The Top 10 Best Video Games for Your 13-Year-Old Boy: Check Them Out Today

On the one hand, gaming was initially observed as a hobby explicitly for kids; on the other hand, the medium has been growing significantly. A couple of wrongdoing ridden sandbox and military shooting tiles tend to become considerably popular games. And while they are incredible for the older crowd, they do not seem to look suitable for youngsters. 

Saying so does not imply that every one of video games is terrible for kids, however. Truth be told, pretty many studies find out that they can help improve intellectual wellbeing in kids, aside from improving their learning and social abilities, which we are going to mention in more detail below. Above all, our rundown of the most fantastic video games for 13-year-old boys proves that. 

We have put together various choices across plenty of platforms; that is why, in case you are looking for a specific option, we are quite sure that you can find them out fast by referring to the list.

Six excellent scientific benefits of playing video games for your 13-year-old boy

Gaming not just gives a lot of fun, but according to research, there are scientific benefits to playing video games.

1. Improve memory capacity

Video games play an integral role in autobiographical and episodic memory formation. They help train brains and boost mental health. According to a study on a group of students, their memory was improved by 12% after they had spent two weeks playing games. 

2. Relieve your pain

According to 38 studies, video games bettered the health outcomes of 195 patients. As shown in a study in 2010, playing video games, particularly virtual reality games, does a good job of decreasing pain or anxiety as a consequence of chronic illness or medical procedures.

3. Help dyslexic children improve their reading

Video games can be beneficial to kids, too. According to a study, playing action games could help dyslexic kids at the age of 7 to 13 improve their reading skills without losing accuracy. The results were the same or better than conventional reading treatments that can consume more time and not give as much fun. Also, the researchers think that the fast pace in the games helped the children improve their attention spans.

4. Video games may make you smarter

With the increasing popularity of video games, researchers and psychologists have looked into the influences gaming can have on players in various situations. Many experiments have drawn conclusions that gaming can improve brain function; indeed, doing so can increase brain function, problem-solving skills, attention span, strategic planning, and others. 

For example, your problem-solving, strategy, logic, reasoning will be improved after playing role-playing games for an extended period of time. Real-time strategy games enhance your planning, multitasking, and prioritization.

5. Develop motor skills and spatial awareness

This is another benefit of video games. Those who play video games about half an hour a day for two months enjoyed changes in their brain parts related to spatial navigation, working memory, strategic planning, and motor performance. That is why the military trains soldiers and pilots by using video games, and many racers use video games to enhance their driving skills.

6. Help you socialize and cement relationships

Video games often give you a chance to become more social and develop relationships. As per a study, many people gather with their friends to play games or even make friends online. By playing multiplayer video games, you have the chance to compete against others in a healthy and fun way or improve your teamwork skills that are necessary to overcome common obstacles in the gameplay.

The best video games for your 13-year-old boy

1. Kingdom Hearts III

• Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One
• Genre: Action RPG
• Mode: Single player

This game is fantastic for a 13-year-old. Indeed, the thing that it works to do so viably for youngsters is overcoming any barrier between the state of being a child and the pre-high schooler years. Kingdom Hearts III does an excellent job of putting together well-known franchises from Disney and a top-notch action role-playing title. 

You may like that the game is recognizable without obtrusively satisfying the demands of youngsters. On the one hand, the overall story is genuinely gibberish; on the other hand, the title delivers a sufficient narrative from second to second to make your kid draw in all through the mission. 

2. Overcooked 2

• Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Linux
• Genre: Simulation
• Mode: Single player, multiplayer

This is among the most thrilling cooperative gameplay titles out there these days. The motivation behind why we suggest this relentless cooking simulation game for you and your boy is pretty straightforward: It asks for consistent cooperation and interaction, basic abilities for youngsters to hone.

The game is likewise downright fun, thanks to funny hijinks as well as absurd moving kitchens. For your information, the Overcooked is an extraordinary time to enjoy as well; however, this one is even a more emotional gaming experience. It will be great if some gamers (from two to four) dive into Overcooked 2 players, which makes it quite a perfect thing to do for your entire family. 

3. Overwatch

• Game genre: First-Person Shooter (FPS)
• Game mode: multiplayer
• Internet required: yes
• Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
• Age: 12+

As the Entertainment Software Rating Board rated it as Teen, your children 13 years old will not be able to go wrong with this well-known shooting game. Overwatch includes obviously violence and specific animation blood; however, you can have peace of mìn that the game has none of mature-rated FPS games’ violence and realism.

