Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Gaming
  3. Products

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

The best Xbox Series X games for kids

By

Are you looking for great games for kids on a Series X console? Microsoft and its partnered studios have given some beloved, kid-friendly games optimization for Xbox Series X, which means the experience is smoother and more than ever! Below, we’re going through our favorites and what you can expect from them if you’re looking for new family-friendly titles to try out.

Further reading

Minecraft Dungeons

Minecraft Dungeons
68%
E10
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Role-playing (RPG), Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Adventure
Developer
Mojang Studios
Publisher
Xbox Game Studios, Mojang Studios
Release
May 26, 2020
Both Minecraft and Minecraft Dungeons are excellent for kids who like to explore and upgrade, excellent beginner entries in crafting, survival, and many other important game mechanics. However, we are giving Minecraft Dungeons a slight kid-friendly edge for a few reasons. First, it’s a bit easier to jump into than an open-world crafting adventure, especially for those first learning the systems. Second, the RPG elements add a real sense of progression no matter what you are doing, and make party play with friends very rewarding. Third, Dungeons is the title that has been optimized for the Series X/S, so the advantages of the new system will be most obvious here.
Minecraft Dungeons - E3 2019 - Gameplay Reveal Trailer

Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time

Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time
82%
E10
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Platform
Developer
Toys for Bob
Publisher
Activision
Release
October 02, 2020
More than a few parents can remember playing the first Crash Bandicoot titles when they were kids. Now, at least a fourth game in the series is here for the next generation, and it’s no surprise that it’s optimized for the Series X and ready to play. The villain Neo Cortex has gone from time-travel shenanigans to attacking the whole multiverse, and Crash is just the marsupial to stop him. The wide variety of platforming activities are great for both kids proving their reflexes and gamers looking for a challenge — but don’t worry, there’s also plenty of fun to be had!
Crash Bandicoot™ 4: It’s About Time Announcement Trailer

Rocket League

Rocket League
83%
E
Platforms
Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Racing, Sport, Indie
Developer
Psyonix
Publisher
Psyonix
Release
July 07, 2015
Rocket League has earned its well-deserved fame for the addictive combination of smashing vehicles around a giant arena while also playing a barely-controlled game of giant soccer. It’s a refreshing change from the year-to-year sport franchise titles, while also giving kids plenty of opportunities to play matches with their friends. Not only is the game optimized for the Series X, but it’s also totally free to download the base game, so no need to worry about the cost of entry if it doesn’t work out!
Rocket League® - OMG It Has Everything!

Overcooked! All You Can Eat

Overcooked! All You Can Eat
91%
E
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Google Stadia
Genre
Simulator, Strategy, Indie
Developer
Team17, Ghost Town Games
Publisher
Team17
Release
November 12, 2020
Overcooked! is one of the best examples we’ve seen of the cooking genre, where players (including cooperative play) dash around to assemble ingredients and make dishes to satisfy demanding customers in a timely way. There are over 200 kitchen levels in this game to work through, and online multiplayer to help find a friend when the kitchen gets crazy. Optimized for Series X, the game offers 4k resolution at 60fps, all the better to keep up with the action.
Overcooked! All You Can Eat - Announcement Trailer

Immortals Fenyx Rising

Immortals Fenyx Rising
75%
4/5
T
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Google Stadia
Genre
Puzzle, Adventure
Developer
Ubisoft Québec
Publisher
Ubisoft
Release
December 02, 2020
If your kids are getting a bit older and are ready for more serious action, Immortals Fenyx Rising is an excellent place to start. While a bit more violent and mature than a Zelda game, the title takes a lot of cues in how it promotes gathering skills and weapons, exploring distant lands, and ultimately fighting big bosses — all based on ancient Greek mythology and related mythic locations. There’s a whole to do, especially when it comes to exploration, and the stylish world is a beautiful visit.
Gods & Monsters: E3 2019 Official World Premiere Cinematic Trailer | Ubisoft [NA]

LEGO Marvel Collection

LEGO Marvel Collection
E10
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Genre
Puzzle, Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Adventure
Developer
Traveller's Tales
Publisher
WB Games
Release
March 12, 2019
We could just say “any Lego game” and wrap this section up, but if you’re looking for a specific title, the bundled Lego Marvel Collection is a great trilogy to start with. Feel free to substitute any Star Wars bundle or other preferred Lego universes depending on what your kids are into! The family-friendly gameplay includes a long roster of characters to choose from, and many different worlds to conquer based on the stories your kids love (with a hefty amount of Lego humor thrown in).

