Nintendo Switch is basically a console with brilliant software for gamers young and old as well. Nintendo’s wholesome, family-friendly picture is well-earned, and with characters such as Mario, Luigi, and the rest of the Mushroom Kingdom gang, Switch games to cater to the young and the young-at-heart alike. With its excellent parental controls, Switch is the perfect console for kids and parents as well. In this article, we are going to talk about the Best Nintendo Games for Kids – You Should Know. Let’s begin!
The console’s success has actually led to a wider variety of games across genres than ever before on a Nintendo platform. That includes many that might not be appropriate for your young ones because of their mature content.
We have also included ESRB and PEGI ratings in addition to our own minimum age recommendations. That is based on the level of coordination and skill needed to have fun with the game.
Contents
- 1 Best games on Nintendo Switch for 5-8 years olds
- 1.1 Mario Kart 8 Deluxe | Nintendo Games for Kids
- 1.2 Luigi’s Mansion 3 | Nintendo Games for Kids
- 1.3 Pokemon Sword and Shield
- 1.4 Super Mario Odyssey | Nintendo Games for Kids
- 1.5 Captain Toad Treasure Tracker | Nintendo Games for Kids
- 1.6 Kirby Star Allies | Nintendo Games for Kids
- 1.7 Snipperclips | Nintendo Games for Kids
- 1.8 Animal Crossing: New Horizons | Nintendo Games for Kids
- 1.9 Overcooked! 2 | Nintendo Games for Kids
- 1.10 Paw Patrol on a Roll | Nintendo Games for Kids
- 1.11 Conclusion
Further
That does not mean that your ten-year-old won’t also love the choices at the beginning. Although. ‘Minimum’ is just that and doesn’t exclude older kids (or, indeed, adults). Every single game below is a winner, whatever your age actually is.
So, let’s have a look at the best kids games on the Nintendo Switch…
A good game for 5-8 years old kids?
Most of the time, it is hard to know what to look for when shopping for the right game for your kids. Parents want to get them a game that they actually want. A game that will make them light up whenever they see it and give them a lot of fun times to revel in.
However, just holding your finger to the wind and seeing what that the most popular game at any given moment is hardly the best way to go. You guys need a game that sits snugly on the intersection of fun and safety as well. Safety from aggressive monetization actually. Safety from the pitfalls of online interaction also. And safety from questionable or age-inappropriate content of any nature as well.
Down below we run through a dozen of games that hit the bullseye of wholesome, family-friendly fun. That won’t have you requesting any of the refunds from Nintendo anytime soon. Everything on this list is curated for its content, difficult, and also downright fun.
Best games on Nintendo Switch for 5-8 years olds
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe | Nintendo Games for Kids
- ESRB Rating: E
- PEGI Rating: 3+
- Developer: Nintendo
- Release Date: April 2017
- Price: $59. 99
Racing games are some of the best ways in order to introduce gaming to kids. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the easiest, most enjoyable racing game on the Nintendo Switch system, you can have. Although it is a port from the Wii U, the Switch version of Mario Kart 8 actually introduces a lot of the paid-for DLC. From the Wii U and also gives it to players as regular content. This will give your youngster a chance to play as any of the Mario characters, as well as some players from Splatoon and Legend of Zelda as well.
There is actually no dialogue or story to follow, so you won’t have to worry about your kids not being able to follow the storyline as well. Plus, the controls are easy to navigate. Although some of the faster levels can be tricky, kids who start at the easiest levels and speeds then work their way up are sure in order to feel that sweet success of winning.
Luigi’s Mansion 3 | Nintendo Games for Kids
- ESRB Rating: E
- PEGI Rating: 3+
- Developer: Next Level Games
- Release Date: Halloween 2019
- Price: $59.99
Basically Luigi is just trying to have a vacation. In an attempt to relax, he heads out to a hotel that invited him to come to relax. Unfortunately, the invitation was not as well-meaning just like it seems. A foe has tricked Luigi and his friends, which leaves him to explore a haunted hotel. Every level has a different theme, that allows you to explore different ways to use Luigi’s new Poltergust G-00. Different ghosts need to be approached along with different Poltergust attachments, so players will need to watch and navigate how each and every ghost approached Luigi.
