Your Guide to June's Family Friendly Video Games
Let's hope you (and your family) are into soccer this month. Or Star Fox. It's slightly slim pickings, as the summer kicks into gear.
Summer is not the kindest time for this roundup; the pools are open, the schools are closed, and there’s just a general downturn in video games targeted at families.
Which is fine, but also has me asking a question: what is your family’s relationship with video games in the summer? This was where I’d spend hours upon hours upgrading my characters in RPGs for the SNES and original PlayStation. My parents would discover this because…uh, I would not wake up until sometime closer to lunch.
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!
eFootball Kick-Off! (Switch 2) — June 2
Description: Originally known as PES, the ultimate football action game is coming to Nintendo Switch 2! Build an original team and enter tournaments around the world! Take your one-of-a-kind dream team to the very top! Jump right into an action-packed match with friends or family using real national teams and clubs!
Rating: E
Price: $19.99
The launch of eFootball was a disaster, and even after Konami rolled out extensive updates, IGN said the game was “no longer a laughing stock due to its most hilarious visual bugs being resolved, but now it’s just kind of sad.” Woof. It’s hard to tell what’s changed in the years since; mainstream critics have largely been ignoring the series.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth (Switch 2, Xbox Series X/S) — June 3
Description: The second game of the FINAL FANTASY VII remake trilogy. After escaping from the dystopian city of Midgar, Cloud and his friends set out on a journey across the planet. New adventures await in a vibrant and vast world—sprint across grassy plains on a chocobo and explore expansive environments.
Rating: T
Price: $49.99
The first 10 hours or so I spent with this game were jaw dropping. And then I spent entirely too much time trying to do everything in the game and kinda ruined it for myself. I would have been better off just shooting through the story and getting to the other side. Still, Square Enix’s approach to these “remakes” has been more interesting and ambitious than what you usually get and the Switch 2 ports have been excellent.
Mini Football Legends (Apple Arcade) — June 4
Description: Kick off the ultimate soccer experience with Mini Football Legends! Step onto the field in this premium edition of Miniclip’s hit game, now available exclusively on Apple Arcade. Get ready to compete with teams from all over the world, as you build your team and rise through the Leagues, becoming the Legend you were born to be. Whether you’re playing with friends or diving solo into a full Career, every match brings you closer to greatness.
Rating: 4+
Price: $6.99/month
Adding a “+” typically indicates an existing game coming to Apple Arcade without microtransactions, but Mini Football Legends appears to be that in another form. (If you weren’t aware, the World Cup is imminent; hence the soccer games.) Would you be shocked to learn the many complaints on Google Play are about microtransactions?
My Talking Tom 2+ (Apple Arcade) — June 4
Description: Every day is an adventure with the cool virtual pet, Talking Tom. The superstar virtual cat is going on the ultimate pet adventure, and with you, it’s going to be more fun than ever! Your favorite funny friend is ready to dazzle you with his new wardrobe, amazing skills, and special features.
Rating: 4+
Price: $6.99/month
This game is massively popular—nearly a million reviews on the App Store. Most people love it, and it’s funny to see reviews that suggest you flip off wi-fi on your device because it cuts down on some of the ads. Mobile games are often gross, friends.
Coffee Inc 2+ (Apple Arcade) — June 4
Description: Coffee Inc 2+ is the Apple Arcade edition of the hit business simulation game. Build your coffee empire across the world — without limits. Every feature, upgrade, and expansion is fully unlocked, with no in-app purchases required. Start as the founder of a single cafe and grow into a global powerhouse. Craft new products, inspire employees, expand into major cities, and dominate the market. Every decision is yours.
Rating: 4+
Price: $6.99/month
The problem with so many mobile games, and trying to give you a sense of what to make of them, is so few critics review mobile games. You’re relying on the wisdom of the crowd, but in general, people leaving reviews are typically leaving negative comments. From what I can tell, it seems like a totally serviceable tycoon-style game.
NBA The Run (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC) – June 9
Description: Take your favorite NBA stars to iconic streetball courts around the world, in this fast-paced, online 3v3 basketball game. Stack wins, earn cred and become the GOAT of THE RUN. Who’s Got Next?
Rating: E
Price: TBA
At some point, my desire for games like this should manifest in the form of an arcade cabinet in my house. In the meantime, Game Informer enjoyed trying NBA the Run, which apparently comes from ex-NBA Street folks: “While I still miss the Street games, I came away from my hands-on time extremely impressed with not only how well NBA The Run plays, but how the quick-hit structure compelled me to want to keep playing.”
Monopoly: Star Wars Heroes vs. Villains (PC, Switch/Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series X/S) — June 11
Description: Assemble your team, build your roster of iconic Star Wars™ characters, and battle with your friends and family for control of the galaxy as you move across storied planets and locations. Choose from a wide array of Star Wars heroes and villains, each with their own unique abilities. Whether you’re teaming up with Luke Skywalker or unleashing Darth Vader, every match is packed with team strategy, surprises, and classic Star Wars moments. No two battles unfold the same way, the fate of your team is yours to shape!
