Best Xbox Series X Games for Kids

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The Xbox Series X has a massive library of games at its disposal. There is something for everyone in the diverse categories on offer. Everything from the major AAA titles from renowned developers to indie games from up-and-coming companies is available for people of every age group. The Series X comes with built-in parental control features that can help you keep an eye on the content your child gets to see.

Every game comes with an ESRB rating ranging anywhere from M for mature to E for everyone. This rating system exists to help parents determine if a game is suitable for their child. Even though there are many tools at your disposal to ease understanding of which games are appropriate for your children, it can still seem a little confusing to try and make the right choice.  

We will be going through the 15 best Xbox Series X Games for kids in 2021. All of the games mentioned below are perfect for youngsters to enjoy without you having to worry about what they contain. These family-friendly games promote critical thinking in children while also being incredibly fun at the same time.

Minecraft

Release date: November 18, 2011 | Developer: Mojang Studios, Xbox Game Studios, Telltale Games, 4J Studios, Other Ocean Interactive, Double Eleven | ESRB Age Rating: Everyone 10+

Perhaps the most requested game for any youngster today is Minecraft, for a good reason. The game serves as a blank canvas for the player to express their creativity in any way they wish. It promotes a culture of problem-solving, you have to work hard to make your vision come true. The game is not just about building blocks but one of the biggest franchises in the world.

At its core, Minecraft is a survival game in which the player must overcome the odds and fight monsters and the elements to build a life for themselves on procedurally generated maps which tend to be massive. The player must gather resources for shelter and craft armor and weapons to fight enemies. The creative mode offers the ability to let your imagination run wild, anything can be created from a single house to an entire town with some time, effort, and vision.

Minecraft Dungeons

Release date: May 26, 2020 | Developer: Mojang Studios, Double Eleven | ESRB Age Rating: Everyone 10+

Minecraft Dungeons is a switch from being a space for creativity to being an action game for children who prefer to slay monsters than explore vast open worlds. The game replaces crafting, farming, and building with grinding dungeons for loot instead. Powerful loot is brought together after completing various dungeon levels in the game with the end objective to save the world from Arch-Illager.

This game is inspired by many other more popular dungeons crawling games such as diablo but makes its place in the genre with an extremely polished combat system and flawless presentation. The character development system in the game is also as good as any and will provide hours of content for you and your kids. The benefit of going for Minecraft dungeons in this genre of games is its family-friendly presentation while other similar games tend to be for teens and adults.

Marvel’s Avengers

Release date: August 14, 2020 | Developer: Crystal Dynamics, Eidos-Montréal, Crystal Northwest, Nixxes Software BV, Square Enix Europe | ESRB Age Rating: Teen

The Marvel universe is synonymous with every modern child today. The cultural impact that the movies have had is something kids will look back on fondly over the decades. Marvel’s Avengers video game does not have the benefit of carrying these famous characters’ stories forward, also making it enjoyable for people of all ages. The story mode included in the game feels just as good as any of the movies that have the added benefit to play as your favorite superheroes.

The game is full of thrilling cinematic moments just like the movies and provides an outlet for the kids to enjoy their favorite characters again. Everyone from Captain America to Ironman makes an appearance. Each character has its unique abilities and plays styles. This adds depth and replayability to the game for your kids to enjoy for some time to come.

Hot Wheels Unleashed

Release date: September 30th 2021 | Developer: Milestone | ESRB Age Rating: Everyone

Hot Wheels Unleashed effortlessly achieves the equilibrium of giving off children friendly vibes concurrently with the sheer stunt racing exhilaration for adults. It brings forth a crazy racing experience for all age groups. A game that can make this possible has to be well-rounded from all nooks, and that is exactly what Milestone has given us. Hot Wheels Unleashed is an epitome of evocation for all the veteran Hot Wheels lovers— from captivating next-gen graphics to an insane amount of detailing on both minor and major scales, and the beautiful backdrop to every single track elevates the game to a surreal pedestal. Hot Wheels Unleashed has hundreds of collectables in store for you. Unlocking and adding different cars to your collection will become a passive goal inside the mind of every player. Moreover, Milestone has avoided any steep slope in terms of bland content. Hot Wheels Unleashed offers a thrilling campaign mode, online multiplayer, and split-screen multiplayer, and hands you the rein of customizations as you get to create your very own track!

Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time

Release date: September 16, 2020 | Developer: Toys for Bob | ESRB Age Rating: Everyone 10+

Crash Bandicoot finally returns to its roots with the 4th installment in the series. It picks up where the original critically acclaimed trilogy published by Naughty Dog in the ’90s left off. The game has all the best parts of the original game, such as the action platforming and engaging and interesting characters. It also introduces some new ideas and gameplay additions that feel like a natural fit for the formula.

