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.

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

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


Last updated: