Best Games to Play With Your Date

Written by: Andrew E • Edited by: Benjamin Sell
Updated Jun 7, 2011

So your date wants to play some games with you? Don't just pick up any old game, pick one from our winning list for both Wii and Xbox.

You don't even need to wait for a dire date situation to bring the Wii out. It is a quintessential party game console. That being said, there are still good and bad games to bring out in a date setting. Try these five games out and you and your date can flail around with your "wiimotes" all night.

Wii Sports

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Not only does this have the benefit of being a fun game for anyone to play, it also comes pre-packaged with the console so you are bound to have it. With five events to choose from, you are bound to find one that you and your date can enjoy.

Make sure you try out boxing so you and your date can start the taunting and showboating to loosen up the mood.

Mario Kart

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The classic racing game for Nintendo's Wii, Mario Kart is fun for nearly everyone. There is something in its consistent simplicity over its many iterations that keeps it going strong among all the other racing games out there. You can either go head to head in a race or face off in battle mode.

Plus, if you and your date find that only two players is not enough, you can always add computer controlled opponents.

Super Mario Galaxy

Previous versions of the Super Mario series have had a multiplayer that forced one player to sit out while the other played. That is no longer the case with Super Mario Galaxy's Co-Star Mode. Give your date control of Mario while you play as the support by stopping enemies' movement and making Mario jump higher.

Marvel: Ultimate Alliance

Yes, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance tends to be repetitive, but that just means that it won't be throwing any curve balls at your date. It is also a co-op game, so it gives you and your date a chance to enjoy the story side by side. Plus, if your date likes the game (and you) enough she always has a reason to come back and finish it.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Another classic from Nintendo that has survived through multiple consoles, Super Smash Bros. is a great game to play with your date. You can play as a team or fight against each other, as well as customize your battle rules and handicaps. In the "Special Brawl" mode you can even customize the fighters clothing. With all the different ways to play, this is bound to supply enough entertainment for your date.

Now for the Xbox

So you have invited your date over for a night at your place for home cooked dinner and a movie. The problem is, he or she may not feel like watching a movie. Don't panic, maybe your date will be up for playing a game on your Xbox 360. Now all you have to do is figure out what would be a good date game for a non-gamer. Here are five top picks for just such an occasion.

Time to appeal to your date's sadistic side. This is a single player game, but you can easily spend joyous hours with your date setting strippers on fire and running from the cops. Just switch who plays after every death and see who can stay alive the longest. You also should know where all the cool cars are so your date can cause mayhem in style.

Fighting games in general tend to be perfect to play with someone else and Virtua Fighter 5 in no exception. It will be easy for anyone to turn a few button presses into some stylish fighting moves. Just remember to take it easy on your date if they don't play games like this on a regular basis. Most people will lose interest if you crush them every match.

You knew this one was coming. Your favorite music, two plastic guitars, and a whammy bar, what more do you need? It is a game that most anyone can pick up and be decent at, which is good since no date wants to spend more than 30 seconds learning to play something.

Start with single songs in co-op and then, if your date likes it, use the co-op career mode.

Viva Pinata is an open-ended game that gives you the task of turning a plot of land into a beautiful garden. The original game is only single player, but the trick is to hand the controller over to your date and let them take command while the both of you decide how to build your garden.

Try not to be turned off by the fact that it looks like it should just be in the little kid pile. When this game says it is fun for all ages, it means it.

Best Games to Play With Your Date

Wii Sports

Mario Kart

Super Mario Galaxy

Marvel: Ultimate Alliance

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Now for the Xbox

Grand Theft Auto 4

Virtua Fighter 5

Guitar Hero III

Viva Pinata

Marvel: Ultimate Alliance