The Xbox Series X has a bit of a reputation for its FPS games. Yes, the best Xbox Series X games come in all genres, but it was built on shooters and multiplayer games and hasn’t shaken that association for most. Despite that, the newest console has made a lot of strides towards being a kid-friendly console. They may not be advertised as heavily, but you can find a ton of amazing games perfect for younger players on the Series X. If you’re looking for an age-appropriate game for a family member or friend, these are the best kids’ games on the Xbox Series X.
If you need to find the best PS5 games for kids or the best Switch games for kids, we have those all lined up for you as well.
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Minecraft
84%
Platforms
Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac
Genre
Adventure, Arcade
Developer
Mojang Studios
Publisher
Mojang Studios
Release
November 18, 2011
If your kid isn’t already addicted to Minecraft, then they just haven’t played it yet. This game probably needs no introduction at this point. It’s been a cultural phenomenon for over a decade now, with fans spanning from toddlers to grandparents. To use the dusty old comparison one more time: Minecraft is basically just Lego but with even more options for creativity. The number of ways to play can cater to any skill level, age, or desire. Want to just build with no constraints? Hop into the creative mode where you can fly, have an infinite number of any block in the game, and can’t die. Want to explore, survive, and work your way toward taming the land? The classic or survival modes are there. You can even go after tough bosses if you want. There is some light violence in Minecraft, but the blocky art style has no blood or gore of any kind. For example, swinging a pixelated sword at a green zombie makes him fall over and disappear into a puff of smoke. And the number of ways Minecraft can, and has, been used is almost limitless. Aside from just being a fun game on a base level, it is used in schools to teach all sorts of lessons. Minecraft is a game you can feel good about your kid sinking their free time into.
Minecraft Dungeons
68%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Role-playing (RPG), Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Adventure
Developer
Mojang Studios
Publisher
Xbox Game Studios, Mojang Studios
Release
May 26, 2020
Both Minecraft and Minecraft Dungeons are excellent for kids who like to explore and upgrade, excellent beginner entries in crafting, survival, and many other important game mechanics. However, we are giving Minecraft Dungeons a slight kid-friendly edge for a few reasons. First, it’s a bit easier to jump into than an open-world crafting adventure, especially for those first learning the systems. Second, the RPG elements add a real sense of progression no matter what you are doing, and make party play with friends very rewarding. Third, Dungeons is the title that has been optimized for the Series X/S, so the advantages of the new system will be most obvious here.
Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time
82%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Platform
Developer
Toys for Bob
Publisher
Activision
Release
October 02, 2020
More than a few parents can remember playing the first Crash Bandicoot titles when they were kids. Now, at least a fourth game in the series is here for the next generation, and it’s no surprise that it’s optimized for the Series X and ready to play. The villain Neo Cortex has gone from time-travel shenanigans to attacking the whole multiverse, and Crash is just the marsupial to stop him. The wide variety of platforming activities are great for both kids proving their reflexes and gamers looking for a challenge — but don’t worry, there’s also plenty of fun to be had!
Rocket League
83%
Platforms
Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Racing, Sport, Indie
Developer
Psyonix
Publisher
Psyonix
Release
July 07, 2015
Rocket League has earned its well-deserved fame for the addictive combination of smashing vehicles around a giant arena while also playing a barely-controlled game of giant soccer. It’s a refreshing change from the year-to-year sport franchise titles, while also giving kids plenty of opportunities to play matches with their friends. Not only is the game optimized for the Series X, but it’s also totally free to download the base game, so no need to worry about the cost of entry if it doesn’t work out!
Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged
65%
Platforms
Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Racing, Simulator, Sport, Arcade
Developer
Milestone
Publisher
Milestone
Release
October 15, 2023
Most kids go through a stage in their childhoods where they love cars. The idea of getting behind the wheel, drifting around turns, making crazy jumps, and even doing full loops fuels their imaginations. Toys can help them play out these fantasies, but Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged takes that level of play to heights only possible in games. Unlike a lot of other racing games, such as the Gran Tourismo or Dirt series, Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 isn’t aiming to be an accurate representation of racing in the slightest. This is pure, imaginative, arcade fun. This is about as close as you can get to your child’s favorite toy being fully translated into a game. Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 features tons of cars to race at blistering speeds on the iconic orange tracks — and also on bits of furniture and household objects, just like they could in a real home. You can even create your own tracks and share them online or check out other people’s creations. But what might be the best part is that you won’t accidentally step on a toy car with your bare feet when they’re done playing.
