Your Guide to May's Family Friendly Video Games
Nintendo takes another swing with Yoshi, Batman arrives on the scene, but otherwise it's a quiet month ahead of summer.
Is it, uh, really already almost summer? I know, summer doesn’t technically start until pretty late into June, but we’re getting days in the 80s now every once and a while, my kids are asking about when the pool is going up, and they’re in the final month of school. (No, please don’t ask about my youngest leaving kindergarten, because it will cause myself and my wife to spontaneously begin crying. Don’t get us started about my nine-year-old entering her final year of elementary school next year, either. STOP.)
Anyway, weird month for games. There’s a handful, but it’s also pretty light, and I was forced to, at times, expand the definition of what qualifies of this category. (I am obviously biased by having younger kids, but in general, I stop at recommending an “M” game unless it falls into a pretty specific category of theme that might work.)
If you represent these games and have a potentially interesting story to share about how these games consider kids as part of their audience, do get in touch with me!
Constance (Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, Switch) — May 1
Description: Constance is a 2D hand-drawn action adventure featuring a paintbrush-wielding artist, striving to escape from a colorful but decaying inner-world, created by her declining mental health.
Rating: E
Price: $19.99
The best and worst thing to happen to Constance was being released around the same time as Silksong. But if you finished Silksong and were looking for more, Constance scratched that itch. On the contrary, if you tried Silksong and found it too much, Constance is, by default, an easier and more forgiving game and has options to make it even easier. I think Silksong should’ve had those, too, but an argument for another day.
Wax Heads (PC, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, Switch) — May 5
Description: Dive into the vibrant, punk world of Wax Heads in this trailer for the upcoming narrative sim game from developer Patattie Games and publisher Curve Games. Wax Heads is a cozy-punk slice-of-life narrative sim about managing a struggling record store. Chat to quirky customers with unique tastes, explore a handcrafted record collection, fall in love with bands (and their drama!), or just slack off with your colleagues – all to restore the groove!
Rating: T
Price: $14.99
Maybe a cozy game about vinyls is a tough sell to a younger audience who doesn’t know what a vinyl is, but who cares? (Do they sell the Gabby’s Dollhouse bops on vinyl?) Wax Heads looks charming, and Pocket Tactics was taken by a demo, saying “Wax Heads is dripping with style and heart, two things that always sell me on a game.”
Nick Jr. Replay! (Apple Arcade) — May 7
Description: Step into a world of wonder with Nick Jr. Replay! Let your preschooler’s imagination run wild and revisit tons of beloved retro Nick Jr. games, authentically preserved, in a vibrant, interactive universe where learning and laughter go hand in hand!
Rating: 4+
Price: $6.99 per month
Once again, I am confronted by games that would have been very useful to me a few years ago, but suddenly, my oldest is nine and my youngest is six and we’re in the middle of the final season of Stranger Things and I’m not sure I can sell either of them on “Nick Jr.” It’s encouraging to see Apple continue to invest in experiences like this.
Good Pizza, Great Pizza+ (Apple Arcade) — May 7
Description: Join over 300 million Ovenists world-wide on Good Pizza, Great Pizzat to fulfill pizza orders from customers, advance the storyline and upgrade your restaurant to keep your doors open! An endless variety of toppings, decor and kitchen equipment help compete against your pizza rivals in each chapter!
Rating: 4+
Price: $6.99 per month
The “+” means it exists elsewhere—in this case, on the App Store and Google Play, in addition to Switch and PC—but now without DLC or ads. Critics were high on the original, with Nintendo Insider saying “it’s an addicting game with a simple premise.”
Perchang World (Apple Arcade) — May 7
Description: Get ready for Perchang World, a thrilling evolution of the classic hit Perchang. The skill-based ysics puzzler takes you to vibrant, dynamic worlds filled with incredible new challenges.
Rating: 4+
Price: $6.99 per month
Interestingly, this is a sequel. The first game is on platforms like Switch, while this follow-up is exclusively Apple Arcade. (For now. They show up elsewhere a year later.) Nintendo World Report was not glowing about the original, calling it “a mild distraction that does little to be innovative or hold your attention for longer than a few hours at most.” Well, there’s always room for improvement on the sequel, right?
Ultimate 8 Ball Pool+ (Apple Arcade) — May 7
Description: Looking for an incredible 8 Ball Pool experience? Look no further! Play against live opponents from around the world and become the King of Pool in the best full 3D 8 Ball Pool game! Compete in live multiplayer matches or play solo in hundreds of unique billiards challenges.
Rating: 9+
Price: $6.99 per month
It’s not super shocking to learn that many other pool games have called themselves some version of “Ultimate 8 Ball,” going back to the original PlayStation. It’s also not shocking many of the complaints about the original ad-filled version of this are the ads, which won’t be present in this version. Otherwise, seems like competent pool?
Everything Is Crab (PC) — May 8
Description: The Animal Evolution Roguelite. Hunt, Flee, Scavenge and Thrive in a living ecosystem. Choose from 125+ Evolutions and Specialisations for unique creature combinations in every run. Adapt to survive the natural curve in order to beat carcinisation... or get Darwin’d trying!
Rating: N/A
Price: N/A
Being able to rapidly upgrade a weird little guy sounds like fun, even though it seems more than likely that “roguelite,” however “lite,” puts it out of the difficulty curve for many kids. Loot Level Chill enjoyed playing an early version, saying “there was the potential for dozens of hours of replayability in this build alone, and that’ll likely only increase massively as development on this compelling Roguelike continues.”
