The best Nintendo Switch games for kids are fun, rated for their age, and don’t push them to chat with strangers or spend money. Below are popular picks sorted by ESRB rating, with what each rating flags, so you can choose with confidence. Every rating here was checked on the ESRB’s own database in October 2026.
Fast Facts About Switch Games and Age Ratings
- E (Everyone) games are generally suitable for all ages and may have minimal cartoon, fantasy or mild violence.[1]
- E10+ games are generally suitable for ages 10 and up and may have more cartoon or fantasy violence, mild language or minimal suggestive themes.[1]
- “Users Interact” means a game may expose players to unfiltered content and messages from other users.[1]
- “In-Game Purchases” means a game offers digital items for real money.[1]
- Nintendo’s parental controls can block games above the rating you choose.[20]
How We Chose These Games
We picked well-known Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 games and grouped them by ESRB rating. For each one, we list the content descriptors, which show what triggered the rating, and the interactive elements, which flag chat with other players and purchases.[1] A rating is a starting point. You know what your child can handle, so read the descriptors, and play the first session together if you can.
Rated E: Good Picks for Younger Kids
These games are rated E for Everyone. Most have bright, cartoon action and simple controls that work for young players with a little help.
| Game | Rating | Content descriptors | Online and purchases |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mario Kart 8 Deluxe[2] | E | Comic Mischief | None listed |
| Mario Kart World (Switch 2)[3] | E | Mild Fantasy Violence | Users Interact |
| Super Mario Bros. Wonder[4] | E | Mild Fantasy Violence | In-Game Purchases |
| Animal Crossing: New Horizons[5] | E | Comic Mischief, Mild Fantasy Violence | Users Interact, In-Game Purchases |
| Super Mario Party Jamboree[6] | E | Mild Fantasy Violence | Users Interact, In-Game Purchases |
| Luigi’s Mansion 3[7] | E | Comic Mischief, Mild Cartoon Violence | Users Interact, In-Game Purchases |
| Pokémon Scarlet[8] | E | Mild Fantasy Violence | Users Interact, In-Game Purchases |
What to know: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has no Users Interact or In-Game Purchases notice in its rating.[2] Animal Crossing, Mario Party Jamboree, Luigi’s Mansion 3 and Pokémon Scarlet all include both, so check the online and purchase settings before your child plays online.
Rated E10+: Ages 10 and Up
These games are rated E10+ for Everyone 10+. They usually have more combat or trickier challenges, though most are still cartoonish.
| Game | Rating | Content descriptors | Online and purchases |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kirby and the Forgotten Land[9] | E10+ | Cartoon Violence | None listed |
| Super Mario Odyssey[10] | E10+ | Cartoon Violence, Comic Mischief | None listed |
| Princess Peach: Showtime![11] | E10+ | Fantasy Violence | None listed |
| Pikmin 4[12] | E10+ | Comic Mischief, Fantasy Violence | None listed |
| Nintendo Switch Sports[13] | E10+ | Mild Violence | Users Interact, In-Game Purchases |
| Splatoon 3[14] | E10+ | Cartoon Violence | Users Interact, In-Game Purchases |
| Minecraft[15] | E10+ | Fantasy Violence | Users Interact, In-Game Purchases |
What to know: Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Super Mario Odyssey, Princess Peach: Showtime! and Pikmin 4 list no interactive elements, so they’re good for kids who aren’t ready for online play.[9][10][11][12] Splatoon 3, Nintendo Switch Sports and Minecraft include online play with other users, so set up chat limits first. Our Minecraft guide covers its settings.
Bigger Adventures for Tweens
These are also rated E10+, but they’re longer and more complex, which suits older kids and tweens.
| Game | Rating | Content descriptors | Online and purchases |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom[16] | E10+ | Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes | None listed |
| Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[17] | E10+ | Cartoon Violence, Comic Mischief, Suggestive Themes | Users Interact, In-Game Purchases |
| Donkey Kong Bananza (Switch 2)[18] | E10+ | Fantasy Violence | In-Game Purchases |
| Pokémon Legends: Z-A[19] | E10+ | Fantasy Violence | In-Game Purchases |
What to know: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate includes Suggestive Themes and online play with others.[17] Tears of the Kingdom includes Mild Suggestive Themes but lists no interactive elements.[16] Donkey Kong Bananza and Pokémon Legends: Z-A offer in-game purchases.[18][19]
Older kids often ask for Teen-rated games like Fortnite next. See our guide to Fortnite’s age rating and safety before you say yes.
