10 Fun & Easy Video Games for Seniors
Who says that video games are for the younger generations? Older adults can be gamers, too! Whether you’re new to the gaming world or have been an avid gamer since the NES made its grand debut, countless games can fill your entertainment quota. However, if you’re on the hunt for fun, easy games better suited for beginnings than pros, we’ve got your back. Without further ado, here are a few video games that might just become your new addiction!
1. Stardew Valley
Imagine a world where you can be a farmer, explore mines, and even find the love of your life—all in a cozy, pastoral setting. That’s Stardew Valley in a nutshell! This farm life simulation role-playing game sees your character take over your deceased grandfather’s rundown farm in a town full of quirky characters, fun seasonal events, and a hint of magic. Stardew Valley is open-ended, meaning that you can set your own goals and play at your preferred pace. Your player can tend crops, fish, forage, mine, socialize with villagers, and even restore the dilapidated community center to its former glory.
Often lauded as one of the greatest games of all time, Stardew Valley is beloved by gamers and critics alike. The Boston Globe writer Jesse Singal referred to the game as “utterly compelling, lovingly crafted” and praised its vibrant gameplay. Best of all, it’s also available on several platforms and has a multiplayer mode!
Stardew Valley is available on:
2. The Sims games
The Sims is one of the best-selling video game series of all time, and it’s not hard to see why. Creator Will Wright set out to create a “virtual doll house” after he lost his home in the Oakland firestorm of 1991. There are four Sims games, each offering different gameplay and expansion packs that add various perks to each installment. At its core, The Sims is a fun, low-stakes game that allows players to harness their imagination and create a virtual world of their very own. You can build and decorate a home, create a family, or simply help your Sim reach their life goals. It’s your world, your rules!
While the Sims 1 and Sims 2 are a lot more difficult to play these days, The Sims 3 and 4 are available on a wide variety of platforms, including:
Not sure if you’re ready to invest money into The Sims games without trying it first? No problem! You can give the franchise a little test drive with The Sims™ FreePlay, a mobile app that’s available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play.
3. Animal Crossing New Horizons
Animal Crossing: New Horizons was met with universal acclaim when it first hit the Nintendo Switch in 2020. Like the previous installments in the franchise, this game allows you to customize and control a player who settles into their new life among a community of anthropomorphic animals. Unlike the previous installments in the franchise, players are given near-endless customization options! You can craft new items, plant flowers, catch fish and bugs, and make friends with your new neighbors! This game is non-linear, meaning that you can play and accomplish goals at your leisure.
If decorating is more your thing, then you can purchase the downloadable add-on called Happy Home Paradise. This allows you to design and decorate vacation homes with an endless array of furniture and other fixtures. IGN rated Happy Home Paradise 9 out of 10 stars, calling it an “exceptional piece of post-launch DLC.” Animal Crossing: New Horizons is available on the Nintendo Switch!
4. Minecraft
Minecraft is a sandbox game with a variety of modes that can suit any playstyle. Whether you choose survival or creative mode, you’ll be given access to pixelated worlds where you can build and explore at your leisure. Survival mode requires players to gather resources and defend themselves against hordes of monsters. Meanwhile, creative mode will give players unlimited resources, allowing them to build and create whatever springs to mind! If you want to play with the grandkids, no problem! Minecraft also offers multiplayer.
You can buy Minecraft from the following places:
5. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy
If you’ve never played a visual novel before, then let the Ace Attorney series be your first foray into the genre. Perfect for beginners and experts alike, this series follows defense attorney Phoenix Wright through a series of trials where he has to do the impossible: prove that his clients are innocent despite the mountain of evidence against them. All that you need are your thinking cap and a Nintendo Switch (or laptop)! The game is self-explanatory with simple gameplay that relies more on logic than excellent hand-eye coordination. Every case is an adventure, packed with plot twists, sky-high stakes, and a cast of quirky, well-developed characters. Best of all, the series has spawned multiple spin-offs and prequels, so you’ll have a lot of content to consume!
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy is available on Steam and the Nintendo Store.
6. Professor Layton
If you play through all the Ace Attorney games and want a series in a similar vein, look no further than the Professor Layton series. More Holmes-esque mystery than a high-stakes courtroom drama, this series follows the adventures of the titular Professor Layton and his apprentice. Each game is chock-full of puzzles, brain teasers, and enough minigames to keep your neurons firing! The worldbuilding is second to none, drawing on both steampunk and retro aesthetics to create some truly breathtaking landscapes.
If any of that piqued your interest, you’re in luck! The games are available to play on compatible mobile devices and can be purchased through Google Play. In other words, you can settle down in your favorite comfy spot with your phone or tablet and lose yourself in Layton’s London.
7. Words with Friends
Words with Friends combines the fun of Scrabble with the convenience of technology. Best of all, you can play it with your friends and loved ones! All you need is a phone or mobile device and a little bit of brainpower. Oh, and a little Scrabble experience might help, as well, since this game is similar! You can download either the classic Words with Friends or its slightly revamped successor Words with Friends 2. Whichever one you download, you’ll be sure to have a fun time creating words with your friends!
8. Cozy Grove
The concept of camping on a haunted island might lend itself more easily to a horror game than a cozy one. However, Cozy Grove takes that spooky premise and makes it relaxing and fun! This life-sim game allows you to unlock landscapes and characters through a series of quests and campaigns. You can collect spirit animals, go fishing, or simply enjoy the haunting beauty of the island. This game is synced to real-world time and allows for 30 to 60 minutes of gameplay per day, making it perfect for anyone who wants to scratch their gaming itch without investing too much time.
You can purchase a copy of Cozy Grove from Steam or the Nintendo Store!
9. Sid Meier’s Pirates
Ever wondered what it might be like to be a swashbuckling pirate sailing the seven seas in search of treasure and infamy? Well, Sid Meier’s Pirates answers that very question! This game allows you to take on the role of a young man just starting his pirating adventures. Sail across the Caribbean and explore the various settlements amid naval battles, sword fights, and a ballroom dance or two. You can even romance a governor’s daughter and marry her! Additionally, players set the difficulty level, making Sid Meier’s Pirates perfect for any gamer.
To get your pirate adventure started, you can purchase a copy of Sid Meier’s Pirates on Steam.
10. The Nancy Drew games
Most of us have read the Nancy Drew books. Maybe you even watched The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries TV show in the late 70s! What some fans might not realize is that there are 34 video games featuring the titian-haired teenage detective! Loosely adapted from Nancy Drew books, these point-and-click adventure games are full of fun puzzles, memorable suspects, and mysteries that’ll keep you glued to your computer screen. The controls are as easy as the puzzles are challenging. From haunted trains to ghostly ranches to creepy old mansions hunkered near gator-infested bayous, the clue-hunting environments are a joy to explore. Nancy’s mysteries sometimes take her overseas to places like Japan and Prague!
If you’re dying to try out these games, visit the official Her Interactive store or check them out on Steam!
Why Should Seniors Start Gaming?
If you’ve never played a video game in your life, it’s not too late to start! In fact, one study showed that seniors who play video games regularly or even occasionally report better overall emotional well-being. Video games can also help you make new friends or stay connected with old ones. Of course, gaming can help strengthen those all-important bonds between you and your grandchildren—particularly if you’re a long-distance grandparent.
Other benefits include:
- Improved memory and problem-solving skills
- Reduced risk of Alzheimer’s
- Recovery from mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD
- Improved emotional resiliency
We hope that our list will help you discover a new favorite. Happy gaming!
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Originally published June 28, 2024
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