Your Guide to April’s Family Friendly Video Games
A month dominated by Apple Arcade.
Switch 2 approaches, but we’re not there yet.
In Nintendo’s absence, though, we have an abundance of games coming through Apple’s Apple Arcade service. The early art-fueled era of the App Store ended long ago, but Apple Arcade continues to be a terrific source of games for families, in part because the pitch involves releasing games without ads or microtransactions.
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!
Croc: Legend of the Gobbos (PC, PS 4/5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch) - April 2
Description: With its broad appeal and groundbreaking creativity, the original game quickly became a multi-million selling platforming classic, and while the Croc Legend of the Gobbos remaster delivers an authentic gameplay experience that transports players back to the golden age of gaming, it also introduces a roster of modern updates including enhanced HD graphics, modern control mechanics with an updated camera, and retro video modes to recreate the gaming experience that charmed us in the 1990s.
Rating: E
Price: $29.99
I don’t remember a lick about the original beyond the box art, but it was liked back in the day. IGN’s original review from 1998 says “While Croc brings nothing really new to the gaming experience, it takes the best and most familiar from many popular games and stuffs them into a 3D world that puts Sonic Team's best efforts to shame.”
Space Invaders Infinity Gene Evolve (Apple Arcade) - April 3
Description: The iconic and enduring series returns exclusively on Apple Arcade. Space Invaders Infinity Gene Evolve combines exhilarating action with intuitive gameplay, where players can seamlessly switch between classic and shoot-’em-up modes, while adapting to enemy attack patterns on the fly. As the game progresses, its retro aesthetic transforms into a cutting-edge 3D shooter, unlocking increasingly powerful ships, including guest fighters from classic TAITO shooters like Darius, Night Striker, and RayStorm.
Rating: 9+
Price: $6.99/month
This looks great? There was such a fun ear during the Xbox 360 days where game companies were spending a lot of time re-visiting older games in styles like this.
Katamari Damacy Rolling Live (Apple Arcade) - April 3
Description: In this quirky action game — an Apple Arcade exclusive — players expand their Katamari by rolling up objects scattered across the earth. Featuring unique and whimsical gameplay, and a captivating soundtrack that blends different genres, the game invites players to energize the king’s “live stream” by rolling their Katamari to create stars. As users advance, comments from in-game fans appear, and the longer they play, the larger their audience grows. By completing the king’s challenges and boosting their subscriber count, players can unlock dynamic new stages.
Rating: 4+
Price: $6.99/month
This also look pretty good? Mostly, I just want an excuse to play one of these again. There is a good chance this shows up elsewhere down the line, as Apple Arcade “exclusives” are rarely exclusive forever, but it might be at least years before it does.
Puffies. — Apple Arcade
Description: This relaxing puzzle game reimagines classic jigsaw puzzles with the nostalgic charm of puffy stickers. Players will solve hand-designed puzzles, unlock themed sticker packs, and build their unique puffy collection. They can also compete on leaderboards, tackling daily challenges to boost their score and climb the ranks.
Rating: 4+
Price: $6.99/month
Cute. As. Heck. I can imagine my eight-year-old getting really into this one.
RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic (Apple Arcade) — April 3
Description: Combining features from two of the series’ most successful and beloved games, RollerCoaster Tycoon and RollerCoaster Tycoon 2, this new game invites players to create and run amazing parks with the most outrageous rides imaginable. Enhanced for iPhone and iPad, RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic+ delivers the same depth of gameplay and unique graphical style of Chris Sawyer’s original best-selling PC games. It also includes three expansion packs — Wacky Worlds, Time Twister, and Toolkit — and is playable across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Rating: 4+
Price: $6.99/month
My goal of turning my children into rollercoaster fans has not panned out so far, but perhaps I’ll just make them start designing rollercoasters to move the idea along.
Sesame Street Mecha Builders+ (Apple Arcade) — April 3
Description: In Sesame Street Mecha Builders+, young learners join Mecha Elmo, Cookie Monster, and Abby Cadabby on a fun-filled STEM adventure where knowledge meets creativity. Developed by StoryToys in partnership with Sesame Workshop, this game combines science, engineering, math, and creativity through engaging mini-games and activities. Players can solve puzzles, explore physics, practice coding, mix colors, create music, and embark on exciting missions — all at their own pace.
