Games that teach kids how to play games

[Machiavellian007]

I have a 8 year old friend who I began teaching when he was about 6. I only had a PS2 at the time, so I was just going through all my games with him. I don't own a lot of violent games, and I stayed (and still do) well away from all the finicky RPGs.

I'd suggest what a lot of other people have: Jak & Daxter, Ratchet & Clank, Crash Bandicoot, any fighting game (that doesn't have excessive amounts of blood in it) and simple enough action/adventure style games. Though, I learnt to play games with Kingdom Hearts when I was 6-7, so I suppose it doesn't matter. He's gonna develop his own tastes re game genres, anyway. Try him out on all different ones.

 

[Orcus The Ultimate]

AGE OF EMPIRES 1 & 2 made me learn english. I was n°1 student in english and history classes thanks to that!

 

[Flying-Emu]

Kirby was literally designed with the goal of being an easy game for beginners. Not much has changed.

This.

And Super Mario Kart (SNES) if you can find it.

 

[ultrachicken]

Kirby and/or pokémon.
You could argue that pokémon is complicated, but if you just teach him the rock-paper scissors mechanics then it should be easy.

 

[mechazeep]

I'd say Kirbys nightmare in dream land, Kirby Super Star for the SNES (The game that Tasachan was talking about) or any pokemon game would do. All are quite easy, yet addicting and fun. I grew up with thoes games myself. (And Zombies Ate My Neighbors, but I wouldn't reccomend that until you kid is more expeirenced)

 

[Kuchinawa212]

what about that New Super Mario Bros game for the Wii he should like that

 

[The Rascal King]

Kirby would probably be good. It was made for beginners after all.

This and some good ol Tetris DS. Animal Crossing would be an excellent choice too.

 

[The Warden]

First off, duuude, that avatar is trippin' me out, maaan. /hippy voice
Second off, I'd say Bible Black, The Game.
Hey, it may not teach your nephew how to play games, but it'll sure teach him what 'Up and Down' and 'In and Out' are! (just joking, keep him far away from that game.)


In all seriousness, I'd say Mario is as good a start as any.

 

[SmugFrog]

I dunno, four years old strikes me as a little young. Perhaps in a few years the going will be easier?

That was the plan originally, but he's already interested in games. Besides, if I did it at his age then he certainly can.

I have a 3 year old that we gave a DS at Christmas. She started playing on mine, and I was amazed she could actually use the thing. I had to get her one so she would leave mine alone! She really likes a Dora game we have and another game that lets her draw and do other mini-games (Smart Kids). I try to avoid letting her play any violent games - but she's been asking to play other DS games (She's pretty good at Warioware and Mario Kart) and has been playing on my 360 a bit (Beautiful Katamari).

He can't read... at age 4. HE CAN'T READ AT AGE FOUR!? Please tell me he has some kind of learning disability. Please. I could read at age 2. 2! This makes me lose a little hope for humanity.

Most children learn to read by 6 or 7 years of age. Some children learn at 4 or 5 years of age. If what you say is true, it sounds like you did well as a child. No need to insult his nephew, you know? My daughter can't "read" yet, but she has learned which buttons to press to navigate menus. It's pretty interesting that she memorized them. The Dora game is great as it is fully voiced to help her through it.

 

[Zeromaeus]

Can't read eh?
-slides Phoenix Wright games out of sight-
...
Sonic sounds good. Its what I played at 4. Mario too.
I also played Metroid, but I never got anywhere in it... when I was 4... or now... stupid Kraid...

 

[Arachon]

Super Mario 64, hands down. It's fun, kiddy friendly and easy to learn.

 

[Jekken6]

Portal

 

[GamingAwesome1]

The old Crash Bandicoot games, fun, simple, addicting.

 

[jamie5166]

I was bought up on Crash Bandicoot, that was good because its one of them easy to learn, hard to master type games. I also remember being fond of a hercules game, try some Disney games like Monsters Inc. That game taught me how to move the character and the basics of movement in games. I also remember playing Red Alert, i also couldnt read so i guessed by the pictures. So yeah Disney games.

 

[PhunkyPhazon]

Just to clarify to those suggesting Pokemon: He can't read. When he's older, certainly. I know he already likes the franchise, but giving him a Pokemon game now would be a dead end.

He can't read... at age 4. HE CAN'T READ AT AGE FOUR!? Please tell me he has some kind of learning disability. Please. I could read at age 2. 2! This makes me lose a little hope for humanity.

Dude, who in the holy fuck knows how to fully read by age four!? Yes, I expect him to start learning within the next year, but like someone else said most people don't know how to read until they're six or seven. You learned earlier then everyone else, good for you. Just don't expect everyone else to be on that level.

 

[T3h Merc]

Pokemon games. Old ones. Those taught me the basics of RPG gameplay and gave me years of enjoyment, also if you have a N64 try Goldeneye.

 

[randomrob]

the lego games are fantastic for this. Lego star wars and lego batman are what i've been using to teach my cousin how to play games. Nintendo games are pretty good as well e.g. mario, zelda, pokemon etc. But what you have to remember is it has to be a simple game to get them into it, the original spyro and crash games are shining examples of good games to teach kids how to play with.

 

[Sky Captanio]

How about "My First Hooker Shooting" by Rockstar. Jk

Whatever you do make sure he never sees GTA.