Outbound (PC, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, Switch/Switch 2) — May 14
Description: Explore a colorful world and build your own cozy home on wheels. Craft workstations, and source energy from the sun, wind, or water. Upgrade and customize your vehicle, grow crops, and live sustainably off-grid with up to 4 players.
Rating: E
Price: $24.99
My children—specifically, my nine year old—is obsessed with the idea of buying and living in a camper van, either with us or on her own. (I told her no, but okay, it is a cool idea.) In the short term, though, video games are probably our best way to make it happen. Game Grin had a chance to play it early, saying “The chilled-out feel of exploring at my leisure was great, and seeking out the little collectibles was always fun, even though I ended up overencumbering myself more often than I care to admit.”
Forza Horizon 6 (PC, Xbox Series X/S) — May 19
Description: Discover the breathtaking landscapes of Japan in over 550 real-world cars and become a racing Legend at the Horizon Festival. Start your journey as a tourist and explore a world full of hit music and Japanese culture. Build a Valley Estate, acquire awe-inspiring homes, and display your prized car collection in fully Customizable Garages. Cruise the roads with your friends and join Car Meets around Japan, unleash your imagination with EventLab and build together in Horizon CoLab.*
Rating: E
Price: $69.99
Is the first Forza game that I get seriously into? I was quite taken by the last Horizon, even if my relationship with it predictably ended after a few hours. Simulation racing games have never landed with me. IGN really enjoyed an early version, saying “if the preview didn’t have a cutoff time, I can guarantee you I’d still be playing it now.”
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book (Switch 2) — May 21
Description: Play as Yoshi and help a mysterious talking book named Mr. E remember the creatures living within his pages. Open him up, explore colorful habitats, and experiment with each creature to learn all kinds of surprising facts across every page.
Rating: E
Price: $59.99
Nintendo is nothing if not calculated. Wow, my children just so happen to be interested in playing a Yoshi-centric games a few months after the new movie, which just so happened to feature a bunch of Yoshi! I wonder if they’ll want this! Nonetheless, I’m curious about this take. Nintendo uses Yoshi as a platform to take swings—some work, some don’t. Did you know this one has basically eliminated combat? It’s more about exploration and curiosity, though GameSpot had a question: “it remains to be seen how Yoshi and the Mysterious Book sustains its entire length.”
Bubsy 4D (PC, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Switch, Switch 2) — May 22
Description: Join Bubsy on a new, intergalactic, platforming adventure! Yeah, we couldn’t believe it either. The world’s most infamous, wise-cracking bobcat has returned to 3D with new challenges, new moves, and even more purrsonality – in space! Run, jump, glide, and roll across alien planets, battle robotic sheep, and collect tons and tons of yarn. What could possibly go wrong?
Rating: E10+
Price: $19.99
Bubsy it a bit of a joke, partially for a disastrous 3D outing and being part of a mascot platformer explosion in the 90s. But grabbing the developers Demon Tide, who are at the forefront of platformer experimentation, is—well, it should be interesting, at least. MonsterVine basically agreed with me after trying a demo, saying “believe it or not, I’ve come away from Bubsy 4D with a rather optimistic feeling about the whole thing.”
Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC) — May 22
Description: Embark on a journey that begins with the origins of Batman as a young Bruce Wayne trains with The League of Shadows, becomes the hero of Gotham City, and forge a new family of allies with Jim Gordon, Catwoman, Robin, Nightwing, and Batgirl. Confront an ever-growing threat from across Batman’s Rogue’s Gallery as you face The Joker, The Penguin, Mr. Freeze, Poison Ivy, Bane, and more.
Rating: E10+
Price: $69.99
My kids have been eating up every trailer. But if I’ve learned anything, just because they watch a trailer does not mean they want to play the game. We’ll have to see! Frankly, I’m probably the one who’s most excited here. GamingBible backs me up, saying “I’m not making it subtle that I’m well and truly on the hype train, but I totally believe LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight deserves such hopeful anticipation.”
Yerba Buena (PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S) — May 26
Description: Step into a surreal puzzle-platforming adventure as Barb, a young woman living as an NPC in an abandoned gameworld. When a sinister plot threatens your beloved San Francisco, you must step up to save it with the help of a mysterious and powerful device: the Oscillator.
Rating: T
Price: $19.99
Seems like we might be in for an odd one here, where critics have enjoyed the puzzle parts, comparing it to Portal, while not really feeling the story parts. IGN, for example, said “its endearing visual style and relatable main character weren’t quite enough to get me excited to play more Yerba Buena given the confusing plot and dismal quality of the writing. The puzzle possibilities of The Oscillator might, though.”
My Little Puppy (Switch) — May 29
Description: Sniff sniff… this scent… One day in dog heaven, Bong-gu wakes from his nap to a very familiar scent. Sniff sniff… it’s dad!. Though faint, surely it is dad’s scent he has been waiting for. Jubilant, Bong-gu escapes dog heaven and embarks on a journey to meet his dad - a journey that may hold unexpected dangers. Just as his dad once found him by some miracle, it is now Bong-gu’s turn to find his dad.
Rating: E
Price: $24.99
I know what you’re thinking. Patrick, you’re recommending a game about a dog who dies and tries to find its owner? I think so? It looks cute? I’m not sure how sad it’s going to be? Nobody’s played it yet, though, so we’re left with a melancholy premise.
The game my 9 year old is most eagerly awaiting is train game A Bumpy Ride, and it's out later today. She's been asking when it comes out since playing it during Steam Next Fest, and she had to learn about demos for unreleased games.
Wax House, Baby.