So, or kids who are showing a little interest in horror, Luigi’s Mansion 3 is a great way to go! Although the game itself isn’t scary, there are some of the aspects to it that can be startling. Luigi’s Mansion 3 also offers different play modes as well. More than eight players can work together to gather different artifacts, defeat levels, and catch those pesky ghosts and Boos as well.
Pokemon Sword and Shield
- ESRB Rating: E
- PEGI Rating: 7+
- Developer: GAME FREAK
- Release Date: November 2019
- Price: $59.99
The world of Pokémon is actually ever-growing and ever-changing. And with the newest installment of Pokémon Sword and Shield, its graphics are finally catching up as well. The game basically takes place in the new region of Galar. The narrow expanse of land is inspired by Great Britain, lend with notable landmarks in the game corresponding to real-world places. For example the Houses of Parliament and Cerne Abbas Giant. This new region also introduces never-before-seen Pokémon as well. Trainers embark on a completely new journey via the Galar region, fighting and catching new Pokémon, meeting new gym leaders, and also enjoying the updated graphics in the game.
Although this game is great for all ages, it is geared toward kids older than 10 as well. The in-game battle system has changed a little, that allow some Pokémon to unleash an ability that is completely new: the Dynamax. This will also change how you approach gym battles, meaning players who are better versed in video games will stand a better chance of winning.
Super Mario Odyssey | Nintendo Games for Kids
- ESRB Rating: E
- PEGI Rating: 7+
- Developer: Nintendo
- Release Date: October 2017
- Price: $59.99
One of the best games to release for the Nintendo Switch, Super Mario Odyssey brings us amazing graphics along with a new Super Mario game. Princess Peach has been kidnapped (again) and it’s now up to Mario to save the princess! This time, Mario is given a new sidekick, Cappy as well. Cappy can be used to control many characters throughout the world. This also gives you access to areas and skills that Mario normally doesn’t have. The game is colorful, fun, and als0o easy to play for gamers of all ages.
Adults who are familiar with Super Mario 64 will actually feel the nostalgia of the game. The game lends itself to the N64 classic, even giving players the option to dress Mario in an old-school look if they are so select. Super Mario Odyssey is actually great for new players who want to play games that encourage exploring. The worlds are varied, and each presents its own style of problems to solve actually.
Captain Toad Treasure Tracker | Nintendo Games for Kids
- ESRB Rating: E
- PEGI Rating: 3+
- Developer: Nintendo
- Release Date: 2018 (Switch)
- Price: $39.99
This game is Originally designed for the Wii U, Captain Toad Treasure Tracker takes on the same gameplay mechanics as the Captain Toad levels from Super Mario 3D World . The game features simple platforming fun involving the titular Toad and Toadette also. because they traverse a variety of enemy laden levels and do their best in order to get the gold star without getting hit.
The game also features a lot of exploration-based fun within the levels as players try to project their path through the stage. And comes with a whole lot of replay value to keep kids entertained for the long run as well. The game is certifiably child friendly along with no real violence to speak of or anything beyond soft, cutesy graphics actually. And an adorable lead character who is quite literally just a mushroom (or toadstool, I guess). The gameplay is simple, straightforward, and also easy for children to understand and the relatively lower price tag never hurts actually.
Kirby Star Allies | Nintendo Games for Kids
- ESRB Rating: E
- PEGI Rating: 7+
- Developer: HAL Laboratory
- Release Date: March 2018
- Price: $59.99
One more Nintendo staple is Kirby, the adorable pink ball who absorbs the powers of enemies he inhales. And Kirby Star Allies is actually the perfect addition to the Kirby franchise. Far away from Kirby’s home planet, Planet Popstar, a dark crystal heart explodes as well. This sends many fragments called Jamba Hearts hurtling through space. That affects different planets it encounters. Unfortunately for Planet Popstar, a few of its inhabitants decided to investigate these Jamba Hearts actually.
This basically led to them being possessed by the dark heart crystals. Fortunately for Kirby, when he investigates the hearts, then he gains the ability to befriend enemies. Now it’s up to Kirby to rescue his friends, Planet Popstar, and also defeat the Jambastation bad guys to save the day!
In order to defeat the Jambastation baddies, you guys will need to recruit different friends to join your battle actually. By encouraging enemies (and old friends) to fight by your side, you will also be able to gain more abilities than ever before. More than four players can join the battle, encouraging teamwork and cooperation between different folks. This game is easy enough for young children in order to learn the controls, so all ages are invited to try it out!
