Games that feature local multiplayer are a gem to any space that offers video gaming, especially with larger screens being more easily affordable and the shift in video games towards one player or online multiplayer only. More players get to share the joy of playing all at once and there is an opportunity for gamers to learn good sportsmanship. These are some of our favorites that we offer and why we love them.
Derpy Games
Looking for games that will make your teens giggle with glee? Or even games that play like a slow motion trainwreck that you just can’t look away from? These games are fun to play, watch and feature a lot of silly.
Goat Simulator
1 - 4 Players, XB1, PS4, & XB360
ESRB: T for Violence, Blood
Goat stole my bike.
Goat Simulator is insane in premise and execution. It’s a game where you play as a goat wreaking havoc upon some poor city. There are a multitude of ‘goats’ to choose from and you can create terror in the city’s citizens as a team. Gameplay as you running around and latching onto objects with your tongue. If you want something that’s a fun kind of dumb for your teens to play, this is it.
Badland
1 - 4 players, PS3, PS4, XB1, & Wii U
ESRB: E for Mild Fantasy Violence
Just keep flapping.
Badland is a cooperative game where you play as a group of birds trying to survive to the end of the level. You’ll be dodging buzzsaws and spikes with flappy bird style gameplay, where you push a button to fly higher. This game can be a little scary if your space caters to younger gamers, but there’s no gore. Gameplay is frantic and it’s all a matter of at least one player surviving until the end of the level, with players popping in and out and death looming constantly. It’s a blast to play and it’s a great cooperative experience.
Trials Fusion
1 - 4 players, PS4, XB1, & XB360
ESRB: E for Mild Violence, Mild Language
May not win me the race, but that wheelie man.
Trials Fusion is a great multiplayer racing game. Not only are you trying to beat your opponents, but you’re also trying to stay on your bike. The wipeouts are brutal, but hilarious with your racer sometimes flying completely off the bike all together. There are also some really interesting choices of vehicle and driver, such as the bandana’d cat riding a unicorn. If you need a good 4 player racing game for your collection, this one really fill that niche.
Starwhal
1 - 4 players, PS3, PS4, XB1, & Wii U
ESRB: E for Fantasy Violence
See the Starwhal in it's natural habitat.
Starwhal is an arena game where four narwhals flying through space are dueling to be the last one standing, each trying to pierce the heart of the others with their horn. It is a hilarious game to watch because of just how awkwardly the narwhals fly, but that’s part of the fun. It’s a great game for gamers to hop in and out of if you have an especially large crowd taking turns fighting each other. This game is fantastic if you need something that plays a lot of people and has quick, customizable rounds.
Tricky Towers
1 - 4 players, PS4, & XB1
ESRB: E
Sometimes chaos is the best way.
Tricky Towers is like 4 player Tetris with a variety of modes to play and power-ups. If you don’t build a stable foundation, blocks will slide and settle in all manners of ways. They can tilt of just completely drop off the map. There are three modes of play, Survival, Race, and Puzzle. Survival is a last one standing sort of mode, Race is the first one to build a tower up to the finish line, and Puzzle is like playing Tetris limbo as you try to pile your blocks tightly beneath a laser. If your gamers are looking for games that are retro or like puzzle games, then this one would be a perfect fit for your collection.
Games in Schools and Libraries is produced in association with Inverse Genius and the Georgetown County Library System.
Games in Schools and Libraries Guild at Board Game Geek
Email us: schoolsandlibraries@gmail.com
Stephanie Frey can be found roaming Twitter. She can also be found selling goodies on Society6.