As a parent, and long time gamer, I know it can be tough finding games that not only are kid-friendly but also games your kids will love. As the holidays approach and kids are busying making their wish lists, I’ve put together a list of the top 5 kid-friendly games kids will love.
These games are great for kids and offer a well rounded experience that balance challenge, fun, and offer a great value for the money. In no particular order here they are.
Super Mario Party
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Genre: Party
Modes: Single-player, multiplayer
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Super Mario Party on the Nintendo Switch is without a doubt one of the best, if not the best game, in the Mario Party series. Party Mode makes its return and a whole slew of other additions including 80 new minigames, and character specific dice that add an element of strategy.
This is a game that the whole family will love. My family and I had countless hours of fun with this game. We spent several nights staying up to the wee hours of the morning playing. If you are looking for a game that kids will enjoy, Super Mario Party is without one of the top 5 games.
Get Super Mario Party on Nintendo Switch
LEGO DC Super Villains
Platform: Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and PlayStation 4
Genre: Action-adventure
Modes: Single-player, multiplayer
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10+)
I couldn’t have a list of kid-friendly games with out putting a LEGO game on it. LEGO DC Super Villains gives you, for the first time, the opportunity to create your own fully customizable super-villain character. And, to top it all of, their own signature super power.
The Justice League has disappeared and group of rookies from a parallel universe known as the Justice Syndicate are Earth’s new protectors. However, DC Super-Villains from the Legion of Doom discover something fishy is going on with the Justice Syndicate. With each player’s completely customizable Super-Villain character in command, this team of misfit lawbreakers must join forces to discover and foil the evil plans the incognito strangers have in store.
The LEGO series of games are never to difficult and have so many unlockable characters and things to find that it will keep the kids, and adults, coming back for more.
Get LEGO DC Super Villains on PlayStation 4
Purchase LEGO DC Super Villains on Xbox One
Buy LEGO DC Super Villains on Nintendo Switch
Just Dance 2019
Platform: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One
Genre: Music
Modes: Single-player, multiplayer
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Just Dance 2019 brings the party to players with 40 new songs and every copy of the game includes one-month access to the Just Dance Unlimited streaming service. New this year, Just Dance has partnered with creative experts from around the world to create stunning universes for the game.
This year, Just Dance actually learns your dancing preferences and habits. Based on this, it makes a pre-made playlist and song suggestions. Fan-favorite modes return such as World Dance Floor, bringing more online multiplayer challenges to its 120 million players worldwide, the calorie-tracking Sweat Mode, and the Kids Mode, bringing eight new choreographies developed alongside childhood development experts.
Get Just Dance 2019 on Nintendo Switch
Purchase Just Dance 2019 on PlayStation 4
Buy Just Dance 2019 on Xbox One
Starlink: Battle for Atlas
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One
Genre: Action-adventure
Modes: Single-player, multiplayer
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10+)
Hop aboard your starship and blast off in this open-world game, which allows you explore the Atlas star system with total freedom. With a diverse cast of characters, including Switch exclusive Star Fox team members, you’ll build and customize your starship in real life before taking it into battle to defeat the Forgotten Legion and save the Atlas star system.
Ubisoft Toronto did a fantastic job incorporating the Star Fox team into the game. They never felt as if they were shoe horned in. Starlink: Battle for Atlas is all about exploration and includes seven planets to explore. Each planet is different from the next making each one a unique experience. Additionally, the game features a co-op mode. This can be activated at anytime and surprisingly the visuals hold up pretty well.
The game was developed from day one to include toys-to-life figures with the game. As such, each starter kit comes with one ship, a pilot, a few mountable weapons and a mount to attach to your controller to connect everything. I feel that the game is well-balanced and makes it one of the best kid-friendly games this year.
Get Starlink: Battle for Atlas on Nintendo Switch
Buy Starlink: Battle for Atlas on PlayStation 4
Purchase Starlink: Battle for Atlas on Xbox One
See the full line up of Starlink: Battle for Atlas accessories
Spyro Reignited Trilogy
Platform: Xbox One and PlayStation 4
Genre: Platforming
Modes: Single-player
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10+)
Last year Activision gave us the superb Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy remaster and now it’s time for Spyro to make his return. Much like Crash Bandicoot, Spyro Reignited Trilogy is a fully remastered collection of the three original Spyro games that started it all. As a fan of Spyro since the PSX days, I am glad to see that Activision has included modern day mechanics, full analog stick support and smooth camera handling.
With more than 100 levels, Spyro Reignited Trilogy brings back everything that made gamers fall in love with Spyro 20 years ago and will attract those young and old being introduced to Spyro for the first time.
Get Spyro Reignited Trilogy for PlayStation 4
Buy Spyro Reignited Trilogy for Xbox One
Kid-friendly games kids will love
And there you have it, the top 5 kid-friendly games kids will love this holiday season. Have a safe and happy holiday season. Be sure to check out the full line up of video games that are available at Best Buy Canada in the links below.
Click here to see the full line of video game software available at Bestbuy.ca
Click here to see digital video game downloads offered at BestBuy.ca
