Best Family Games Like Toy Story for Modern Consoles

If your family loves the playful chaos and buddy adventure of Toy Story, the best modern console pick is It Takes Two – it’s a co-op platformer built around two mismatched toys (well, dolls) solving problems together, with constant variety and zero fail states that frustrate younger players. It nails the same “toys come alive� wonder, but with more interactive puzzles and a heartwarming story about teamwork.

What to Look For

When choosing a family game like Toy Story, the criteria that actually matter are:

• Co-op play: Toy Story games shine when you can play together. Look for local co-op (couch co-op) so siblings or parents can join in.
• Low frustration: No permanent fail states, forgiving checkpoints, or adjustable difficulty. Kids should never be stuck for long.
• Age-appropriate content: No scary villains, no complex text, and themes of friendship and imagination.
• Short sessions: Levels that can be completed in 10–20 minutes are ideal for younger attention spans.
• Visual charm: Bright, colorful worlds with playful physics and characters that feel like toys.
• Modern console availability: Must run on Switch, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series, or Xbox One.

It Takes Two

Strengths: This is the closest modern equivalent to a Toy Story adventure. You play as two dolls (a married couple turned into toys) navigating a giant household. Every level introduces a new mechanic – from fighting a vacuum cleaner to riding a wasp – and the game forces constant cooperation. The story is about teamwork and forgiveness, which is a great message for kids. It’s available on all modern consoles and has a “Friend’s Pass� so one copy lets two people play online.

Trade-offs: The story deals with parental conflict and some emotional themes that may go over younger kids’ heads. A few levels have mild peril (like a giant squirrel chase) and some puzzles require reading. Best for ages 7 and up with a parent.

Who it suits: Families with two players who want a long, varied adventure (about 10–12 hours).

Sackboy: A Big Adventure

Strengths: A 3D platformer starring Sackboy, a cute fabric doll, that feels like a Toy Story world – everything is made of cloth, cardboard, and craft supplies. It supports up to 4-player local co-op, so the whole family can play together. Levels are colorful, music-driven, and forgiving (you just lose a few beads when you fall). It’s on PS4, PS5, and PC.

Trade-offs: Some later levels require precise timing that can be tough for younger kids. The co-op camera can occasionally get chaotic with 4 players. No Switch version.

Who it suits: Families with 2–4 players on PlayStation who want a joyful, musical platformer.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land

Strengths: Kirby is a pink puffball who inhales and copies abilities – the game is set in a post-apocalyptic world that looks like a toy diorama. It’s designed for young players: no game over, easy controls, and a “wild mode� that adds challenge for older kids. The co-op lets a second player control a helper character, so a younger sibling can join without being a liability. It’s a Nintendo Switch exclusive.

Trade-offs: The story is lighter and less “toy-like� than Toy Story, but the charm is similar. The helper character is less fun for an older player.

Who it suits: Families with young kids (ages 5–10) on Switch who want a gentle, colorful adventure.

LEGO City Undercover

Strengths: This is a sandbox game where you play as a police officer in a huge LEGO city. It’s packed with Toy Story-style humor, collectibles, and silly missions. You can explore freely, drive vehicles, and solve simple puzzles. It supports 2-player local co-op and is available on Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox, and PC.

Trade-offs: The open world can be overwhelming for very young kids. Some missions require reading. The loading times on older consoles can be long.

Who it suits: Families who want a more open-ended game with lots of exploration and humor, best for ages 6–12.

Unravel Two

Strengths: You play as Yarny, a small creature made of yarn, in a beautiful world that looks like a miniature diorama. It’s a physics-based puzzle platformer that requires two players to work together – you can tie your yarn together to swing or pull objects. The art style is stunning and the tone is gentle, with no combat or fail states (you just restart at checkpoints). Available on Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox, and PC.

Trade-offs: The puzzles can be tricky and require logical thinking, so it’s better for kids 8+. The story is told without words, which may confuse younger kids.

Who it suits: Families who enjoy cooperative puzzle solving and beautiful visuals, rather than fast action.

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle

Strengths: This is a turn-based tactical game that’s surprisingly accessible for kids. You control a team of Mario characters and Rabbids (who are like mischievous toys) in a colorful world. The battles are like chess with guns, but the humor is slapstick and the difficulty is adjustable. It’s a great way to introduce kids to strategy games. Available on Switch.

Trade-offs: Turn-based combat may not appeal to kids who want fast action. The later levels are challenging. It’s more about tactics than exploration.

Who it suits: Families with kids 8+ who enjoy puzzles and strategy, and who want a game that feels like a toy box battle.

How to Choose

First, decide your budget. It Takes Two is often on sale and has a Friend’s Pass, making it the best value for two players. Kirby and Mario + Rabbids are Switch exclusives, so if you own a Switch, they’re must-haves. Sackboy is a PlayStation exclusive, so that’s your pick if you have a PS4/PS5.

Second, consider your players’ ages. For ages 5–7, Kirby is the most forgiving. For ages 8–12, It Takes Two and Sackboy offer more depth. If you have three or four kids, Sackboy (4-player) or LEGO City (2-player, but you can swap) are good.

Third, think about play style. Do you want a linear story (It Takes Two, Sackboy) or an open world (LEGO City)? Do you prefer action or puzzles? Unravel Two is pure puzzle, while Mario + Rabbids is strategy.

Common trade-offs: Co-op games often have a “lead� player and a “helper� – in Kirby, the helper is less powerful. Games with more content (LEGO City) have more reading and complexity. Games with the best graphics (It Takes Two) may have emotional themes that require parental explanation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are these games available on Xbox?
A: Yes, most are. It Takes Two, LEGO City Undercover, and Unravel Two are on Xbox. Sackboy and Mario + Rabbids are not (Sackboy is PS/PC, Mario + Rabbids is Switch).

Q: Can my 5-year-old play these?
A: Kirby and Forgotten Land is the best for a 5-year-old. It Takes Two and Unravel Two require more reading and logic, so wait until 7–8. Sackboy is okay for 6+ with help.

Q: Do any of these games have online co-op?
A: It Takes Two has online co-op with a Friend’s Pass. The others are local co-op only (same console).

Q: Which game has the longest playtime?
A: LEGO City Undercover is the longest (15–20 hours). It Takes Two is about 12 hours. Kirby is about 10 hours. Sackboy is about 8–10 hours.

Q: Are any of these games scary for young kids?
A: It Takes Two has some intense chase scenes, but nothing scary. Unravel Two has a few dark themes but is gentle. The others are completely lighthearted.

Q: Can I play these alone if my kid is not around?
A: Yes, all of them can be played solo, but they are designed for co-op. It Takes Two requires two players – you can control both characters with one controller, but it’s awkward.

Bottom Line

For the best overall Toy Story-like experience on modern consoles, It Takes Two is the top pick – it captures the toy-scale adventure, the buddy dynamic, and the wonder, with excellent co-op. If you have a Switch and younger kids, Kirby and the Forgotten Land is the safest, most joyful choice. For a PlayStation family with 3–4 players, Sackboy: A Big Adventure is a blast. Whichever you choose, you’ll get the same magic of toys coming to life and family fun.

Related

• How to Stereo Pair Apple HomePod
• How to Open a DB File: 5 Easy Methods
• Can You Change Your Twitch Name? Yes, But Be Careful