Best Video Games for Kids

Best Video Games for Kids

Christmas is just days away, but there’s still time to win massive points with the young gamers in the your life by sneaking the perfect video game under the tree. If the goal is to pick something cool without giving the gift of excessive violence, these award-winning games should do it for you. They are some of the best video games for kids that you can buy right now.

These titles below are both exciting and competitive, giving teens the perfect excuse to ignore relatives during the holidays. Options include battling the forces of evil with Luke Skywalker, saving the world with some friends, and destroying Pikachu with a giant laser beam. You won’t find these games on any streaming devices like the Apple TV, but we do present choices for every console.

Star Wars Battlefront
Genre: First-person Shooter
Price: $59.99
Platform: Xbox One, PS4, PC

With the arrival of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, every person under the age of 90 probably has lightsabers on the brain. Give the gift of education with Star Wars Battlefront, which chronicles the original (and better) trilogy in an action-packed shooter game. You can control vehicles, shoot down AT-ATs, and control the Force as Jedi or Sith. Multiplayer battles can support up to 40 players, making battles feel like huge events every time.

You won’t play as some generic Stormtrooper, either. Characters such as Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, and Han Solo are at your command. Use the force, slice some enemies up with your lightsaber, or shoot first with your blaster as you defend the Empire or support the Rebel forces.

Destiny
Genre: First-person Shooter
Price: $49.99
Platform: PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One

Destiny hails from the makers of Halo, one of the biggest first-person shooter franchises ever. On a world invaded by alien warriors, you play as a Guardian, one of a group of warriors dedicated to protecting the world. Online play is required, but free, so playing with friends is recommended.

You can collect gear, special powers, and other abilities to better protect yourself on the battlefield. If you have a PlayStation Vita, you can even play the game while someone else is using the television.

Destiny’s plan is to run for a few years, so the character you create now is destined to be the one you use throughout the entire franchise. Talk about saving your game.

Splatoon
Genre: Third-person Shooter
Price: $59.99
Platform: Wii U

If you’re buying games for a younger adolescent, or want to get a gift past a picky parent, Splatoon is a great third-person shooter available for the Wii U. You play as an Inkling, a cartoonish person that can transform into a squid to traverse ink-splattered levels. Online play features team battles that get pretty messy with all the ink flying around.

There’s no blood and gore, so squeamish parents won’t have to worry, and there’s a ton of customization available to make your Inkling look one of a kind. There are even Splatoon Amiibo toys you can buy to get bonus content.

Super Smash Bros.
Genre: Fighting
Price: $59.99
Platform: Wii U, 3DS

Super Smash Bros. gets better and better, and the fourth installment is no different. Nintendo’s multiplayer fighting game features classic characters like Mario, Luigi, Bowser, and other popular characters as they throw fireballs, dodge dragons, and get knocked into space in a battle royale.

In addition to the traditional roster of Nintendo characters to smash, characters from games like Final Fantasy VII, Pokémon, and Street Fighter make appearances via downloadable content. You can use Amiibo to customize your favorite character for use against your friends (or enemies).