These Kid-Friendly Console Games Are Actually Fun for the Whole Family

✔️ WHY WE LOVE IT: Kids don't have to know a line of code to start understanding how video games work with Game Builder Garage. Nintendo turns the basics behind visual programming and game design into interactive lessons where they’ll be guided step-by-step in how to build seven fun games. Players are also given the freedom to channel their imaginations and create their own games from scratch using what they've learned. It's an especially strong pick for kids interested in STEM, coding, or game design without feeling like homework.

✔️ TESTERS SAID: GH Data & Product Operations Manager Nikolas Greenwald described the game as a “masterclass in learning games.” He loved how it teaches programming and game design in a way that feels fun and approachable. “It really made learning some very difficult topics a visual, engaging task that felt more like a game while still being very educational,” he said. “I couldn't recommend this game enough for any kids who are interested in STEM or just how games work. This is the kind of game that sticks with you if you're into computer science.” He found tutorials simple, logical, and easy to follow, and liked that players have a space to design their own levels and features using what they’ve learned after completing the tutorials.

✔️ WHY WE LOVE IT: Let your imagination run wild in Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream. It’s designed for kids who love customizing characters and creating their own worlds, rather than embarking on difficult missions or engaging in complicated battles. The experience is a relaxed one, with players able to choose everything from clothing to characters’ food as they watch their creations become part of the game.

✔️ TESTERS SAID: GH Senior Engineer and lifelong gamer Alec Scherma recommends this game for “anyone who enjoys being creative and takes pride in seeing their work come to life.” He was impressed by just how much customization the game permitted. “I love this game because you can customize pretty much anything and everything,” he shares. During his time playing, he created a “cherry crunch cheesecake” for his characters to eat (and rave about), and designed special outfits to match their personalities, including an entirely pink wardrobe for a Mii named Cherry.

✔️ WHY WE LOVE IT: The concept is simple: Roll a sticky ball, your katamari, through colorful lands, and pick up everything small enough to cling to it. As you travel through the Jurassic Era to historic Japan and more, your katamari will grow, and you can collect increasingly large objects that were out of reach when you first started (like a dinosaur!). The game itself is a relatively relaxing, low-pressure experience while remaining satisfying and amusing for kids.

✔️ TESTERS SAID: “This is the kind of game you play because it’s pure and simple fun,” said Greenwald, who found it really approachable for young kids. He does mention that it relies on an understanding of hand-eye coordination, but the game offers an easier-to-use format if desired, as well as some time trials if you want to amp up the pressure. “It’s largely relaxing and not very cognitively intensive, but a great way to put the mind at ease,” he notes.

Scherma, who also tested the game, enjoyed both the art and the story, as well as the variety of characters. “The characters were fun and entertaining,” he said. He also enjoys seeing everything gathered up together when rolling the ball around. “There definitely is a little sense of satisfaction when you can pick up something that was too big to pick up in the beginning,” he said.

✔️ WHY WE LOVE IT: Few games work as well across generations as Super Mario Party Jamboree. The concept is simple: Pick a character from the beloved cast of Mario games and traverse this digital board game, playing one of the game’s 110-plus minigames between each round to secure special bonuses. Visual demonstrations for the minigames make them accessible for younger players without requiring lots of written instructions, and an element of luck means even the most experienced gamer doesn't always win. For families who prefer more skill and less chance, “Pro Rules” lets them switch the games’ rules.

✔️ TESTERS SAID: “This is the best possible version of a digital board game, and the fact that it's substantially more fun when played with others makes the collaborative experience highly encouraged,” said Greenwald, who has been playing Mario Party games since he was 8 years old and strongly recommends the series for kids. He didn’t find Jamboree overly complex, describing the mini games as “fun and engaging,” while the board game offered minor elements of strategy. Deputy Editor Marisa LaScala especially appreciated that families with all sorts of age gaps could play this game together and enjoy it—even non-gamers.

✔️ WHY WE LOVE IT: Kirby and the Forgotten Land blends 3D platforming with creative problem-solving. Kids witness Kirby embarking on a big adventure in a mysterious world, swallowing enemies and objects to gain new abilities. Each level is playful and varied, and there’s plenty to do beyond the main storyline, including optional missions and side challenges that keep kids entertained.

✔️ TESTERS SAID: “This is possibly my favorite game for the Nintendo Switch—the GOAT,” LaScala said. She loved Kirby’s adorable personality and the game’s sense of discovery, which kept her engaged from beginning to end. She also appreciated that players can participate in side quests that extend the game after completing the main story.