Snipperclips | Nintendo Games for Kids
- ESRB Rating: E
- PEGI Rating: 3+
- Developer: SFB Games
- Release Date: March 2017
- Price: $19.99
Snipperclips actually takes what kids love about arts & crafts and boils it down into a cooperative platformer. The stars of the show are Snip and Clip, a pair of anthropomorphic two-dimensional shapes as well. That can creatively overlap one another in order to create specific shapes needed to solve a variety of adventurous problems.
It’s actually a tricky, logic-based puzzle game in a simple, accessible package. That can give many hours of fun, satisfying gameplay for children and adults alike as well. Snipperclips was actually nominated For IGN’s Game of the Year, Best Switch Game, and Best Multiplayer award and also won Best Puzzle Game in 2017.
Any parent looking for a game that encourages some awareness exercise as well as fun and cooperative gameplay. That they themselves can play as well, should look no further than Snipperclips.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons | Nintendo Games for Kids
- ESRB Rating: E
- PEGI Rating: 3+
- Developer: Nintendo
- Release Date: March 2020
- Price: $59. 99
Well, taking life slowly is what Animal Crossing: New Horizons is all about. It will invite you to an island getaway, where everything is beautiful and life goes by slowly. Unfortunately, what Tom Nook doesn’t tell you is that the island is completely uninhabited actually. It’s up to you now to build this island the way you want. From changing the flows of rivers to finding the perfect placement for your museum, you guys are in total control of how you present your island to everyone. It’s a really relaxing game that encourages players to play at their own pace.
Just like previous games in the series, players are free to move about an open-world island deciding how they want to play as well. Adventures, animal rearing, farming, crafting, playing dress-up—the player is ever-free to decide what they actually want to do, and when they want to do it. The only thing that the parents need to be concerned about when it comes to game content is the online multiplayer.
Adults and teens have of course found workarounds to the content restriction system and find ways to crack jokes. And create other content geared for a mature audience such as arranging flowers in unsavory phrases or also uploading custom outfits that are either somewhat inappropriate or potentially scary. Which is just fine for adults. They can have fun also. But parents do not need to worry — online multiplayer needs a Switch Online subscription, without which children can play a perfectly kid-friendly solo experience.
Overcooked! 2 | Nintendo Games for Kids
- ESRB Rating: E
- PEGI Rating: 3+
- Developer: Team 17, Ghost Town Games
- Release Date: August 2018
- Price: $24.99
In order to successfully start your business and get the customer’s food. You’ll need a team of well-coordinated chefs to work together and get the kitchen moving as well. Overcooked! 2 is a world of chefs that feels oddly close to reality actually. You guys will get orders, have dishes, cook, and also provide great customer service in order to advance to the next level. However, each kitchen is dangerous and different, posing new traps and obstacles for you to get past.
Overcooked! 2 is an adorable game that encourages teamwork and positivity as well. It is hard to keep a kitchen going if someone is being a downer, so keeping everyone upbeat is the main key to getting your kitchen in order to function properly. More than four chefs are allowed in the kitchen, which helps them to make kitchen magic work. Kids who love interacting with others and have an interest in cooking will love this puzzle game actually.
Paw Patrol on a Roll | Nintendo Games for Kids
- ESRB Rating: E
- PEGI Rating: 3+
- Developer: Torus games
- Release Date: October 2018
- Price: $39. 99
There is a good chance that your children are already great fans of the massively successful Paw Patrol children’s show. It’s going strong for a few years now with Been seasons in over 180 episodes — And of course, the multi-platform video game that we find ourselves discussing here. Paw Patrol: on a roll is an adventure platformer that spread across 16 missions featuring the same recognizable talking pups from the show as well.
You might not be able to name any of them yourself, however, you can bet that if your children are fans of the show. Then they will be over the moon about the chance to play as any of the furry, four-legged cast members. And Parents can rest assured that the game, coming from such a successful children’s show, knows exactly what it’s doing when it comes to safe, kid-friendly entertainment actually.
Conclusion
Alright, That was all Folks! I hope you guys like this article and also find it helpful to you. Give us your feedback on it. Also if you guys have further queries and issues related to this article. Then let us know in the comments section below. We will get back to you shortly.
Have a Great Day!
