The Best 2013 New Video Games for Parties

Video games at a party? Why not? Some of the new video games were practically designed to be played by a crowd. So the next time you’re looking for a different kind of party activity, break out the Wii, PS4 or Xbox and pop in one of these great video games for a crowd.
Wii Party U
Platform: Wii U
Simple graphics and simpler game play make the Wii Party U an awesome choice for party playing. Up to five players at a time compete against each other in some of the most creative mini-games we’ve seen. There are 80 mini-games in all, so you’ve got plenty of amusement for party after party all year long.
The Croods: Prehistoric Party
Platform: Wii, Wii U, DS, 3DS
The Croods: Prehistoric Party features 30 mini-games for up to four players at a time. Players play as one of the Croods family members to collect items and boosters throughout the game. Compete or cooperate, it all depends on the games you choose to play.
Mario Party: Island Tour
Platform: 3DS
Mario Party has been jokingly called the most violent of all video games, but Mario Party: Island Tour is just good clean fun for a crowd. Scheduled for a late November 2013 release, the 3DS game features 81 mini-games and seven different game boards.
Kinect Party
Platform: Xbox
Technically a 2012 release, Kinect Party was out just in time for Christmas last year, but it still rates a mention as one of the most fun new video games of the past year. Play with up to six players at once in 36 channels with some of the craziest gameplay ever. It may be one of the most insane motion-controlled video games ever. It really shows off the interactive possibilities of the Kinect.
Funfair Party Games
Platform: 3DS
A motion control game for Nintendo 3DS, Funfair Party Games features 11 attractions for you to play in single player mode, or use your Mii to play live multiplayer games. Throw darts and basketballs, shoot a gun at a target or jump through flaming hoops.
Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games
Yep, you can totally pilot Sonic, Tails, Yoshi and Tails down the luge or put Team Mario up against Team Sonic in curling. While the Sochi Games may not be technically speaking a party game, it comes as close as many of the other video games that are actually billed that way.
Go on, break out the game console and one of these new video games for your next party. You’re guaranteed a rollicking good time.

Top Video Games for Girls

Barbie, Bratz, fashion games, jewelry games and fashion games – it’s not like you can’t find hundreds of video games aimed specifically at girls. There are dozens of online video games sites with sections devoted to free video games for girls. If you’re looking for console video games for girls, you’ll find Disney video games, Barbie video games and dozens of other console games that play off the same themes: baking games, dress up games, virtual makeover games – but a lot of girls just wanna have the same kind of fun the boys have. If you’ve got a budding gamer girl on your shopping list, consider ditching the girlie games and hooking her up with some serious gaming fun. Here are our top picks for girl gamers of all ages.
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity (Age: Everyone)
Let’s be clear. Girls love Pokemon games. There’s just something adorable about Pikachu and friends that appeals to girls as much as it does to boys. Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity is a departure from the traditional Pokemon style. Your kid can actually BE a Pokemon. They can choose to play as Pikachu, Snivy, Oshawott, Tepig or Axew. The 3-D video game will be a favorite with any girl who loves her Pikachu.
Platform: Nintendo 3DS
Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon (Age: Everyone)
Mario’s brother Luigi is another favorite with most young girl gamers. Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon offers a little something for everyone. In single player mode, you’ll be solving puzzles and capturing ghosts. For sleepovers and afternoon play dates, switch over to multiplayer mode where girls can fight ghosts and fly up through the levels just like more traditional video games.
Platform: Nintendo 3DS
Littlest Pet Shop (Age: Everyone)
The Littlest Pet Shop is a favorite with girls in the 5 to 12 year old set. The game is one of the better collection video games, where the goal is to collect various pets and play with them in mini-games. Girls will love being able to share their pets with friends, as well as dressing them up with new accessories and earning new games to play with them.
Platform: Nintendo Wii, PC
Contrast (Rating Pending, but definitely teens and up)
Is someone getting a Playstation 4 for the holidays? While most girls enjoy many of the same video games as guys, there are a few new video games that will really appeal to girls. Contrast is one of those video games that features stunning graphics and an unusual. Set in a 1920s dreamscape cabaret, the player is Dawn, the imaginary friend of young Didi, who lives with her parents in the world of vaudeville. As Dawn, you can become a shadow to help Didi solve puzzles and discover the secrets that lie behind her troubled family.