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.

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

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

8 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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