Best Video Games for Kids in 2023: Our Top Picks!

Best Video Games for Kids in 2023: Our Top Picks

Hey there, parents and guardians! The holidays will be here before you know it, and if you've got kids, you're probably already thinking about the perfect gift. Well, we've got you covered. We combed through all the latest and greatest video game options for 2023 to find the top 10 that are not only fun but also age-appropriate for children. Whether you've got a preschooler just learning shapes and colors or a tween looking to level up their skills, there's something for every kid on our list. From educational games that sneak in learning to action-packed adventures, these video game picks will make you the coolest gift-giver without breaking the bank. Ready to be the hero this holiday season? Keep reading to see our recommendations for the best video games for kids in 2023. The virtual worlds of adventure await!

Super Mario Odyssey (Nintendo Switch)

Super Mario Odyssey is a must-have for any kid's gaming library. This epic 3D platformer lets you explore huge worlds as Mario and Cappy, his new sidekick.

In the game, Bowser has kidnapped Peach again and is trying to force her to marry him. As Mario, you travel between worlds in your hat-shaped ship, searching for Power Moons to fuel your journey to Bowser's castle. Each world is filled with secrets, challenges, and puzzles to solve.

Cappy, Mario's talking hat, gives you special powers like turning into enemies and objects. Kids will have a blast capturing and controlling everything from tanks to dinosaurs! The game is full of surprises that bring out the kid in all of us.

With so much to do and discover, Super Mario Odyssey offers hours of fun for players of all ages. Vibrant worlds, catchy music, and the classic Mario charm will delight kids and parents alike. No wonder it's considered one of the best video games for families in years.

If you're looking for an engaging game the whole family can enjoy, you can't go wrong with this modern masterpiece. Super Mario Odyssey receives top marks for pure, whimsical fun.

Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2 (Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PC)

If your kids can't get enough of superheroes, Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2 is a must-have. This action-packed game lets players take control of their favorite Marvel characters like Spider-Man, Iron Man, Captain America, and Guardians of the Galaxy in an original story.

• Over 200 characters to unlock from the Marvel Universe, each with unique superpowers and abilities. Kids will have a blast experimenting with different hero and villain team-ups.

• Hilarious Lego humor and puzzles. This game is filled with jokes that both kids and parents will get a kick out of. And with mind-bending puzzles around every corner, it really challenges problem-solving skills.

• Massive open world. Players can explore iconic Marvel locations like Chronopolis, Wakanda, Asgard, and Knowhere. With hidden secrets and side quests galore, kids could spend hours just exploring.

• Kid-friendly action and combat. While fighting villains and henchmen, the combat is very cartoonish and kid-appropriate. No scary or realistic violence here.

Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2 offers a perfect introduction to the vast Marvel universe for kids and families. With its blend of humor, action, and adventure, it's one of the most entertaining and imaginative video game experiences for children. No wonder it's considered one of the best video games for kids.

Roblox (Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PC, Mobile)

Endless Possibilities

Roblox offers an endless array of games within the platform, created by both professional developers and hobbyists. With so many options, there’s something for every interest. Kids can play obstacle courses, explore virtual worlds, solve mysteries, race cars, fight monsters, or build their own games.

• Obstacle courses: Kids have to jump, climb and navigate challenging courses. Great for developing problem-solving skills and hand-eye coordination.

• Virtual worlds: Explore massive multiplayer worlds, interact with others and customize avatars. Sparks creativity.

• Mysteries and adventures: Solve puzzles, uncover clues and complete quests. Challenges kids to think logically and strategically.

• Racing and vehicles: Drive cars, fly planes, sail ships and ride animals. Thrilling for kids who love action and transportation.

• Fighting and combat: Battle monsters and villains, casting spells and wielding weapons. Action-packed fun for kids.

• Building: Kids can learn programming skills to build their own Roblox games. Develops technical and design abilities.

With parental controls and thousands of kid-friendly games, Roblox is an incredibly fun and educational platform for children. The variety ensures there’s something for every interest to stimulate growing minds. Kids will be kept happily engaged for hours exploring all the possibilities.