Crash 4 offers a nostalgic ride down memory lane for old fans by paying homage to Crash’s past and includes all the villains you had fun defeating in your younger years. For the children of today, the game serves as a wonderful introductory experience to the franchise. The game can be enjoyed on its own even if the kids have not played any of the previous ones as there is enough content included to keep them interested for a long time.

Rocket League

Release date: July 7, 2015 | Developer: Psyonix | ESRB Age Rating: Everyone

Rocket League has become one of the most popular games among people of all ages currently. Rocket League takes the concept of soccer and matches it with high-flying cars and fast-paced action. The game is multi-platform, which means the kids can enjoy it with all of their friends regardless of where they play it. The game is fun with family, online with friends or random people, and even alone with against AI.

It is a game where your children can have some casual fun and you can play more competitively thanks to its popular ranked mode. The game provides hours of addictive fun with matches lasting only a few minutes of non-stop, thrilling action. Although the game is around three years old, it keeps bringing players back, the addictive arcade game, and versatility which engages people of all ages.

Overcooked! All You Can Eat

Release date: November 10, 2020 | Developer: Ghost Town Games, Team17 | ESRB Age Rating: Everyone

Overcooked is another simulation game that provides tons of fun and hours of content in one polished package. While the first 2 Overcooked! Games were brilliant in their own right, they were unfortunately not as popular. No worries though, with it you can enjoy everything in the first two games all of their DLCs, and even some additional new content.

The remastered games have been polished even further and combined to form the ultimate package of fun. Even if you have played the first two games, All You Can Eat is still a worthy pickup considering all of the new additions made to the games. The game is also interesting for people of all skill levels, kids are sure to have a blast, it also provides enough of a challenge to keep adults entertained.

Planet Coaster

Release date: November 17, 2016 | Developer: Frontier Developments plc, Aspyr | ESRB Age Rating: Everyone

Theme Park simulation games have been a popular genre for a long time, although recently a lack of games put the category in limbo. Planet Coaster adds some much-needed spark to the genre. The game puts the player in charge of a theme park where you can use your creativity to make custom rides and help with the day-to-day management of the park. The game teaches people how to manage tasks and resolve problems.

It also promotes creativity as some of the best rides are featured in community showcases to praise the hard work and imagination of the players. The game teaches kids to be versatile and think on their feet when faced with immediate concerns that need attention. It also promotes entrepreneurship as the game makes the player manage their earnings and make decisions about investments.

LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

Release date: April 5th 2022 | Developer: Traveller’s Tales, TT Games | ESRB Age Rating: Everyone

In a galaxy far, far away, Traveller’s Tales have dared to launch the biggest LEGO game yet! LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is a direct portal to the golden era as it comprises all nine storylines of the films. It packs it all under one game title and delivers it in the form of massive intergalactic content. Everything that has made Star Wars eminent in the sci-fi genre and every iconic moment witnessed as a Star Wars fanatic can be reimagined by playing The Skywalker Saga campaign. 

LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, impressively builds upon the fun aspects of being a LEGO game with its whimsical cutscenes, vibrant backdrops, block-like graphics, and creativity. It refurnishes the combat system. Land chain combos and experiment with the force to have an even more tactful approach. The campaign is generously split into different storylines for all films. Not to mention, TT Games have also embedded the game with engrossing side quests that’ll take you to different planets. And finally, to keep things fresh at all times, LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga has an entire arsenal of 300 plus characters at your disposal. The Skywalker Saga is tangible proof of how far the Lego games have come.

Slime Rancher

Release date: August 1, 2017 | Developer: Monomi Park | ESRB Age Rating: Everyone 10+

This Sci-fi farming simulator is the perfect game for people of all ages to get lost in due to its addicting gameplay. The game puts you in the shoes of Beatrix LeBeau, a young, driven rancher who decides to go into space to start a farm of her own. The game revolves around you helping Beatrix overcome obstacles and exploring the land of “Far, Far Range” to build a thriving farm of slimes. You have to gather supplies and materials to make this dream a reality.

