If you have kids, you’ll be relieved to hear that the best PS4 games for kids are, in some cases, the best PS4 games for teens and adults. While a lot of kids’ toys are simple shovel tools, designed to distract youngsters’ minds without rewarding them, there are also a few real gems.
Tom’s Guide has put together 10 of our very favorite PS4 games for kids – we promise we’ll gladly sit back and play any of these ourselves.
Most of the games on this list are platformers, as the “platform mascot” has been a favorite of kids since Super Mario jumped his way through the Mushroom Kingdom in 1985. But if your child prefers racing games, interactive sandboxes or open-world adventures, you’ll need to know more about them. We’ve got it covered too.
If none of these titles pique their interest, there is always The Family & Kids section of the PlayStation Store. Just be aware that some of these games are real clunkers.
1. The Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy
If you grew up playing Crash Bandicoot games on PlayStation, you’ll be glad to know that your kids can now do the same on PS4. (You might also be shocked by the fast and relentless time lapse, so fair warning.) Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy combines the first three games in the series into one, adding improved graphics and smoother performance.
While the games can be quite challenging, they are also bright, colorful and of good nature. You may also give your child a slight advantage in Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, since Crash reaches an unforgettable level of that game.
2. Unleash Hot Wheels
Kids love racing games. Kids also love die-cast cars. Hot Wheels Unleashed combines these two revered amusement with a fast-paced arcade racer that can get surprisingly deep. You can race against other toy cars; You can build your skills in single player campaign mode; You can test your speed in time trials; You can even build your own levels, thanks to a powerful path editor.
Hot Wheels Unleashed has 60 playable cars, and since it’s based on a real toy collection, some of your child’s favorite might be there. With the split-screen multiplayer mode, parents can also take the lead.
3. Marvel’s Spider-Man
Marvel’s Spider-Man cheats a bit, as the game is rated a T and definitely has an older audience in mind. However, if you don’t mind some violence and mild language, Spider-Man is probably for teenage girls too.
Even more so than recent Marvel Cinematic Universe films, Spider-Man on PS4 captures the true essence of the character, forcing him to make tough moral choices while protecting the city he loves. The web sling looks just perfect, from daring jumps to quick dives, and combat offers difficulty options to suit every skill level.
4. Minecraft
Minecraft is a game that needs no introduction. If your child loves taking control of your phone to build their own utopia, think about how happy they will be when they have a big screen to explore. (And how much happier you would be to get your device back.)
For those who haven’t tried it before, Minecraft is a creative simulation game in which players explore a divided fantasy world, search for resources, and use what they find to build amazing structures. It’s a bit like a digital version of playing with Legos – if you could use Legos to build life-size castles.
5. The New Super Lucky Tale
There’s nothing more useful than an old-fashioned cartoon platformer, and that’s exactly what New Super Lucky’s Tale is. You play as a hooded fox named Lucky who travels through a colorful fantasy world to protect the powerful Book of Ages from a punk named Jinx.
New Super Lucky’s Tale boasts a lot of variety, with both 2D and 3D levels, and a variety of puzzles to solve. However, the best part about New Super Lucky’s Tale is that it is just a good game with a length and difficulty perfectly suited to its young target audience.
6. Lego DC Super-Villains
Lego DC Super-Villains is one of the newest licensed Lego adventures, but really, you can pick almost any Lego toy for this slot. There are Lego games that cover Star Wars, Harry Potter, The Avengers, and many other popular franchises.
However, there is something delightfully sinister about Lego DC Super-Villains, which lets you teach the actors a lesson for change. You play as Joker, Lex Luthor, Cheetah, and other fan-favorite villains as they compete against the Justice League in a surprisingly good original story. Like most Lego games, this one is cooperative, so you and your child can play together.
7. Ratchet & Clank (2016)
Ratchet & Clank (2016) isn’t just one of the best PS4 games for kids; It’s one of the best PS4 games, period. This reboot of the classic Insomniac franchise is tied in with the ill-fated movie of the same name, but don’t hold that against it.
While Ratchet & Clank sounded heavy and predictable, Ratchet & Clank had plenty of time to let the story breathe, as well as a variety of captivating worlds to explore and rewarding tools to collect. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself starting your own save file, though; The game contains a bit of humor that young children may not fully sense.
8. Sackboy: Big Adventure
LittleBigPlanet has been a family staple since the PS3 era, and Sackboy: A Big Adventure is its latest entry. You control the titular adventurer as he makes his way through a series of 3D platform challenges.
There is a simple story, but it’s not really the draw. Instead, Sackboy: A Big Adventure relies on creative, memorable visuals to make its point. Everything in the game looks like it came out of a colorful craft store. Up to four players can work side by side to make their way through each challenging level, which is good news for siblings who love to play together.
9. Sonic Colors Ultimate
Sonic the Hedgehog has been a mainstay in children’s games since the ’90s, but not every Sonic game is created equal. In fact, most of them are easy to forget (in a polite form). However, Sonic Colors Ultimate generally strikes a balance between fast side scrolling and open 3D environments.
This time, recurring enemy Dr. Robotnik has built a treacherous amusement park, Sonic must survive, dealing with a series of powerful bosses along the way. There aren’t many surprises here for long-time Sonic fans, but it should entice younger gamers who may not have experienced Blue Blur’s antics before.
10. SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Rehydrated Bikini Bottom
For the record, it was SpongeBob SquarePants shortly after my time. That’s why I was impressed when I started hands-on with SpongeBob Squarepants: Battle for Bikini Bottom Rehydrated and found it to be a perfectly good platformer on its own merits. If your kids like SpongeBob at first, it’s probably a better experience.
In this 3D action game, you can control the titular sponge, which jumps around different levels, collecting trinkets and fighting simple enemies and the occasional boss. If you play this game back in the day, you’ll be glad to know that it’s still fun.
[ad_2]
