With the days getting shorter, the weather getting cooler and the school holidays on the horizon, while I’m sure you’d much rather be doing fun outdoor activities with your whānau – you may need to have some good indoor activities up your sleeve! And Xbox GamePass Ultimate can help you out, with a library of over 400 games that you can play together, by yourself (or to get yourself a quiet half hour!) on your Xbox, PC or even on your mobile phone or Samsung 2022 smart TV using cloud gaming.
At the start of 2022, I set myself a challenge to play a new game from Xbox GamePass Ultimate each week and I learnt a lot from this experience. I also enjoyed it so much, that I have continued my own little Friday tradition into 2023. There are new games being added to GamePass all the time, including AAA titles on day one as well as a huge collection of indie games and retro favourites, so there is always something new to discover and enjoy! I didn’t have a console growing up, so gaming is something I’ve only gotten into in the last 5 years as an adult and in this time, I have seen immense improvements in my patience, perseverance, problem solving skills and co-ordination. I’ve also discovered some amazing games, that I never would have played without GamePass Ultimate, so I’d like to share some of my favourites with you to hopefully help keep your household entertained!
Games for teamwork
Rush: A Disney Pixar Adventure
Experience the worlds of six beloved Disney Pixar films like never before. Team up with characters from The Incredibles, Ratatouille, Up, Cars, Toy Story, and Finding Dory to solve puzzles and uncover hidden secrets. This game supports split screen local co-op for 2 players and is lots of fun for Disney fans of all ages!
Play on: Xbox or PC
Play with: Single player or 2 players in local co-op
Rating: G
Human Fall Flat
Human: Fall Flat is a hilarious, light-hearted platformer set in floating dreamscapes that can be played solo, with 2 player local multiplayer or with up to 8 players online. Wiggle around, solve puzzles and work together as a team to complete each level!
Play on: Xbox or PC
Play with: Single player, 2 players in local co-op or up to 8 players online co-op
Rating: G
Games to encourage helpful habits at home
Unpacking
Unpacking is a zen game about the familiar experience of pulling possessions out of boxes and fitting them into a new home. Part block-fitting puzzle, part home decoration, you are invited to create a satisfying living space while learning clues about the life you’re unpacking.
Play on: Xbox or PC
Play with: Single player
Rating: G
Power Wash Simulator
Wash away your worries with the soothing sounds of high-pressure water. Fire up your power washer and blast away every speck of dirt and grime you can find. Build your own power-washing business and unlock new tools, upgrades and more – all with the simple satisfaction of power-washing to a sparkling finish.
Play on: Xbox or PC
Play with: Single player, 2 players in local co-op or up to 6 players in online co-op
Rating: G
Games that are great for co-ordination
Paw Patrol Mighty Pups Save Adventure Bay
Embark on a super-heroic mission with the Mighty Pups and the whole mighty Paw Patrol team. Explore the town and journey to Jake’s resort, Tracker’s jungle and beyond. With a whole town to help out and 2-player co-op fun, Adventure Bay has never been so interactive!
Play on: Xbox or PC
Play with: Single player or 2 players in local co-op
Rating: G
New Super Lucky’s Tale
Join Lucky on his thrilling journey through the Book of Ages, a magical artifact that opens doors to amazing worlds. Meet new friends, explore exciting lands, and recover the missing pages from the evil sorcerer Jinx and his villainous family, the dreaded Kitty Litter. If you played Spyro when you were a kid – this game will feel super familiar to you so might be a great one to enjoy with your mini me!
Play on: Xbox or PC
Play with: Single player
Rating: G
Games for the whānau to enjoy together
Overcooked 2
The Onion Kingdom is in peril again but this time, the Onion King himself is to blame. He has cooked up a whole new problem in the form of an Unbread Bread army! Players will need to chop, fry, and bake their way through all-new creative kitchens to defeat this new foe and save the kingdom once more.
Overcooked! 2 is a game for 1-4 players. Play solo or team up with friends either local on the couch or online and cook up a ton of brand-new recipes. Overcome obstacles such as fire, collapsing floors, overbearing waiters, and floating work surfaces.
Play on: Xbox or PC
Play with: Single player, up to 4 players in local co-op or up to 4 players in online co-op
Rating: G
Golf With Your Friends
Had plans to go to mini golf but it’s raining? Never fear, you can still play from the comfort of your own home! With different themed courses, power ups, costumes and games modes, this is a great game to enjoy together on a rainy day!
Play on: Xbox or PC
Play with: Single player or up to 12 players in local or online multiplayer
Rating: G
Coming soon
Minecraft Legends – coming day one to GamePass on 19/04/23
Experience an epic legend from the Minecraft universe and the Overworld as you’ve never seen it before. The piglins’ Nether corruption is spreading across the Overworld, scorching everything it touches. Are you the hero who will protect this gentle land? Plan your strategy and face the piglins in epic battles – but be warned: they always fight back. With the allays by your side, all that’s left to do is save the world.
Play on: Xbox or PC
Play with: Single player, 2 - 4 players in online co-op, 4-8 players in online multiplayer
Rating: PG
Xbox GamePass is available in a few different ways – Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is best value if you want to play across your console, PC, play online with friends and use cloud gaming on your mobile devices. But if you mostly play games on one specific device, there is also Xbox Game Pass for console or PC Game Pass. Make sure to check out the plan that’s right for you so you can discover your next favourite game!