The game teaches kids the importance of managing resources and making use of the tools at their disposal. The fun theme of the game makes kids coming back, and its light-hearted nature provides an encouraging environment for learning and fun at the same time. The game is a fun simulator and has enough depth to appeal to kids and adults wanting to relax and spend some time

Just Dance 22

Release date: November 4th 2021 | Developer: Ubisoft | ESRB Age Rating: Everyone

A new year means another epic dance-off! Ubisoft’s renowned dance-off series, Just Dance, is back with an all-new playlist of 40 new songs. Whether you are in the mood for a good breakup song such as Olivia Rodrigo’s Good for you want to go down the nostalgic memory lane of Love Story by Taylor Swift, or you and your friends wish to go wild with Katy Perry’s Last Friday Night, or you choose to absolutely pop off to Major Lazer’s Sua Cara for an iconic electronic dance music fever, Just Dance 22 has you covered. Yes, Dance off 22 tenaciously holds onto its signature features. Everything that makes Just Dance awesome can be found in 22, but that’s all there is to it. You still have your colorful maps with neon lighting; however, lack of innovation is certainly felt as familiarity and the sense of “ordinary” is there due to little to no new features. On top of that, to gain access to full content, you’ll see yourself signing up for a subscription fee. Apart from this, Just Dance 22 works flawlessly with no technical issues and if you are a dancing enthusiast, who doesn’t care for such minor setbacks, Just Dance 22 has countless hours of crazy dancing in store for you.

Spyro Reignited Trilogy

Release date: November 13, 2018 | Developer: Toys for Bob, Iron Galaxy, Insomniac Games | ESRB Age Rating: Everyone 10+

The Spyro Reignited Trilogy resurrects the popular games which first appeared starting on the original PlayStation. The games featured a dragon called Spyro going on various adventures with memorable characters in an inviting, vibrant world teeming with a sense of wonder and joy in exploration. The games contained many puzzles which encouraged players to use their critical thinking abilities and developed problem-solving characteristics.

The Reignited Trilogy has masterfully recreated the old games on recent modern platforms so our young ones can also enjoy the adventures of Spyro once more. This collection features reworked versions of all three original games. These include:

  • Spyro the Dragon
  • Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage, and
  • Spyro 3: Year of the Dragon.

All three titles undergo substantial audio and visual HD upgrades with a new soundtrack and voiceovers.

The Colonists

Release date: October 24, 2018 | Developer: Codebyfire, Auroch Digital, Mode 7 Games | ESRB Age Rating: Everyone

The Colonist is a settlement-building game much like the more popular Anno series but geared more towards children. Each game is divided into stages where you are provided tasks that will help propel your civilization forward. The player will need to gather supplies and various resources to keep progressing in the game.

The game is set in the not-too-distant future and features automated robots, this means the biggest thing the player must focus on is how and where to expand their civilization. Resources like wood, water, and food are essential to build better buildings and feed your robots. A long-term strategy is needed to play the game as it teaches people to plan. For example, excessive deforestation will lead to a lack of wood in the future so you must plan accordingly. The game teaches kids how to manage resources and how to plan.

Knockout City

Release date: May 21, 2021 | Developer: Velan Studios | ESRB Age Rating: Everyone 10+

Knockout City is a fast-paced multiplayer online game that combines dodgeball with in-depth tactics and strategies needed to win. The intense game is action-packed and competitive. It forces the player to think out of the box to come up with new strategies to outsmart and overcome the competition. It features addictive gameplay which is easy enough for the young ones to learn and strategic enough that anyone can enjoy it.

The colorful aesthetic of the game is inviting for children and the animations are very well done. The rules of each match are pretty straightforward. 2 teams of 3 to 4 players have to eliminate the opposing team one by one after showering them with balls that spawn all over the map. Each player must be hit twice to get knocked out of the match, and the first team to get 10 knockouts wins.

Subnautica: Below Zero

Release date: January 30, 2019 | Developer: Unknown Worlds Entertainment | ESRB Age Rating: Everyone 10+

The Subnautica is the most well-liked survival action-adventure game of all time.

The original Subnautica has the honor of being one of the most well-liked early access games of all time. If your child has already played the original one, Below Zero will continue the game with the addition of a whole new zone to explore. The same concept of gather, build and survive is still emphasized here, but it feels just as satisfying as the first time.

Below Zero is set after the events of the original game, it focuses more on a personal story this time around. There are many intriguing and alien mysteries to uncover with various side quests perfectly complementing the main storyline. The game delivers everything expected from a Subnautica game, brilliant mechanics, audio, and gameplay.

Final Thoughts

There you have it, some of the best games that your child is sure to enjoy. They are compatible for all skill levels, and some of them are even challenging enough for you to jump into! Many of these games teach valuable lessons to the kids; such as thinking ahead, improving reflexes, or resource management. They are fun for the entire family to enjoy.

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