101 Video Games to Play Before You Grow Up: The Unofficial Must-play Video Game List for Kids

Based on the book by Ben Bertoli. Note: I don't own the book and the table of contents available online don't provide clarity which version of some of the games the author picked. If you own the book you can help clarify.

Platformer (1-32) - Hop and bop through adventures with colorful heroes.
Action & Adventure (24-40) - Prepare for explosive encounters, lots of excitement and embark on epic journeys and memorable battles.
Sports & Fighting (41-58) - Compete in digital versions of real and made-up sports and throw down with crazy characters and attacks.
Role Playing & Strategy (59-78) - Take on a new life, brave legendary quests and plan every move carefully to conquer the game.
Puzzle & Arcade (79-91) - Think fast, test your reflexes and go old school with retro graphics and simple gameplay.
Party & Rhythm (92-101) - Grab your friends, let the good times roll and get your groove on with music-based games.

Super Mario Bros.
Super Mario Bros.
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
Donkey Kong Country
Donkey Kong Country
Kirby's Dream Land 3
Kirby's Dream Land 3
Crash Bandicoot
Crash Bandicoot
Spyro the Dragon
Spyro the Dragon
Banjo-Kazooie
Banjo-Kazooie
Klonoa: Door to Phantomile
Klonoa: Door to Phantomile
Kid Icarus: Uprising
Kid Icarus: Uprising
Ratchet & Clank
Ratchet & Clank
Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus
Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus
Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy
Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy
LittleBigPlanet
LittleBigPlanet
Tearaway
Tearaway
Mega Man 2
Mega Man 2
Mega Man X
Mega Man X
Rayman
Rayman
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog
Super Monkey Ball
Super Monkey Ball
Shantae
Shantae
Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure
Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure
Psychonauts
Psychonauts
Shovel Knight
Shovel Knight
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Super Metroid
Super Metroid
Cave Story
Cave Story
Journey
Journey
Ōkami
Ōkami
Bomberman
Bomberman
Guacamelee!
Guacamelee!
LEGO Dimensions
LEGO Dimensions
Ape Escape
Ape Escape
Luigi's Mansion
Luigi's Mansion
Splatoon
Splatoon
The Last Guardian
The Last Guardian
Jet Set Radio
Jet Set Radio
Minecraft
Minecraft
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time
The Secret of Monkey Island
The Secret of Monkey Island
Star Fox 64
Star Fox 64
Mario Kart 64
Mario Kart 64
Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!
Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!
F-Zero
F-Zero
Mario Sports Mix
Mario Sports Mix
Wii Sports
Wii Sports
Super Smash Bros.
Super Smash Bros.
Street Fighter II: The World Warrior
Street Fighter II: The World Warrior
OlliOlli
OlliOlli
Forza Motorsport
Forza Motorsport
FIFA: Road to World Cup 98
FIFA: Road to World Cup 98
NBA 2K
NBA 2K
Rocket League
Rocket League
Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes
Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes
SSX
SSX
Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds
Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds
Madden NFL 2004
Madden NFL 2004
Excitebike
Excitebike
Gran Turismo
Gran Turismo
EarthBound
EarthBound
Final Fantasy VII
Final Fantasy VII
Chrono Trigger
Chrono Trigger
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade
Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade
Undertale
Undertale
Yo-kai Watch
Yo-kai Watch
Paper Mario
Paper Mario
Harvest Moon
Harvest Moon
Pokémon Red Version
Pokémon Red Version
Costume Quest
Costume Quest
Sid Meier's Civilization IV
Sid Meier's Civilization IV
Animal Crossing
Animal Crossing
Plants vs. Zombies
Plants vs. Zombies
Dragon Quest
Dragon Quest
Kingdom Hearts
Kingdom Hearts
Pikmin
Pikmin
Hearthstone
Hearthstone
Ni no Kuni: Dominion of the Dark Djinn
Ni no Kuni: Dominion of the Dark Djinn
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team
Tetris
Tetris
Pac-Man
Pac-Man
Katamari Damacy
Katamari Damacy
Galaga
Galaga
Duck Hunt
Duck Hunt
Threes!
Threes!
Portal
Portal
Dr. Mario
Dr. Mario
Mario's Super Picross
Mario's Super Picross
Angry Birds
Angry Birds
Boxboy!
Boxboy!
Pushmo
Pushmo
Professor Layton and the Curious Village
Professor Layton and the Curious Village
Mario Party
Mario Party
Patapon
Patapon
Rhythm Heaven
Rhythm Heaven
WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgames!
WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgames!
Rock Band
Rock Band
PaRappa the Rapper
PaRappa the Rapper
Elite Beat Agents
Elite Beat Agents
Bit.Trip Beat
Bit.Trip Beat
Hatsune Miku: Project Diva
Hatsune Miku: Project Diva

7 Comments


3 years ago

Im sure that the DOS 'Mario & Luigi' you've put in here isnt quite the one you meant to put. Oops

3 years ago

You're right, I changed it for the RPG series. Any more mistakes, feel free to tell. :)

3 years ago

Journey is an odd choice

3 years ago

The Last Guardian is the odd choice for me, can't see a kid enjoying its content and it is not an easy game to play due to the lack of hints to proceed (I had some trouble as an adult lol).

Unless the child is quite smart I guess.

3 years ago

The author doesn't establish an age range but maybe older..ish kids could play Journey (See this: https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2017/09/book_review_101_video_games_to_play_before_you_grow_up#enlarge-3).

Haven't played The Last Guardian, but I assume the author thought that having a kid and his pet might be cute enough for kids. I've gotta add that every generation is usually smarter than the previous one.

7 months ago

Very respectable list. Kudos for including Bit Trip Beat

7 months ago

oh shit i bought this book from the library i worked at in high school, i'm already halfway through these lmao


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