Role-playing games are one of the most daunting genres to explore. It doesn’t help that there are so many subgenres and styles, from gigantic open world adventures to tightly-paced stories, from 2D to 3D and even HD-2D!
What RPGs have in common is an emphasis on storytelling and world-building, and the growth of the player character (or party) over time. There’s nothing that says kids can’t enjoy all of that! Most adult gamers will rattle off a slew of RPGs as some of their favorite games of all time, from when they played as impressionable children (including me!).
But just like the characters in the games themselves, the RPG has grown exponentially. It can be a challenge for kids and parents to find the right games, in complexity, tone, and style.
We’re here to help!
Here is our list of the best video game RPGs for kids and newcomers to the genre.
Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age
Release: July 2017
Platform: PC, PlayStation, Switch, Switch 2, Xbox
Rating: T for Teen
It doesn’t get much more classic RPG than the Dragon Quest series. Akira Toriyama’s legendary character art remains recognizable and delightful, giving each game an air of nostalgia and familiarly, just like a Saturday Morning Cartoon.
Though getting on in years, Dragon Quest 11 is still the most recent game in the series. You don’t need to play other Dragon Quest games to understand the classic hero-saving-world story (though series fans will enjoy its connections). Our silent protagonist is the chosen one to save the world, and together with a quirky group of comrades, set off to do just that.
The linear storytelling and world design make it easy to follow the plot and avoid getting lost. DQ 11 also doesn’t use the mix-and-match job system of previous games in the series, which can be a bit overwhelming. Instead, each character has their own skill panel with multiple options and paths as they level up.
The more recently released spin-off, Dragon Quest Treasures, is also a fun romp where players collect and use monsters to find treasure.
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
Release: September 2024
Platforms: Switch
Rating: E10+
Echoes of Wisdom was the first main-line Zelda game to actually feature the titular princess as the playable protagonist. The entire multi-decades Zelda series is wonderfully kid-friendly, with classic fantasy stories of heroes versus villains, rescuing kingdoms, and defeating monsters.
There’s actually some debate on whether The Legend of Zelda games even count as RPGs, since our main hero doesn’t actually gain any levels. In Echoes of Wisdom at least, Zelda acquires new echoes that she can use to summon creatures in battle, or solve various puzzles. In fact, battles often play out like a real-time Pokémon match, thanks to the fun and easy creature summoning.
Although the big 3D Zelda games are far more popular, the classic isometric view is much easier to navigate for younger and newer gamers, making Echoes of Wisdom an excellent RPG for kids.
Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX
Release: June 2024
Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Switch, Xbox
Rating: E10+
Don’t let this series’ notoriously weird titles discourage you, these are action-RPGs starring official Disney characters and worlds. Playing as young teenager, Sora, players soon team up with Donald and Goofy on a quest to save King Mickey and various Disney worlds from the Heartless. Aside from the fun of playing within Disney worlds and meeting fan-favorite characters (and Final Fantasy cameos!), the games feature a hugely intertwining story with tons of lore
Originally conceived for the PlayStation 2 era in the 2000s, this collection includes HD remasters of the first two games in the series, plus various spinoffs and cutscenes. After a very long decade-plus wait, Kingdom Hearts 3 finally released in 2019, with the fourth game slated for release in 2027.
Lunar Remastered Collection
Release: April 2025
Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Switch, Xbox
Rating: T for Teen
Despite the T rating, the Lunar series (that is, Lunar Silver Star Story and Lunar Eternal Blue) is easily appropriate for younger audiences (see our Game Picker entry for more details). The stories are classic JRPG tales of young coming-of-age heroes saving the world from a powerful villain. The first game is generally easier, especially thanks to our helpful flying companion that automatically revives fallen party members in battle! Turn-based combat is easy to understand, as players learn to manage their magic abilities, and prioritize certain enemies.
The classic pixel art RPGs were recently remastered with all the modern quality of life improvements we’ve come to expect, including speeding up battle, autosaving, and improved translations and dialogue. Particularly worth playing for fans of 80s and 90s anime!
Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu/Eevee!
Release: November 2018
Platforms: Switch
Rating: E for Everyone
You really can’t go wrong with any Pokémon game. The creature battling series is practically synonymous with kid-friendly RPGs: young trainer sets off on an adventure to travel the world, capture wild and train wild Pokémon, and battle them against other trainers. To be the very best!
Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu or Let’s Go, Eevee are both great choices for young players. Capturing Pokémon in these games is inspired by Pokémon GO, making it far faster and easier. And the entire game world is a remake of the original Gen 1 Pokémon adventures, Red and Blue.
Once they’ve mastered Let’s Go, fans can easily graduate to a fully open world RPG adventure such as Scarlet and Violet (or the upcoming Winds and Waves). Or go in a different direction and try real-time battles with Pokémon Legends: Z-A. There’s a reason Pokémon is one of the best-selling video game franchises of all time, and there’s a nearly inexhaustible amount of games to discover.
Super Mario RPG (remake)
Release: June 2023
Platforms: Switch
Rating: E for Everyone
One of my personal favorite games as a young gamer, Super Mario RPG originally launched very late in the Super Nintendo life cycle in 1996. Developed by Square Enix of Final Fantasy fame, Super Mario RPG cleverly brought the then-niche genre into the Mario universe, combining turn-based battles with platforming elements.
The story tells some legitimately fun twists and turns as a new enemy threatens the Mushroom Kingdom. Gameplay is perfectly paced to balance exploration, combat, and story. Turn-based battles play fast and engaging thanks to the active action commands that reward timing. It does so many things right that the modern remake didn’t have to do much. Aside from completely rebuilt visuals, the remake adds an Action Gauge and big Triple Moves and CGI cutscenes. And one of the catchiest soundtracks in gaming!
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