10 Best Nintendo Switch Games for Kids in 2022 (Minecraft, Animal Crossing, and More)
If you’re looking for a new game to entertain your child - whether they're a preschooler or a tween - the massively popular Nintendo Switch is arguably the most kid-friendly console on the market. It’s easy to use, offers parental controls, and you can buy Nintendo Switch games online. Some games you can even download and play instantly!
In this article, we’ve put together a list of the ten best Nintendo Switch games you can buy for your kids right now, as well as a neat guide to help you. We chose Super Mario Odyssey as our favorite because of the fun characters, kid-friendly graphics, exploration, and multiplayer. You can go through our Buying Guide for more information and details.
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How to Choose a Nintendo Switch Game for Kids - Buying Guide
The great thing about the Nintendo Switch is that there are lots of great games to choose from. Use our guide to help you select a game your kids are sure to love!
Make Sure the Game Is Actually Kid-Friendly
The great news is that Nintendo makes family-friendly games, but there are some games designed for adults. Even if a game looks child-friendly, it may have blood or suggestive content.
If you're ever in doubt, check the ESRB rating. This is an age-appropriateness rating determined by a non-profit board of industry professionals. All of the games on our list are rated "E" for everyone and can be played by the entire family. You can easily see all of this information on the Nintendo eShop or the game's packaging as it always displays in the bottom left corner of the front of the box.
While E-rated games work well for any age, E-10+ games are designed for kids over the age of 10, so they might be a good choice for tweens or more mature children. These games also tend to have a bit more cartoon violence and mild language, so get a feel for what your kids can handle.
Decide Between Stories, World-Building, Cooperation, and More
Be part of an epic story, enter a new world, or play with others - there are many different things you can do in a game. Try to identify some key features that you want your game to include.
Follow a Story or Complete Missions
Many games tell stories that continue throughout the gameplay, which enriches the narrative and lets you get to know the characters. A good story will pull you in and leave you eager to see what happens next while offering a satisfying ending! Popular games in this category include The Legend of Zelda and Pokémon.
On the other hand, some players like to get on with the gameplay and don’t want to bother with a story. In that case, look for story-driven games that allow you to skip the cutscenes or choose a game that doesn't have an overarching narrative at all. Games like Mario Kart or Splatoon let you get to the action quickly and any story takes a backseat to the gameplay.
Either way, completing missions for rewards will give you a rush of satisfaction and kids will feel this too. That’s why you should consider buying a game with a clear purpose, whether it's becoming the best fighter or saving a kingdom! Having clear goals that can be achieved can help keep kids on track.
Build and Customize Your Own World
One of the great wonders of playing video games is having the ability to create your own world. Thankfully, there are many games out there that let you do that! Some games give gamers the tools to create entire worlds, whereas others give you parameters to work within. Think about the scale of what your kids want to build and how much imagination they have.
For kids that love letting their imagination run wild, open sandbox-style games that put them completely in control such as Minecraft or Animal Crossing are excellent choices. These are great for kids that like working within narrower guidelines and structure that gently guides their gameplay.
Cooperate With or Play Against Others
Who said playing video games is a lonely activity? There are so many cooperative options to choose from it can be hard to choose just one! You can team up with friends or fight against them in games like Splatoon 2 and Super Smash Bros Ultimate.
Some games can be with others played online, while some support multiplayer from your home, and others allow both styles of multiplayer play. Playing with your family members can be a great way to have fun and connect in exciting ways while enjoying some quality family time.
Just be sure to keep in mind your kid's personalities. Some kids enjoy a little friendly competition but working as a team might be better for others! It can be frustrating for younger kids if they always lose to their more experienced and skilled older siblings, so games that add a random element like Mario Kart and Mario Party are good choices.
Keep an Eye On the Multiplayer Features
Often, multiplayer is a huge feature in big title games, as it allows players to connect while they're away from each other. This can be a great way to stay in touch with friends or family who live far away.
For young kids, you'll want to keep an eye on who they’re talking to and check what kind of parental restrictions the game has before buying it. If you're going to allow your child to go online with any device, make sure they stay safe while doing so.
Of course, there are plenty of games you can enjoy playing solo, too! These are optimal for kids to have fun with if their friends are busy or don’t have a Nintendo Switch. Plus, these games can often be played without needing internet access, making them perfect to play on the go.
To play online on the Nintendo Switch, you have to buy a membership to Nintendo Switch Online in addition to having WiFi in your home. The membership is not that expensive at $3.99 per month or $19.99 annually, but it is an additional cost you should keep in mind.
Choose an Age-Appropriate Game Design
If your child is very young, it could be worth taking a close look at the art style of the game. Some designs may come off scary to a young kid. For example, Minecraft is rated E 10+, but some of the monsters like Creepers, Endermen, or Ghasts might scare younger children.
If that’s the case for you, then you should look for a cartoonish art style rather than a mature look. A game with friendly characters and without violence, like Animal Crossing, is a safe bet!
