Grand Theft Auto VI is going to be the biggest video game launch of all time, and it’s not particularly close. Millions and millions of people are eagerly awaiting their chance to start up the game on Xbox or PlayStation and sink hundreds (or more) hours into Leonida, but there is a very large demographic that Rockstar’s game doesn’t target: families with kids.
GTA 6 is filled with drugs, murder, sex, and pretty much everything else you could think to put in the ESRB rating description for a video game. That means you probably aren’t letting your kids play it (seriously, please don’t), but there’s a good chance they’re going to experience some FOMO–especially if they hear other kids at school are playing it (though those kids are probably lying).
So, with that in mind, it’s a good idea to have some GTA alternatives ready to go, not only so your kids have something fun to play, but also so you can enjoy a game together. Below are 10 great Grand Theft Auto VI alternatives for kids and families, ranging from games that play like “baby’s first GTA” to games that take one element of Rockstar’s series and run with it … and one bizarre, family-friendly game that Rockstar happened to make itself.
Lego City Undercover (PS4, Xbox One, Switch, Wii U, PC)
Of any game on this list, Lego City Undercover is the one that most resembles Grand Theft Auto in its structure, with access to a big open world and vehicles to drive. Because it’s a family-friendly game, however, you play as police officer Chase McCain rather than a hardened criminal, with a particular focus on detective work as you investigate crimes throughout the city. It supports two-person cooperative play, and because there are a whole bunch of movie references intended for parents rather than kids–unless you’ve shown them Shawshank Redemption already–you may want to pick up the second controller yourself.
Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, PC)
If you’re looking for an open-world alternative to GTA that puts a little more emphasis on combat, then Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is a great choice. Mixing the dark, brooding tone you’d expect from Batman with a bunch of the Lego games’ silly gags, its structure opens up after the first few hours, letting you glide around the city or speed down the streets in the Batmobile. What really helps it stand out, however, is the combat, which plays like a simplified take on the Arkham games’ system that sees Batman effortlessly comboing and countering big groups of goons. In other words, it’s fantastic, and younger players should have a ton of fun beating up the bad guys.
