Back in the 80s, we were glued to our Nintendo consoles while our parents wondered what was so exciting about little pixelated plumbers. Today, kids are hooked on TikTok videos and fast-scrolling apps. Attention spans? Forget it.
But some things are timeless—like gaming together as a family. Below is our list of the best NES games for kids—easy to play, great for learning, and perfect for parent-child bonding.
The Table of Contents
1. Super Mario Bros Series (1, 2 & 3)
Super Mario Bros
No list of cool NES games for kids starts without mentioning Super Mario Bros. It’s beginner-friendly, with simple controls and bright, colorful graphics. Even toddlers can enjoy making Mario run and jump. Plus, it teaches hand-eye coordination and basic problem-solving.
- IGN calls Super Mario Bros one of the most universally accessible and timeless games ever released, making it perfect for younger players. (Source: IGN)
Super Mario Bros 2
Want a different adventure? Super Mario Bros 2 introduces new characters and mechanics—perfect for kids ready for a slight challenge while still enjoying fun, easy NES gameplay.
Super Mario Bros 3
When your kids build up their skills, introduce them to Super Mario Bros 3—a true NES classic packed with power-ups, secret areas, and mini-games. Just note: it’s a bit complex for players under age 6.
2. Duck Hunt
Looking for easy NES games for kids that involve physical activity? Duck Hunt delivers. Your kids will love using the NES Zapper gun to shoot ducks on-screen. Just make sure you have a CRT TV, since modern TVs don’t support light gun games.
3. Bubble Bobble
Bubble Bobble is a fast-paced, family-friendly NES game that blends platforming with puzzle-solving. Two players work together on each level, trapping enemies inside bubbles and then popping them to clear the screen.
If you take too long, the enemies speed up and become more aggressive—adding just the right level of challenge.
The goal? Beat all 100 levels before running out of lives. It’s a fantastic choice for family bonding, as teamwork is key to progressing. Just be warned: the catchy theme song might get stuck in your kids’ heads… and yours too!
4. Balloon Fight
Modern kids love fast, simple, and endlessly challenging games on their mobile devices—think titles like Angry Birds or Sonic Dash. That’s why Balloon Fight™ for NES still holds up today.
The standout mode, Balloon Trip, feels like an 8-bit precursor to Flappy Bird. Players tap the A and B buttons to flap upward, while letting go makes the Balloon Fighter drop. The goal? Collect balloons and dodge obstacles. Fly too low, and a hungry fish will snap you up!
Beyond Balloon Trip, the game offers two additional modes: Game A and Game B. Both feature 12 action-packed levels where you defeat all the Balloon Birds on screen. Game B even adds a two-player option—perfect for cooperative fun or competitive sibling battles.
5. Tetris
Tetris isn’t just fun—it’s scientifically proven to improve brain function. The simple “block fitting” gameplay helps with pattern recognition and strategic thinking. Plus, it’s stress-free and endlessly replayable for kids of all ages.
6. Dr. Mario
Unlike Tetris, the NES version of Dr. Mario offers a fun and competitive two-player mode—perfect for family game nights.
The gameplay is simple and easy for kids to learn. Colorful vitamin capsules drop from the top of the screen, and players must align them to match the red, yellow, and blue viruses below.
Make four colors line up vertically or horizontally, and the viruses disappear.
Clear multiple lines at once, and your opponent’s screen gets cluttered with extra blocks—adding some lighthearted sabotage to the fun.
One of the best features? You can adjust each player’s difficulty level. Set custom capsule speeds and virus counts to balance the challenge, making the game fair for both kids and adults, no matter their skill level.
7. The Legend of Zelda
Much like Super Mario Bros, the original Legend of Zelda is a timeless NES classic that’s enjoyable for all ages—and great for building cognitive and problem-solving skills.
The gameplay focuses on exploration and experimentation. Younger kids will love wandering the overworld, discovering new enemies, and interacting with objects.
For older kids, the real challenge comes from navigating the massive, maze-like overworld and conquering nine unique underground dungeons, each filled with puzzles, hidden treasures, and tricky enemies.
And once they finish the first quest? A secret Second Quest unlocks, featuring a completely remixed set of dungeon layouts and hidden item locations—keeping the adventure going even longer.
- Expert Tip from Brandon Perton:
“The Second Quest in The Legend of Zelda is definitely a challenge. From my experience, printing out maps for each dungeon is essential. Everything—from dungeon layouts to item locations—is completely different from the First Quest.”
Ready to Sell Your Old NES Games or Console?
If you’ve got old NES games or a console collecting dust, why not turn them into cash? Visit our NES Console Selling Guide for tips on how to sell your system quickly and easily.
Or check out our step-by-step guide on how to sell old NES games and start the trade-in process today with The Old School Game Vault.
Frequently Asked Questions About NES Games for Kids
What are the best NES games for kids?
- Some of the best NES games for kids include Super Mario Bros 1-3, Duck Hunt, Bubble Bobble, Balloon Fight, Tetris, Dr. Mario, and The Legend of Zelda.
- These games are beginner-friendly and fun for all ages.
What are the 10 best NES games of all time?
- The 10 best NES games often include Super Mario Bros 3, The Legend of Zelda, Mega Man 2, Metroid, Castlevania III, Duck Hunt, Contra, Punch-Out!!, Bubble Bobble, and Tetris.
- These classics offer a great mix of action, adventure, and family fun.
What are the best Nintendo games to play with family?
- Great Nintendo games for family play on the NES include:
- Super Mario Bros (two-player mode), Duck Hunt (light gun fun), Bubble Bobble (co-op gameplay), Dr. Mario (two-player puzzle battles), and Balloon Fight (competitive or co-op modes).
- These games encourage teamwork and friendly competition for all ages.
