Game recommendations for 3-year-old

[silk186]

I'm looking for some fun games for my child to start gaming and learn hand-eye coordination.

I know that some are going to recommend Put-Put or Freddi Fish but these are not age-appropriate as you need reading, spelling and basic math to play them. They are something like ages 5+ or grade 1+.

As she is so young I want something with full controller support, so no point-and-click games, which tend.

- full controller support
- no point-and-click
- no reading/math required

It would be great if I don't need to constantly deal with menus every time the character dies if possible.

So, what games have I come up with?

Mario 64 and Banjo Kazzoi (emulated) - especially the hub and first few levels.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/996580/Spyro_Reignited_Trilogy/

https://store.steampowered.com/app/253230/A_Hat_in_Time/

https://store.steampowered.com/app/360830/YookaLaylee/

https://store.steampowered.com/app/731490/Crash_Bandicoot_N_Sane_Trilogy/

https://store.steampowered.com/app/584400/Sonic_Mania/

https://store.steampowered.com/app/71340/Sonic_Generations_Collection/

All of the lego games

https://store.steampowered.com/app/227600/Castle_of_Illusion/

https://store.steampowered.com/app/543260/Wonder_Boy_The_Dragons_Trap/

https://store.steampowered.com/app/449610/Monster_Boy_and_the_Cursed_Kingdom/

DuckTales: Remastered - deleted from steam?

https://store.steampowered.com/app/341870/TEMBO_THE_BADASS_ELEPHANT/

https://store.steampowered.com/app/630610/Disneyland_Adventures/

Have I missed any? It would be great to have a few simple 2d platformers.

[ReBoot]

Check out The wonderful end of the world. While the campaign missions are rather challenging at times, the free play (without limits, just explore the world) is totally relaxing, colorful and I can provide you a save with all free roaming unlocked.
American McGee's Grimm may be great as well, it's also colurful, easy-to-read visuals, not really much challenge and simple controls. Also, it's about well-known fairy tales.

[cinedine]

Originally posted by silk186:

I'm looking for some fun games for my child to start gaming and learn hand-eye coordination.
[...]
As she is so young I want something with full controller support, so no point-and-click games, which tend.

Controller is exactly the oppostie of what you should use. Pushing arbitrary buttons instead of moving a mouse and seeing a pointer move in accordance to your actions.
I played match-3 and boardgames (in the car) with my child.

[silk186]

Originally posted by cinedine:

Originally posted by silk186:

I'm looking for some fun games for my child to start gaming and learn hand-eye coordination.
[...]
As she is so young I want something with full controller support, so no point-and-click games, which tend.

Controller is exactly the oppostie of what you should use. Pushing arbitrary buttons instead of moving a mouse and seeing a pointer move in accordance to your actions.
I played match-3 and boardgames (in the car) with my child.

Do you have any evidence to back this up? (serious question)
What mouse-controlled games would you recommend that don't require any reading?

[silk186]

Originally posted by ReBoot:

Check out The wonderful end of the world. While the campaign missions are rather challenging at times, the free play (without limits, just explore the world) is totally relaxing, colorful and I can provide you a save with all free roaming unlocked.
American McGee's Grimm may be great as well, it's also colurful, easy-to-read visuals, not really much challenge and simple controls. Also, it's about well-known fairy tales.

Thanks, those two look interesting

https://store.steampowered.com/app/252150/Grimm/

https://store.steampowered.com/app/15500/The_Wonderful_End_of_the_World/

[Zekiran]

Just because a game has reading and math, or says "five and up!" that never - EVER - should dictate whether you should present it to your kid.

I ran a comic store for many years, and saw parents ignore the obvious ways to TEACH their young children not only how to read, but how to love reading - by walking right past the Pokemon and Sailor Moon kids comics (that I purposefully placed near the front of the store at kids-eye level for just this purpose).

Reading is integral to human behavior, the sooner the better! :D

I'd suggest something with characters that they may already know - they can recognize and anticipate, but also learn how to innovate with gaming controls.

[Prof.Jackie]

Originally posted by silk186:

Originally posted by cinedine:

Controller is exactly the oppostie of what you should use. Pushing arbitrary buttons instead of moving a mouse and seeing a pointer move in accordance to your actions.
I played match-3 and boardgames (in the car) with my child.

Do you have any evidence to back this up? (serious question)
What mouse-controlled games would you recommend that don't require any reading?

Simple logic games like

https://store.steampowered.com/app/290510/GNOG/
https://store.steampowered.com/app/858760/Scalak/
https://store.steampowered.com/app/499440/klocki/


And btw Monsterboy and the cursed Kingdom, as much as I love that game, wouldn't fit your requirements because you have to read text to know were to go next.

[ReBoot]

I dunno if Human Resource Machine is feasible for a 3yo, but maybe with supervision. It's a fantastic puzzler teaching kids logic solutions, essentially a programming tutorial disguised as a very enjoyable game. And programming is a simple way to get a well-paid job...

[pasa]

dreidel out of clay

[Hanomaly]

There are better places to get educational and fun games for pre-schoolers than Steam. Just saying. This is not the best game platform for pre-K kids to find games.

[Wizardhermit]

https://store.steampowered.com/app/284000/PuttPutt_and_Peps_BalloonoRama/

My little brother used to play the heck out of this. Simple controls, only have to move the mouse.

[Zekiran]

I'm a bit concerned that the OP is using a variation on pedobear as their avatar. OP, you do realize that the connotations of that specific piece of artwork are heavy, right?

[silk186]

Originally posted by Zekiran:

Just because a game has reading and math, or says "five and up!" that never - EVER - should dictate whether you should present it to your kid.

I ran a comic store for many years, and saw parents ignore the obvious ways to TEACH their young children not only how to read, but how to love reading - by walking right past the Pokemon and Sailor Moon kids comics (that I purposefully placed near the front of the store at kids-eye level for just this purpose).

Reading is integral to human behavior, the sooner the better! :D

I'd suggest something with characters that they may already know - they can recognize and anticipate, but also learn how to innovate with gaming controls.

I read her anythng she hands me, she has filled the bottom shelf of our bookcase with French, Chinese and English books. I'm looking for something more interactive than a TV show for when I need to cook or clean.

[silk186]

Originally posted by Hanomaly:

There are better places to get educational and fun games for pre-schoolers than Steam. Just saying. This is not the best game platform for pre-K kids to find games.

Do you have any recommendations for non-browser games?
As this is my work PC I don't want her deleting any folders.

[J4MESOX4D]

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1089350/NBA_2K20/
Apparently this game is very suitable for 3+. It is a casino with a built-in basketball game

[Ruse]

Maybe putting your three year old kid in front of a monitor isn't the best idea.