The 18 best Switch games for kids 2023 | Perfect Christmas gaming gifts

We love Super Mario Bros. Wonder as it’s a fun and exciting take on the classic 2D platformer Mario tradition and adds in gallons of fresh ideas and eccentric mechanics, making it a game like no other. Each level has a collectable called a Wonder Flower, which can transform the level with a unique mechanic, from transforming Mario into a ball of sticky slime to making the level into a musical where Mario is powered up by jumping on the beat. It is great for kids and adults alike, so parents will enjoy playing multiplayer with their children. 

For added accessibility, the game has an option where you can play as a character who cannot be damaged and knocked out of the game, which is ideal for inexperienced gamers who want to see all the game can offer without getting endless Game Over screens. 

Multiplayer? Single System (1-4), Online (1-4)

Playtime:
Main story: 10 hrs
Main and sides: 13 hrs

Taking cues from the hugely successful Wii Sports of 2006, Nintendo Switch Sports brings accessible sports simulation to the latest Nintendo Generation. Using the motion controls inside the Switch’s Joy-cons, the game has players take on six sports: Tennis, bowling, chambara, football, golf, volleyball and badminton. It’s huge fun, especially when getting friends and family together for a tournament. 

Multiplayer? Single System (1-4), Online (1-2)

Playtime:
Main story: 3 hrs
Main and sides: 14 hrs

Note that these times do not reflect the replayability of the game. You can get many more hours out of Nintendo Switch Sports if you regularly play multiplayer tournaments - sadly, the figure for such playtime is not available to report here.

These Pokémon games are modern remakes of the classic 1998 Game Boy game, Pokémon Yellow. Starting with either Pikachu or Eevee, the player embarks on the timeless Poké quest of capturing the original 151 Pokémon (plus a few extras from elsewhere in the series) and adventuring through the Kanto region. There are a few new features over the original, including the ability to take a Pokémon out of its ball to play with it and explore alongside it. While we’ve listed Pokémon Scarlet/Violet elsewhere on this list - because they are great games - they are set in an open world and might be a bit harder for young gamers to get into. The Let’s Go games are more linear and a bit simpler to grasp for first-time Pokémon trainers. 

Multiplayer? Single System (1-2), Local Wireless (2), Online (2) 

Playtime:
Main story: 25 hrs
Main and sides: 36 hrs

Mario Kart 8 might just be the best arcade racer out there, boasting over 40 racers, 48 tracks, and a selection of unique game modes, such as Bob-omb Blast and Balloon Battle, which serve as a nice addition to the standard, but still thrilling, track races. Solo, multiplayer, or online, Mario Kart always pleases. This Deluxe edition is preloaded with all the DLC, so there's plenty of bang for your buck here. If you join Nintendo Switch Online, you also unlock an additional host of classic tracks - this really is the game that keeps giving.

Multiplayer? Single System (1-4), Local Wireless (2-8), Online (1-12)

Playtime: 
Main story: 6 hrs 
Main story and extras: 22 hrs

With multiplayer, these numbers become irrelevant as you can play the game countless times without tiring. People have racked up hundreds of hours replaying Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

Just Dance captures the hyperactive energy of those old Dance Dance Revolution machines found in arcades of the early 2000s and beams it right into your front room. Players use the Switch's Joy-Cons or a smartphone app to throw increasingly tough shapes to some of the biggest chart bangers. It's a fun and sneaky way of getting in some exercise. The 2024 release features 40 tracks from Blackpink, Miley Cyrus and Billie Eilish. It even comes with a free one-month Just Dance Unlimited subscription, unlocking over 300 additional songs.

Multiplayer? Single System (1-6), Online (1-6)

Playtime: 
Main story: n/a 
Main story and extras: n/a

First seen in cameos in Super Mario games, Captain Toad gets his own treasure-hunting game with Treasure Tracker. It’s a fun, child-friendly little puzzle game filled with wonderfully creative mechanics, plenty of playful worlds to explore and lots of replay value. Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is a cracking yet often overlooked title that kids will love to try out.

Multiplayer? Single System (1-2)

Playtime:
Main story: 7 hrs
Main story and extras: 12 hrs

Every new generation of gamers deserves a Pokémon game to introduce them to role-playing games in an accessible and exciting way. Right now, kids can dive into the latest instalments of Pokémon with Scarlet and Violet, which takes place in the fictitious open-world region of Paldea. There are over 400 pocket monsters to discover (including 110 new to these games) and new gym leaders to defeat.   

The game comes with access DLC, which extends the region for even more adventuring.

Multiplayer? Local Wireless (2-4), Online (1-4)

Playtime:
Main story: 32 hrs
Main story and extras: 48 hrs

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a smash hit, drawing adoring fans from all ages. One of our writers has even racked up over 400 hours of playtime since its release in 2020. The reason? It's a joyous and relaxing place to be. This one's for kids with a good attention span and reading age, but ultimately, it's a game about various cute critters coming together to build a community. They can get creative designing towns and show them off to friends. It's lovely.

Multiplayer? Single System (1-4), Local Wireless (2-8), Online (2-8).

