Ever wanted to use a friend or family member as a makeshift bridge to navigate a ravine? Now – finally! – is your chance. Heave Ho is a puzzle platformer in which up to four players take part as stretchy creatures navigating increasingly complex and deadly levels by pulling, throwing and expanding each other in ridiculous ways. Communication and experimentation are important – as is not getting too annoyed when Uncle Kevin accidentally catapults you to your certain doom.
Jackbox Party Pack 11 (Apple TV, PC, PS4/5, Switch, Xbox)
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For those weird families who prefer cooperation to competition, here’s a gorgeous shooter for up to four players in which everyone works together to keep a spaceship functioning, each player racing between different stations to fire at enemies, repair damage and charge shields. If you’ve ever wanted to shout “protect the hyperdrive!” at your nan, now is your chance.
Mario Kart World (Switch 2)
If you’re looking to experience the sheer fun of moving house without the expense or inconvenience, this is the co-op puzzle game for you. You play as a removal firm, carefully working together to carry sofas, tables and other fragile household items to your truck, as quickly as possible without smashing anything. I give it three minutes before every Friends fan in your house is shouting “pivot!!”
Spaceteam (iOS, Android)
Perfectly described by the developer as, “a cooperative shouting game”, SpaceTeam allows up to eight players (each with a copy of the game on their phone) to cosplay as the bridge crew of a malfunctioning star craft, yelling orders at each other according to onscreen prompts. It’s loud and hilarious and will fit the mood of any raucous Christmas Eve get-together.
