star Wars Outlaws is updated and even better than it was last year.

0:47:45 Nintendo Switch / Switch 2

Both consoles are good choices: Switch 2 is very cool. Original Switch is the value choice, and those games will still work if you decide to upgrade later to the Switch 2.

Mario Kart World

Donkey Kong Bananza

Also recommended: Metroid Prime 4 – if you liked Metroid Prime
and Kirby Air Riders

“If you get a Switch 2, don’t limit yourself to just Switch 2 games” – get older original Switch games, too. A lot of them have been updated for the better graphics of the Switch 2, and they’ll be great!

0:53:00 Online Play and Online Sales

You need to do the math and decide if these are worth it for your family. Good alternative to buying a single game if you don’t know what game your recipient would want.

Nintendo Switch Online – $80 for up to 8 users (don’t all have to be in the same location), even cheaper if you only need one user. This is absolutely necessary to play online AND gives you access to a bunch of older games.

XBox Game Pass – probably not worth it JUST for kids. Worth it for Andrew & Anitra, where we have many people all taking advantage.

PS Plus – again, needed for online play. Minimum $80/year for the Essentials plan.

As always: If you’re buying a console for a holiday present, do NOT leave it in the box!

Don’t forget to set it up before Christmas! (Plug in, connect to the internet, download updates, install a game or two. You might need to update the firmware on the controller.) It’s a much more effective surprise if it’s ready to play on Christmas morning.

And don’t forget about free to play games like Fortnite or Disney Speed Storm! Those are good to add ahead of time so they can play right away.

And don’t forget about The Family Gamers holiday gift guide, too!

Find EFG Online:

Facebook: @EngagedFamilyGaming
TikTok: @EngagedFamilyGaming
Twitch: @EngagedFamilyGaming
They also have a Facebook community: facebook.com/groups/EngagedFamilyGamingCommunity
And you can find Stephen on Facebook too: @sduetzmann

1:10:00 New Backtalk Question

What kind of video game do you like best?

Do you like multiplayer games because you’re a board gamer, and so you want to play with other people (locally or online)? Or do you have video games as your solo play and board games as your social play? Do you prefer puzzles, or action?

If you want to name a particular game that is your favorite, feel free!

Tell us on the #backtalk channel on our Discord, or in our Facebook community.

Find Us Online:

Facebook: @familygamersaa and thefamilygamers.com/community
Twitter (X): @familygamersaa
Instagram: @familygamersaa
TikTok: @familygamersaa
Bluesky: @familygamersaa
Threads: @familygamersaa
Youtube: TheFamilyGamers

or join the Family Tabletop Community on Discord! thefamilygamers.com/discord

Or, for the most direct method, email us! andrew@thefamilygamers.com and anitra@thefamilygamers.com.

PLEASE don’t forget to subscribe to the show, tell your friends about the show, and leave us a review at Apple Podcast or whatever your podcast subscription source is. We’re also on Amazon Music, TuneIn, and Spotify.

You can also now find us on YouTube Music! So pull it up and give us a listen while you’re toiling away at work :)

The Family Gamers is sponsored by First Move Financial. Go to FirstMoveFinancial.com/familygamers to learn how the team at First Move Financial can help you pile up the victory points.

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