Another Really Good Video Game Guide
What to buy for Teens
Here is the second installment of my Really Good Gift Guide Series. Today’s guide is for the Teens. Note that when a game is rated T for Teen that means 13+. So everything on here (with 1 exception is good for 13+). I will complete the trifecta with a Family Friendly Guide tomorrow. If you haven’t read my Guide for 10+ check it out here.
My sources again were:
“The Best Video Games for Kids” from PC Magazine (article here)
Common Sense Media’s searchable database (I refer them as CSM throughout this post) *
The results of an AI prompt (I used Bard) . The prompt was: “what are the best video games for tweens, include name, content rating, what year it was released, what platforms they are available on, price, what parent will like about them and what parents should be aware of.”
“Kids I Know” Nominated Games - These are recommendations from kids I interviewed this past year + my own kids’ Christmas Lists.
*If you want to do more research, I strongly recommend the CSM Tool here. You can limit by child’s age, platform & more. I find CSM’s reviews are pretty spot on. In fact, I trust them over the official content rating.
Let’s get started.
Best Games for Teens
I am more tolerant of brawlers and shooters in this guide than I am for 10+, but generally speaking I am a huge simp that doesn’t like violence.
Super Smash Bros Ultimate
4.5 from PC Mag and 5 from CSM. Interestingly this one is all over the map with content ratings. Bard claims its E for everyone, PC Mag says 10+ and CSM says 12+. PC Mag says “it’s one of the most chaotic, deep, yet accessible fighting games around.” CSM describes it as a “cartoonish brawler…the largest one yet, and incredibly fun. Bard thinks its fun and likes that it features a large cast of characters from Nintendo's history. This one is also a Top Kid Pick. Available on Switch only. List Price: $59.99. Buy it here.
Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales
PC Mag gave it a 4 and CSM gave it a 5. Rated T. CSM says “amazing sequel catches positivity, new hero in its webs.” (Its an awkward sentence, I agree). Available on PlayStation 5 & PlayStation 4. List Price: $59.99. Buy it here.
The next 7 are all rated T/13+ and have CSM ratings of 5 out of 5.
Wayward Strand
CSM describes it as “a game about personal connections that strongly promotes empathy.” I like that. Nintendo Switch , Xbox One , Xbox Series X/S , PlayStation 5 , PlayStation 4 , Windows. Price: $19.99. I am really curious about this one but couldn’t find a link on Amazon for this it. But here is a link for it on the Playstation store.
Mahokenshi
CSM says this “strategy card battler is a perfect mix of challenge.” Only available on Windows though. Price: $14.99. Its not on Amazon but I found in on GameStop here.
Marvel's Avengers
This one features iconic Marvel superheroes. Bard says it “provides an engaging story with high stakes.” Available on PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Stadia. $59.99. Buy it.
Marvel's Midnight Suns
More Marvel. Described as Marvel's supernatural side takes the spotlight. If that means ghosts, I’m out. But then again no one is trying to buy this game for me. Available on Xbox Series X/S , PlayStation 5 , Windows. Price: $59.99. Buy it here.
Gerda: A Flame In Winter
Bard claimed it was not yet rated but Bard is wrong and this is why we don’t take AI at face value. Its a story-centered game. CSM says it ‘tactfully depicts war's many ugly faces.’ Sounds depressing. But also reminds me of Sadie’s Video Game Solution in Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow (A book I highly recommend but this isn’t a bookd review guide so back to Teen Video Games). This one is available on Nintendo Switch and Windows. Price: $19.99. Buy the direct download from Nintendo here.
Monster Hunter Rise
CSM calls this a “combat-focused adventure.” I don’t like fighting but again I’m not the target audience. Available on Nintendo Switch , Xbox One , Xbox Series X/S , PlayStation 5 , PlayStation 4 , Windows. Price: $59.99. Buy it here
Hi-Fi Rush
CSM calls this one a stylish game mixes action/rhythm, creating absolute magic. Magic sounds cool (I sound 80). Available on Xbox Series X/S , Windows. No Price yet—apparently this one comes out in Early January 2024.
SLIGHTLY CONTROVERSIAL BONUS: We Are OFK
Interestingly CSM says 16+ for this one but still gives it a 5. CSM calls it a Musical narrative-based game that hits all the right chords. Maybe I’ll just have to buy this one for me— I do love a dance party. Nintendo Switch , PlayStation 5 , PlayStation 4 , Windows , Mac , Linux. $29.99. Buy it for me here.
Notably Absent; Other Notes
SLIGHTLY CONTROVERSIAL ABSENCE: Fortnite.
Its super popular but I just couldn’t do it. It stresses out too many of the parents I know. CSM says 13+ and 4 out of 5 but there were so many other games rated a 5 that I felt comfortable leaving it off.
Consoles
Whereas Switch seemed to be the dominant console for the 10+ games, for Teens PlayStation and Xbox dominate. This isn’t surprising.
Marvel
I will say that while Mario seemed to overtake the 10+ list, Marvel seems to own the Teen list.
Other Notes
Reminder that if you want to see my giant spreadsheet, I plan to email it to all subscribers THIS Friday. Make sure you subscribe so you get access! You can do that here.
If you are interested in purchasing any of the games, please consider using the amazon links on this page— it will help support this newsletter!
If you’re contemplating purchasing a console and don’t know which one to get—check out my primer on console’s here.
Later this week, Paid Subscribers will get an exclusive post with the games we are planning to buy with more color commentary. If you know me or my kids personally please do NOT spill the beans!