A new Donkey Kong game for Switch comes with an easy mode for the kiddos.
Roses are red, April is gray, in a few days, it’s gonna be May.
And May 2018 is jam-packed with new video game releases. Donkey Kong and his gang are back for a family-friendly adventure on the Nintendo Switch, and parents have a few big budget M-rated releases to choose from (or avoid, as the case may be).
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Rated E
Appropriate For: Kids who are comfortable with console controllers
This colorful platforming game lets up to two players team up to complete levels by jumping off of platforms (and enemies), swinging on vines and blasting out of barrels. The game includes both an Original Mode (seen in the game’s original Wii U release) and a new Funky Mode starring Funky Kong. This mode offers a more relaxed experience for new or younger players, who can take advantage of Funky’s extra health points and special abilities.
Great If Your Kids Love: Super Mario Odyssey, Rayman Legends, Sonic
Detroit: Become Human
Rated M
Inappropriate for young teens and children
Set in the near future — Detroit, 2038 — Sony’s action-adventure game revolves around three androids, and it allows players to make choices that impact the lives of the game’s characters and the events that unfold. The game deals with adult themes, so it’s definitely one to play only after the kids have left the room.
Try These Games Instead: Minecraft: Story Mode, Oxenfree
Dark Souls Remastered
Rated M
Inappropriate for young teens and children
This fantasy role-playing game challenges players to defeat enemies and bosses as they explore an open world. With content warnings for blood and gore, partial nudity and violence, this one is definitely for adults only.
Try These Games Instead: Final Fantasy XV, Shadow of the Colossus
State of Decay 2
Rated M
Inappropriate for young teens and children
The follow-up to 2013’s original State of Decay, this sequel throws players back into the world of the zombie apocalypse, challenging them to survive either alone or with friends. The game has content warnings for blood and gore, drug references, intense violence and strong language, so kids should go nowhere near this one.
Try These Games Instead: Horizon Zero Dawn, No Man’s Sky
Full List
Notable kid and teen-friendly titles are in bold.
Monday May 1, 2018
Guns of Icarus Alliance, PlayStation 4
Killing Floor, Incursion, PlayStation VR
Super Mega Baseball 2, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Outbreak: The Nightmare Chronicles, Xbox One
Tuesday May 2, 2018
ACA NEOGEO Stakes Winner, Switch
Arcade Archives 10-Yard Fight, Switch
Wednesday May 3, 2018
Nihilumbra, Switch
Professional Construction – The Simulation, Switch
Timberman VS, Switch
A Total War Saga: Thrones of Britannia, PC
Don’t Die, Mr Robot! DX, Switch
Perfect Angle, Switch
Thursday May 4, 2018
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, Switch
City of Brass, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Monday May 7, 2018
Disgaea 5 Complete, PC
Tuesday May 8, 2018
Shentae: Half-Genie Hero Ultimate Edition, Xbox One, Switch
Conan Exiles, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Megadimension Neptunia VIIR, PlayStation 4
Darkest Dungeon: Ancestral Edition, PlayStation 4
Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Martyr, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Trailblazers, PlayStation 4
AO International Tennis, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Raging Justice, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, PC
Destiny 2: Warmind [DLC], PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire, PC
Thursday May 10, 2018
Immortal Redneck, Switch
Super Chariot, Switch
Laser League, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3 Deluxe Edition, Switch
Suicide Guy, Switch
Friday May 11, 2018
Hyper Sentinel, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, PC
Tuesday May 15, 2018
Battle Chasers: Nightwar, Switch
Horizon Chase Turbo, PlayStation 4, PC
Little Witch Academia: Chamber of Time, PlayStation 4, PC
Dragon’s Crown Pro, PlayStation 4
Omensight, PlayStation 4, PC
Hitman: Definitive Edition, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Forgotten Anne, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
GoNNER, PlayStation 4
Wizard of Legend, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, PC
Thursday May 17, 2018
FOX n FORESTS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, PC
Friday May 18, 2018
Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition, Switch
Little Nightmares: Complete Edition, Switch
Monday May 21, 2018
The Elder Scrolls Online: Summerset [DLC], PC
Tuesday May 22, 2018
H1Z1, PlayStation 4
Space Hulk: Deathwing, PlayStation 4, PC
Pixel Ripped 1989, PlayStation VR, PC
Tennis World Tour, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, PC
One Piece: Grand Cruise, PlayStation VR
Ancestors Legacy, Xbox One, PC
State of Decay 2, Xbox One, PC
Runner3, Switch, PC
Mega Man Legacy Collection 1+2, Switch
Thursday May 24, 2018
Dillon’s Dead-Heat Breakers, 3DS
Cities: Skylines – Parklife [DLC], PC
Friday May 25, 2018
Dark Souls Remastered, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
PixelJunk Monsters 2, PlayStation 4, Switch, PC
Detroit: Become Human, PlayStation 4
Tuesday May 29, 2018
Die for Valhalla!, PlayStation 4, Switch, PC
Harvest Moon: Light of Hope, PlayStation 4, Switch
Agony, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Moonlighter, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Street Fighter: 30th Anniversary Collection, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, PC
EVERSPACE, PlayStation 4
Sega Genesis Classics, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Sudden Strike 4: European Battlefields Edition, Xbox One
Fallen Legion: Rise to Glory, Switch
Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles, Switch
Wednesday May 30, 2018
Die for Valhalla!, Xbox One
Brandy Berthelson has been writing about video games and technology since 2006, with her work appearing on sites including AOL Games, Digital Spy, and Adweek. When she’s not gaming, Brandy enjoys crafting, baking, and traveling with her husband.
