Every year’s biggest games are usually pretty violent. This year, we had Elden Ring, God of War Ragnarok, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. If you are on the hunt for kid-friendly video games as one of your holiday gifts for 2022, then you are in luck, as plenty of bangers have released this game that will put a smile on the children in your life.
Picking out a genre for someone’s taste can be tricky. It gets even harder when you have to figure out what platforms they own. This list will comprise multiple genres, from exclusives to multi-platform releases. There will be something for just about anyone, so you won’t have to sweat about disappointing someone this holiday season.
OlliOlli World
Skating games have fallen off over the years, compared to the days of constant Tony Hawk releases and EA’s Skate series. This year we got the action-platformer OlliOlli World. This vibrant, stylistic skateboarding game brings something new to the table for the niche genre that will capture the whole family as you all take turns doing tricks and going through levels. It is available on all platforms (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC).
Tunic
If you think not enough games deliver an isometric Zelda-like experience, then you are in luck with Tunic. This cute fox game is filled with creative puzzles, interesting enemies, and a world that lures you in. This debut indie became a standout earlier in the year for Xbox players, and soon it was released on all other platforms. Since it was a debut Xbox release, it was also put on Game Pass.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge
If you are looking at 2022 kid-friendly video games, you might want to give the kids a taste of your childhood. If you remember the arcade days and played older consoles, then you may have had time with beat ’em ups, particularly when it comes to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Shredder’s Revenge delivers that experience to the modern world as you play as the pizza-eating turtles to fight baddies for a fun adventure. You can become your favorite characters of the classic cartoon on PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land
Kirby has not had a major hit in a while, but Forgotten Land changes that. Initially joked due to some early footage showing a post-apocalyptic world reminiscent of The Last of Us, we got a fresh twist on the franchise that is nowhere near as depressing as Naughty Dog’s zombie series. Instead, the Switch exclusive gives the 3D treatment to let you fully explore levels as the lovable pink ball with new and familiar abilities to make for a fun, goofy experience.
Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course
Oftentimes, kid-friendly video games are thought of as something on the easier side, especially when you want to think about holiday gifts for 2022. Cuphead is a tough 2D run-and-gun action game, and its long-awaited DLC, The Delicious Last Course, opens the door for more upgrades and challenging bosses. Co-op takes the edge off, but it can be a challenge. If you think anyone young is up for the challenge or you want to embark on the journey with them, then you should give Cuphead and its DLC a chance. It is a brilliant game that is beautifully stylish for PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC.
Stray
Cat lovers rejoice as Stray lets you become a cat. Walk around a sci-fi world as you try to get yourself back home in this puzzle platformer. It captures what life must be like as a cat if you ignore the robots and fantastical elements. Purr and walk around on PS4, PS5, and PC.
Two Point Campus
Two Point Hospital has now turned away from the medical field to education with Campus. Although the industry is different, it plays similarly for an approachable university sim manager. Build and run your own university with specialties in culinary arts, science and engineering, and more. It is a silly take on the genre with qualities that are similar to The Sims. Enroll on PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, and PC. It is also available on Game Pass.
Marvel’s Spider-Man and Miles Morales
It is hard to argue that Marvel video games don’t make for great holiday gifts when looking for something kid-friendly, especially in 2022. These suggestions are not necessarily new games, but with PC ports this year for Insomniac’s Spider-Man and Miles Morales, it makes for the perfect excuse to buy these games for someone this holiday season on PC, PS4, or PS5. The PC ports deliver all the fancy support you would expect, like DLSS, ray tracing, an ultra-wide view, and mods.
Marvel’s Midnight Suns
If you want a newer Marvel game, you can get this year’s Midnight Suns. Firaxis has made a name for itself in the strategy and turn-based genre with Civilization and XCOM. It delivers an XCOM-like twist to a Marvel superhero adventure with qualities from other games, particularly a card system that will get you thinking about other games. Join the Midnight Suns to fight Lilith with your original customized character and the heroes straight from the comics on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Overwatch 2
Overwatch 2 might be free-to-play, but you can still download this on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, and PC as a Christmas gift. It adds new heroes, maps, and cosmetics to deliver a new era of Blizzard’s hero shooter. It takes the 6v6 model and subtracts one by taking away one tank per team. The 5v5 quickens the matches for exhilarating battles for all ages.
Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope
For kid-friendly strategy video games that make for the perfect holiday gifts in 2022, it can be difficult to find one that works. On top of Midnight Suns, you have Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope as another option for an approachable take on the genre. More than Fireaxis’ latest release, this Switch exclusive delivers an authentic yet simplified version of XCOM with the classic Nintendo characters with the Rabbids joining them.
