‘E’ for Everyone
Despite a few forays into Rated-M-for-Mature territory, Nintendo has steadfastly cultivated and maintained a family-friendly image since it shipped its first NES. Or, at the very least, Nintendoof Americahas been constant in keeping its brand the type you can introduce to your parents. Some of the decisions it’s madehaven’t always worked in its favor, but that dedication to being a company for people of all ages is certainly paying off in spades now with the success of the Nintendo Switch.
While it stilltrails the Nintendo DSin terms of unit sales, I think the argument could be made this is Nintendo’s most popular gaming device ever. And its library is a huge reason for that. There is every genre of game you could want on this system, including an absurd amount of games tailor-made for kids and children of all ages. With so many to choose from, we’re going to take a look at the 10 best Switch games for the young ones. It’s an impossible task, but if you’re looking for a game for your kids, start by checking out the following ten titles.
And to keep things interesting, this won’t just be a list of 10 games made by Nintendo.
Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain(Nintendo)
Okay, well, the first game on the list is made by Nintendo, but I promise the rest of them aren’t.Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brainis an excellent edutainment title that takes the brain training formula that was all the rage in the mid-2000s and turns it into a competition. For smart kids who want to brag about their burgeoning IQs, this is the game to get.
Dragon Quest Builders(Square Enix)
One game all kids know about isMinecraft, and while you can indeed play it on Nintendo Switch, there’s no need to include it on a list like this, considering the thing has sold more than 230 million copies. Instead, we’re includingDragon Quest Builders(and its sequel) as a must-have game for kids. It takes the voxel-crafting gameplay ofMinecraftand marries it with solid RPG combat and story. Both games are an absolute delight, and we can only hope Square Enix and Omega Force team up again soon to give usDragon Quest Builders 3.
MarioParty Superstars(Nintendo)
TheMario Partyseries has been a staple of the Nintendo brand since the days of the Nintendo 64. The Nintendo Switch has seen two games from the franchise appear on the console, and whileSuper Mario Partyhas done blockbuster sales, 2021’sMario Party Superstarsis the better of the two. For those who grew up with the series, it’s a delightful trip down memory lane. For those experiencing theMario Partyformula for the first time, it’s a good learning opportunity for how life can be unfair.
Sonic Mania Plus(Sega)
Retro-revivals have been all the rage for several years now, and while there are plenty to choose from on the Switch (Mega Man 11), we’re includingSonic Mania Pluson this list for being the game that saved Sonic from himself. A delightful throwback to Sonic’s simpler times,Sonic Mania Plustakes everything that was great about the original version of the game and piles on new characters, new cutscenes, and new ways to play with friends.
Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack(Nintendo)
One of the best bangs for your buck on the Switch is the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. This isn’t one game, but dozens of them spread across the NES, SNES, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, Sega Genesis, and Nintendo 64. Classic Nintendo games have kept their appeal in the years since they launched and this subscription is a great buy for the young Switch players in your life. Just try and temper their expectations for those oldMario Kartgames though.
Nintendo Switch Sports(Nintendo)
Whether you loved the Nintendo Wii or thought it represented the very worst of Nintendo, chances are you have some fond memories of playingWii Sports. Even if only for the bowling and the boxing,Wii Sportsis one of the greatest games in Nintendo’s long history.Nintendo Switch Sportsdoes a great job of capturing part of what made its predecessor so dang fun. While it doesn’t have the breadth ofWii Sports Resort, what’s included inSwitch Sportsis a blast for kids who want to be a bit more active when they’re gaming.
FAST rmx(Shin’en)
Speaking ofMario Kart, you’ll noticeMario Kart 8 Deluxeisn’t on the list. Considering nearly half of all Switch owners already have the game—an absolutely stunning attachment rate—it’s better to use this opportunity to focus on another racing game, one that is all about speed.FAST rmxfrom Shin’en Multimedia is a beautiful and outstanding racer that fulfills the inner desire of all kids (and adults) to go as fast as they possibly can.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land(Nintendo)
After decades of side-scrolling adventures, Kirby finally got his first 3D adventure in 2022 withKirby and the Forgotten Land. With its incredible level design, skillful transition to 3D, and addition of the new Mouthful Mode,Kirby and the Forgotten Landisn’t just the bestKirbygame ever, it’s arguably one of the greatest 3D platformers to date. A perfect game for kids young and old; one siblings can play together with its Bandana Waddle-Dee multiplayer mode.
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga(Warner Bros. Games)
LEGO games are always a solid choice for younger kids, but they may lose their appeal to those who are older.LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Sagais one of the few LEGO games that doesn’t lose its luster with teens as the combat is the best of any LEGO game to date. Even if your kids don’t care forThe Rise of Skywalker, there’s little doubt they’ll find much to enjoy aboutThe Skywalker Saga.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury(Nintendo)
Like with Kirby, you can put any Mario platformer on this list and it would work just fine. Mario hasn’t had one bad outing on Nintendo Switch, and while most people will gravitate towardSuperMario Odyssey, we’re throwing it down forSuper Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury. About as close to perfect as the series has ever been, this is a wonderful multiplayer action game that provides enough challenge to keep kids of all ages engaged. The original version of the game on the Wii U was already as close to perfection as Nintendo could get. The addition ofBowser’s Furynudges it even closer.
