Because five straight hours of Peppa Pig can drive any man to the depths of insanity
I’m creeping into my late twenties, which means a lot of the people in my social circles are getting married and deciding to have children. Instead ofbuying sarcastic t-shirtsabout how I am very much not about that life right now, while secretly munching through my third packet ofFarley’s Rusks, I am actually quite stoked to become an auntie figure, or perhaps even a godmother sometime in the future. Kids are like library books – fun while they last, but you’re glad to hand them back at the end. In part because of the smell.
Now, of course, any self-respecting auntie or uncle needs to teach their underlings the ways of the video game. Thankfully, the vast majority of “children’s” games are more like fun for all the family, similar to howHarry Pottertook off among adult readers. So, I’ve provided you with six suggestions of how to take some of the mind-numbing boredom and frustration out of babysitting, and find a way to share your hobby with your miniature chums.
As an aside, there are a couple of games I’m fairly sure will belong on this list, but I haven’t played enough of them to feel confident including them. If you’ve playedYoshi’s Woolly World,Kirby’s Epic YarnandDonkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, I’d particularly love to hear your thoughts on their suitability in the comments!
- For the mini mechanics:Ratchet and Clank(PS4)
This entire article is pretty much thanks toRatchet and Clank. I played it from start to finish last weekend, my face the picture of childish glee from beginning to end. Before then, I’d only ever tried outRatchet and Clank 3, and felt a bit lost, since the game (quite understandably) presumes that you know what’s going on and you know what you’re doing by the third entry to the series.
TheRatchet and Clankre-imagining gave me reason to care for the characters, to squeal in delight whenever Clank did anything remotely cute and to giggle at Captain Qwark’s buffoonery. It’s about as close as you’ll get to a full Pixar experience in a game, and while some of the levels too feel a little off-kilter and the signposting wasn’t great in some areas, kids would absolutely love this if they had an adult to guide them through the trickier parts. I can’t wait to introduce my cousin to games, and I think I might start off with this.
- For the crafty kids:Tearaway Unfolded(PS4)
If I were to pick just one MediaMolecule game that would be a blast for kids, it’sTearaway(Unfoldedjust for the ease of playing it on a bigger screen via the PS4; the originalTearawayis not PSTV compatible in Europe).
TheLittleBigPlanetseries is one of my favourites, and it has plenty of potential to encourage kids to be creative and already start thinking about level design. However,Tearawayimpressed me with how educational it is regarding actions and reactions from manipulating the wind; it also has some intricate puzzle-solving elements that both the kids and the adults will need to collaborate on to get just right. I felt a real sense of wonder as I played throughTearaway Unfolded, and I feel like it’s a unique experience young children shouldn’t miss out on.
If you want to follow this up with an entry from theLittleBigPlanetseries, my favourite is probably2.2is also particularly good for smaller children, since it doesn’t have some of the more complicated bells and whistles that3has, e.g. other Sack characters.
- For the nature nerds:Flower(PS3/PS4/Vita/iOS)
If you’re in the market for something to calm down your tiny terrors after they’ve scoffed down too many Jaffa Cakes, thenFlowercould be your saviour. Using the rotation sensors in the DualShock controller, the player controls a flower petal, swaying through the wind and collecting other petals, while sitting back and enjoying picturesque scenes of nature. Some kids might find its muted atmosphere extremely boring, but others will be mesmerised by the interactivity, and soothed by how sedate the game is.
If you’re looking for something relaxing and walking sim-like that’s a bit more involved, alternatives would beJourney(by the same developers) orThe Unfinished Swanfor older kids. While more hyperactive, the originalDe Blobinvolves methodically decorating buildings in an environment by splodging paint everywhere, which might also distract some children who enjoy more repetitive actions.
- For the curious collectors:Pokémon Crystal(3DS)
Don’t know your arse from your elbow when it comes to Team Skull and Nebby? You’re in good company, my friend. The 2nd generation ofPokémonhas always been my favourite: there were just enough creatures out there to catch that proceedings stayed interesting, but the designs were still imaginative. Plus, I felt way more immersed in Johto than I ever did in Kanto; being able to convert Apricorns into special Pokéballs is still one of my favourite little quirks in the series.
Luckily, the presence ofPokémon Crystalon the Virtual Console for the 3DS means there’s really no reason not to introduce younger siblings, young cousins or young footsoldiers to older varients ofPokémon –back when times were simpler and your worries were confined to Team Rocket. Hey, if you preferred the 1st generation ofPokémon, then this is a judgment-free zone; andPokémon Yellowis also available for the 3DS. It’s the perfect opportunity to show children that games that look a bit “old” aren’t necessarily lame, and can more than stand up to newer, shinier versions.
- For the sporty souls:Mario Strikers Charged Football(Wii)
Me and my sister absolutely lovedMario Strikers Charged Footballwhen we got our Wiis, way back in 2007. Yes, I said Wiis, because asking me and my sister to share anything was about as feasible as attempting to go for a casual stroll on the moon. But the one game we had a lot of fun playing together was this heavily simplified football/soccer game. The goal celebrations are cute and funny, the mechanics are dumbed down enough for anyone to join in on the fun, and there are plenty of ways to get a cheap goal or two in the back of the net. Don’t torment the little ones by trying to explain the offside rule – instead get into an astro turf tussle with Bowser and a handful of Shy Guys.
- For the adventurous rascals:Rayman Legends(pretty much any current-gen/last gen console)
This list would absolutely not be complete withoutRayman Legends(which is scheduled to be a PS Plus game next month – nice timing!). I remember playing the firstRaymanon PS1 back as a wee lass, and I have to admit that I didn’t think that was a very child-friendly game. It was needlessly frustrating in parts, with a bunch of cheap deaths and powers that felt neither intuitive nor particularly helpful.Rayman Legendsand its predecessor,Origins, wiped the slate clean and came up with aRaymangame that harks back to old days, while offering something much more accessible than in the mid-90s. While what I have played ofRevolutionandHoodlum Havocdid a great job of transporting Rayman to the 3D platforming world, if you want to keep your Rayman 2D and simple,OriginsandLegendsare your best bet.
Honourable mentions:
What are your top tips for games to play when you have younger relatives visiting? If you have kids, which games do you play with them, or what do they enjoy playing among themselves? Let me know in the comments down below!
