Great games to play with non-gamers

Be it a friend, partner, or family member, every video game fan on the planet has tried and either failed or succeeded in getting a loved one into gaming. It's not hard to share a passion with someone else, and this goes for all hobbies, from collecting stamps to hiking to driving a race car.

It used to be hard to find a game that almost anyone could play, but thanks to the mid-2000s, more casual games with indie experiences began to emerge. Now, more than ever, there are games for everyone. So, if you want to convince someone to get into gaming, these are some great starters to help ease them into playing together specifically.

Jackbox Party Starter

Everyone has a phone

It's an easy game for any non-gamer to get jackbox Games because they are essentially just board games that appear on TV. Jackbox Party Starter There are three mini-games that are easy to learn and perfect for popping out during a party.

Trivia Murder Party 2 Jigsaw is a trivia game with a twist. Tee KO Lets players design their own shirts to have fun, and Quiplas 3 It's just a way for players to write jokes and compete to see who's funniest. Players can use their phone as a controller, so it's very inviting.

Just Dance 2026

to lose

Just Dance 2026 This is the latest entry in the series, which is also good for parties. What's fun is that there's a great mix of oldies and classic songs, and the music is suitable for all ages if players want to do some dancing with their kids or little nephews.

With a controller or phone, players must match their bodies with on-screen dance instructions, which can be easy or complicated depending on the song. It can become quite a workout, and there's no denying the music's ability to make players let their hair down, metaphorically speaking.

Donkey Kong Banana

Right on my shoulder

Donkey Kong Banana A good two-player co-op game for the Switch 2 because the non-gamer doesn't have to do much input on their controller. As a player, players will control Donkey Kong around the platform and kill enemies and the environment while searching for treasure.

As Pauline, the second player will ride on their shoulders, and with the power of her voice, they can sing Pauline's song to destroy enemies and even the world. This is another good example of a game made for all ages without too much offensive stuff for any age group.

The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Aces

For horror fans

The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of AcesOr any of the games in the series, perfect for the horror movie fans out there. The game follows five characters, who are soldiers, who arrive at an ancient ruin, after which strange events occur. In co-op mode, players can pass a controller around to control their character or set of characters, depending on how many people are around.

Inputs rely on movement, click around to collect items, and have quick responses with busy moments on the screen. It can be quite an adrenaline rush for someone not used to a controller, but it's a learning experience, and interesting, because characters can die, thus affecting the story.

Pac-Man Championship Edition 2 Plus

Everyone has played Pac-Man, right?

Pac-Man Championship Edition One of the most iconic gaming characters had a fantastic revival, bringing new ways to play in the competitive online market. Pac-Man Championship Edition 2 Plus This is the version that added co-op for two players to face mazes and ghosts together.

Anyone who has played or at least seen someone play the original Pac-Man before It is intuitive and easy to learn, even in a new game like this, so it is still suitable for a newbie.

Split Fiction

A new game every minute

Split Fiction A bit more intense, but still relatively easy to learn with a good partner teaching them the ropes. It's a co-op only game featuring two writers trapped in a virtual reality game who keep stealing their ideas for stories.

At one level, players could be racing digital bikes as if they were TronWhile in others, they may attack dragons in a fantasy world. The clash between sci-fi and fantasy ideas makes for some inventive levels, and neither figure lasts long, almost creating a sense of whiplash.

Portal 2

Train your mind

Portal 2 There's a single-player campaign, which most Valve fans have played, but there's a co-op-only campaign that takes place after the events of the main story, which isn't talked about enough. While it involves more brain activity than most co-op games, it's a simple game to control, as players essentially just need to solve physics-based puzzles in rooms together.

Shoot portals to create doors, move cubes to activate switches, jump around pads to get long gaps, etc. This can be a fun activity that challenges both players to come up with solutions, so this game is best played with fresh eyes between both players.

Marvel Cosmic Attack

Introducing Brawlers to MCU fans

The MCU has been a part of pop culture ever since Iron Man Released in 2008, making comic fans of almost everyone on the planet. So, anyone in MCU movies, but not in video games, can appreciate the sweet nature of beating up enemies like brawlers. Marvel Cosmic Attack.

For up to four players, they can choose between familiar MCU characters such as Iron Man, Captain America, Rocket Raccoon, and many more. Scrolling from left to right, anyone can move the directional button to mash buttons and snot out of enemy soldiers or alien bugs.

Overcooked 2

Order up!

Overcooked 2 Can be played alone, but it's even more fun with a full party of four players. Each mission brings a new challenge to the table as players must actively decide who does what in the kitchen. There is cooking, cutting and preparing vegetables, cleaning dishes, and so on.

It is also all the time, because guests want their food to be served quickly and perfectly. It can be stressful when players are yelling commands at each other, but as long as everyone keeps it together and reminds themselves that it's just a game, then it should all be fine.

Windjammer 2

A retro versus match

Windjammer 2 A great game to test reflexes and have fun in the sun that can only exist in a video game. It can be compared to frisbee meets air hockey as players pass the disc between each other trying to score in each round.

The playing field can be hectic as more skilled players are adept at blocking, countering, and using special moves like creating waves of fire. Without a lot of controls to learn, this is one of the best sports games to introduce someone to competitive gaming.