Your Guide to September’s Family Friendly Video Games
A quiet month for Nintendo as school kicks back into gear, but there's plenty of video games for you to play with—or in front of—your kids this month.
It has been a breathlessly stacked month of video games in August for adults, less so for kids. That begins to change a bit in September, with school in full swing, the Switch 2 selling briskly, and companies having more confidence children will be spending more time indoors, especially as the temperatures continue to cool off.
I spent endless time playing video games in the summer when I was young, but it’s not a habit my children have picked up. Hell, as we were finishing off Labor Day weekend with some lazy hours on the couch, all they did was poke and prod at changing outfits in Astro Bot. It’s just becoming increasingly clear my children are not big into video games, which makes it funny that I run a parenting blog about games.
Still, like I said, busy month ahead. How does one parent and play Silksong?
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!
Hollow Knight: Silksong (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, Switch 2) — September 4
Description: Discover a vast, haunted kingdom in Hollow Knight: Silksong! Explore, fight and survive as you ascend to the peak of a land ruled by silk and song.
Rating: E10+
Price: $19.99
I mostly expect this to be a video game for “Dad,” but my five-year-old increasingly enjoys picking a game that she wants to watch me play, and the design for Hornet is just absolutely adorable. I do wonder if Silksong will have any difficulty options. Hollow Knight was notoriously hard, and whose popularity into meme status has surged over the past seven years. I expect audiences could be in for a rude surprise with Silksong, but I’m hoping the game follows in the footsteps of games like Nine Sols, which do not screw around when it comes to challenge but let you ratchet it way down, if you’d like.
Retro Bowl 26 (Apple Arcade) — September 4
Description: The NFL- and NFLPA-licensed game features authentic rosters and NFL players stylized in the game’s glorious retro look. This year, NFL Retro Bowl ’26 introduces an exciting new mode, NFL Retro Bowl Championship Leaderboard, that brings players closer to real-world NFL action and the ultimate bragging rights. Players will choose their favorite teams and compete against each other by playing weekly matchups aligned with the 2025 NFL season games. They’ll use authentic rosters and earn points to contribute to their team’s live leaderboard standings — in a unique mix of arcade football gameplay and real NFL stakes.
Rating: 4+
Price: $6.99/month
I fell hard for last year’s edition of this. You don’t need Apple Arcade to play Retro Bowl, but you need Apple Arcade to play Retro Bowl with official NFL teams. Bummer deal, I know, but this game rules and I’m excited to get back into it again. When the Bears stink, my interest in football as a whole slips a bit. I just need the team to be average this year and maybe I’ll manage to keep up with this week-to-week. We’ll see.
My Talking Tom Friends+ (Apple Arcade) — September 4
Description: My Talking Tom Friends+ invites players into a world of endless fun. This interactive life-sim experience brings together all of the Talking Tom & Friends characters — Tom, Angela, Hank, Ginger, Ben, and Becca — into one vibrant world. Players can access mini-games, care for their pets, and explore colorful surroundings.
Rating: 4+
Price: $6.99/month
Can’t tell if I should just be thankful that Talking Tom stuff has never really taken over the house. This is, once again, a free app coming to Apple Arcade without ads or microtransactions, where it’s been wildly popular, with more than 500 million downloads on the Google Play store. Popular does not mean good, but the floor with the Talking Tom stuff seems to be pretty good. Plus, again, all the ads are now gone.
Star Wars Outlaws (Switch 2) – September 4
Description: Experience the ultimate galactic adventure with Star Wars Outlaws on Nintendo Switch 2! Whether at home or on the go, enjoy intuitive touch controls for menu navigation and select minigames, an optimized handheld mode, and immersive motion controls for key features.
Rating: T
Price: $59.99
A real sleeper of a video game. The first few hours didn’t do much for me when I originally tried it out, but basically everyone I know swears this game ends up amazing if you give it a chance. But it’s also one of those scenarios where I kinda wish GeForce NOW was on Switch 2, because while I love the ergonomics of the device, the compromises required to get games running on the hardware are always tough.
Everybody's Golf Hot Shots (PS5, Switch, PC) — September 5
Description: Everybody’s favorite golf game series finally returns to the fairway! Hit the green with a variety of unique characters and courses in online and offline AND single and multiplayer modes!
Rating: E10+
Price: $39.99
Please be good. It’s been a minute since I got seriously into a golf game. I took a genuine crack at 2K’s PGA Tour 2K5 but didn’t spend more than a round or two with it. I’d consider that a colossal waste of money, except a real round of golf costs more.
Bubsy: The Purrfect Collection (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC) — September 9
Description: Is Bubsy a celebrated icon from the mascot wars of the early 90s or a platforming punchline? The team at Limited Run Games has built a new collection to find the answer. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection explores the franchise's troubled history and enduring popularity.