You may be into the strategic gameplay, various characters, and goal-based modes of the title, which hence make it a stunning multiplayer shooting game that dads/ moms can appreciate with their children. It is genuinely extraordinary compared to some other intense shooting tiles out there today. In case you find it is best not to let your children delve into Call of Duty and all that at this time, this game is a decent alternative; indeed, a lot of players will disclose to you that Overwatch is superior to such franchises in any case. 

4. Sea of Thieves

• Platforms: Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
• Game genre: Action-adventure
• Game mode: Multiplayer

Similar to the above game, this one is rated for Teen. It has to do with the open-world pirate, and on top of that, Sea of Thieves underscores cooperation. 

Here, it takes a couple of sailors to steer a vessel, and each sailor will monitor various stations to make the ship on its way and liberated from risk. This is known as a social title, which is ideal for youngsters and their buddies to collaborate to ace the game. In addition, there is almost a perpetual stream of content; thus, you can enjoy many long periods of stunning gameplay with the central theme around the pirate.

5. Fortnite: Battle Royale

• Platforms: PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, iOS, Macintosh operating systems
• Game genres: PvP battle royale, free to play
• Game mode: Online multiplayer

It is an overall sensation all over the globe. Odds are, in case you are checking out this, you are very much aware of the vast ubiquity of the game. And maybe your youngster has even dived into Fortnite: Battle Royale as well. 

The title boasts of an extraordinary loop and leverages childish visuals that assist it with remaining in the domain of a tile that is not only for adults but also for children to enjoy. In addition, its building element is useful for encouraging ingenuity, and possibly it will work to kick off your child’s passion for designing or engineering. The best part is that you can play the game for free on Android, computers, and consoles. 

6. Ratchet and Clank

• Platform: PlayStation 4
• Game genres: Platform, shooter
• Game mode: Single player

A rethinking of the PS2 classic more than 15 years ago, this game is among the most awesome exclusives of PS4. In the event that you ended up watching the not good movie adjusted from Ratchet and Clank four years ago, kindly do not allow its sheer horror to prevent you from delving into the genuinely great game. The narrative of how a robot and Lombax turned into companions and spared the world from some demolition is not only motivational but also, all the more significantly, inconceivably amusing to play. 

It is worth noting that owing to the platforming sequences, great supervisor fights, funny weapons, and strikingly impressive animation visuals, the game does not ever overlook anything. The mirror disadvantage is that Ratchet and Clank is solo playable, which implies that you may want to give a try at a session when your children are sleeping soundly. Indeed, the game is extraordinary for youngsters, all things considered; however, you may be tempted to dive into it, as well. 

7. Splatoon 2

• Platform: Nintendo Switch
• Genre: Third-person shooter (TPS)
• Modes: Single player, multiplayer

This is virtually among the most captivating and enchanting multiplayer shooting games you can find these days. Outfitted with a paint weapon – say, roller, brush, blaster, and so on, your primary objective is to make every one of the maps covered with as much paint as could be expected. Basically, it has to do with territory control, additionally prompting a couple of paint firefights with the rival group. 

The brilliant Nintendo game includes squid-children (Nintendo had better create a cartoon regarding the game realm of Splatoon, indeed). What is more? There is likewise an SP (single-player) campaign aside from Salmon Run known as a coop variation. Please bear in mind that it is necessary to have two Switch consoles so that you can delve into local multiplayer, yet it is safe to say that children and dads/ moms can be attracted to Splatoon 2 with ease.

8. Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle

• Platform: Nintendo Switch
• Genres: Turn-based tactics, tactical RPG
• Modes: Single player, multiplayer

By the strange Rabbids/ Mario, we mean a strangely fantastic interpretation of TBS (turn-based strategy battle) of XCOM. Additionally, it turns out to be among the most amusing titles to launch lately. 

For your information, every one of the levels happens on a front line based on the grid. Here, you will move the characters (Mario as typical characters or their renditions Rabbid), trying to free the zone from Rabbids. 

Overall, this strategy title is proper for youngsters at 13 years old, and you have the choice to dig into the game with two gamers. Customization choices will enable you to make each fight simpler; that is why it is not as highly committed as the run-of-the-mill turn-based strategy title. In case your children appreciate checkers or chess, odds are they will cherish this Nintendo Switch game.

9. Stardew Valley

• Platforms: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation Vita, iOS, Android
• Genres: Simulation, RPG
• Modes: Single player, multiplayer

This game is known as an otherworldly successor to the Harvest Moon series; it is indeed a great cultivating and management simulation with an entire pack of heart. Toward the beginning of Stardew Valley, the player will move to the homestead of the granddad in Pelican Town to become free from the noisy surrounding of the large city. 

