Don’t be fooled, parents. Games aren’t evil. They can actually be incredibly beneficial for the development of childrens’ faculties.
They encourage puzzle solving, improve hand-and-eye coordination, and can even teach them important character lessons.
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Obviously, some games are nothing but bullet fests (yes, even if the characters have incredible dancing skills), but there are some games that your kids, and you, will love.
Here are five that have made their debut on a bevy on platforms in recent years.
Super Mario Maker
Image: Nintendo
What it teaches your kid: Because it’s essentially four Mario games in one, it teaches patience beyond measure, and puzzle solving skills that few other games can introduce.
Why you’ll love it: If you’re a sucker for punishment, browse the game’s Super Expert fan-made levels. They’re as addictive as they’re frustrating.
What you need: A Nintendo Wii U or Nintendo 3DS.
Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu/Eevee
Image: The Pokemon Company/Nintendo
What it teaches your kid: As Let’s Go is more about catching and collecting Pokemon than training them, it’s not as advanced and tactical as some of the older Pokemon games
It does however teach your kid the basic Pokemon mechanics of rock-paper-scissors, or water-electric-ground.
Why you’ll love it: Well, it’s Pokemon. What’s there not to love?
What you need: A Nintendo Switch.
Ori and the Blind Forest
Image: Microsoft
What it teaches your kid: It’s a platformer with an emphasis on puzzle-solving, but it also highlights the importance of the natural world, and accepting people, or entities, from more than one walk of life.
Why you’ll love it: It’s an incredibly beautiful game with a tear-jerking story.
What you need: A PC or Xbox One.
Unravel
Image: Electronic Arts
What it teaches your kid: While Super Mario Maker focuses on platforming in the strict sense of the word, Unravel introduces dynamic physics into the equation too.
Why you’ll love it: Yarny, the animated ball of yarn, will take you back to a much, much simpler time. Besides, watching your kids figure out the game’s many puzzles is a reward in itself.
What you need: A PC, PlayStation 4 or Xbox One.
Rocket League
Image: Psyonix
What it teaches your kid: The three-Ts: teamwork, timing, and tackling. It’s effective in all physical sports, too.
Why you’ll love it: If you thought watching soccer was fun, wait until you see a gaggle of rocket-powered buggies blasting across a low-gravity football field.
What you need: A PC, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, or Xbox One.
Feature image: Nintendo
