13 Perfect Video Games to Gift to Younger Kids

The racing classic on the Switch is perhaps the strongest outing yet: 48 tracks including some from the franchise's past make up this jam-packed edition. It’s called Deluxe for good reason — and the whole family can get involved.

This might feel like a gift for yourself, with the classics you grew up with like Super Mario Bros. 3, Double Dragon, Metroid, and Ninja Gaiden. But with so many two-player games, like Ice Climber, Tennis, and Ice Hockey, there are plenty of chances to get your kids hooked on it too. The initial download is free but you'll need to kick in for the Switch Online subscription.

Remastered and faster than ever, Ages, takes arguably the greatest Sonic vintage game (Sonic the Hedgehog 2), and breathes new life into the classic.

Quite possibly the biggest and best Super Mario game yet, Odyssey finds our Italian plumber in new worlds with new abilities to stop that evil Bowser one more time. He's got a fancy new hat — Cappy — that gives him moves that go way beyond just running, jumping, and headbutting bricks.

Let kids relive the importance of living and giving in a small digital village all while being neighbors and friends with cute anthropomorphic animals. You inherit an island getaway full of resources where you'll build a personal getaway and customize characters, homes, decorations, and landscapes.

You know, on paper, Nickelodeon characters brawling in a video game sounds odd at best, but it works. Taking a page out of Super Smash Brothers with cartoon violence, All-Star pits the likes of TMNT, SpongeBob, Ren & Stimpy, and more in over-the-top cartoon mayhem. Also available on PS, Xbox, and PC.

While you can revel in your 80s pixelated glory by playing the old school Legend of Zelda on the NES download for Switch, this version is a great introduction to the franchise for kids. Link explores a strange island where animals talk and monsters live and along the way you’ll meet a cast of funny characters.

This racing game combines over-the-top cars on fantastic tracks that twist and turn through life-size backgrounds — like a bedroom or library — with an almost Toy Story like vibe. Unlike Mario Kart you’ll have the chance to create a course and drive a mix of Hot Wheels cars and real ones, like a Mustang or Ram pickup truck, if controlling a dinosaur-shaped racer isn't your thing. Also available on Xbox, Switch, and PC.

For ten years (yes, seriously) Minecraft has captivated audiences with its rough cubes and unique game style where players are allowed to build whatever they want. Also available on Switch, PC, iOS, and Android.

This free game (with in app purchases) for iPad and iPhone lets players be whatever they want in a virtual universe and build mini-games within the game, creating an enormous digital community. You'll want to keep an eye out as your kids play online against others for things like language. Also available on Xbox and PC.

Daniel Tiger and the entire PBS Kids roster are here to save the day with their free app that centers on unique games centered around science, math, and creativity from nearly every PBS Kids show. The games also work on a web browser.

Catch every Pokémon ever and go for a walk. Pokémon Go not only encourages character collecting, but you have to go outside in public places in order to play, which might make for interesting strolls around the neighborhood.

Toca has created a deep variety of game apps to satisfy any type of kid. From salon school and culinary class to playing with train sets or a game on plants, Toca has something for every type of curious kid with plenty of open-ended play experiences.