Find a Game That Entertains for a Long Time
Lastly, you’ll want to look for a game that your child can play for a while. If they get bored with it, they might start asking for a new one.
Games with intricate stories, such as Japanese RPGs like The Legend of Zelda, often last for ages. Games that allow you to do many different things will always feel fresh and exciting for kids too. Animal Crossing is constantly updated throughout the year to reflect the change of seasons and special holidays.
Some games lend themselves well to being replayed, especially if their worlds can be explored further and new things can be discovered. A large game like Pokémon will always have extra secrets to discover or more Pokémon to catch.
See What Play Modes There Are
The Nintendo Switch is a unique console since it can be played on a TV, in handheld mode, or on a tabletop. While most games support all modes, some only support specific ones.
For example, a game may require motion controls, so it can only be played on the TV or on a tabletop. However, other games may only let you play them in handheld mode if you need to use the touchscreen. This way, you can pick games with the game modes your children use the most.
Animal Crossing recently added an exercise mode that requires the Joy-Cons to have the intended effect (though you can also operate them with buttons). However, some games like Super Mario Odyssey can be played in any game mode, so make sure you understand what each game offers.
How to Choose a Nintendo Switch Game for Kids - Buying Guide
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This game has you play as Mario, one of the most beloved characters in the world. You must visit various worlds with your new companion, Cappy, as you save Princess Peach from Bowser's clutches.
A few reviewers felt the game would get boring or monotonous after they played it for a while. However, loads of reviewers appreciated how this Mario game took an open-world approach rather than playing through levels. They also found the graphics gorgeous to look at.
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This racing game gives you access to dozens of courses along with various characters from Mario, Zelda, and Animal Crossing. You can play split-screen at home or online with your friends as you race down the tracks.
A couple of reviewers didn't appreciate that the courses were shorter and easier than other ones in the series. On the bright side, various reviewers were impressed with how much fun they had while playing the multiplayer mode. They also liked the addition of online play.
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This is the highest-selling game of all time and allows players to create and build their worlds. It encourages creativity and allows players to work together, so they can fight off monsters and build creations.
A few reviewers said they ran into issues getting the online to work on their consoles. However, plenty of reviewers loved how they could make, create, and build their ideas in the game. They also appreciated how this version came with skins of Mario characters.
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Animal Crossing allows players to customize an entire island, house, and more while participating in tons of fun activities and events. They can also interact and meet new residents on the island as they play, and stores in-game are constantly updated with new merchandise.
Some reviewers didn't like how the game only allowed them to have one island per console. Nevertheless, plenty of reviewers loved how they could customize the island and their homes. They also appreciated how there were endless activities for them to enjoy on the island.
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This is a modern remake of a Zelda game originally released on the Game Boy Color. The game has you explore an island as Link and go through dungeons while you solve puzzles and fight enemies.
A few reviewers claimed the game dropped frames when they played it, making it slow down. Nevertheless, loads of reviewers loved the art style and graphics of this remake. They also felt the game had good controls, solid puzzles, and enjoyable boss fights.
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This game allows you to play over 70 playable characters through Nintendo's history along with characters from other companies. It includes many game modes including Smashdown, Tournament mode, and Squad Strike. There are also plenty of customization options!
A few reviewers weren't impressed with the game's online since they would experience input lag. Despite that point, a plethora of reviewers loved how the game contained tons of content including characters and stages. They were also impressed with the game's local multiplayer.
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This game lets you go on an adventure with the popular Pokémon Pikachu, though you can also buy a version with Eevee as your partner. You can travel the world, catch Pokémon, and become the champion.
Some reviewers didn't like how it didn't have wild Pokémon battles. On the other hand, more than a few reviewers enjoyed that the Pokémon appeared on the screen instead of randomly attacking them. They also liked how this game added a two-player co-op mode.
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Most shooters have realistic graphics and involve shooting people, but this one involves squid-kids and paint. This makes it a colorful and fun game for kids interested in shooters without all the violence. There are plenty of ways for them to play, too, like in story mode or online mode.
A couple of reviewers were disappointed this game lacked local multiplayer. Despite that point, many more reviewers loved how this game had unique paint mechanics compared to other shooting games. They also enjoyed the online play since they could play with others.
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This game has you run, perform different poses, and exercise as you play through the game. It has you fight enemies in turn-based combat, so it encourages kids to work out while they play through the game.
A couple of reviewers said the gameplay and exercises would get repetitive. On the other hand, quite a few reviewers said the game helped them lose weight. They also felt the role-playing aspects encouraged them to keep playing and exercising.
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This game allows your children to play board games and mini-games with their friends. It also includes those same boards and mini-games online, so your kids can easily play with their friends from around the world.
Some players didn't like how this version didn't have character-specific dice along with no unlockable characters. On the bright side, multiple reviewers loved the designs for the boards in this game. They also loved the various mini-games included in it.
If this is your first Switch or you're just looking to upgrade your current gear, take a look at some of our Switch accessories!
The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
