Five Video Games that are Perfect with Roommates

Video games among friends can create gaming memories

Video games are, for some students, their number one hobby. Avid gamers attending college will be always looking for ideal games to play with their new or returning roommates.

Image courtesy of Sergey Galyonkin.

College students living among campus for the first time will more than likely start to feel a little nervous when stepping foot into their new living space for the next few months. If they are lucky enough, they will be living with a fellow student who will share similar interests. Although, those poor students can be stuck with someone insufferable. Then again, a student does not have to be best friends with their roommate.

Students who are knee deep in video game culture are no exception. After all, they will want to have a roommate, or a friend on the same floor, who shares the same passion for video games as they do.

When they finally do, it will be inevitable to see what video games in each student’s own respective collection can be played together.

There are over hundreds, possibly thousands, of different video games college roommates can play together. Which ones should they choose, after all, there are almost too many great ones to choose from. It is overwhelming for some college gamers.

Setting some ground rules/criteria before revealing the games
Before revealing the video games, there is a specific set of rules. For starters, the games have to be easily accessible. Meaning they are available to purchase at any local video game retailer or a GameStop. Alternatively, they have to be digital downloads on the console itself or if the students can download an emulator on their computer and play the games on a computer together. While searching high and low at a store can be a fun adventure in itself, you’d want the experience to be with playing the video games themselves.

Secondly, the games are to only feature local multiplayer. To anyone not familiar with the term, it means two players can enjoy the video game together in the same room. While online gaming is great, roommates can bond

Another rule is any and all Mario Party games will not be appearing on the list. A college student wants to maintain and create friendships. Not ruin them in a single gaming session, which is an unfortunate trait the Mario Party games share.

Not to mention, there will be no obvious choices on the list, such as Halo, Call of Duty, Super Smash Bros., Mario Kart, Madden, FIFA etc.. While those are all very competitive and enjoyable games with a college roommate or suitemates, they have been written and talked about extensively on video game websites

Finally, this is not a definitive list of games, but more or less a list of suggestions of some fantastic games new or returning roommates can enjoy together. Gamers can form their own lists of games to enjoy with their roommates, or even use this one to springboard their own personal list.

Without further delay…

Five video games that are an absolute blast to play with roommates/floormates/suitemates/etc!

Mario Tennis

Mario Tennis N64 – Video Courtesy of YouTube user taz0608
The majority of the Mario sports titles can be placed on this list, however the original Mario Tennis available on the Nintendo 64 and the Wii and Wii U Virtual Console for digital download makes the rather boring sport of tennis as exciting as possible. The four player option can be absolutely chaotic fun among four suitemates, plus the easy to learn controls make this an appealing game for multiple players.

 NBA Jam: On Fire Edition
Released in 2011 to critical acclaim, NBA Jam: On Fire Edition is a fantastic update to a classic arcade game. The game is available to download on PS3 and Xbox 360. The rosters may seem very outdated for any basketball aficionado, such as the Boston Celtics having their “Big 3”, the gameplay is still as ridiculously fun as it was in the 90s. A stripped down, arcade style basketball game with hilarious commentary, NBA Jam: On Fire Edition is a potential favorite among roommates. Plus, it’s one of the basketball games to feature all three members of the Beastie Boys, President Obama, and former President George W. Bush as playable characters.

Injustice: Gods Among Us
It’s not just a fighting game featuring Batman. It’s an excellent and competitive fighting game featuring Batman and DC Comics’ most popular heroes. Although, having Batman is a major selling point. Injustice  can be purchased for PlayStation 3 and 4 and Xbox 360.

Mortal Kombat X
The only game on the list to be rereleased in 2016, Mortal Kombat X brings the popular, and incredibly violent, fighting game series to the PlayStaion 4 and Xbox One. Featuring a cast of characters both old and new, as well as some horror film icons, Mortal Kombat X will make any fan of the series happy with the brutal fights, but overall fun experience. It also features an incredibly  engrossing story where roommates can trade off the fights.

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

“Isn’t Uncharted 2 a single player only game? How can two people enjoy this one?” Good question anonymous reader, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is a single player game. However, for a student with a roommate who does not enjoy video games as much as they do, Uncharted 2 can provide non-gamers with one of the best written video game stories and intense, Hollywood style action which most movies cannot provide today. Any viewer can be sucked into the fun adventure story of treasure hunter Nathan Drake’s quest to follow Marco Polo’s map to Sangri-La. A gorgeous game to look at, as well as to play, Uncharted 2 is now available for both the PlayStation 3 and 4.

Honorable Mention: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time
The Ninja Turtles are making a comeback with a new cartoon series, an acclaimed comic book series and another movie coming out this summer. Now is the perfect time to look at one of the ‘Turtles’ best video games. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in TimeVideo courtesy of YouTube user tazo604 can be emulated on a computer or played on a Super Nintendo Entertainment System. The game is a classic beat ‘em up, featuring Leonardo, Rapheal, Donatello and Michaelangelo as they fight the Shredder through various time periods. Tight controls and dripping with color and humor seen in the classic 80s cartoon series, Turtles in Time is a great chance to check out the ‘Turtles in their prime before the new movie comes out.

Time to game on with your roommates
Video games can be a great past time for college students. It is a great way to not only bond, but also spend your time. Gamers attending college should start their own lists with their roommates and create their own gaming memories together.