#1 Super Smash Brothers
It debuted as a smash hit on the Nintendo-64, and it has only gotten bigger and better since then. Super Smash Brothers is always a popular option at boys’ birthday parties. This couch co-op lets kids game together as their favorite heroes from various Nintendo games, including:
- Mario
- Luigi
- Donkey Kong
- Pikachu
- Princess Peach
- Captain Falcon
- Link
#2 Mario Kart 8
Before it was a handheld game, it was another beloved couch co-op on the Nintendo-64. Now, Mario Kart has reached its eighth and most exciting installment. Players choose their favorite Super Mario characters and race through various courses and obstacles to beat the pack. They can also play on Battle Mode, where they eliminate each other one by one until only the victor remains. At boys’ birthday parties, Mario Kart 8 ups the ante by letting players drive upside-down and on walls to get around opponents. Be sure to look for those sneaky shortcuts!
#3 Minecraft
Perfect for younger players or those who want a less-competitive couch co-op experience, Minecraft encourages kids to use spatial reasoning to build, place blocks, and go on exploratory adventures. Players game together in activities like resource gathering, combat, and crafting in different modes such as:
- Survival: Get resources to build a world and maintain health
- Creative: Use unlimited resources and the ability to fly to build worlds
- Adventure: Explore custom maps made by other players
- Spectator: Fly and move through blocks without creating or destroying anything
#4 Madden NFL
No football-themed boys’ birthday parties would be complete without a romp with Madden NFL. Named after Pro Football Hall of Famer John Madden, this couch co-op gets closer to the real deal all the time with updates made every year. Kids can game together as their favorite quarterbacks, wide receivers, defensive units, and more in this immersive experience. They can play on the same team, go against each other as opponents, or simply practice their skills. Professional player avatars include Rob Gronkowski, Odell Beckham Jr., Von Miller, and Aaron Rodgers among many others.
#5 FIFA
When boys want to game together in a virtual soccer match, FIFA provides the perfect solution. Players can choose from professional footy stars like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Thiago Silva, and Wayne Rooney to run, kick, pass, and block their way to victory. Game features range from penalties and corner kicks to attacking techniques and shootouts. It’s just like a real soccer match, but in virtual reality. FIFA is appropriate for soccer enthusiasts of all ages.