Best RPGs For Kids

As a genre, RPGs are a great vehicle for telling fantastic stories in games. They facilitate the need for world and character-building in a way that doesn't come as easily to other genres. However, the reality of an RPG is that the player needs to get invested. The player must be curious about exploring the world as they yearn to see what might happen next. It sparks a sense of wonder that's beautiful.

However, this investment includes a lot of waiting, reading, and patience. Some RPGs will give the player everything, but others are more about what the player puts into the game. This, on the surface, might mean that the genre isn't ideal for younger gamers. That's a misconception, of course, since RPGs are also great to get kids interested in storytelling through both the written word and the environment. Not every game works, but there are plenty of great RPGs for kids. As a note, there are likely tablet-based games that work great, but this is focusing on console games.

Updated July 9, 2024 by Mark Sammut: The specifications have been added for every RPG for children highlighted below. Furthermore, a 2024 remake has been added as a recommendation.

14 Final Fantasy Mystic Quest

Square's Beginner-Friendly RPG

Nintendo marketed Final Fantasy Mystic Quest as the ultimate entry-level RPG, one designed specifically for children or newcomers to the genre. As such, the SNES game (and the Nintendo 64's Quest 64) are worth considering for parents who want to start their children on a simpler, old-school RPG. Similarities to the main Final Fantasy games are present through Mystic Quest's battle system, however, there is less room for error. This extends to the exploration as the game is quite linear.

Frankly, Mystic Quest doesn't hold up that well and made the cut for this article primarily for legacy purposes. The game is by no means terrible, but it comes with plenty of outdated and frustrating mechanics.

13 Ni No Kuni: Wrath Of The White Witch

A Beautiful, Powerful Adventure With Studio Ghibli-Level Visuals

When thinking about which titles translate well into entertainment for younger kids, Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch is one of the first that comes to mind. The DS version would've been an easy selection, but the Remastered port on the latest consoles works as well. There are certainly several slow moments, and the areas may get confusing at times, but the sense of wonder it inspires is unrivaled.

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Ni No Kuni looks and feels like a Studio Ghibli movie, and that's by design. This goes through its whole core, with the colorful world and the heartwarming story. It maintains a consistent, family-friendly tone throughout without feeling designed for kids. Plus, the gameplay loop of catching, collecting, and battling has proven to be a success with kids.

12 Garden Story

Endearing Sense Of Humor & Vibrant World

Another game that takes a page or two from Legend of Zelda's SNES era, Garden Story is a charming action RPG that casts players as a grape. Tasked with protecting his home from a corrupting force known as the Rot, Concord sets out to hack and slash his way to a solution.

Garden Story's adorable visuals hide an in-depth experience that includes multiple weapons, puzzles, tricky enemies, and an engaging storyline. If not focusing on side content, the campaign can be completed in roughly 10-15 hours, which is an ideal length for children.

11 Dodgeball Academia

Fun Blend Of Sports & RPG Elements

Boasting a gorgeous art style reminiscent of modern cartoons and a storyline that would not be out of place in a sports anime, Dodgeball Academia is a treat. As Otto, players traverse the eponymous school recruiting members to join their dodgeball team so they can take part in and win a tournament. The game's RPG roots shine through its character progression system, world-building, and delightful side quests.

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Dodgeball Academia's core battle system is fun, although the dodgeball games can get repetitive after a few hours. Still, there is a lot to enjoy here, and the RPG has an impressive selection of accessibility options as well.

10 Kingdom Hearts

Disney + Square Enix = Gold

These days, it's hard to get a hold of a single Kingdom Hearts game. The value of the bundle means that fans have likely picked up it for their updated hardware. However, when looking at the series as a whole, it's the first one that stands out as a perfect game for a younger audience. Despite its age and a bit of jank, it's a great starting point.

The first Kingdom Hearts is not a game bogged down by years of backstory, spin-offs, deep lore, and other nonsense. It's a fairly simple RPG about a boy who uses the power of friendship to save his friends and destroy Literal Darkness. Plus, it has familiar Disney environments and characters. The only thing working against it is combat, which doesn't feel amazing and can be quite difficult; however, on easier difficulties, it's more than manageable.

9 Bug Fables

A Bit Difficult But Has A Strong Personality

As a replacement for a traditional Paper Mario game, Bug Fables is on the list. It's considered one of the best RPGs on the Switch, and that alone gives it some serious credibility. However, its adorable art style is not the only reason it has a spot here. The real reason is that its world-building is fantastic, and its writing is spot-on.

Bug Fables creates a world that is both fantastical and grounded in reality. The different areas all are sensibly interconnected, and it sparks mysteries through its map design that is sure to get kids asking themselves questions. Its story is fairly wholesome as well, with the core cast of characters going through arcs that are perfect for any age. On top of all of that, its turn-based gameplay is just wildly fun and great to mess around with

8 Chrono Trigger

A Timeless Classic For Older Kids

Want to get someone into RPGs? Then start them off with one of the greatest of all time. Chrono Trigger's fantastic but somewhat convoluted plot means it might confuse really young children, but it should be fine for anyone closer to 10. SNES RPGs had a habit of being quite difficult, but Chrono Trigger is an exception. Along with the omission of random battles, Chrono Trigger's battle system is accessible, fun, and quick-paced. A perfect recipe to hold a child's attention.

The JRPG is a success in every area that matters. The story is engrossing, the soundtrack amazing, the characters likable, and the visuals are beautiful despite the game's age. Chrono Trigger is also easy enough to find due to being available on PC and mobile devices.

7 Story Of Seasons: Friends Of Mineral Town

Cozy Life Sim With RPG Elements

If Animal Crossing was a role-playing game, it would have a spot on this list. However, a suitable replacement is the more role-play-oriented Story of Seasons series. While there are multiple titles available on recent consoles, Friends of Mineral Town provides the best jumping-on point for a young gamer. This comes through in its art style and scope, both of which are fairly tame compared to newer entries.

Unlike similar titles, Friends of Mineral Town offers a very wholesome experience through and through. It's a very cozy game, although it shares some brutal pitfalls players encounter in other games. It's a pleasant game to play at a leisurely pace, and the ability to make virtual friends is something anyone can appreciate. It isn't the most complex, but that works in its favor in some aspects.

6 Minecraft Dungeons

Designed To Be An Entry-Level Action RPG

Minecraft is one of the biggest games of all time, and its popularity spans all age ranges. This makes its spin-off, Minecraft Dungeons, a fairly accessible title for any age group. The game gives younger players an introduction to the Diablo-like genre of isometric action RPGs. It holds much of the same charm as the classic dungeon crawlers but with a Minecraft twist.

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Dungeons is not the easiest game out there, but it's certainly very accessible. There's plenty of customization and multiple ways to play the game. The best aspect is that it has co-op gameplay, meaning that it's great for families. As an introduction to the genre, it works perfectly.

5 Miitopia

Weird Concept That Is Executed Well

The 3DS original may not have been given a great spotlight, but Miitopia is unironically a pretty fantastic RPG. It shares similar traits to the game Tomodachi Life, where the main draw is putting the Miis of your friends, celebrities, and a hamburger into wacky scenarios. Miitopia is all of that but in RPG form.

Miitopia is an ideal experience to create a wacky social game. The character creator in the Switch version is fleshed out in all the right ways. Younger gamers will get a kick out of going through the wacky adventure, and parents will likely enjoy playing it with their kids as well. Just make sure some of the spicier creations get filtered out, assuming that's an option. It's not a complex RPG, but it does enough to work well.