Christmas saviours: testing five new party video games … at an actual party

Keeping everyone entertained during the festive season can be difficult. When tensions are high and patience and sobriety are in shorty supply communal video games could be the answer

At this time of year, we often find ourselves at festive gatherings with people of wildly varying ages and tastes. So, what's the best way to stave off boredom, avoid squabbling and keep everyone entertained over Christmas? One potential solution is a video game or, more specifically, a party video game. But is it possible to download a dancing, singing or fighting game and immediately get everyone, young and old alike, involved?

To find out, I invited a bunch of friends and their kids around to my house to test five new party games. This is what we discovered ...