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.

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

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.

8 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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