In the game, players are in charge of gathering resources and cooperating with townsfolk. It likewise includes battle, however; that is why it does not have everything to do with uninteresting living. Stardew Valley is indeed complex and deep when compared to some other games in the category; yet, in the event that your kid is a strong peruser and has a passion for management simulation, he cannot go wrong with this extraordinary game. 

As a bonus, it has a fair price on PC, Switch, Xbox One, and PS4. Also, check out similar games to Stardew Valley.

10. Rare Replay

• Platform: Xbox One
• Genre: Compilation
• Modes: Single player, multiplayer

Please keep in mind that Rare Replay asks for a touch of setup. Actually, the Entertainment Software Rating Board rates it for Mature (i.e., appropriate for people who are at least 17 years old). It is on the grounds that this one is an assortment of thirty games, and a limited handful of them, to be specific – Killer Instinct, etc., are games for Mature. 

With that being said, most of the games are not. The assortment is indeed full to the edge with games ideal for youngsters, such as Viva Piñata. Provided that you avoid a couple of Mature titles, this one is a family-accommodating thing that packages a ton of games into a solitary bundle.

How can your kids play video games in a healthy way? 

Scientists have proved that people also can reap benefits from playing video games. However, it is evident that sticking hours on the couch and staring at the screen and all that is not good for you. Then, if you want to stay healthy while you cannot resist the temptation of video games, you should follow some health tips below, which help your body stay in good condition while you enjoy the most addictive games. 

1. Take care of your vision 

Your vision is the primary concern of your parents when you play video games. You might be aware of it, but video games are more attractive than protecting your eyes. 

Let me tell you the consequences of staring at the screen for several hours every day. More often than not, you will experience blurred vision, headache, dry eyes, etc., if your eyes are exposed to the screen too long. 

However, you can apply some exercise to keep your vision healthy. For instance, you can follow the 20-20-20 rule, which means every 20 minutes, you should move your seeing from the screen to stare at something that is 20 feet away from you for 20 seconds. This exercise helps your eyes relax. 

2. Having good posture 

You can start with a perfect posture, but then the game is so intriguing that you forget to maintain it. And of course, you know that a bad sitting posture can cause lots of severe health problems related to your spine, your colon, even your heart. 

So to avoid all of these problems, you should maintain the natural posture of your spine when sitting. You might know that excellent posture combines three natural curves at the top of the neck, at the upper and lower back. If you need support and you are rich, you can buy a gaming chair which is in charge of supporting your spine, so in case you forget, you are still in the standard posture. 

3. Drinking water and eating some snacks

When you focus intensively and play for hours, you consume lots of energy. Even if you just sit in front of the screen, your body still uses energy for your brain and your muscles. Then, if you want to avoid stroke or fatigue, you should provide your body with food and water.  

At this point, your body will be craving sugar, and you tend to grab Coke or Soda. But instead of making you dehydrated, you will feel more tired and thirsty. So the best drink in this situation is water. 

And it would be best if you replaced pizza with nuts or yogurt because you do not want to accumulate fat in your belly. Do not pass out when having a great time with your friends. 

4. Standing up and move

You can sit eight hours a day without feeling tired. But your muscles can hurt and be damaged. You do not need to do cardio or run five km on a treadmill. All you need to do is a few minutes of walking and stretching. All the moving of your body now can help you stay away from pain, stuck blood, and strain. Remember that your body can be tired, even if your mind will not feel the same. 

5. Sleeping 

When you reach your limit, your brain will refuse to work. So it would help if you took a break to get some sleep. 

There are lots of gamers who play games without sleeping, and it can damage their health. You might know that lack of sleep can cause serious problems such as obesity, work productivity reduction, etc. Try to sleep at least six hours a day because you also need to study. 

In a nutshell, video games are one part of our life, so you should learn how to live healthily with them and do not let them destroy your health. I believe with all these tips above, your health can stay in the right conditions so you can keep trying other upcoming games. 

Summary: Top video games for a 13-year-old boy

1. Kingdom Hearts III
2. Overcooked 2
3. Overwatch
4. Sea of Thieves
5. Fortnite: Battle Royale
6. Ratchet and Clank
7. Splatoon 2
8. Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle
9. Stardew Valley
10. Rare Replay

All in all

So be sure you check out the rundown above to see which of the most popular titles can be useful for your boy at 13 years old. To assist your child with his more memorable time playing these games, we have also added some valuable guide related. 

In the event that you are looking for more fantastic video games for various ages, you can discover them on our site with plenty of posts updated. Check them out, and happy gaming!