Most families that have a gaming console, be it PS4 or Xbox One, don't really see it as something for the whole family. After all, "family video games" never seems to mean games the family can actually play together. Instead, the kids (or in some cases mom or dad) play on their own, or only a couple members of the family are into Halo or the latest FIFA title, and the console ends up just as a pricey piece of tech half the family never touches. Add to that the industy-wide deemphasis on what's popularly referred to as couch co-op (that means a multiplayer game that you can play with someone sitting right next to you) in favor of online multiplayer formats and playing video games together as a family might not ever come to mind.

But there's actually a wide array of smaller titles, most of which can be bought and downloaded without so much as a trip to the store, that are not only perfect for couch co-op, but as family video games, too. Add any of these to your rotation of family party games, and we think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Jackbox Party Pack (Xbox One | PS4)

Premise: With one purchase, you'll get a suite of five goofy games that makes this perhaps the ultimate in Xbox One and PS4 party games. You Don't Know Jack, Lie Swatter, and Fibbage are all funny and irreverent trivia games, while Word Spud is a simplistic word game and Drawful is more similar to pictionary (albeit far sillier).
ESRB Rating: T for Teen, but some of the titles such as Drawful and Lie Swatter may be suitable for preteens and elementary-school-age kids (but use your own discretion).
Difficulty: Easy! Since most games are quiz based or connected via your phone or tablet, even the most anti-gamer of the group should feel totally at ease.

Sportsfriends (PS4 | PC | Mac)

Premise: Instead of basketball and soccer, Sportsfriends thinks outside the box with a package of four competitive and totally unique games. BaraBari Ball is a more traditional fighting game, while Super Pole Riders is inspired by pole vaulting. But it's Johann Sebastian Joust that's likely to be the biggest hit with kids. Players stand up and either use the standard controllers or Playstation's Move Motion controller to "duel" each other by attempting to jostle their opponent's controller while protecting their own.
ESRB Rating: Everyone ages 10 and up
Difficulty: Moderate, as some of the premises can take a round or two to get used to and some finessing of the controls is required.

Broforce (PS4)

Premise: Styled like classic side-scroller games of arcade days past (think Super Mario or Castlevania), Broforce uses an old-school 8-bit design to bring all of your favorite action heroes to life. You and up to three family members share the screen as the Termintor, Rambo, Crocodile Dundee, or more than 25 others as you defeat bad guys to a goofy, over-the-top rock soundtrack.
ESRB Rating: M for Mature, but there's no foul language or gratuitous violence. Instead, it's a cartoonish romp where the action is played for chuckles and the 8-bit style prevents it from ever approaching anything near graphic, making it a reasonably safe choice for teens and (depending on your own house rules of course!) preteens.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate—those who have played a round of Super Smash Bros. will feel more at home than those who have never picked up a controller before.

Castle Crashers (Xbox One)

Premise: Set in a fantasy world, you and your team of fellow knights will fight your way past enemies to save four princesses from an evil wizard. The art style is bright and cheerful, mimicking cartoons and animated films, and humor is littered throughout the story in silly plot points or hilarious background action (keep an eye out for a fearful farting deer during one particularly funny chase scene).
ESRB Rating: T for Teen, but that's mostly for cartoonish violence and a few poop jokes, so polite conversation may be best left at the dinner table.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate, because like Broforce, Castle Crashers follows a standard set of controls that are simple to pick up and even simpler if you've played similar games.

Octodad: Dadliest Catch (Xbox One | PS4)

Premise: By far the most bizarre game of the bunch, Octodad puts the player(s) in control of an octopus that's trying to pass himself off as a regular dad in a world full of people. I know, I know—it sounds nuts, but that's the point. As you struggle to control the incredibly unwieldy character—completing simple household tasks like pouring a cup of coffee is tantamount to a herculean task in this world—you'll be laughing the entire time at its absurdity as he flails about the room.
ESRB Rating: Everyone ages 10 and up
Difficulty: Easy, but only if you care more about having fun than beating levels, which is the best strategy here; controls are purposefully difficult in order to make moving Octodad around a truly hilarious sight.