Rating: E10+
Price: $29.99
This is from…Ubisoft? I’m baffled. And also not convinced Monopoly is a good game.
to a T (Switch 2) — June 11
Description: to a T is a narrative adventure game that portrays the extraordinary life of a 13-year-old teenager, whose body happens to be in the shape of the letter “T.” They live in a modest seaside town that they explore by foot, train, or even their favorite unicycle, and interact with a the charming cast of characters who live there.
Rating: E
Price: $19.99
I missed to a T the first time, but I have an affection for everything designer Keita Takahashi touches. I should just play this. Plus, while reviews were a little middling, places like RPGFan found it worth trying out: “It’s almost poetic (or pretentious, if you’re cynical), but the fact that to a T is an imperfect game is in itself perfect.”
Barbie: Horse Ride & Rescue (iOS, Android) – June 16
Description: Start your Western horse riding adventure with Barbie at Roaming Hearts Rescue Ranch. Rescue and rehabilitate charming horses, test your riding skills and customize your style as you uncover the mysteries of Moonrise Valley!
Rating: 4+
Price: TBA
The screen shots make this look charming, but then read the fine print and realize the numbers are bleak. This children’s game is charging $2.99 per week, $9.99 per month, or $80 per year. What are we doing here? This is a game meant for kids. Come on.
The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales (Switch 2) — June 18
Description: A brand-new action RPG from the creators of Octopath Traveler and Bravely Default – The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales combines stunning HD-2D visuals and exciting action-adventure gameplay for the first time!
Rating: T
Price: $59.99
Strong Zelda vibes, and perhaps more approachable for youngsters than, say, Mina the Hollower. I’ve had this on my radar, and Polygon said the “relentlessly satisfying and succinct gameplay loop of The Adventures of Elliot made my hour with the game fly by.”
Destroy All Humans! (Switch) — June 23
Description: Crypto is back and humanity is still very much in trouble. Already wreaking havoc on Nintendo Switch, the cult-classic alien invasion lands on Nintendo Switch 2 later this year with richer visuals, denser worlds, improved shaders, and support for full HD up to 1440p resolution. Unleash chaos with powerful psychic abilities, outrageous weaponry, and a sharp sense of humor. Invade Earth, harvest DNA, and remind the human race exactly who’s in charge. Includes the downloadable content “Skin Pack”!
Rating: T
Price: TBA
Maybe you don’t want to explain what “probing” is, but they don’t make goofy action games like this anymore! No word on the Switch 2 version, but Nintendo Life called it straight last time: “a remake that refreshes the original’s visuals, modernises its controls and adds a few new weapon and traversal upgrades to proceedings, all whilst failing to make any meaningful changes to the game’s rather outdated core gameplay.”
Wanderstop (Switch/Switch 2) – June 23
Description: From the creator of The Stanley Parable and The Beginner’s Guide comes Wanderstop, a narrative-centric cozy game about change and tea.
Rating: T
Price: $24.99
I enjoyed Wanderstop, but fell off it because these are just not my games! What makes Wanderstop work longer than most was being more character-focused and objective-focused than other cozy games. Game Informer felt like I did, calling it “a pensive, funny, and surprising story set in a charming location with enjoyable characters.”
Star Fox (Switch 2) — June 25
Description: Step into the cockpit and fly across the stars and skies with Fox McCloud and the Star Fox team! With the Lylat system under attack by evil scientist Andross, it’s up to you and the squad to fend off his forces. Blast your way through enemies in a fast-paced adventure that will have you tearing through space, soaring across planets, and shooting loads of foes out of the sky at every turn.
Rating: E10+
Price: $49.99
Star Fox 64 is an all-time favorite. I am reluctant to revisit it because it’s an ancient, linear game that you can finish in a few hours. What I actually want is a version of Star Fox that’s more expensive, fitted for the year 2026. But I will undoubtably give this a shot because my kids were so tickled by Fox McCloud in the recent Mario movie.
#Drive Rally (PS5, Xbox Series X/S) — June 28
Description: #DRIVE Rally isn’t just a trip down memory lane; it’s an arcade-inspired rally-driving experience set in the golden racing era of the ‘90s. Experience the thrill of rally racing with passionate co-drivers who react dynamically to your driving, offering both praise and critique while helping you navigate the twists and turns of every stage.
Rating: E
Price: $19.99
You don’t get many rally-focused games, unless you count Forza Horizon? Mostly, this makes me want to listen to the Sega Rally Championship soundtrack. If you need to scratch an itch, this might work, but WayTooManyGames was meh on it: “Again, it’s not that #Drive Rally is a bad game; it’s just yet another arcadey rally game.”
I can definitely recommend "to a T" for the children; my 9 and 6 year olds loved it when playing on Game Pass last year. So much so that I bought it in a sale and they're now replaying it, actually taking the lead in controlling it this time and taking turns.