Games for kids has been a big topic over the past couple of years. With video games constantly moving in a more mature direction, as has nearly all forms of media, parents are constantly on the lookout for “what’s safe,” and “what’s not.” While I’ll be the first to admit that I’m no specialist when it comes to games for kids, I can say this: I’ve played a tremendous amount of games during my time as a gamer, and I can think of a few that every kid can safely play and have a blast. And thus here they are! File, print, and run to Gamestop now!
5. Animal Crossing: I’ve written about this game before, but it’s for good reason. Animal Crossing offers an amount of charm and depth not often found in gaming. The premise of the game itself is very simple: you wonder about the world collecting items, fishing, digging for fossils, and paying off huge sums of debt. If nothing else, it’ll teach your kids the troubles of owing a lot of money. The game also runs in real-time. What does that mean? Well, if the player wants to go to the store, or possibly a character’s home, there’s a chance that it will be closed if you’re playing late at night. Unfortunately, there are times when you log on and there simply isn’t a tremendous amount to do due to the fact that everyone is sleeping. However, Animal Crossing offers a gaming experience that can last months on end and is one of the best “bang for your buck” games out there.
4. Harvest Moon: I grew up with Harvest Moon. The first one I played was on the Super Nintendo and it has continued to be a success to this very day. Harvest Moon has been released on nearly every console and has premiered in a variety of different presentations, but the core concept has always been the same. Gamers are essentially given a farm that has fallen on hard times and are asked to restore it to its former glory. Once players are on their way, they complete various tasks such as taking care of animals and harvesting crops. Players learn to micromanage their daily tasks earning money in order to buy new crops, animals, and structural upgrades. While Harvest Moon does give the option to find a love interest, get married, and sometimes have children, it’s always in good taste. I would definitely recommend this as one of the top games for kids.
3. Super Mario World: This HAD to make the list. Many young gamers press their first few buttons to the sounds of Mario. Since becoming a hit release for the original NES, Mario has become the signature frontman for Nintendo. The best news is that Mario games come in nearly all shapes and sizes. Whether it’s sports, 3d, 2d, platform, open world, rpg, racing, or party game, there is a Mario game for everyone. The best part? It’s always kid friendly and tons of fun.
2. The Lego Series: If you have a favorite movie, there’s a good chance that there’s a Lego edition of it. The Lego games are some of the best satirical pieces in video games today. Lego takes movies like The Avengers and The Lord of the Rings and turn them into time consuming, witty titles that nearly all ages can enjoy. While the Lego games sometimes create titles in the form of movies with fantasy style violence, their approach makes light of even the most serious circumstances. They’re easy, time-consuming, humorous, and just downright fun.
1. Pokemon: I love Pokemon. If I had three wishes, to be ported into the animated world of Pokecenters and Professor Oak would probably be one of them. While there are some parents who feel it’s abusive due to the fact that it’s creature on creature hate, I would be willing to bet that most parents see Pokemon for what it is: an innocent journey into a world full of creative possibilities. I first saw Pokemon when I was in fifth grade and have played nearly every handheld version to this day. Not to mention the fact that today’s versions allow for trading and competing at a distance. Pokemon is and should be one of the top games for kids due to the fact that it’s innocent, fun, and has enough strategic depth to force kids to think.