Minecraft (Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PC, Mobile)

A Creative Open-World Adventure

Minecraft is a wildly popular open-world adventure game that sparks creativity in kids of all ages. In the game's blocky, pixelated world, players explore, gather resources, craft items, and build structures. It's a virtual sandbox that lets kids create anything they can imagine.

You can play in survival mode, gathering resources and building shelter to survive the night and enemies. Or play in creative mode with unlimited resources and the freedom to construct massive, elaborate builds. Kids will spend hours constructing their own unique worlds, from castles and spaceships to entire cities.

Minecraft teaches problem-solving as kids figure out how to gather and manage resources. It boosts creativity as they design their own buildings, structures and environments. And the multiplayer option allows friends to create together, enhancing social skills and teamwork.

With different game modes for all skill levels, Minecraft is a perfect first video game for kids. It's available on pretty much every platform, so no matter what gaming device your family has, your child can start crafting and exploring their own blocky world of adventure. For endless fun and learning, Minecraft is one of the best video game picks for kids.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (Nintendo Switch)

Classic Nintendo Characters

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, you get to play as all your favorite Nintendo characters like Mario, Link, Pikachu, Yoshi, Kirby, and more. This massive crossover fighting game brings together every single fighter from the series so far. There are over 70 characters to unlock and choose from, including some guest characters like Sonic and Pac-Man.

With so many characters and matchups, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate offers near endless replay value. Kids will have a blast experimenting with new characters and honing their skills. The simple controls also make it easy for players of all ages to pick up and play. This game is perfect for both casual and competitive players.

Some other highlights include:

• A huge variety of game modes like Classic Mode, Adventure Mode, and Squad Strike. There’s something for everyone.

• Massive selection of items, Pokemon, and Assist Trophies to use in battle. Kids will love all the wacky power-ups and helpers.

• Up to 8 players can play together on one screen. This is a great game for parties, playdates, and family game nights.

• Kid-friendly visuals and slapstick cartoon violence. While chaotic, the game is very family-friendly.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a must-have game for any Nintendo Switch owner. Kids and families will have endless fun mastering their favorite characters and battling each other in this over-the-top platform fighter. No wonder it’s considered the best Super Smash Bros. game yet!

Splatoon 2 (Nintendo Switch)

Colorful and Creative

Splatoon 2 is a fun, family-friendly third-person shooter game where players ink turf instead of eliminating opponents. Players transform into squid and kid forms to cover the arena with ink. The goal is to ink the most turf in your team's color within the time limit.

You play as an Inkling, a humanoid that can transform between a squid and humanoid form. In humanoid form, you can ink turf and eliminate opponents. In squid form, you can swim through your team's ink to move faster and replenish your ink. Choose from a variety of ink colors and an assortment of fashion styles for your Inkling.

Customize your character with unique gear that provides special abilities to strengthen your play style. Try different weapons like Splat Dualies, Splat Roller or Splat Charger and find what works for you. Play on a variety of colorful arenas with different layouts and obstacles.

Splatoon 2 offers both local and online multiplayer matches. Play with friends, join an online match or host a private battle. New updates, maps, gear, and weapons are frequently released to keep the game exciting.

Splatoon 2 is a wildly fun and creative game for all ages. The bright colors and characters make it appealing for kids while the unique gameplay and challenges keep it interesting for adults and families. If you're looking for an alternative to traditional shooters, Splatoon 2 is an excellent option.

Ratchet & Clank (PS4)

Ratchet & Clank (PS4) is a fun space adventure perfect for kids and families. In this reimagining of the original Ratchet & Clank, you play as Ratchet, a Lombax mechanic, and Clank, his robot sidekick. ###Gameplay

As Ratchet, you explore planets, collect weapons and gadgets to defeat enemies. Clank helps solve puzzles and unlock new areas. The gameplay involves platforming, combat, and puzzle-solving with a fun arsenal of tools like the Pixelizer, Groovitron Glove and Sheepinator.

• Combat is kid-friendly, focusing on zapping and capturing enemies rather than realistic violence.

• Puzzles start simple but increase in difficulty, helping build problem-solving skills.