Rating: E
Price: TBA
As a kid, I would play basically any platformer I could get my hands on. It didn’t matter the quality. Could I jump? Okay, I’m in. Which means that, at various points, I was desperate enough to rent something new and different at the local Family Video (now a sex store, obviously) and would end up bringing a Bubsby game home. I am genuinely curious to pop one of these on, but perhaps the past is better left in the past.
Garfield Kart 2: All You Can Drift (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC) — September 10
Description: Ready to race against a real heavyweight? Garfield, Odie, Nermal, and the whole crew are at the starting line, raring to go! Play as one of the eight cult characters from the Garfield universe, fill up your karts, customize your look, and race away at breakneck speeds.
Rating: E
Price: $29.99
You know what? Sure, fine. (My five-year-old is really excited for Sonic, though.)
Borderlands 4 (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC) — September 12
Description: Borderlands 4 brings intense action, badass Vault Hunters, and billions of wild and deadly weapons to an all-new planet ruled by a ruthless tyrant.
Rating: M
Price: $69.99
Borderlands 4 isn’t going to make much of a splash in our house because I’ve just never vibed with the series, but I will admit sometimes I look at games like this and wonder, “you know, maybe one day one of my kids will get older and they’ll think it’s cool to put two TVs in a room next to each other and we’ll play games like this together.” The early word on Borderlands 4 is that it’s more Borderlands in a good way, per a PC Gamer preview: “The next big Borderlands game isn't transformative, but on the flip side, it also isn't a live service extraction shooter with survival elements, so that's good.”
Bratz: Rhythm & Style (PS4/5, Switch, Xbox Series X/S/One, Steam) — September 12
Description: Rule the runway and take the stage with Cloe, Yasmin, Sasha, and Jade. Conquer the world in style, creating customizable fashions in the Bratz Fashion Studios. Showcase your signature looks and groove to your favorite songs from the Bratz universe, including ‘So Good’.
Rating: E
Price: $39.99
Wait, are there really “favorite songs from the Bratz universe”? I feel like we have a handful of Bratz dolls in the house somewhere, but maybe that’s Monster High? I can’t tell you. I could also see my five-year-old getting into this, except for the part where it probably requires too much reading and my nine-year-old thinks it’s beyond her.
Lego Voyagers (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC) — September 15
Description: From the makers of LEGO Builder's Journey comes a new 2-player co-op adventure about friendship and play. When two friends make it their mission to rescue an abandoned spaceship, they embark on a journey beyond their wildest dreams, ultimately learning the value of being connected.
Rating: E
Price: TBA
Please let one of my kids be interested in playing it with me. I thought Split Fiction was the moment, but nope. Some of this is going to depend on how challenging the game really is. The cute aesthetic gestures towards young people, but the puzzles might be beyond my kiddos. Gaming Bible was hyped in a preview, though, saying it’s “shaping up to be a title that executes a simple concept exceptionally well. It’s a true feast for the eyes filled with fun puzzles that are a blast to conquer with a friend.”
Henry Halfhead (PS5, Switch, PC) – September 16
Description: Henry Halfhead is a quirky sandbox adventure game about an odd little character with the ability to become any object within their reach. Discover every object's unique properties and abilities and cleverly combine them to take Henry through their not-so-ordinary everyday life.
Rating: E
Price: $12.99
Very easy to imagine this becoming a hit in my house. Really looking forward to it. My kids both love playing with games without rules and restrictions. Just a cool sandbox!
Wobbly Life (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC) — September 18
Description: Grandma has kicked you out into the big wide Wobbly world demanding you go and GET A JOB! She would be so proud if you could earn some money and get your own house one day! It's time to start earning and living your best Wobbly Life!
Rating: E
Price: $24.99
I know the “Wobbly” games are popular and show up every once in a while, yet I’ve never actually taken the dive on them with my kids. Do folks think it’s a good idea?
Slime Rancher 2 (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC) — September 23
Description: Slime Rancher 2 is a sequel to the award-winning, smash-hit original that has been enjoyed by over 15 million fans worldwide. Continue the adventures of Beatrix LeBeau as she journeys to Rainbow Island, a mysterious land brimming with ancient technology, unknown natural resources, and an avalanche of wiggling, jiggling, new slimes to discover.
Rating: E10+
Price: $29.99
I’m figuring this is mechanically beyond my kids, but does fall into the “does anyone want to watch dad play this game and make recommendations?” bucket. It’s been in early access for a while, with September 23 being the moment it’s now a “finished” game, whatever that means these days. IGN enjoyed the early access version: “Slime Rancher 2 is a fantastic and charming life simulator that still has lots of room to grow.”
