In the modern age of video games, violence is the main theme of most titles that hit store shelves. In an industry that primarily focuses on games for a mature audience, it is getting tougher to find titles that are suitable for younger gamers -- especially games that you can spend time together enjoying as a family.
Don't worry though. With this buyer's guide, you will find a selection of varying titles across many platforms that are family-friendly and lots of fun. Whether your kids play games on the Xbox, PlayStation, PC, 3DS, Wii U or Mobile Devices, there are titles here to suit everyone -- both parents and kids alike.
Minecraft
Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Gear VR, Kindle Fire, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3, PS4, PSVita and Wii U.
Prices: $26.99-$29.99 (Varies by platform)
Buy it: Minecraft (PC, Pac, Linux, Windows 10), Microsoft (Xbox 360, Xbox One and Windows Phone), PSN (PS3, PS4, PSVita), Nintendo (Wii U), iTunes (iOS), Google Play (Android), Amazon (Kindle Fire), Oculus (Gear Vr).
Not only is Minecraft one of the biggest games ever made, it is also one of the best games for kids. It is 100% child-friendly and it also encourages them to use their imagination to build anything that their imaginations can muster. If they don't already play it, Minecraft is sure to give you and your kids hours of fun.
Little Big Planet 3
Platforms: PS3 and PS4
Price: $19.99
Buy it: Amazon
Little Big Planet 3 is a great puzzle-platformer. Not only does it get the kids to use their brains to get through each level but it allows them to get creative and make their own levels too. With the ability to play countless levels created by players from around the world, the fun never has to end.
Mario Kart 8
Platforms: Wii U
Price: $48.33
Buy it: Amazon
There are few games out there that are as much fun as Mario Kart when playing with others. Get your family around the TV on those cold, rainy, winter days and play Mario Kart 8. You won't feel the hours go by as everyone enjoys themselves with this beautifully colourful and addicting game.
Putty Squad Remake
Platforms: PS4, PSVita, 3DS, and Xbox 360
Prices: $12.75-$29.99 (Varies by platform)
Buy it: Amazon (PS4, PS Vita and 3DS) Xbox Live Arcade (Xbox 360)
Putty Squad was originally a game set to release in 1994. It, however, never released. It eventually got remade and released in 2013 and became available on the platforms above. With it's wonderful and colourful cartoon graphics and comical character designs, it a game that kids are sure to love.
Octodad Dadliest Catch
Platforms: Android, iOS, PC, Mac, Linux, PS4, PS Vita, Wii U and Xbox One
Prices: $4.99-$69.98 (Varies by platform)
Buy it: Steam (PC, Mac and Linux), Microsoft (Xbox One), Nintendo (Wii U), Amazon (PS4 and PS Vita), Google Play (Android) and iTunes (iOS).
Easily the craziest of the games on this list. Octodad Dadliest Catch is an adventure game where players take on the role of an octopus attempting to live under a human's identity. You must complete tasks and keep people from becoming suspicious of your strange behaviour.
It is a game that can be frustrating and may be difficult in places for younger gamers but the laughter everyone will get from it, is worth it.
Rayman Legends
Platforms: PC, PS3, PS4, PSVita, Wii U, Xbox 360 and Xbox One
Prices: $18.07-$29.99 (Varies by platform)
Buy it: Steam (PC) and Amazon (PS3, PS4, PSVita, Wii U, Xbox 360 and Xbox One)
The Rayman series has always been a favourite among platformer fans. Rayman Legends is easily one of the best of the titles in the entire series. With beautiful graphics, excellent level design and over 120 levels in total to play, it is a game that will keep the kids and parents alike occupied for hours.
Lego Marvel Super Heroes
Platforms: PC, Mac, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3, PS4, PSVita, 3DS, DS, Wii U, iOS and Android
Prices: $15.89-$22.99 (Varies by platform)
Buy it: Steam (PC and Mac), Nintendo (3DS, DS and Wii U), PSN (PS3 and PS4) and Amazon (Xbox One and Xbox 360)
Everybody loves Lego and everybody loves Marvel. Combining the two together is always a guaranteed success. In Lego Marvel Super Heroes, you can play as your favourite Marvel characters, including Iron Man, Hulk, Captain America and Spider-Man. It is a game that both kids and parents alike are bound to enjoy.
Zoo Tycoon (2013)
Platforms: Xbox 360 and Xbox One
Prices: $18.97-$29.99 (Varies by platform)
Buy it: Amazon
Here is your opportunity to create your own parents and kids zoo with Frontier Developments Zoo Tycoon. I definitely recommend getting the Xbox One version over the 360 if it is possible, as it contains more content. Either way, this is a great game to work together with your kids as you build your dream zoo.
Yoshi's Woolly World
Platforms: Wii U
Price: $34.90
Buy it: Amazon
Yoshi's Woolly World is an absolutely adorable game. The game takes place in a knitted island full of various yarn Yoshis'. It is a great platform game from the creators of the Mario games, and is sure to please both kids and parents alike.
Super Mario Maker
Platforms: Wii U and 3DS (Available on 3DS from December 2nd)
Price: $39.96-$59.99 (Varies by platform)
Buy it: Amazon
What better game to play with your kids than Super Mario Maker? Create levels and play millions of others from players across the world together. You can find anything from simple straight forward levels to the absolutely ridiculous. There is countless hours of fun to be had for the whole family.
Splatoon
Platforms: Wii U
Price: $59.99
Buy it: Amazon
There is not another game out there quite like Splatoon. Players take on the role of inklings, being capable of changing form from humanoids to squids and back. It is a great game for both kids and parents alike as they battle each other, splattering the arena with paint guns or brushing it with paint rollers. It is a wonderful game that was created for one thing only, to have great fun.
Published: Nov 16, 2016 01:13 am