Rating: 4+
Price: $6.99/month
I’m baffled this is a thing, but apparently it’s also part of a pretty good TV show?
The Game of Life 2+ (Apple Arcade) — April 3
Description: The official sequel to the world-famous and beloved board game is coming to Apple Arcade, featuring even more choices, adventures, and exclusive content. With a thousand lives to live, players can choose their own path — whether that means finding love, pursuing a dream career, having kids, or adopting a pet, the choice is theirs. Exclusive to Apple Arcade, players can suit up in the futuristic P.E.G. outfit and explore 10 unique job titles, ranging from dolphin trainer to quantum mechanic. Spin the iconic spinner, navigate life’s crossroads, and chase victory through happiness, knowledge, or wealth.
Rating: 4+
Price: $6.99/month
It seems like this is a decent enough adaptation, but your mileage is gonna vary on how you feel about the original game. Nintendo Insider reviewed the Switch version as such: “The Game of Life 2 is a fairly faithful adaption of the original board game – complete with a few minor tweaks – and is an okay distraction for a few rounds. However, minimal variety, content and a general lacking feel of excitement leave The Game of Life 2 far behind other board game offerings on Nintendo Switch right now.”
Tiny Garden (PC) – April 8
Description: Tiny Garden lets you grow a pocket-sized garden inside a magical toy passed down through generations. Nurture plants, trade them for furniture, and customize your space in this relaxing mix of farming, puzzles, and strategy. No scores or time limits—let your creativity bloom.
Rating: TBA
Price: TBA
Lots of good impressions coming out of the demo, with Comfy Cozy Gaming saying “everything about Tiny Garden is so charming.” A With version is coming eventually.
Duck Detective: The Secret Salami (iOS, Android) — April 9
Description: Aggretsuko meets Return of the Obra Dinn in Duck Detective, a cozy mystery game about a down-on-his-luck duck searching for answers in a sinister sausage-based conspiracy.
Rating: 9+
Price: TBA
This short and light-hearted adventure game has been highly praised, with Nintendo World Report saying “the only issue I have with Duck Detective: The Secret Salami is that the game is pretty short, when I just wanted to play around in this world more.”
Tempopo (Xbox Series X/S/One, Switch, PC) – April 17
Description: Check out gameplay and explore the vibrant world of Tempopo in this new cute new trailer for the upcoming music puzzle game. Tempopo is a psychedelic soundscape in the sky. Puzzle through the seasons by conducting chaotic Tempopo to rescue musical flowers. Design and populate your melodic garden, then let the music play!
Rating: E
Price: TBA
Well, this came out of nowhere. From the developers of Unpacking? I’m sold.
Monument Valley 1 + 2 (Switch, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S) — April 15
Description: Embark on a journey of forgiveness through impossible environments and illusionary puzzles.
Rating: E
Price: $9.99 each
These are just tremendous puzzle games, works of art that are also really fun to play.
Sunderfolk (PC, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series X/S) — April 23
Description: The town of Arden is in an unprecedented crisis, and it’s up to you—its Guardians—to save it from corruption. Learn more about what dangers await you in the dark corners of the Sunderlands and prepare your party for an underground co-op adventure teeming with colorful allies, cunning foes, and a captivating campaign you won’t soon forget.
Rating: E10+
Price: $49.99
This looks pretty neat and the folks behind it were pitching it to me as a family game. MMORPG seemed to agree while playing an early version, saying “There’s a lot going on here with Sunderfolk, and I left my session honestly craving more. I can see myself, my fiance and my daughter all sitting around the TV playing this together on a family game night, or even playing a bit with friends on a stream, it’s exciting to think about.”
Forza Horizon 5 (PS5) — April 29
Description: Your Ultimate Horizon Adventure awaits! Explore the vibrant and ever-evolving open world landscapes of Mexico with limitless, fun driving action in hundreds of the world’s greatest cars.
Rating: E
Price: $59.99
These are just terrific racing games and I’m not exactly a racing person. The last time I spent significant time playing a racing game was, uh, Ridge Racer on PSP? But I did spend a few hours with this one and was utterly charmed. Easy to see a kid loving it.
Lovely list, I misread Puffies as Puffles and thought a club penguin spin off was in the way again. 😅 the duck detective games look fun!