Planet Coaster: Console Edition

Planet Coaster: Console Edition
E
Platforms
PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Simulator
Developer
Frontier Developments
Publisher
Frontier Developments
Release
November 10, 2020
The console version of Planet Coaster is Series X optimized and ready to go for any kids who like world-building and sim games — and are big fans of amusement parks. The goal is to build an amusement park from the ground up, gather happy visitors, and add the high-value features that people want, from giant castles and fireworks to princesses and haunted roller coaster rides. If players really enjoy the experience, there are a ton of add-ons for new theme parks and other additions to experiment with. It’s a little too complicated for the youngest players, but growing gamers may love exploring such a fun sim.
Planet Coaster: Console Edition | Announcement Trailer

Spyro Reignited Trilogy

Spyro Reignited Trilogy
85%
E10
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Platform, Adventure
Developer
Toys for Bob
Publisher
Activision
Release
November 13, 2018
Spyro‘s trilogy was some of the best 3D platformers conceived back when they were first released, and quickly gained fame for their colorful, inventive worlds, and gameplay that was incredibly friendly for children of any age while still posing challenges (and heaps of fun). Unfortunately, the graphics, audio, and controls didn’t age very well over time. The Reignited version fixes that, updates voices and sound, and upgrades to HD graphics for a new age of kid gamers. They’re an excellent introduction to classic video game mechanics, whether kids just want to headbutt some sheep or finally start mastering the glide controls.
All Scaled Up Reveal Trailer | Spyro™ Reignited Trilogy | Spyro the Dragon

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Tyler Lacoma
Tyler Lacoma
Former Digital Trends Contributor

If it can be streamed, voice-activated, made better with an app, or beaten by mashing buttons, Tyler's into it. When he's not making the Internet a better place with the latest tech news, Tyler is working in the eco and investment world, writing fiction, or waiting for hiking weather.

These are the 9 best gaming PCs that you should buy
Graphics card in the CLX Hathor PC.

There are a ton of gaming PCs you can choose from, and each year, we sift through the pile to review dozens of gaming desktops. The competition is fierce in 2024, but we've narrowed down a list of the best gaming desktops regardless of your budget.

For most users, the Alienware Aurora R16 is the best gaming PC you can buy. It's affordable enough, and it comes with a ton of options for configuration. However, we've picked out eight other gaming desktops that are better for different types of gamers, regardless of your purpose or budget. If you want a peek behind the curtain into how we made our picks, make sure to read how we test desktops.

Read more
MSI Claw A1M is one hell of a gaming PC with best-in-class power, cooling, more
MSI Claw A1M being used to play racing game

Handheld or portable gaming is seeing a huge boon in innovation thanks to ultra-portable PCs from various manufacturers. I won't bother naming them all here, but the market has grown quite competitive. That's why MSI and Intel have teamed up to produce and optimize the MSI Claw A1M. The Claw is effectively a portable PC powered by an Intel Core Ultra processor, Intel Arc graphics, and Windows 11 Home. But what's more exciting is that it's equipped with many premium upgrades to improve gaming experiences vastly. For example, the ergonomically tailored hand grips feel more comfortable, especially during long sessions, and the 53-watt-hour battery supports longer playing times. High-performance Hall Effect joysticks offer unmatched precision and control with MSI Mystic Light for customizable RGB. Meanwhile, the intelligently designed cooling system called Cooler Boost HyperFlow optimizes airflow to keep it running at full speed without affecting performance.

If that were everything, I'd be happy with it, but there's so much more. The 120Hz 7-inch display supports VRR or variable refresh rate to keep onscreen action smooth and responsive. Two 2-watt high-resolution speakers provide immersive, crystal-clear audio. It's WiFi 7-ready, with a Thunderbolt 4 port for high-speed charging, and like alternatives on the market, it can be docked and used like a traditional desktop PC. Above all, MSI, Intel, and Microsoft are committed to providing best-in-class support through regular updates while collecting end-user feedback, with quick reactions when necessary. This means that the Claw A1M is a labor of love, and they're genuinely looking to work with the community to optimize the experience.

Read more
Best Buy Memorial Day sale: Save $50 on the Xbox Series X
A black Xbox Series X and controller against a black background.

We don’t see many Xbox Series X deals, so it’s great to see $50 off the Microsoft Xbox Series X at Best Buy at the moment. It normally costs $500, but right now you can buy it for $450, a small but useful price cut for anyone considering buying a new console. Pair it up with one of the best Xbox Game Pass deals and you can’t go wrong. If you’re keen to find out more about the console, keep reading and we’ll explain all.

Why you should buy the Microsoft Xbox Series X
Considered to be one of the best gaming consoles for Microsoft fans, the Microsoft Xbox Series X may have divisive looks but it’s supremely powerful with a wealth of games. The console provides 12 teraflops of power with support for DirectX ray tracing, 4K gaming, and even has a custom 1TB SSD for storage so it doesn’t skip a beat anywhere. It has lightning-fast load times with gameplay of up to 120 FPS ensuring everything looks fantastic. Arguably its best feature though is Quick Resume. That means you can easily leave where you left things even after turning the console off. It’s hugely useful and it’s quick too so your console is always ready for you to return.

Read more