In a world where children are practically born holding tablets and begging to watch their favorite shows on a streaming service, it can be tricky to really know where to begin a kiddo’s introduction to the world of video games.
The options a lot of us first started with are now outdated and obsolete to the mind of a child who’s been raised in a more tech-filled environment.
Best Nintendo Exclusives of 2024
The very best Nintendo games in 2024.
Thankfully, modern game development has adapted to this, and there are a slew of brilliant, kid-friendly first-ever titles to show to the world’s next streamers and enthusiasts that are actually good, too.
As the self-proclaimed “cool uncle” who gifts his nieces and nephews with a new game for every holiday or birthday, I’ve quickly learned what works in today’s age for first games and what doesn’t.
With some additional crowdsourcing from several gamer parents, these 10 titles stand out as the best introductions to gaming for a child today.
10Katamari Damacy Reroll
Colorful, Silly, Semi-Controlled Chaos
Katamari Damacy Reroll
KatamariDemacy Reroll is a goofy tale of a young prince who is tasked with rolling up giant balls of trash and random objects to be launched into outer space to create new stars.
It’s nonsensical in the best way, and manifests itself in a physics/puzzle game with the simplest objective in video games to understand.
Controls are intentionally a bit wonky as you roll up larger and larger objects, so a young child needing to master the nuance and precision of a typical video game really is not much of a factor here.
It’s just plain fun and an easy concept for a kiddo to wrap their brain around, even as a single-player-only title they’ll be navigating on their own.
9Paw Patrol World
Marshall And Chase Save The Day
Paw Patrol World
If you’ve spent time around kids in the last decade, you know Paw Patrol and its heroes, Chase, Marshall, Skye, and the rest of the puppy gang.
Kids nearly unanimously love this franchise, and it features a few licensed video game tie-ins that are surprisingly competent for entry-level gamers.
Paw Patrol World is the best example of a show that has been adopted for video games. It is a 3D camera-controlled platformer that can serve as a very appropriate foundation for the genre and medium in general.
It also features split-screen co-op, so a child can play with a parent or older sibling for even more support as they control their favorite puppy and do good deeds in their community.
8Astro Bot
Adorable Platforming With Plenty To Grow Into
2024’s winner of Game of the Year at The Game Awards,Astro Botabsolutely shines as a title for gamers of absolutely all ages.
The game does rise in difficulty a bit by its conclusion, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of incredible content for kids front-loaded on this title.
10 Best Games Like Astro Bot
Games like Crash Bandicoot 4 and New Super Lucky’s Tale will fill the Astro Bot-shaped hole in your heart.
Astro Bot and his companions are animated adorably, and the game overall has a sense of wonder and magic similar to a first trip to Disney World.
There’s very little text to read, the controls are fluid and intuitive, and the game is just pure, non-stop fun and smiles for all. The added feature of a robo-bird to point the player towards missed collectibles is especially handy for kids too.
This might be one where you’ll want to be on standby for a helpful controller pass now and then, but it’s still perfect for gaining 3D platformer sea legs and basking in the incredible design of Team Asobi’s magical world.
7Minecraft
Unlimited Potential
Minecraftdidn’t becomethe best-selling video game of all-timefor no good reason. The building/exploration/sandbox title is a source of genuinely unlimited content and can be safely and comfortably enjoyed by the youngest of gamers.
The premise of crafting can be a bit overwhelming at first, but with the guidance of a parent or more experienced player, this could very well become the only game your kid wants to play. That can be a pro or a con to some, so proceed cautiously.
Regardless, Minecraft has insane staying-power and has proven its popularity and mega-influence on the children of today. Some schools even use the title for educational purposes in the classroom.
6The LEGO Series
Pick Your Child’s Favorite Franchise
LEGO DC Super-Villains
From Harry Potter to Star Wars to Marvel to The Incredibles, theLEGO seriesof licensed video game titles are another example of time-tested and proven stellar gaming options for kids.
Pick their favorite represented franchise, and they’ll be off to a world of building, creativity, and laughter.
Nearly all of the LEGO games have wonderful cooperative multi-player, friendly difficulty options, minimal reading, and easy-to-understand tutorials.
