When there are hundreds of games to choose from, it can be challenging to find the right one. But, don’t worry!
The Switch has never had a shortage of cute and wholesome experiences for you and your kids--and we’ve ranked them all. Here are the Top 15 Kid-Friendly Switch Games:
15. New Pokemon Snap
Kids and Pokemon are a match made in heaven.
New Pokemon Snap takes out the complexity of Pokemon games, creating a cozy and relaxing space for little Pokemon lovers. Instead of turn-based battles, you can watch your beloved Pocket Monsters in their natural habitats.
New Pokemon Snap is all about capturing their most unique behaviors. That might take patience and a few little treats, but that’s hardly a downside when hanging out with your favorite pals. You can even edit and share your pictures too!
14. Mario Party Superstars
Who needs Monopoly when you can have a fun board game experience with Mario and the gang? Mario Superstars is a party game where you can take turns moving around the board to get the most Stars and coins.
Unlike most board games, you won’t have to worry about the lulls between turns. Superstars takes all that away. Not only are there different traps and bounties on the board, there are also fun minigames that can turn the tide at any point in the game.
You might see some cartoon violence here and there. But, really, that's nothing compared to what you might get from playing Monopoly.
13. Pokemon Sword & Shield
If you feel like your kids are ready for the classic Pokemon experience, then they’ll probably love Sword & Shield.
While these aren’t the latest games in the series, Sword and Shield sticks to the series’ traditional formula. It’s not
open-world
. But you do get to battle, collect, and breed Pokemon, with loads of exciting new features. The Wild Area even offers a taste of open-world, letting you roam freely around an ever-changing landscape in search of wild Pokemon.Watching Pokemon go through their Dynamax and Gigantamax transformations could either be overwhelming for your kids OR the highlight of the whole game. PEGI recommends this game for ages 7 and up.
12. Pokemon Legends: Arceus
For kids with a love for open exploration, Pokemon Legends is a great choice.
Arceus is Pokemon’s first truly open-world title. Sent back in time to the Hisui region, the Pokemon in Arceus run wild. You can observe them from afar, battle them, or they can attack you.
With all this happening in real-time, it’s more immersive and interactive compared to other Pokemon titles. If your kids love Pokemon, this just might be the experience they’ve dreamed of.
11. Super Mario 3D All-Stars
3 of Nintendo’s classic Mario titles rolled into one. It includes Super Mario 64, Super Mario Galaxy, and Super Mario Sunshine. For those who grew up on these games, this is the perfect package. It’s three times the platforming fun as you guide Mario through castle after castle to save Princess Peach.
None of the games have been remade. They’re still practically the same games you used to play, with slightly upscaled graphics and adjusted controls to fit the modern Switch configurations. That said, it might be an imperfect experience. Then again, if you loved them as a kid, you or your kids will probably love it all the same.
10. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Donkey Kong got a whole lot easier with its debut on the Switch. Just like the Kong family’s favorite snack, the platforming used to be bananas. Thankfully, the new character, Funky Kong, and his special game mode make almost everything a piece of cake. He can double jump, hover, surf on spikes, and roll through enemies with ease. This makes the 2-player co-op experience so much more smooth when playing with kids, or adults with underdeveloped reflexes.
Of course, Tropical Freeze still comes with the harder classic modes. So if you ever feel like leveling up the challenge, you won’t be missing out.
9. Super Mario RPG
Mario has saved Princess Peach from harm in a lot of forms. This turn-based RPG is one of his most memorable.
A revival of the SNES game from 1996, Super Mario RPG might’ve gotten a whole new coat of paint, it still has the same hilarious moments and exciting action.
It has a diverse set of weapons, cool timing-based actions, and an amazing set of bosses, each with their own cute little gimmicks. The unique animations and cutscenes are just the cherry on top.
8. Kirby and the Forgotten Land
Kirby’s friends have been kidnapped and it's up to rescue them. Thankfully, he’s got a bag of new tricks.