Overcooked! All You Can Eat
91%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Google Stadia
Genre
Simulator, Strategy, Indie
Developer
Team17, Ghost Town Games
Publisher
Team17
Release
November 12, 2020
Overcooked! is one of the best examples we’ve seen of the cooking genre, where players (including cooperative play) dash around to assemble ingredients and make dishes to satisfy demanding customers in a timely way. There are over 200 kitchen levels in this game to work through, and online multiplayer to help find a friend when the kitchen gets crazy. Optimized for Series X, the game offers 4k resolution at 60fps, all the better to keep up with the action.
Immortals Fenyx Rising
75%
4/5
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Google Stadia
Genre
Puzzle, Adventure
Developer
Ubisoft Québec
Publisher
Ubisoft
Release
December 02, 2020
If your kids are getting a bit older and are ready for more serious action, Immortals Fenyx Rising is an excellent place to start. While a bit more violent and mature than a Zelda game, the title takes a lot of cues in how it promotes gathering skills and weapons, exploring distant lands, and ultimately fighting big bosses — all based on ancient Greek mythology and related mythic locations. There’s a whole to do, especially when it comes to exploration, and the stylish world is a beautiful visit.
LEGO Marvel Collection
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Genre
Puzzle, Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Adventure
Developer
Traveller's Tales
Publisher
WB Games
Release
March 12, 2019
We could just say “any Lego game” and wrap this section up, but if you’re looking for a specific title, the bundled Lego Marvel Collection is a great trilogy to start with. Feel free to substitute any Star Wars bundle or other preferred Lego universes depending on what your kids are into! The family-friendly gameplay includes a long roster of characters to choose from, and many different worlds to conquer based on the stories your kids love (with a hefty amount of Lego humor thrown in).
Planet Coaster: Console Edition
Platforms
PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Simulator
Developer
Frontier Developments
Publisher
Frontier Developments
Release
November 10, 2020
The console version of Planet Coaster is Series X optimized and ready to go for any kids who like world-building and sim games — and are big fans of amusement parks. The goal is to build an amusement park from the ground up, gather happy visitors, and add the high-value features that people want, from giant castles and fireworks to princesses and haunted roller coaster rides. If players really enjoy the experience, there are a ton of add-ons for new theme parks and other additions to experiment with. It’s a little too complicated for the youngest players, but growing gamers may love exploring such a fun sim.
Chicory: A Colorful Tale
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5
Genre
Puzzle, Role-playing (RPG), Adventure, Indie
Developer
Greg Lobanov
Publisher
Finji
Release
June 10, 2021
For all those artistic kids out there who want to let their creativity shine, Chicory: A Colorful Tale is the perfect game to explore. This little indie game got a lot of attention when it came out, and for all the best reasons. It’s a very chilled-out experience, with a soothing soundtrack, creative puzzles, and an art style that is both adorable and interactive. The player takes on the role of a puppy who wields a magical paintbrush that they will use to decorate the land, solve puzzles, and do some light combat. Your goal is to bring color back to Picnic Province while helping the other animal inhabitants along the way. Giving players the freedom to express themselves is at the heart of Chicory: A Colorful Tale. Aside from being able to paint just about anywhere, you can also unlock new clothing options and brushes to make your character your own. You can even design your own shirts with custom designs and wear them throughout the game. Painting is the solution to everything in this game, from the puzzles to the bits of combat, encouraging creativity at every turn. Even if you don’t want to engage with the story or puzzles, hours could be spent on each screen just bringing the world to life with your brush. They all start out as essentially blank coloring books just begging to be filled in.
Spyro Reignited Trilogy
85%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Platform, Adventure
Developer
Toys for Bob
Publisher
Activision
Release
November 13, 2018
Spyro‘s trilogy was some of the best 3D platformers conceived back when they were first released, and quickly gained fame for their colorful, inventive worlds, and gameplay that was incredibly friendly for children of any age while still posing challenges (and heaps of fun). Unfortunately, the graphics, audio, and controls didn’t age very well over time. The Reignited version fixes that, updates voices and sound, and upgrades to HD graphics for a new age of kid gamers. They’re an excellent introduction to classic video game mechanics, whether kids just want to headbutt some sheep or finally start mastering the glide controls.
Cat Quest III
77%
Platforms
Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Role-playing (RPG), Adventure, Indie
Developer
The Gentlebros
Publisher
Kepler Interactive
Release
August 08, 2024
With a name like Cat Quest 3, you know this is going to be an adorable and friendly adventure. Set in the Purribean, Cat Quest 3 is a pirate-themed action RPG where you play as a young cat exploring the world by boat and land to take on quests. Every character and every adventure is lighthearted and filled with cat puns. The combat is also very tame and no worse than a cartoon as your little cat smacks other pirate-themed animals with a few weapons and spells before poofing into a cloud of dust. This game does have some RPG elements, so reading and navigating menus is a big component. Whether played alone or together, though, Cat Quest 3 is a blast.