Set Up the Switch Before They Play
- Block games above their rating. Nintendo’s presets restrict games by rating: Child blocks E10+, Teen and Mature games, and Pre-Teen blocks Teen and Mature games.[20]
- Limit online chat and spending. Our Nintendo Switch parental controls guide shows how to restrict communication, set play time limits and turn off purchases.
- Watch for paid extras. Learn how in-game purchases work in our guide to loot boxes and game spending.
Take the 2-Minute Game Danger Check
Pick the game your child plays most and answer a few questions about chat, voice and spending. You’ll get a risk score and the settings to change. Start the Game Danger Check
Frequently Asked Questions
What are good Switch games for a 5-year-old?
E-rated games with simple controls, like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Animal Crossing: New Horizons, are popular choices. Play together at first.[2][4][5]
Is Mario Kart OK for kids?
Yes. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Mario Kart World are both rated E for Everyone. Mario Kart World includes Users Interact, so check its online settings.[2][3]
Which Switch games let kids play with strangers online?
Look for the “Users Interact” notice in a game’s ESRB rating. On this list, that includes Animal Crossing, Splatoon 3, Nintendo Switch Sports, Minecraft and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.[1]
What does E10+ mean?
Content is generally suitable for ages 10 and up and may include more cartoon, fantasy or mild violence, mild language or minimal suggestive themes.[1] See ESRB ratings explained.
Can I block games above my child’s age on Switch?
Yes. Nintendo’s parental controls can restrict games by ESRB rating, or you can use the Child, Pre-Teen or Teen presets.[20]
Related Guides
- Nintendo Switch Parental Controls
- Safe Video Games for Kids by Age
- ESRB Ratings Explained
- Free Educational Games for Kids
- Is Minecraft Safe for Kids?
Sources
- Entertainment Software Rating Board. (n.d.). Ratings Guide.
- Entertainment Software Rating Board. (n.d.). Mario Kart 8 Deluxe rating. Accessed October 4, 2026.
- Entertainment Software Rating Board. (n.d.). Mario Kart World rating. Accessed October 4, 2026.
- Entertainment Software Rating Board. (n.d.). Super Mario Bros. Wonder rating. Accessed October 4, 2026.
- Entertainment Software Rating Board. (n.d.). Animal Crossing: New Horizons rating. Accessed October 4, 2026.
- Entertainment Software Rating Board. (n.d.). Super Mario Party Jamboree rating. Accessed October 4, 2026.
- Entertainment Software Rating Board. (n.d.). Luigi’s Mansion 3 rating. Accessed October 4, 2026.
- Entertainment Software Rating Board. (n.d.). Pokémon Scarlet rating. Accessed October 4, 2026.
- Entertainment Software Rating Board. (n.d.). Kirby and the Forgotten Land rating. Accessed October 4, 2026.
- Entertainment Software Rating Board. (n.d.). Super Mario Odyssey rating. Accessed October 4, 2026.
- Entertainment Software Rating Board. (n.d.). Princess Peach: Showtime! rating. Accessed October 4, 2026.
- Entertainment Software Rating Board. (n.d.). Pikmin 4 rating. Accessed October 4, 2026.
- Entertainment Software Rating Board. (n.d.). Nintendo Switch Sports rating. Accessed October 4, 2026.
- Entertainment Software Rating Board. (n.d.). Splatoon 3 rating. Accessed October 4, 2026.
- Entertainment Software Rating Board. (n.d.). Minecraft rating. Accessed October 4, 2026.
- Entertainment Software Rating Board. (n.d.). The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom rating. Accessed October 4, 2026.
- Entertainment Software Rating Board. (n.d.). Super Smash Bros. Ultimate rating. Accessed October 4, 2026.
- Entertainment Software Rating Board. (n.d.). Donkey Kong Bananza rating. Accessed October 4, 2026.
- Entertainment Software Rating Board. (n.d.). Pokémon Legends: Z-A rating. Accessed October 4, 2026.
- Nintendo Support. (n.d.). Parental Controls on Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch Overview/FAQ. Accessed October 4, 2026.
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