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.

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

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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