Studies show that couples who game together, stay together. And these days, games are catering to couples more than ever. The Wii system has really opened the floodgates for couple-friendly games, allowing you to work out together (Wii Fit) and get in a game of virtual tennis. But there are plenty of other games out there that are fun to play together-- either collaboratively or head-to-head.
Here are some great games for couples. Tell me your picks in the comments.
Animal Crossing: City Folk
My girlfriend really likes playing FarmVille on Facebook, and Animal Crossing is a lot like that popular online game. The latest Animal Crossing game is perfect for couples-- it combines homemaking, gardening, and animal tending with good old-fashioned running around and collecting stuff. And don't let the fact that it's one-player sway you-- part of the fun is working together and watching the other person find cool stuff.
Mario Kart Wii
Is there any video game character more versatile than Mario? Whether as a doctor, a plumber, a go-kart driver, or, uh, a raccoon, Mario has provided couples with countless hours of entertainment. Mario Kart for Wii adds motorcycles to the mix, and the extremely cool Wii Wheel. Trash-talking each other in Mario Kart has become a rite of passage for many relationships.
Rock Band 2
Some people fall into the Guitar Hero camp, but I'm a Rock Band junkie for life. The song selection (both in-game and downloadable) is phenomenal, the gameplay is addictive, and it's great for parties. I love showing off my vocal prowess on, say, "Take it on the Run" by REO Speedwagon (even if my neighbors don't particularly love it) and seeing my girlfriend kick ass on the drums on a Nirvana tune. Plus, there's the amazing Beatles version and the absurdly hilarious Lego Rock Band. Even in Lego form, David Bowie gets all the ladies.
Left 4 Dead 2
Contrary to popular belief, girls actually like killing zombies. And this popular series, the second installment of which just came out, is earning rave reviews. Collaboration is key in the Left 4 Dead games, as you blast and hack up zombies in what is basically 28 Days Later: The Game. Not for the faint of heart, but a ton of fun.
LittleBigPlanet
The greatness of this game lies in its collaborative nature--you build cool levels for your Sackboy (or girl) to navigate, or just play through the game's existing Tim Burton meets Rube Goldberg dreamworlds. (Levels are available for download, and some fan created levels were added to the new "Game of the Year" edition.) A fun, challenging game that really brings out the creativity in you and your gaming partner.
Also try: Wii Sports Resort adds archery, fencing, frisbee "fetch," and more to the already wide variety of existing Wii Sports activities. Disney fans will love the Kingdom Hearts series, which lets you play in worlds based on movies like Aladdin and The Nightmare Before Christmas. The Katamari games are a perfect mix of cute/weird design and addictive gameplay. Tons of great classic games like Ms. Pac-Man and Dr. Mario are available for download on Wii and Xbox.
What games do you like to play with your significant other?
Here are some great games for couples. Tell me your picks in the comments.
Animal Crossing: City Folk
My girlfriend really likes playing FarmVille on Facebook, and Animal Crossing is a lot like that popular online game. The latest Animal Crossing game is perfect for couples-- it combines homemaking, gardening, and animal tending with good old-fashioned running around and collecting stuff. And don't let the fact that it's one-player sway you-- part of the fun is working together and watching the other person find cool stuff.
Mario Kart Wii
Is there any video game character more versatile than Mario? Whether as a doctor, a plumber, a go-kart driver, or, uh, a raccoon, Mario has provided couples with countless hours of entertainment. Mario Kart for Wii adds motorcycles to the mix, and the extremely cool Wii Wheel. Trash-talking each other in Mario Kart has become a rite of passage for many relationships.
Rock Band 2
Some people fall into the Guitar Hero camp, but I'm a Rock Band junkie for life. The song selection (both in-game and downloadable) is phenomenal, the gameplay is addictive, and it's great for parties. I love showing off my vocal prowess on, say, "Take it on the Run" by REO Speedwagon (even if my neighbors don't particularly love it) and seeing my girlfriend kick ass on the drums on a Nirvana tune. Plus, there's the amazing Beatles version and the absurdly hilarious Lego Rock Band. Even in Lego form, David Bowie gets all the ladies.
Left 4 Dead 2
Contrary to popular belief, girls actually like killing zombies. And this popular series, the second installment of which just came out, is earning rave reviews. Collaboration is key in the Left 4 Dead games, as you blast and hack up zombies in what is basically 28 Days Later: The Game. Not for the faint of heart, but a ton of fun.
LittleBigPlanet
The greatness of this game lies in its collaborative nature--you build cool levels for your Sackboy (or girl) to navigate, or just play through the game's existing Tim Burton meets Rube Goldberg dreamworlds. (Levels are available for download, and some fan created levels were added to the new "Game of the Year" edition.) A fun, challenging game that really brings out the creativity in you and your gaming partner.
Also try: Wii Sports Resort adds archery, fencing, frisbee "fetch," and more to the already wide variety of existing Wii Sports activities. Disney fans will love the Kingdom Hearts series, which lets you play in worlds based on movies like Aladdin and The Nightmare Before Christmas. The Katamari games are a perfect mix of cute/weird design and addictive gameplay. Tons of great classic games like Ms. Pac-Man and Dr. Mario are available for download on Wii and Xbox.
What games do you like to play with your significant other?
i'm obsessive about scoring 100% in all games, but unfortunately my coordination and reaction time is horrible. so for my favorite games (final fantasies, or playstation one classics like the original spyro) i pour over walk- throughs and make my husband do all the hard stuff. it's a partnership that has worked for years.
That's a great strategy. I often need online guides to get through certain games. Spyro was so fun!
Lego Star Wars & Wii Resort are our favorites...we play several times a week. He's more of a hardcore gamer than I am, but it's lots of fun...& he's so cute when he's frustrated. :)
All of the Lego games are fun to play together. I like Lego Batman and Lego Indiana Jones. The Lego Nazis from Raiders of the Lost Ark are adorable!
The husband and I have been playing a little Star Wars: Clone Wars lately. Not the greatest game ever made, but it's fun, not too hard, and it's two player.
Word of advice to the gamer guys out there: do not take your casual gamer lady friend online to play with people neither of you know without muting the voice chat first. If she doesn't know the game very well, she could easily get chewed out by your fowled mouther 13 year old "teammates." And even if she plays well, you run the risk of having her hear all kinds of racist, homophobic, and otherwise offensive nastiness that goes way beyond a little harmless trash talk.
My hubby and I can play Wii's Boom Blox for hours.... after a long day... mindless is what we both need!
any rock band game is good, actually. I would also add Resident Evil 5 and Ghostbusters.
The 2-player games I have are Rockband 2, and Resistance: Fall of Man. I imagine Resistance would be fun to play as a couple! Although, I've already replayed it over 7 times... Maybe I'll get some of these Wii games.
I like "Rayman Raving Rabbids 2" on Wii. It's a lot of fun and it's not turn based (like the first one) so you don't have to wait your turn. Wii sports resorts is also a great multiplayer game. I used to have some "eye toy" games too, on PS2, and those were a lot of fun to play.
"Contrary to popular belief, girls actually like killing zombies."
Hell yeah! Nothing like shooting braindead human toclear your mind. I've always played solo, though. I love the idea of playing with a boyfriend, though. Somehow, it seems more intimate than some Wii multiplayer game. A team of 2 against a horde of zombies :D
Bubble Bobble! The gameplay was designed for cooperation, and everyone I know, woman or man, thinks the characters are adorable.
If you're new to it, download the original NES version on the Wii. Veterans can look to the WiiWare title, Bubble Bobble Plus! (It's called Bubble Bobble Neo on the XBLA.) It has a remake of the original game plus new levels in a mode that supports up to 4 players, so you can even double date with this one!
Most of the girls I know are pretty intense gamers. They've had their own all-night Mortal Kombat tourneys/slumber parties. I can only imagine... a bunch of girls comparing boobs, making out (two of the things that TV and movies tell me happen at girls' slumber parties) and kicking the shit out of each other before ripping out the loser's heart. So hot.
ahh rock band. I love rock band. Boyfriend and I play it alllllll the time. I had him get me my own XBOX 360 so we could play at home LOL
If my boyfriend and I can't see each other we got on xbox live and play call of duty together. Even though we're not together it's great bonding time. Often when we get into a fight we get online and play against each other. It's a great way to get rid of some of the aggression from the fight before it escalates. By the time we've played a few games the both of us have calmed down enough to have a rational conversation. It's great therapy! haha
Give me some Katamari!
I'm sure you've seen this a thousand times, but every time you post- I think of this.
http://music.todaysbigthing.com/2008/12/03
:)
I prefer watching my boyfriend play games to playing myself. (and no, its not just because he wants to play and i want to be with him, i used to watch my dad play computer games when i was little because they are fun to watch)
the best game to watch is metal gear solid 4 because its practically a movie, and some parts seem designed to be better for people watching than for the people actually playing. plus the plot is interesting, the characters are interesting and its not repetitive. ive never liked watching the same thing happen time after time.
Any kind of Mario Party. My ex and I loved playing with theN64. Old score.