The best family games on Xbox Game Pass Standard
There’s currently over 300 games available on Xbox Game Pass Standard. And so, trying to pick a game suitable for the whole family can be quite a tall task. We’re here to help: we’ve rounded up the best family games on Xbox Game Pass Standard.
Noting the ‘Standard’ is important, since Microsoft has fractured its Game Pass subscriptions. Many games require an Ultimate subscription to play, but we’ve ensured that all of the games featured here are available with a Standard Game Pass subscription.
The games on this list aren’t necessarily games aimed at children, but they are games that can be played by the whole family. Whether it’s the kids, the grandparents, aunts or uncles, everyone can get in on the action. And you don’t have to worry about any unsuitable content. There’s a mixture of local multiplayer games, and games that everyone can take turns with.
This list was originally published in October 2021 and has been updated periodically since.
1. Spongebob Squarepants: The Patrick Star Game
If your family members are fans of Spongebob Squarepants, you’re going to love The Patrick Star Game. This is essentially an open sandbox that you’re free to explore at will, completing minigames, random challenges, and generally causing mayhem. It’s a rather basic game, but when it comes to family fun, you can’t get much better than this on Xbox Game Pass Standard.
We admit, even as adults who aren’t necessarily huge Spongebob fans, we had a riot making our way through its small but fun-packed world. There’s a fairground to explore, a town, parks and a whole lot more. You can meet other characters from the series, pick up collectibles, complete quests and a whole lot more.
Read our review of Spongebob Squarepants: The Patrick Star Game
2. Little Kitty, Big City
Little Kitty, Big City is a single-player game, but we think it’s a great option for passing the controller around the whole family. This wonderful little adventure game puts you in control of a little black cat who wants to find their way home. There are puzzles to solve, quests to complete and, of course, a whole lot of mischief to get into.
Being in control of a cat is an utter joy. The quests to complete are fun, but the most enjoyable part of the game is simply being a cat, doing mischievous cat things. Think stealing food from the local grocer, or tripping up businessmen as they walk past on their way to work. It’s the sort of thing that players of all ages will get a real buzz out of, and that’s why we think it’s one of the best family games on Xbox Game Pass.
Read our review of Little Kitty, Big City
3. LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
In our opinion, LEGO games make the perfect family games, and the latest – LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is now available via Game Pass. This epic game spans all nine mainline Star Wars films, retelling the story with LEGO’s signature humour. There’s drop in and drop out co-op, so two players can join forces to smash their way through bricks and droids.
Playing through the campaign is great, but there’s just as much fun to have by hanging around in one of the game’s many open areas and hunting down collectibles. There’s dozens upon dozens of hours of gameplay here, and it’s a must-have for families of all ages.
Read our review of LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
4. Disneyland Adventures
We love Disneyland Adventures, and if your family loves Disney, then they will too. Disneyland Adventures is essentially a digital recreation of Disneyland. There are rides, attractions, shopping streets, Disney characters to meet, and even a huge enchanted castle.
As a game, it’s an open world for players to do whatever they want in. You can even ride the rides if you want! You can dress up your character in all kinds of outfits, collect autographs, and simply enjoy the fun of being at Disneyland without any of the queues.
It’s one of the best family games on Xbox Game Pass simply because it’s like being at Disneyland together. Well, okay. Not quite. But it’s the closest thing most of us can ask for without getting on a plane.
5. Overcooked! 2
When it comes to suggesting family games that everyone can enjoy together, Overcooked! 2 is always one of the first titles that comes out of our mouths. Why? This chaotic but fun game is all about working together, and the situations you’ll find yourself in are simply hilarious. The goal is to deliver meals to your customers – so you’ll need to wash plates, prepare food, and serve it up. But you’ll be doing so in some rather… interesting situations.
How about a kitchen that splits in two after an earthquake? Or a kitchen that’s suspended high above river rapids, as in the picture above? Up to four players can join in Overcooked! 2, and it really is a case of the more players you have, the more fun it becomes.
Read our review of Overcooked! 2
6. Rare Replay
Rare Replay isn’t just one game. It’s a collection of thirty – and some are more family-friendly than others. Not everyone will enjoy playing Perfect Dark for instance, but the adorable Viva Pinata makes for one of the best family games ever made. The 30 games are a bit of a mixed bag, but this collection offers a wonderful lesson in video game history for younger players.
You see, the collection goes back right to the start of Rare’s existence, with their earliest 2D games included. They may be a little dated now, but we think it’s great fun to show kids how far games have moved on in the last 30 years. But amongst all the games are some really great games for all the family. And so if you have Xbox Game Pass, it’s well worth adding it to your library.
Read our review of Rare Replay
7. Rush: A Disney Pixar Adventure
When it comes to the best family games on Xbox Game Pass Standard, you can’t get much better than Rush: A Disney Pixar Adventure. A 3D adventure game, it takes place in six popular Disney Pixar worlds: Ratatouille, The Incredibles, Up, Cars, Toy Story and Finding Dory. Each world has its own story, allowing players to take control of their favourite Pixar characters, and explore their worlds.
Even as adults, we got a huge kick out of Rush. But this is absolutely designed with younger players in mind, with some adventuring and platforming challenges that even the youngest of players can get to grips with. It looks fantastic too; it’s easy to imagine that you’re actually part of a Pixar movie while playing.
