Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and if you’re dating a gamer, you have tons of creative gift ideas they’ll love to choose from. It’s more than just giving a gift, though; spending time together is a perfect way to celebrate the holiday, and fortunately lots of games are meant to be enjoyed with a Player Two.
First we’ll look at some games accessible to everyone, no matter their skill level, and what positive attributes they’ll bring to your relationship. Next, we’ll highlight some titles for advanced couples to work through together; finally, if you’re in a long-distance relationship, we’ll check out awesome games for you both to enjoy online. Let’s play!
Games for Any Couple
Super Mario Galaxy 2 – Lend a Helping Hand! [Wii; 2010]
Super Mario Galaxy 2 is pure Mario magic and includes support for a second character. Player Two can use a second Wii Remote to control an on-screen pointer that picks up Star Bits, freezes enemies, grabs mushrooms, and flips switches, making the Player One’s adventure easier. Nothing that the co-player does is essential to the game’s progress, but they give Mario the upper hand.
Nintendo Land – Just Have Fun! [Wii U; 2012]
Nintendo Land, much like Wii Sports, is a pack-in title meant to showcase what the Wii U and its GamePad are capable of. In it, you’ll find a dozen different minigames featuring some of Nintendo’s classic franchises. Three of the games are co-op, another trio are competitive, and the rest are meant to be played solo.
First we’ll look at some games accessible to everyone, no matter their skill level, and what positive attributes they’ll bring to your relationship. Next, we’ll highlight some titles for advanced couples to work through together; finally, if you’re in a long-distance relationship, we’ll check out awesome games for you both to enjoy online. Let’s play!
Games for Any Couple
Super Mario Galaxy 2 – Lend a Helping Hand! [Wii; 2010]
Super Mario Galaxy 2 is pure Mario magic and includes support for a second character. Player Two can use a second Wii Remote to control an on-screen pointer that picks up Star Bits, freezes enemies, grabs mushrooms, and flips switches, making the Player One’s adventure easier. Nothing that the co-player does is essential to the game’s progress, but they give Mario the upper hand.
Galaxy 2 allows the second player to ease in and is a perfect choice if one member of the couple doesn’t want to have to control a character or be responsible for failure. Since every move they perform helps Mario (they can’t hurt him) and they simply have to point the Remote at the TV, the pressure is low. Further, the game builds a connection between players since Player Two is there to support Player One, who’s in control of the action.
Nintendo Land – Just Have Fun! [Wii U; 2012]
Nintendo Land, much like Wii Sports, is a pack-in title meant to showcase what the Wii U and its GamePad are capable of. In it, you’ll find a dozen different minigames featuring some of Nintendo’s classic franchises. Three of the games are co-op, another trio are competitive, and the rest are meant to be played solo.
The variety of content, relaxed atmosphere, and unique gameplay make this a recipe for a fun night in. It doesn’t do anything in particular for couples, but if your SO is terrified of video games, Nintendo Land is a great introduction to how they can be just plain fun.[/QUOTE
WarioWare: Smooth Moves – Don’t be Afraid to Embarrass Yourself! [Wii; 2007]
WarioWare is a fast-paced series based around hundreds of five second microgames that gradually become faster until you can’t keep up. It’s spawned plenty of clones, and while Smooth Moves isn’t the best entry in the franchise, the zany microgames (you’ll do everything from inserting an old lady’s false teeth to collecting coins as Mario) fit well with the Wii’s motion control and make it a great party game. In our case, it also fits nicely as a game for two.
The strength of this title is how comfortable you’ll have to be with your partner to play it, because things are going to get goofy. Smooth Movesrequires you to use different “poses” for different games, including holding the Remote up to your nose like an elephant or using it as a dumbbell. You’ll be laughing at each other and at what’s happening in the game, which is an awesome way to loosen up and see another side of your beloved. You don’t even have to be good at the actual microgames!
Mario Kart: Double Dash!! – Two Are Better than One! [GameCube; 2003]
Mario Kart is well-known as a party game and has had many excellent entriesin its series, but Double Dash!! stands as the best for lovebirds to enjoy together. This is due to the unique mechanic of having two players on one kart. In single-player, the computer controls your rear racer, but it’s obviously better with two humans controlling the pair on the kart.
The front player steers the kart, while the back player handles items and can also perform a side-swipe move to knock other racers around or make a last-ditch effort to keep the kart from hitting an obstacle. In addition, both players work together to perform the speed-saving drift move, and earn a bonus boost at the start of each race. You can swap roles at any time by both holding the Z button, which means if one player is better at a certain course you can take advantage of each partner’s skills.
Double Dash!!‘s Grand Prix mode (which can become irritating due to cheap difficulty during later courses) can be played in co-op, or you can play against each other in Battle Mode if you prefer. Overall, it’s a game that works best when both players are in harmony, so determined couples will find plenty to strive for.