A 30-Something Dad's Favorite Nintendo Games — Why Pokemon and Mario Are the Perfect Family Content
Pokemon and Mario — two Nintendo franchises I've loved since childhood and now share with my kids. Why these games are the ultimate family-friendly content.
I'm a Korean dad in my 30s. Between work and raising kids, my days are packed — but there's one hobby I've never given up: Nintendo games. And two franchises in particular have been with me my entire life: Pokemon and Mario.
What started as my childhood obsessions have become something I share with my own kids. Today, I want to talk about why these two games are so special to a dad like me, and why I'd recommend them to any family.
Pokemon — Every Generation, Without Fail
I first discovered Pokemon through the anime as a kid. Ash and Pikachu's adventures hooked me completely, and when I realized I could live that adventure myself through the games, the excitement was indescribable. Picking my first Pokemon in Pallet Town on a Game Boy, the thrill of encountering a new Pokemon in the tall grass, the satisfaction of collecting gym badges one by one — all of it pulled me deep into the Pokemon world.
Since then, I've played every single generation. Gold & Silver, Ruby & Sapphire, Diamond & Pearl, Black & White, X & Y, Sun & Moon, Sword & Shield, and Scarlet & Violet. The hardware changed — Game Boy to Game Boy Advance to DS to 3DS to Nintendo Switch — but the core joy of catching, raising, and battling Pokemon hasn't changed in over 20 years. Each new generation brings fresh Pokemon, new regions, and that same spark of excitement all over again.
Now I get to share Pokemon with my kids, and it's pure happiness. Watching them rattle off their favorite Pokemon names, filling out the Pokedex together as a team — these are moments that belong just to us. I'll never forget the look on my kid's face when they caught their first legendary Pokemon.
Naturally, our house is overflowing with Pokemon merchandise. Figures, trading cards, plushies, school supplies, clothes, tumblers — Pokemon lives in every corner. My kid's room has a Pikachu plushie, and my desk has a Charizard figure. My wife occasionally says "isn't this a bit much?" — but Pokemon gives me endless conversation material with the kids, so I'd say it's well worth it.
And recently, exciting news dropped: Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen are coming to Nintendo Switch. Released to coincide with Pokemon's 30th anniversary on February 27th, they're priced at about $15 each — an absolute steal. Replaying my childhood memories on a modern console is a joy I didn't think I'd get to experience. I'm planning to play the Japanese version as a way to practice my Japanese too.
Mario — Mario Kart Is Non-Negotiable
Mario holds a place in my heart right alongside Pokemon. The red-capped plumber saving the princess from Bowser — a story so simple yet so endlessly charming, even after all these decades.
I haven't played every single Mario game the way I have with Pokemon, but Mario Kart is a day-one purchase every time. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on the Nintendo Switch is still the most-played game in our household. With the additional course DLC packs, the value per dollar is unbeatable.
The beauty of Mario Kart is that the whole family can play together. Handing a Joy-Con to my kid and racing side by side on the couch is genuinely fun. My kid still crashes into walls and launches items in random directions, but every moment of chaos becomes a moment of laughter. The assist steering and auto-accelerate features mean even small children can finish a race and feel that sense of accomplishment.
And this year brings another big Mario event: the second Mario movie, "Super Mario Galaxy." The first film, "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" (2023), grossed over $1.3 billion worldwide, and the sequel promises an even bigger space-themed adventure featuring new characters like Rosalina and Bowser Jr. It releases on April 24 in Japan and April 29 in Korea — and I'm already counting the days until I can take my kids to see it. The memory of my kid's face lighting up watching the first movie on the big screen is still vivid. This one will be just as unforgettable.
Beyond the Games — What Makes Pokemon and Mario Special
Pokemon and Mario are more than just games to me. Here's why they hold such a special place in my life.
First, the ecosystem of content and merchandise is enormous. Pokemon has the anime, trading card game, figures, clothing, and household goods — the world extends far beyond the games. Mario has the movies, LEGO sets, theme parks, and character merchandise. Super Nintendo World in Osaka is high on my bucket list — I can already imagine walking through Mario's world with my kids.
Second — and this is the point I want to emphasize most — these franchises are truly all-ages. Many popular modern games contain violence or mature content that makes them inappropriate for young kids. But Pokemon and Mario are wholesome, family-friendly content that I can play right next to my children without worry. My hobby becomes a communication tool with my kids, and a shared family interest. Building bonds through games — cooperating, competing, laughing together — is a kind of happiness I didn't fully appreciate until I became a parent.
Final Thoughts
Being in my 30s and still hooked on Nintendo isn't just nostalgia. Pokemon and Mario bring my childhood memories back to life while simultaneously creating new memories with my kids right now. They're a bridge across generations.
The boy who once adventured through Kanto alone on a Game Boy now travels that same region with his child. The kid who raced solo now laughs through Mario Kart with his own kids on the couch. And soon, we'll be sitting in a movie theater together, watching Super Mario Galaxy on the big screen.
If you're a parent looking for games or content you can genuinely enjoy with your kids, I wholeheartedly recommend Pokemon and Mario. They'll bring your family closer and fill your home with laughter. There's a reason these two Nintendo franchises have been loved across generations — and that reason is very real.