✔️ WHY WE LOVE IT: Kids can explore more than 50 planets with Astro on his rescue mission, climbing and running through detailed and charming 3D landscapes. The main adventure is approachable, colorful, and packed with collectibles, while optional levels give more experienced players something tougher to master. Throughout the game, there are plenty of nods to classic PlayStation games, adding a fun layer of nostalgia for parents or older kids familiar with iconic heroes from the PlayStation universe.

✔️ TESTERS SAID: Longtime PlayStation player Scherma got a kick out of spotting tiny robots inspired by games he'd played over the years. “I loved the platforming and the collectibles,” he said. He found the bosses challenging without being frustrating, and he especially enjoyed the extremely difficult levels unlocked after finishing the game.

✔️ WHY WE LOVE IT: Pokémon has been popular since I was a kid. Today, our gaming experts are raving about Pokémon Pokopia, which gives kids the creativity of a sandbox game but adds enough structure that they aren't simply dropped into a giant world without direction. Players work to restore, build, and customize habitats for Pokémon while following a structured narrative with strong environmentalist overtones.

✔️ TESTERS SAID: “This is the kind of game that might be really fun for even kids who are quite young, and though there's a good amount of reading, it's something that could easily broaden their vocabulary,” Greenwald said. He described the game as “simple yet entertaining.” Meanwhile, our 10-year-old tester, Eloise, loved the game’s graphics and found her experience playing both relaxing and fun.

✔️ WHY WE LOVE IT: Minecraft is another fan favorite that keeps players coming back. It remains one of the most open-ended creative games available. Players can build almost anything they imagine, but doing so often requires planning, experimentation, and problem-solving along the way. We like that it’s available on a huge range of platforms, so families don't necessarily need the newest console to play. And while it's fun solo, it’s just as fun when collaborating with friends.

✔️ TESTERS SAID: “I recommend this game to anyone who wants a creative outlet or something fun to play with friends without the need for a fancy setup,” said Scherma, who has been playing Minecraft since its earliest days, with both strangers and friends. “The game is just about building the coolest things,” he said, adding that there’s something equally addicting and satisfying about logging in with friends and building unique creations.

✔️ WHY WE LOVE IT: In Undertale, how players treat characters can completely change the story. Instead of simply defeating every enemy, players can make choices about whether to fight or show mercy, leading to different outcomes. The game’s battle system is just as original, where players control a small heart and dodge incoming attacks, adding a hand-eye coordination element to a traditionally story-heavy genre.

✔️ TESTERS SAID: Ten-year-old tester Eloise called the story “very engaging” and particularly liked how much choice players have. She explained that there are multiple possible routes and endings depending on your actions and praised the game's unique combat mechanics. “There's a lot of choice you make. You can spare every enemy, or you can kill every enemy,” she said.

✔️ WHY WE LOVE IT: For kids who want a role-playing game with an immersive world that they can spend a lot of time exploring, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet offers several storylines, side missions, and opportunities to hunt for rare Pokémon. The turn-based battles let players think about their next move instead of relying purely on fast reflexes, while the open world structure lets them decide what they want to tackle next.

✔️ TESTERS SAID: “It's a good mix of action and exploration,” said LaScala, who liked being able to embark on side missions and hunt for shiny Pokémon, as well as engage in “not-real-time battling.” Eloise claimed she played this Pokémon title more than any others because of how long it took her to complete. “It’s a nice length, plus there was downloadable content (DLC).”

✔️ WHY WE LOVE IT: Mario Kart has stood the test of time. It’s easy enough for newcomers to pick up, but chaotic enough that no race feels identical or predictable. A lucky item or well-timed move can shake up the standings, giving less-experienced players a chance. The game features multiple racing modes, characters, outfits, and areas to explore, providing families with plenty to enjoy beyond traditional races.

✔️ TESTERS SAID: “This is the game we find ourselves playing most when people come over, and it doesn't matter how old they are,” said LaScala, who especially loves the Knockout Tour where four racers are eliminated at certain checkpoints. “It’s bonkers, and I like it,” she adds. Eloise loved the various modes and being able to drive around different areas, describing the courses as “cool.”

✔️ WHY WE LOVE IT: For families seeking an arcade-style racer without being limited to a Nintendo console, Sonic Racing is an excellent alternative. It offers a vast selection of tracks, characters, and vehicle customization options, while controls are approachable enough for even the occasional gamer.

✔️ TESTERS SAID: Greenwald likes this one for all types of gamers, even novices: “I played it both alone and with my boyfriend, who is not much of a gamer, and we were both able to have a good time.” He described it as really fun and, while it has similarities to Mario Kart, it offered tons of variation within the individual tracks that gave it strong replay value. He found himself wanting to keep going for “just one more race,” especially to see whether he could beat the difficult computer players.