Move over, Mario Kart – the best multiplayer games to play at Christmas

From competitive cow-milking to DJ battles, here are six great options for keeping the whole family entertained on Boxing Day and beyond

Pretty much anyone who plays video games has fond memories of childhood Christmases; the weeks spent gazing at the coveted new game or console under the tree, awaiting the moment where you could finally unwrap it, escape the family and run away to play. As adults, Christmas becomes a time to share the joy of video games with non-gaming friends (and parents, aunts and cousins). Festive Mario Kart has been a staple in my own household since I was about eight, starting out with me and my brother; now it's my nieces, nephews and little cousins who lead the fun.

This year has yielded a few new games to play together, all of which are miles better than charades and none of which will make you resent your Christmas companions as much as Monopoly. If you want to refresh the selection of multiplayer games you'll be playing this year, try one of these.