Some LEGO games are better than others, but it’s hard to go wrong with any as long as there’s subject matter here that your kiddo has previously enjoyed outside of gaming.
5Super Mario 3D World
A Future In Plumbing
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury
Super Mario 3D Worldcan be a wonderful solo romp for a young gamer, but the multi-player mode is really where this one shines.
Players can choose from several characters with different abilities, including Princess Peach and her power to float and hover in midair to aid youngsters in crossing gaps and passing safely over enemies.
Nintendo are the masters of accessibility for children, and that continues to be on full display in this title with the implementation of the “bubble system.”
Here, a young player can put their character in a bubble at the press of a button and be carried forward to meet their playing partner who has progressed further than them.
Spoiler Alert: The rest of these rankings are only Nintendo games, and it’s easy to see why when they consistently go the extra mile for features like the aforementioned with the sole purpose of easing the playing experience for a kiddo while retaining the integrity of the game itself.
4New Pokémon Snap
For Fledgling Photographers
New Pokémon Snap
Kids love Pokémon, but any of the core RPGs in the series are way too dialogue-heavy, stat-based, and challenging for a child to start their gaming journey with right off the bat.
Thankfully,New Pokémon Snapoffers an entry to the franchise that’s much easier to wrap your head around as a first-time gamer and is one of thebest spin-offs in the Pokémon franchiseoverall to boot.
Every Snake Pokemon, Ranked
There aren’t many snake-like Pokemon, but the ones we do have like Serperior and Steelix have their undeniable places in our parties.
The sequel to the beloved Nintendo 64 title, New Pokémon Snap, is simply a game to photograph Pokémon in various locations. The 3D models are adorable and fun, and any child who’s ever taken pictures on a tablet or smartphone will get the concept here very quickly.
Will a child be able to 100% this game? No, probably not. But it’s a simple entry to a beloved universe full of cuddly critters and hours of fun that can also turn into a genuine career interest.
3Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Can Be Played With 2 Buttons
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Mario Kart 8 Deluxeis the best entry in the series by a mile, has the most courses available with the purchase of the booster course pass, and has the ability to switch on/off specific items along with many other simple toggles to cater the game to the youngest of the young.
The most appealing features here for first-timers are the options to turn on auto-acceleration and steering assist.
With these enabled, the game can virtually play itself, giving your child the excitement of racing as their favorite Mario-universe character without really having to do anything.
This game has one of the easiest barriers to entry ever and is a great game with plenty of available challenges for a child to slowly grow into as they get more comfortable behind the wheel.
2Super Mario Odyssey
Featuring Wonderful Assist and Co-Op Modes
Super Mario Odyssey
Another milestone in kid-friendly gaming options,Super Mario Odysseyis the next Nintendo-created triumph.
Assuredly still a perfect video game for adult Mario fans too, Super Mario Odyssey has an above-and-beyond Assist Mode thatliterallyplaces blue arrows on the ground to navigate new players to their next objective and prevents falling off the map and losing lives with the return of Super Mario 3D World’s bubble feature.
If this isn’t enough of a kid-friendly option package, there’s also aco-op multiplayer mode where a stronger player or parent can control Mario while the newbie controls Cappy, Mario’s sentient red hat.
It’s a beautiful way to make a child still feel involved and learn the game without sacrificing the ability of Player 1 to progress through the title uninhibited.
1Yoshi’s Crafted World
Introducing Mellow Mode
Yoshi’s Crafted World
Yoshi’s Crafted Worldtakes Nintendo’s collect-a-thon platformer formula and simplifies it even further, resulting in a warm and fuzzy title for any young gamer to jump straight into.
It’s not a hard game by default, but it goes the extra mile by introducing “Mellow Mode,” a toggled-on play-style that is simply unparalleled for kids.
In Mellow Mode, Yoshi literally grows wings and can fly and hover over anything. Enemies do less damage. Hidden/secret objects are made visible. Yoshi finds health-replenishing hearts more easily. Items and eggs are more bountiful in supply. The list goes on.
Nintendo really did everything they realistically could for this title to make it perfect for kids to jump into without sacrificing the integrity and style ofa Yoshi game that is genuinely great.
10 Best Scary Games For Kids, Ranked
If you’re looking for a scary game that’s suitable for kids, this list has you covered.