As he jumps into the urban landscapes of Forgotten Land, his powerful mouth gets even stronger. Aside from spitting, inhaling, and copying moves, he can also transform entirely. With mouthful mode, Kirby can turn into a car…a ring…a water balloon…and so much more.
With its frenetic boss battles, the ESRB recommends this game for ages 10 and up. Guide your kids through Kirby’s Rolodex of powers and turn every new challenge into a bonding experience.
7. Luigi’s Mansion 3
Every kid thinks they’re strong enough for a Haunted House…until they’re not. Test out their mettle in the latest Luigi’s Mansion, where they have to explore a hotel invaded by pesky ghosts. The ghosts are a little more naughty than scary, and Luigi’s new Poltergust can take care of most of them. For the rest, there’s Gooigi who can help you out through puzzles and makes for a great co-op partner.
The ghost-busting can also be a party activity with the ScareScraper mode. Work together to clear out ghosts and save the missing toads.
6. Overcooked! All You Can Eat
No party is complete without the restaurant frenzy of Overcooked. All You Can Eat is the complete multicourse meal, with Overcooked 1 and 2 plus all the DLCs between them. In Overcooked, you play a group of chefs going through all sorts of kitchen hell to bring out orders in time. As a co-op game, teamwork is essential. You’re going to need a lot of it to get through all the tricky levels.
Thanks to the DLCs, there are a lot more quirky chef costumes to choose from. All You Can Eat also has online multiplayer that only allows preset interactions. So you don’t have to worry about foul language.
5. Super Mario Maker 2
For a creative child, sometimes playing through levels isn’t enough; they have to build it themselves. Super Mario Maker makes that possible. The choices for building are almost endless, with enemies and blocks spanning from Mario’s 8-bit days to his present 3D form.
The Story mode already has over 100 courses built-in. So even when you’re not building, there’s always something to do. Add Switch Online to the equation and you get a whole lot more. Not only can you share your courses, you can also run through and compete with friends in thousands of user-generated courses.
4. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
The ultimate crossover of Nintendo’s superstars.
Super Smash Bros have been the staple brawler on Nintendo’s console for years and it's not changing soon. Super Smash Bros’s controls feel endearingly simple. You don’t need complex combos to pull off special attacks. You just need to race to the Smash ball to unleash your ultimate powers. And even when you’re losing, the gorgeous maps and cool animations make every match worth it.
3. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Brawlers are great, but nothing teaches the spirit of competition like a good old Kart Race. This deluxe Mario Kart edition comes with all of the DLCs from the Wii U release. That means a whole collection of colorful tracks and loads of new characters to play with. With two times the ammo for powerups, chaos is guaranteed in every race. If your kids need a little boost, there’s an optional steering assist that can help them keep up.
Mario Kart is no ordinary racing game and you can choose however you want to play. From the many different game modes to the multiplayer options, either local or online.
2. Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Decades of Mario games have culminated in this wonderful title. Bringing old friends into the new Flower Kingdom, Wonder gives Mario and his friends a whole new set of challenges and powers. Turn into an elephant, get a drill hat, or blow bubbles. Each one opens new doors and opportunities throughout. The Wonder Flower can turn everything into a whole new experience, transforming you or the world completely.
Supporting up to four players, the whole family can take part. Yoshi and Nabbit are practically invincible, so you can hand them over to kids so they can join the fray without falling behind.
1. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
There’s a reason why Animal Crossing: New Horizons has captured the hearts of kids and adults alike. This life simulator whisks you into a unique island getaway, where you can manage the island and its inhabitants. Around the island, there’s so much to do. From fishing and farming to catching up with friendly neighbors.
Arguably the best part of Animal Crossing is collecting: bugs, fossils, and even paintings. The museum--and its nocturnal curator, Blathers--is such a wealth of wonder.
The game’s use of real-time hours for building, farming, and collecting can teach kids a lot about moderation and patience. The great thing is, whatever they choose to do on the island, there’s always a lesson to pick up.