• Vibrant worlds, quirky characters and an engaging story of friendship make this a thoroughly enjoyable experience for all ages.

Appropriate for All Ages

Ratchet & Clank is colorful, comedic and never too scary or difficult. Kids can play on “Rookie” mode with close guidance or “Lombax” mode for more challenge. Parents will appreciate the family-friendly fun and nostalgia.

With amazing visuals, tight controls and levels of depth for players of all skill levels, Ratchet & Clank offers an unforgettable space adventure you can enjoy with your kids. This reimagining of a PlayStation classic is not to be missed!

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy (Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One)

A Classic Platformer Reimagined

The Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy brings the classic 90s platformer into the modern age. This remastered collection includes the first three Crash Bandicoot games: Crash Bandicoot, Cortex Strikes Back, and Warped. The graphics have been completely redone in stunning HD, but the challenging platforming and zany characters remain untouched.

For kids and families, the Crash Bandicoot games strike a perfect balance of difficulty. The levels steadily become more complex, but young gamers can progress at their own pace thanks to an abundance of extra lives and the lack of harsh penalties for failure. Crash’s world is filled with wacky creatures, from evil scientists to tribal islanders, that provide lots of slapstick humor and silliness.

The controls are simple enough for kids to pick up quickly. Crash runs, spins, and jumps his way through jungles, temples, and futuristic cities collecting Tiki masks, gems, and other items. Boss battles against Dr. Neo Cortex and his henchmen round out the adventures. With three full games, the N. Sane Trilogy offers dozens of hours of gameplay to keep kids entertained for weeks and months.

For parents, the cartoonish action and mild cartoon violence make the Crash Bandicoot series an ideal choice for children. The games promote problem-solving skills and persistence in the face of challenge. The N. Sane Trilogy in particular is a gateway into gaming history, exposing another generation to a beloved franchise that still holds up today. Fun for the whole family, the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy deserves a spot in every kid’s game library.

Best New Games for Kids Coming in 2023: What We're Excited For

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope (Switch)

The wacky tactical RPG crossover returns for more mushroom kingdom hijinks. This time, Mario, Luigi and friends team up with the Rabbids to explore planets, discover secrets and battle enemies. With new abilities, weapons and ways to explore, Sparks of Hope looks set to build on the successful formula of the first game. The colorful worlds, zany characters and turn-based combat make this a perfect family-friendly adventure.

Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe (Switch)

Everyone's favorite pink puffball is back for more platforming fun. Originally released for Wii, this "deluxe" version comes with improved HD graphics, extra mini-games and all the copy abilities that let Kirby transform into different forms. Easy to play but challenging to master, the Kirby series is always a delight. This retro reboot is sure to please old and new fans alike.

Minecraft Legends (Multiplatform)

The blocky world of Minecraft continues to expand into new genres. Legends is an action strategy spin-off where you'll gather resources, build defenses and lead armies against enemies. Playable solo or co-op, Legends aims to be an accessible entry point for kids into real-time strategy games. The familiar Minecraft style and whimsical fantasy world create a kid-friendly experience, while strategic elements provide enough depth to keep more experienced players engaged.

Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga (Multiplatform)

The entire Star Wars saga gets a Lego makeover in this fun-filled adventure. Play through all nine films in the Skywalker saga, from The Phantom Menace to The Rise of Skywalker. With Lego's signature slapstick humor and puzzles, all-ages co-op play and hundreds of characters and ships to unlock, this is sure to be a lighthearted romp through a galaxy far, far away. The Skywalker Saga looks to be the biggest, most detailed Lego Star Wars game yet.

Conclusion

So there you have it - our top picks for the best video games for kids in 2023.  Check out the most anticipated Video Games of 2023 here (bit.ly/3Nmw8M4) 

With a variety of fun, creative options on this list, you'll be sure to find something perfect for your little gamer. Whether they prefer adventures, puzzles, sports or building worlds of their own, these games have something for every interest. And the best part is you can feel good about the options here - no violence or mature content, just good, clean fun. Now get out there and start playing! With amazing worlds to explore and challenges to overcome, the hardest part will be getting your kids to put the controller down. But with games this engaging, you might just want to join in the fun yourself!

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