Best Computer Games

Last updated: September 30, 2020

With the power and accessibility of 21st-century computers, game graphics and storytelling have greatly improved. There's now a huge collection of engaging genres -- action-adventures, puzzlers, role-playing games, and more -- that are great for you and your kids. Whether your family swears by Xbox or Super Nintendo, there's bound to be a perfect title that's equal parts entertaining and educational. So strap on your headset and get ready to game with this list of our favorite computer picks.

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Didi & Ditto First Grade: The Wolf King Poster Image

GAME

Didi & Ditto First Grade: The Wolf King

age 6+

Busy beavers help first-graders learn.

Windows , Mac (2005)

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Grow Home Poster Image

GAME

Grow Home

age 6+

Charming outing with robots tending intergalactic plants.

Windows (2015)

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I Spy Fantasy Poster Image

GAME

I Spy Fantasy

age 6+

Game packs 54 puzzles into three adventures.

Windows , Mac (2003)

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GAME

Snail Bob 2

age 6+

Clever cartoonish puzzle adventure perfect for families.

Mac , Windows (2015)

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Mini Metro Poster Image

GAME

Mini Metro

age 7+

Mass transit simulator is simple, marvelous, hard to master.

Mac , Nintendo Switch , Windows (2018)

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Sunless Sea Poster Image

GAME

Sunless Sea

age 8+

A seafaring game of discovery and survival.

Mac , Windows (2015)

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Nuclear Throne Poster Image

GAME

Nuclear Throne

age 9+

Deep arcade-like shooter has lots of cartoonish violence.

Windows (2015)

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Roller Coaster Tycoon 3 Poster Image

GAME

Roller Coaster Tycoon 3

age 9+

A great amusement park simulation.

Windows (2005)

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King's Quest Poster Image

GAME

King's Quest

age 10+

Funny, surprising adventure with beautiful graphics.

Windows (2015)

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Nancy Drew: The Silent Spy Poster Image

GAME

Nancy Drew: The Silent Spy

age 10+

Fantastic mystery set in Scotland has terrorist theme.

Mac , Windows (2013)

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Portal Knights Poster Image

GAME

Portal Knights

age 10+

Addictive sandbox crafting adventure with RPG elements.

Mac , PlayStation 4 , Windows , Xbox One (2017)

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Re-Mission Poster Image

GAME

Re-Mission

age 10+

Shooter lets young cancer patients take aim at their disease

Windows , Mac (2006)

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SpeedRunners Poster Image

GAME

SpeedRunners

age 10+

Fast-paced superhero action very fun, has cartoon violence.

Mac , Windows (2016)

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Sid Meier's Civilization V Poster Image

GAME

Sid Meier's Civilization V

age 11+

Excellent strategy game is educational and accessible.

Windows (2010)

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SimCity 4 Poster Image

GAME

SimCity 4

age 11+

City building sim offers great entertainment & education.

Windows (2003)

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Spore Poster Image

GAME

Spore

age 11+

This exceptional evolution sim is a masterpiece.

Mac , Windows (2008)

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Portal Poster Image

GAME

Portal

age 12+

Innovative puzzler with first-person action.

Windows (2008)

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Age of Empires II: Age of Kings Poster Image

GAME

Age of Empires II: Age of Kings

age 13+

Strategy is key in tough real-time strategy game.

Windows , Mac (2002)

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Broken Age Poster Image

GAME

Broken Age

age 13+

Witty story with memorable characters and good message.

Linux , Mac , Windows (2014)

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Empire Total War Poster Image

GAME

Empire Total War

age 13+

Historical battles on land and sea done right.

Windows (2009)

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Common Sense Media

Common Sense Media offers the largest, most trusted library of independent age-based ratings and reviews. Our timely parenting advice supports families as they navigate the challenges and possibilities of raising kids in the digital age.