Ask HN: Retro Games for Kids

#1

Post by atakan_gurkan » Wed, Jan 07, 2026, 5:26 AM UTC

I grew up with a Commodore 128. I used it mostly in C64 mode and spent a lot of time playing games, even though I only had a datasette. Now I have two kids (8 and 6) and after beginning elementary school the older one is asking for a game console :-) We will eventually get one, but in the meantime I thought of installing a C64 emulator on my old laptop and use a semi broken PS joystick to let them play some retro games. I am planning to install Pit Stop II, Boulder Dash, Great Giana Sisters, Crackout, International Karate and probably more. While doing this, it occurred to me that I am not restricted to C64, I can install an Amiga simulator (I envied Amiga when I was a kid, but could not afford one) and have access to a lot more games, with much better sound and graphics (I don't mean to start a war).

Do you have game recommendations or other tips for such a project? I am willing to install other simulators as well, if it can be done via RetroArch on Debian.

Re: Ask HN: Retro Games for Kids

#2

Post by digitaltrees » Wed, Jan 07, 2026, 5:44 AM UTC

Build one. I did that for Christmas for my daughter. She is into ninja turtles and a skateboard game. So I built her a ninja turtle surfboard skate game using nano banana to create the images. The game play is bad but we built it together in a day for fun. checkout pandahugs.fun I’ll share my process if you’re interested

Re: Ask HN: Retro Games for Kids

#3

Post by digitaltrees » Wed, Jan 07, 2026, 5:44 AM UTC

pandahugs.ai

Re: Ask HN: Retro Games for Kids

#4

Post by atakan_gurkan » Wed, Jan 07, 2026, 5:53 AM UTC

digitaltrees wrote: post #2

Build one. I did that for Christmas for my daughter. She is into ninja turtles and a skateboard game. So I built her a ninja turtle surfboard skate game using nano banana to create the images. The game play is bad but we built it together in a day for fun. checkout pandahugs.fun I’ll share my process if you’re interested

I am interested, and this could be the next step. I'll check it out. Thanks! I had forgotten about "Skate or Die", I'll check that out, too :-)

Re: Ask HN: Retro Games for Kids

#5

Post by theothertimcook » Wed, Jan 07, 2026, 5:55 AM UTC

You can buy very cheap emulation boxes/handhelds from AliExpress pre-configured that will happily run everything up to PS1/n64, people have different opinions on this as they come bundled with roms and bios.

The value proposition of spending 50 bucks and having a plug and play device vs hours of time setting something up is a no brainer for me.

The real problem is that kids already have expectations around technology so are less likely to enjoy/find novel some of the really retro games.

Also, when you get a device that has 10k ROMs bundled curation/signal to noise becomes an issue.

Definitely worth doing but maybe make a plan for what games to play through and adjust expectations that interest will probably only spark around nes/snes onwards.

Edit: Quick browse seems to indicate the Kinhank brand devices are the way to go.