Choosing games for kids is hard. No one seems to agree on what is and isn’t, and it’s hard to tell what stuff is like unless you’ve played it yourself. Obviously, you can’t play every game you buy for the kid in your life, so where do you turn?
Today, we’re here to take some of that burden off for you by detailing some of the absolute best games for kids you can buy on your Xbox Series X/S console. As always, take our advice and just do what you feel comfortable with.
Video games for kids 2-4 years old and up
Forza Horizon 5
- ESRB Rating: E for everyone
- Communication: Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
Forza Horizon 5 To be Your classic racing game. There’s a lot to enjoy here but, if you want, all you need is a car driving game. You can do it in the races the game sets up for you or in the beautiful open world where the developers have created stunning cities, Mayan temples and even a active volcano for you to enjoy!
Video games for kids 5-7 years old and up
Ori and the Blind Forest
- ESRB Rating: E for everyone
- Communication: Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch
Ori and the Blind Forest is a Metroidvania game in which you play the role of a young hero, Ori, who adventure through the typical forest. Its stunning visual style is definitely what sets it apart from other games, but it’s also quite challenging. In our experience, however, children are more resilient than we’ve documented – after all, kids used to spend the summer trying to make their way through Super Mario World. Plus, if the kid in your life likes this movie, there’s a sequel: Ori and the Will of the Wisps!
Descenders
- ESRB Rating: E for everyone
- Communication: Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, macOS
If the kid in your life loves sports, bikes, the outdoors, racing or any combination of them, you can’t go wrong. Descenders. It’s a game that You play as an extreme downhill bike racer handling unbelievable tracks and obstacles. The environments are procedurally generated (so they’re different every time you play) to keep the game fresh. You can change your abilities, control the smallest movement of cyclists and earn as new bikes as possible.
Video games for kids 8-9 years old
Black
- PEGI Rating: PEGI 7
- Communication: Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, macOS
Black is an open-world, exploration-based indie game with an engaging story and an even more captivating art style. In it, you play a main character, Sable, who is exploring the world as part of a journey ritual known as “Surf”. If the kid in your life gets bored of this quickly, it’ll be a miracle, because there’s so much loot to find, people to meet, and ruins to explore!
Minecraft Dungeons
- ESRB Rating: E10+ for everyone aged 10 and up
- Communication: Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows
Most kids who can play video games in the west have already played Minecraft. If the kid you know doesn’t have one yet, that’s a great idea for them! If they have, then why not give it a try Minecraft Dungeons? It’s like if you smash Minecraft together and Diablo. The fan favorite game will keep them entertained for hours as they adventure around the world, taking down enemies and collecting loot!
Video games for kids 10-12 years old
de Blob 2
- ESRB Rating: E10+ for everyone aged 10 and up
- Communication: Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Wii, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo DS
In this unique game, the player will control the main character – called de Blob – who mixed colors and painted the gray city around him. It is best described as a puzzle platformer. This sequel has added a lot of features to improve on what made the original game great, including upgrades, power-ups, and co-op modes!
Cuphead
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- ESRB Rating: E10+ for everyone aged 10 and up
- Communication: Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, macOS
Cuphead is an action platformer game where the player must battle a series of increasingly challenging bosses. Does the art style remind you of old Mickey Mouse cartoons? It should! The game was hand-drawn by a team and it took them over 5 years to complete the whole thing that way. Their hard work has paid off, creating a game that’s fun as well as eye-catching and stylish.
Psychonauts 2
- ESRB Rating: T is for teenagers
- Communication: Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux
Psychonauts 2 is the next adventure of the hit classic game Psychologist. While there are plenty of hidden references for fans of the series, a child should have no problem enjoying them on their own! It’s a platformer in which the player controls Raz, a young psychic is joining an organization of international super-spy psychics called Psychonauts.
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https://www.thegamer.com/best-appropriate-xbox-series-x-s-games-for-kids-children-esrb/ Best Xbox Series X/S Games for Kids