Baby Steps (PS5, PC) — September 23
Description: Play as Nate, an unemployed failson with nothing going for him, until one day he discovers a power he never knew he had… putting one foot in front of the other.
Rating: TBA
Price: TBA
This game is so—excuse my language—fucking funny. The demo floored me, and while I’ll probably be streaming the game over at Remap, I do expect this will be a hit in the house, because I can fully imagine my kids screaming and demanding I torture the poor soul trying to move forward in this game in increasingly demented ways.
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds (PS4/5, Xbox Series X/S/One, Switch, PC) — September 25
Description: Race across land, sea, air, and space in Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds! Warp through Travel Rings into new dimensions where something new awaits around every twist and turn. Speed to victory solo or as a team in a variety of offline and online modes and compete against players from around the world. Build the ultimate vehicle to match your racing style, unlock gadgets to gain the upper hand, and unleash power-up items to bring home the win!
Rating: $59.99
Price: E
This game looks awfully good. The Sonic fever that invaded my home around the time Sonic the Hedgehog 3 came out in theaters has cooled but remains. (Thankfully, we did not have to watch the awful Knuckles TV show.) But the collaborations Sega is doing with game—specifically, SpongeBob and Minecraft—are both 100% up the alley of both kids. They have not played as much Mario Kart World as I would have expected because the open world stuff isn’t great for local two-player, but I’m wondering if this one might end up sticking simply because the characters are more of their favorites.
EA Sports FC 26 (PS4/5, Xbox Series X/S/One, Switch, PC) — September 26
Description: Play your way with an overhauled gameplay experience powered by community feedback. The new Authentic Gameplay option delivers the most true-to-football experience ever in Career, while the Competitive Gameplay option—driven by refined fundamentals, added consistency, and enhanced responsiveness—is tailor-made for play in Football Ultimate Team and Clubs.
Rating: E
Price: $69.99
Not my thing, not my kid’s thing, but I expect this is a big deal for some families!
NBA Bounce (PS4/5, Xbox Series X/S/One, PC) — September 26
Description: Ready to step onto the court with your favorite team? Choose from 30 NBA teams like the Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets, and more as you dribble, and dunk to victory.
Rating: E
Price: $49.99
Hopes are not high for how this game plays and there are strong mobile (derogatory) vibes coming from this game, but it’s a cute idea that truly does not need to be all that good of an actual video game to be a success. The mascot idea will go a long way.
Pac-Man World 2: Re-Pac (PS4/5, Xbox Series X/S/One, Switch/Switch 2, PC)— September 26
Description: Pre-order and gain early access to Costumes and Figures for PAC-MAN WORLD 2 Re-PAC! Four Costumes and four Figures will be unlocked at game start.
Rating: E10+
Price: $39.99
These games were so good, says Patrick’s memory. I almost dove back into the original when that remaster hit Switch, but I’m worried I’ll revisit these games and taint the memory, so maybe it’s best we leave those behind. But they were so good…!
Lego Party (PS4/5, Xbox Series X/S/One, Switch, PC) — September 30
Description: LEGO Party! is a 4-player party game that’s built different! Compete against your friends in wacky Challenge Zones and 60 hilarious minigames from across your favorite LEGO sets like LEGO Pirates, LEGO Space, LEGO NINJAGO and more. Join your friends online no matter their platform, or get together for a LEGO Party game night. With multiple game modes and tons of minifigures to unlock, you’ll have all the bricks to build the ultimate party!
Rating: E
Price: $39.99
Feels like this one could go a few different ways. Hardly a direct measure of success, but I heard lots of hooting and hollering when folks were playing an early version while I was in Los Angeles for Summer Game Fest. Also IGN really enjoyed that time, saying “if the rest of the games are anywhere near as fun as the handful that we played, I can see Lego Party having the kind of addictive appeal Mario Party has had.”
Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC) — September 30
Description: Bring iconic Nickelodeon heroes into a world of fantasy and real-time RPG action. Throw the dice and dive into a wild, action-packed adventure.
Rating: E10+
Price: $49.99
It feels like there’s a new SpongeBob platformer every few months—but I’m not going to fact check that. Just trust me on that one. Dropping these characters into an RPG is cute, though, and I’m getting subtle Costume Quest (complimentary) vibes from this.
Oh my, Bubsy Bobcat, it’s been a hot minute 😅 I loved that game as a kid! 🙈
Played the Sonic Racing Crossworlds Network test with my boys (3 and 6) over the weekend (well, mainly with the 6 year old - the 3 year old had his customary unsynced controller in hand, but soon realised he wasn't actually playing and got upset!). Was a lot of fun with everyone expressing their excitement as the action intensified. I'll probably pick this up on release.