May 5, 2024

The Best Nintendo Switch Games For Kids and Pre-Teens

The Nintendo Switch is a fantastic gaming console for kids and pre-teens. It’s portable, durable, and offers a range of family-friendly games.

Super Mario Odyssey is an incredible 3D adventure that’s ideal for kids. With an open design, loads of power moons, and a co-op mode that lets one player control Cappy, it’s a joy to play.

Super Mario Odyssey

Super Mario Odyssey is a forward-thinking entry in the series that expands on the open-ended 3D gameplay of previous games. It reimagines familiar worlds, such as the urban landscape of New Donk City and the Metro Kingdom, with colorful and not-so-typical settings while introducing a steady stream of new mechanics.

The most noticeable addition is Cappy, Mario’s sentient hat that gives him the ability to take control of enemies and objects. He can throw it to damage enemies or he can use it to solve puzzles, like bouncing it up a wall and onto an enemy to zap them.

The game has received to universal acclaim and is a must-have for Switch owners. It has an ESRB rating of E10+ due to cartoonish violence and mischief, but it’s safe for kids who love to play Mario. EDGE Magazine gave it a perfect score and said, “Super Mario Odyssey dares to take risks with its design, and they all pay off.” It’s an inventive and refreshing sequel that will thrill gamers of any age.

Yoshi’s Crafted World

Yoshi’s Crafted World casts Nintendo’s beloved dinosaur in another colorful adventure. This time around, the game uses low-difficulty gameplay in 2.5-dimensional environments filled with recycled craft materials. It’s kind of like a first-grade art project.

The visuals and gameplay are delightful. The game is one of the prettier games on the console so far and GoodFeel went all in on the craftwork aesthetic. Every level is made up of cardboard, felt, or other materials that feel plush. In addition, the game features a variety of costumes that can be acquired through various capsule machines and amiibo use, with some amiibos providing unique themed outfits.

While most platforming games feel like they’re constantly propelling you forward, Yoshi’s Crafted World asks players to slow down and enjoy the environment. It’s a lovely change of pace and the most charming thing about this game is the attention to detail. The unpainted sides of plant and tree leaves, the scribbled coloring of the construction paper buildings, and the tape holding things together all contribute to a beautiful world.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

The open-world adventure of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild revolutionized not just Nintendo’s iconic series, but the landscape of open-world gaming in general. With a vast land of rolling hills and craggy valleys, frozen tundras, and volcanic deserts, it is both daunting in its scope and rewarding in its simplicity.

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle is a hilarious mashup that marries Nintendo’s venerable franchise with Ubisoft’s zany party game franchise in a delightfully approachable way. With a fun story, great writing, and XCOM-style turn-based strategy gameplay that is easy to pick up for kids of any skill level, it is the best Mario-Ubisoft collaboration yet.

The newest entry in the Zelda franchise is set to release for the Switch and NX this year. Nintendo’s E3 live streams featured some of the gameplay, which ranged from exploration to messing with the world and visiting one of the 100+ shrines scattered across Hyrule. It’s sure to be a hit with young kids and adults alike.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Animal Crossing fans will rejoice at the latest entry in the series, which brings all the comforts of a home to a deserted island. The game lets players decorate their new homes, catch bugs and insects (as well as fish and fossils), donate to a loquacious owl, and collect a variety of other natural items that can then be sold.

The game takes place in real-time, with the weather reflecting the player’s current time of day and season. Other features include the ability to visit other islands and trade with them using NookLink, a feature introduced in New Horizons.

While it may not be the best in the franchise, New Horizons is certainly worth the wait for any Animal Crossing fan or anyone interested in a simple, easy-to-play life simulator. The game has a few minor flaws, including a poor implementation of local multiplayer and some odd design choices regarding the player’s island, but overall it’s a great addition to the franchise.