Retro games make brilliant gifts for kids: they're simple to pick up, built for playing together on the couch, and a lot cheaper than new releases. The bonus is that parents usually want a turn too. Here are the best retro games for kids, grouped by what they're good for, plus which console to pick if you're starting from scratch.
Quick picks
| If your kid… | Start with | System |
|---|---|---|
| is 5 to 7 and new to games | Wii Sports | Wii |
| loves playing with siblings or friends | Mario Kart 64 | Nintendo 64 |
| wants a big adventure | Super Mario Galaxy | Wii |
| loves Pokémon | Pokémon Yellow | Game Boy |
| likes cozy, creative games | Animal Crossing | GameCube |
| needs something for car trips | Mario Kart DS | Nintendo DS |
Best for younger kids (ages 5 and up)
These are forgiving, colorful and easy to understand, with no reading needed to have fun.
Wii Sports · $59.97
Bowling, tennis and baseball with simple swings of the Wii Remote. The easiest first video game there is.
Kirby's Epic Yarn · $34.97
Kirby can't lose a life, so there's no frustration. Great with a parent playing along.
New Super Mario Bros. Wii · $72.00
Classic Mario for up to four players at once. Chaotic, funny and perfect for siblings.
Best for playing together
Retro consoles were built for the couch. These are the games that made sleepovers.
Mario Kart 64 · $85.00
Four-player split-screen racing. Still one of the best party games ever made.
Mario Kart Wii · $59.97
Mario Kart on Wii works with the Wii Wheel or a regular controller, so even small kids can steer.
Mario Kart Double Dash · $119.97
Two players share one kart: one drives, one throws items. Great for a parent and child team.
Wii Party · $104.97
Party games built for families, including some that use just one Wii Remote passed around.
Super Smash Bros. Melee · $106.97
The legendary fighting game. Easy to pick up, with Mario, Pikachu, Link and Kirby.
Best adventures for ages 8 and up
Super Mario Galaxy · $40.97
Gravity-bending planets and an orchestral soundtrack. A second player can help collect star bits.
Super Mario Sunshine · $60.00
A tropical holiday with a water-spraying backpack. Bright, fun and a little tricky.
Luigi's Mansion · $84.97
Luigi vacuums up ghosts in a haunted mansion. Spooky but silly, never scary.
Animal Crossing · $94.97
Live in a village of animal neighbors. Fish, decorate, pay off your house and check in every day.
Spongebob Squarepants Battle for Bikini Bottom · $28.97
A 3D platformer through Bikini Bottom that SpongeBob fans adore.
LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga · $17.99
Star Wars Episodes I to VI retold in LEGO, with drop-in co-op.
Classics parents will want to play too
Pokémon Yellow: Special Pikachu Edition · $109.97
Pikachu follows you around, just like in the anime.
Crash Team Racing (CTR) · $22.97
Crash Team Racing, the kart racer many fans rate alongside Mario Kart.
Which retro console is best for kids?
The Wii is the easiest choice. Motion controls make sense to young kids, games are affordable, and the original white Wii (model RVL-001) also plays GameCube games if you add GameCube controllers. For four-player racing and party games, the Nintendo 64 is hard to beat. For travel, a Nintendo DS or Game Boy Advance SP has a built-in screen and rechargeable battery. Not sure? Our retro console buying guide compares them all.
Tips before you wrap it
- Count the controllers. Most party games shine with four players, and many consoles come with one controller.
- Check what saves need. GameCube games need a memory card; the Wii, N64 cartridges and handheld games save on their own.
- Wii needs its sensor bar. It sits on or under the TV and is needed for pointing with the Wii Remote.
- Check your TV's inputs. Most retro consoles use red, white and yellow AV cables. If your TV doesn't have those inputs, an inexpensive AV-to-HDMI adapter works.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good first video game console for a young child?
A Nintendo Wii is a great first console: the motion controls are intuitive, the games are affordable and family-friendly, and the original model also plays GameCube games.
Are retro games appropriate for kids?
Most Nintendo-era games, especially Mario, Kirby, Pokémon and Mario Kart, are designed for all ages. Check the rating on the box for any game you are unsure of.
What retro games can kids play together?
Mario Kart 64, Mario Party 2, New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Wii Sports and Super Smash Bros. Melee are all built for multiple players on one TV.
Do retro games work on modern TVs?
Yes. Most retro consoles connect with AV cables. If your TV has no AV input, a simple AV-to-HDMI adapter lets you plug them in.
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