As a parent, I know that constantly evolving interests are hard to keep up with. Especially when it is a topic that you may not be overly familiar with, this holiday season, I’ve prepared a list of fun, age-appropriate games that you can gift your young family member worry-free.
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Parents Holiday Guide: The Perfect Video Games to Gift Your Kid Gamer (2023)
Whether you’re celebrating Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, or another holiday, one thing is certain, and that is that finding the perfect gift for your loved one can be quite tricky! The below list takes the guesswork out of it and allows you to choose the perfect video game release of 2023 to gift to the young video game in your life.
Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
Purchase: Amazon or Best Buy
ESRB Rating: E10+
Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe is the latest game in the popular Kirby series. The main character, Kirby, is on a platforming adventure to save the day. You will explore colorful areas, use fun power-up abilities, participate in enjoyable subgames, and more. Kirby’s Return to Dream Land can be played with 1 to 4 players. So, you can either play it alone or with three other people. This not only allows for fun for the whole family but also means that novice players are able to be assisted with ease.
Sonic Origins Plus
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X
Purchase: Amazon or Best Buy
ESRB Rating: E
Many parents may have played or seen the Sonic games from their own childhood, but if not, this game is perfect for you too! Sonic Origins Plus includes Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic 2, Sonic 3 & Knuckles, and Sonic CD, in all of their remastered glory. There is plenty of other content besides. The Sonic titles will see your child taking on the role of Sonic, Tails, or Knuckles as they navigate the vastly different zones. Collecting rings with speed is the goal here. Sonic 2 and Sonic 3 & Knuckles offer local multiplayer so that you can play alongside your child too.
Detective Pikachu Returns
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
Purchase: Amazon or Best Buy
ESRB Rating: E
Detective Pikachu Returns is the sequel to the original, which was released on Nintendo 3DS, in which the live-action movie of the same name was also based on. You take on the role of Tim Goodman, who, alongside his seemingly middle-aged Pikachu, solves cases by interacting with both humans and Pokemon. They’re the ultimate team, and Pokemon fans will delight in seeing a new spin on the traditional games.
Due to the nature of the game, your child will either need to be able to read or play alongside someone who can.
Fae Farm
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC
Purchase: Amazon or Best Buy
ESRB Rating: E+
Fae Farm is a farming sim that includes gameplay elements from many other games in the series. This means that there is a little of everything: growing crops, raising livestock, fishing, dungeon crawling, building relationships, and more. There is something for everyone in this title. One aspect of Fae Farm that makes it unique from others in the same genre is that it allows multiplayer for up to four players. This means that you can play alongside your child, and you will be able to have your farm, as well as help with theirs. You can help them explore the dungeons, cook recipes, and complete quests, all whilst sitting next to one another on the couch.
Bluey: The Video Game
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC
Purchase: Amazon or Best Buy
ESRB Rating: E
Bluey is starring in her first-ever video game for real life. This is the perfect game to purchase for the little (or grown!) Bluey fan in your life. Your child can explore familiar Bluey locations such as The Creek, Bluey and Bingo’s house, the Beach, and the Playground. You will also be able to take part in some of the kid’s favorite games, such as Keepy Uppy! You can play individually, or up to four players can explore this cozy and fun world together. There’s no difficulty in the world of Bluey—just wholesome fun.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
Purchase: Amazon or Best Buy
ESRB Rating: E
Mario has been a fan favorite in many houses for a long time, and with good reason. This wholesome game is an absolute blast for all ages. You can aim to complete all levels from beginning to end, or you can work on collecting everything the game has to offer along the way. The game offers local co-op play for up to four people, meaning the whole family can play together. Undoubtedly, there will be laughter when an Elephant Fruit is consumed.
Disney Illusion Island
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
Purchase: Amazon or Best Buy
ESRB Rating: E
Everyone knows Mickey and his friends! Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy work together to save the day in this colorful, hilarious, and unique adventure. This is a game that both child and parent will equally enjoy, with well-written jokes scattered throughout the dialogue that will have every parent chuckling.
The game provides a range of accessibility options, which means you can turn on settings that allow your child to be assisted or even so they cannot lose a life. It makes playing the game much smoother when they are free to explore without getting hit. You can play together with your family, as up to four people can take on each Disney character. It’s a lot of fun and one of our home’s most memorable gaming experiences this year.
Lil Gator Game
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC
Purchase: Digital Only
ESRB Rating: E
Little kids have big imaginations, which is precisely what you get with Lil Gator Game. It is everything that you would expect from asking a six-year-old to explain to you what their ideal game would consist of. It’s a relaxing game where the goal is to explore the island, make friends to bring back to the playground, and get crafty. Lil Gator Game does not have multiplayer like most of the games on this list, but the environment is perfect for little minds to explore and problem-solve independently.
Super Mario RPG
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
Purchase: Amazon or Best Buy
ESRB Rating: E
Super Mario RPG is a fan-favorite game that has been remade for the current generation of consoles. A different spin on the traditional Mario platformer, Super Mario RPG sees Mario and co as they take on enemies through a more traditional battle style. The remake has made the game significantly more accessible and includes a Breezy difficulty mode. Many of the battle elements are signposted, which all work together to create an accessible game for your child.
Super Mario RPG would work best with a child who does not know how to read. Unless you wish to experience playing it together so that you can help read the text.
And that’s it! The above nine games are the best for your young video game fan due to their accessibility, multiplayer options, lack of complicated dialogue, and general enjoyability. You cannot go wrong with any of the above games, and I have no doubt that they will bring as much joy to your child’s life as they bring to my own.
