For a while now gamers have been singing the praises of Xbox Game Pass. With a relatively modest subscription price, Xbox Game Pass owners gain access to acollection of old games, modern games, and new releases from both the indie and AAA space. Not to mention, every Xbox first-party game is available on Day 1.
But while the benefits of Game Pass to the average Xbox or PC owner are apparent, the service is equally useful for gamers with kids as well. Whether it’s part of an attempt to introduce a young one to the world of gaming for the first time or just to find a collection of games to sample, there is a ton of value to be had in Xbox Game Pass. As with anything when it comes to kids, there is the risk of time/money wasted, but Game Pass eliminates that.
As a parent of a young child, Xbox Game Pass has become an indispensable part of our gaming journey. While my kid learns about Sonic, Mario, Link, andCupheadthrough watching me play, he has also shown a desire to try some games on his own. But where he might know the characters associated with the games, many of the titles that feature these flagship heroes are not necessarily beginner friendly. Even Sonic Origins, which seemed like an easy recommendation for a first timer, can prove difficult for a younger gamer. Finding the right game was the first part of the journey.
Game Pass Titles Perfect for Kids
What makes Xbox Game Pass great for this scenario is the extensive library of games from which to choose. Spending money on a game without knowing how a young child might take to the controls is a great risk, but Game Pass takes away any of those concerns.
Based purely on memory, a game likeSonic Originsseemed like a slam dunk. Then, watching as my kid struggled to maintain the pace necessary to make certain jumps, or jump with precision across a lava-filled area, it became apparent that he wasn’t ready for Sonic. We bought the game in the hopes of combining his love of the character from the movies with an interactive experience, but it didn’t work out.
For me, it was surprising which games my son was interested in watching and which ones he wanted to try playing. Game Pass has made it easier to show him games and see what interests him, and if the expectation of playing didn’t meet reality (i.e., the controls were too complex for him), we could just move on to something else.
Xbox Game Pass has become a treasure trove of cool independent games, fromTunictoNobody Saves the WorldtoGoat Simulator. And for a parent, it becomes like a buffet line of experiences that a child can pick and choose at their leisure, either just to watch or to play themselves.
Independent games have become a huge boon because they explore a variety of topics that can prove exciting to younger gamers, with visual styles that engage them in unique ways. A game likeThe Artful Escapeis bursting with color and music, and my kid found it entrancing while watching me play. Whereas a game likeGoat Simulator, which is predicated on pure chaos and where the controls are a bit finicky to begin with, allowed him to have silly fun and get accustomed to some basic controller geography.
Don’t Overlook Licensed Games
The other prong of Game Pass that has become surprisingly fun for a parent is the increase in titles using licensed, family-friendly properties. FromRyan’s WorldtoPaw Patrolto the recently releasedMy Friend Peppa Pig, Xbox Game Pass is showing that it doesn’t want to entice just the hardcore or the casual 18-to-25-year-old gamer. In fact, most gamers likely scoff at a Game Pass slot being occupied by aPaw Patrolgame, but as a parent it’s great.
Using properties that a child is familiar with as a gateway to playing games is something most of us didn’t have as kids. The best approximation was the licensed movie games of the ’90s, but many of those were notorious for being unnecessarily difficult. In the Blockbuster rental era, agame likeThe Lion Kingneeded to be challenging to encourage repeat business.
Licensed kids games today, however, are a lot more palatable. Yes, they may still be basic in nature, but they teach fundamentals. For example, between the time that the firstPaw Patrolgame hit Game Pass and the movie tie-in released this week, my kid has been able to master fine joystick movement and jumping.Paw Patrol(the property) got him into the game and now his skills have improved to the point he can succeed at more complex games.
Xbox Game Pass is a service that has a ton of layers when it comes to its value. For most, just the promise of “free” games is enough, but the ability to sample indies is one of many additional bonuses. For parents, though, Game Pass is surprisingly useful. Not everyone is going to want their kids to get into gaming, or the kids might not show any interest in it. But for those who want to expose their kids to the hobby, titles they would scoff at when they were younger are now Game Pass additions to be excited about. The release ofMy Friend Peppa Pigis just as monumental asHalo Infinite.