Note that Animal Crossing New Horizons is limited to one island per console, so everyone on that console will need to share the game. You’ll need additional copies and consoles if multiple people want to have their own game. 

Playtime: 
Main story: 60 hrs
Main story and extras: 120 hrs

What journey awaits players taking control of Kirby? In this title, players travel in a 3D world, hunting down collectable meals and absorbing enemies to gain their powers. It’s then about using these powers, combined with Kirby’s own, to traverse the world and find the way through the levels. The game is quick to pick up and with a playtime of around 10 to 15 hours long, Kirby and the Forgotten Land offers plenty of entertainment. It's also replayable, too.

Multiplayer? Single System (1-2)

Playtime: 
Main story: 10 hrs
Main story and extra: 15 hrs

Super Mario Odyssey is a 3D platform game full of charm and adventure. The levels are full of fun mechanics and challenges to discover, with each area feeling fresh with ideas. It’s got a wholesome and kind sense of humour and can be replayed time and time again. 

Multiplayer? Single System (1-2)

Playtime: 
Main story: 14 hrs
Main story and extras: 29 hrs

The Luigi’s Mansion series is a charming comedy-spook game. The third instalment is on Switch and has players venture through a rickety hotel as Mario's brother, Luigi. Armed with a vacuum that can suck up ghosts like in Ghostbusters, the world is a fun and rewarding place to explore, full of memorable puzzles and whacky encounters.

Multiplayer? Single System (1-8), Local Wireless (2-8), Online (1-8)

Playtime: 
Main story: 13 hrs 
Main story and extras: 17 hrs

Minecraft Dungeons takes the normally open-world, non-linear world of Minecraft and brings it to the action-adventure genre inspired by dungeon-crawler games. The game has the player fight through dungeons to defend villagers from evil and is packed with exciting levels brimming with loot and good times. It's also good for multiplayer, with up to four friends being able to quest through the underground together. The Ultimate edition includes all downloadable content, which adds more material to the game for increased playtime and adventuring! 

Multiplayer? Single System (1-4), Online (2-4)

Playtime: 
Main story: 6 hrs (+DLC)
Main story and extras: 12 hrs (+DLC)

The entire LEGO Star Wars universe has found itself on Nintendo Switch, with some seriously gorgeous graphics updates for the next generation. Players battle through the Skywalker Saga as favourite characters- heroes or villains - and pilot some of the most iconic ships in the galaxy. Gameplay includes LEGO reenactments of scenes from the film series and worlds recreated with collectables to find and fun asides to witness. 

Multiplayer? Single System (1-2)

Playtime: 
Main story: 18 hrs
Main story and extras: 32 hrs

Splatoon is Nintendo’s family-friendly online multiplayer competition shooter, in which teams battle it out for control over a map using ink-spraying weapons. It’s a game known for having a wholesome and welcoming community and enough depth to keep people invested for many hours. 

Multiplayer? Local Wireless (2-8), Online (2-8)

Playtime: 
Main story: 9 hrs
Multiplayer: 103 hrs

In Overcooked, players try running a restaurant's kitchen, ensuring everything goes smoothly. It's a game of mayhem, with each level setting the kitchen in a new ridiculous location, including on a storm-battered hot air balloon, over a ravine, or in a gold mine. The game's silly, surprisingly tough, and endlessly replayable. It's certainly one of thebest party games around. This collection combines Overcooked and its sequel and all downloadable content - a rich offering that’ll satisfy completely. 

Multiplayer? Single System (1-4), Local Wireless (2-4), Online (2-4)

Playtime: 
Solo: 13 hrs
Co-op: 36 hrs

Who knew that smashing blocks could be so much fun? Minecraft is a worldwide phenomenon, drawing in gamers of every ilk with its charming 8-bit textures and make-your-own-adventure sandbox worlds. While there's no goal or 'point' to Minecraft, its spirit is pure adventure, creativity, and imagination. It's a wonderful title for newcomers to gaming. 

Multiplayer? Single System (1-4), Local Wireless (2-8), Online (2-8)

Playtime:
Solo: 132+ hrs
Co-op: 417+ hrs

The success of Epic Games' Fortnite is…well, epic. Over 75 million players log in to try their hand at the battle royale matches. Its cartoonish design is a smash with kids of all ages, and the game's popularity shows no real sign of abating soon. The real bonus is that while the game is free to download, physical copies like this special edition version give players a special in-game skin and v-bucks to spend in-game. 

Multiplayer? Online (1-100)

Playtime:
Average: 101hrs

Super Mario World 3D is a platformer with gameplay that works great solo or multiplayer, and there are loads of fun mechanics, including a collectable that turns the player’s character into a cat. It originally came out in 2013 for the Wii U but has been reinvigorated for the Switch. It now includes Bowser’s Fury, a mode that adds a 3D open world into the game in which the player must collect enough stars to defeat a giant Bowser. It’s been a hit with critics and gamers worldwide and will surely please any gaming sprogs. 

Multiplayer? Single System (1-4), Local Wireless (2-4), Online (2-4) 

Playtime:
Main story: 10 hrs
Main story and extras: 17 hrs