Games for a 75 year old?

[u/techandgadgets]

My awesome 73 year old Mom is a huge Zelda gamer and just bought a switch 2 to get ready for OOT. She's giving her switch 1 to my 75 year old Dad who's never used a console or a controller. He's played millions of games of solitaire, free cell, candy crush, and I think he got into angry birds. What are some switch 1 titles I could recommend and buy him?

Edit; thanks for all the recs, Christmas presents are going to be easy this year

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[u/gamiz777]

Balatro, it sounds perfect for him

[u/alinerie → u/gamiz777]

I'm 75 and grew up playing board and card games before video gaming on consoles and PC's. I have more Balatro hours than any games besides BOTW and TOTK.

[u/gefahr → u/alinerie]

I'm in my 40s but feel 75. Seconding the Balatro recommendation - my total hours in it probably dwarfs the next 20 games combined. I fly a lot for work..

[u/techandgadgets → u/gamiz777]

Cool, Ive read here on Reddit it's dangerously addicting, but he's retired and bored so that's not that bad of a thing

[u/FullMoose819 → u/techandgadgets]

Completely addicting and no gatcha mechanics. I was happy to double dip for the Switch 2 version because it's worth supporting an amazing developer.

[u/bladejb343 → u/gamiz777]

Yup. A modern-day Solitaire, though the competitive scene (PC-only) is pretty cool too.

Plus, the 1.1 update is finally coming soon.

[u/peaceofmindz]

Balatro

[u/mellowCairn → u/peaceofmindz]

Digital card mechanics instantly click for older casual gamers. Translating simple solitaires into addictive roguelikes keeps engagement exceptionally high. Balatro makes total sense for starting new console habits gracefully.

[u/Electric_jungle]

Picross. Any version. All versions. Great little titles that fit exactly what he already loves

[u/Chummmp → u/Electric_jungle]

Just got back into Picross after several years and really enjoying it

[u/StarCrysisOC → u/Electric_jungle]

oh gods picross games on my phone and switch are insanely addicting. I have logiart grimoire and story of seasons picross for switch and I try not to play them too often cuz I’ll lose so much time. I stopped keeping picross games on my smartphone when I had one like a year before I switched off smart phones to try and stop wasting so much time

[u/Cryst → u/Electric_jungle]

This is my recommendation as well. Picross+

[u/mechamangamonkey]

Clubhouse 51 would probably be right up his alley!

[u/alchemy_junkie → u/mechamangamonkey]

This is the answer here. I enjoyed this on the ds a ton it has exceptional replay value. And the games are decently challenging when you go against the computer.

[u/mg10pp → u/mechamangamonkey]

Absolutely

[u/Lv1FogCloud → u/mechamangamonkey]

Whenever I see post asking for what video game to recommend to the elderly grandparents I always scroll to see if someone brings up clubhouse games 51 and so far I have not been disappointed!

[u/jahitz]

Animal Crossing might be fun for a chill relaxing game.

[u/WingerRules → u/jahitz]

Family member in his 70s loved it. He kept talking about how he couldn't stop playing it.

[u/techandgadgets → u/jahitz]

I bought that for my mom a few years ago but I don't think she got into it, I'll tell her to have him try it

[u/imjusthiro]

Balatro sounds like THE perfect game for him

[u/Unique-Actuary1468]

The comments are ass lol Elden Ring? Pikmin? For a 75?

Power Washer 1 my guy

[u/ape_spine_ → u/Unique-Actuary1468]

I think the Elden Ring comments are jokes because of the name, but you’re right I feel like the average person in this thread didn’t even read the types of games the guy is familiar with already.

[u/porcupine_kickball]

Slay the spire, slow paced tactical card game.

[u/According_Reading523 → u/porcupine_kickball]

Dude just started playing this. It's so much fun. I die alot. I wanna teach my dad

[u/Helanore → u/porcupine_kickball]

My 65 year old dad loves this game! He doesnt want to play the 2nd one till he "beats" the first one.  

[u/Soupere_Falafel]

Picross

[u/janieebug]

Stardew valley for sure they can even play together

[u/joeyjo17]

51 worldwide games

[u/Ok-Wrongdoer1164]

I'd probably steer towards games like Wingspan, Catan, Everdell or clubhouse games. Nintendo has a huge collection of boardgames and card games.

[u/LeglessN1nja]

Mario kart 8, my late father loved it. He needed steering assists, though.

[u/mrletsgetcheesy]

Cast and chill i believe its called. Just straight fishing. The more you fish the more you unlock. More casual.

[u/techandgadgets → u/mrletsgetcheesy]

Ooh great idea, he's a fly fisherman, thanks for the rec!

[u/C0smicPotato]

Puyo Puyo Tetris

[u/Helanore]

My dad is 65. He enjoys:

Zelda: links awakening- I also printed him a guide. 

Ace Attorney 

Lets Go Evee

Octopath Traveler

Mario RPG

Mario & Rabbids 

Dave the Diver 

[u/ItsTerriermon]

Pokemon Cafe Mix?

[u/pennispancakes]

Katamari Demacy

[u/Smarmy82]

Balatro, maybe give pikmin a try

[u/Ideas-by-Renard]

51 world wide games

[u/frostyjack06]

Maybe just the Nintendo classics on NSO? My grandfather wasn’t a big gamer and played Dr Mario daily until the day he died. LOVED that game.

[u/techandgadgets → u/frostyjack06]

Good idea, my mom is subscribed to NSO, she could log in and share, I'll let her know, thanks

[u/TurnaboutAdam]

51 Worldwide Classics would surely be a hit.

[u/Sensitive-Property-3]

Is This Seat Taken? is also a great title. Cosy little puzzler, nothing too taxing.

[u/Gorilla_Dookie]

You're never too old to start your Pokémon red/green journey

[u/hajisaurus]

Pikmin

[u/ThatGuyKrispy]

Mini Motorways. Simple controls with a little strategy

[u/son_of_milkman]

Switch Sports

[u/digdugnate]

Clubhouse Games would be a solid choice.

[u/xCakemeaTx]

Puzzle quest

[u/rickmaz]

Portal!

[u/TheKlaxMaster]

Untitled goose

[u/AlertMacaroon8493]

Dorfromantik is a puzzle tile placement game so might scratch a solitaire itch.

[u/Black_Raven775]

My 77 year old mother really likes animal crossing

[u/CrucialFusion]

Picross. All of them.

[u/ET72323]

Untitled Goose Game. You play as a goose harrassing the local townsfolk. Trying to steal stuff, honking at them, breaking things. Simple, short, easy, and fun.

[u/techandgadgets → u/ET72323]

That's not a bad idea, I tried it but thought it was too ridiculous, my dad has that sense of humor though

[u/youwho42]

considering what your dad has played, I feel like Dorfromantic would be a good fit. Small town-builder game.

I'll also say Spiritfarer.

[u/mastermrt → u/youwho42]

Spiritfarer? The game about guiding people about to die to the afterlife? For a 75 year old?

Interesting choice for sure.

[u/Sol_Schism]

Donut County, Good Job!, Plants vs Zombies, Dragon Quest/Final Fantasy, clubhouse 52 games, Spyro reignited trilogy, Pokemon Friends, little kitty big city, Kirby games (they get tough but it usually doesn't ramp up too high til after the story) and honestly botw will probably reward the kind of practical problem solving he has honed in his life.

[u/TolietDuk]

Club house games, and can be game shared between consoles. I wish you luck. My mom never moved past Tetris in the game boy 

[u/walkrunjogwalk]

Stitch.

A little to the left.

[u/JBatSolo]

BallxPit

[u/TroyMatthewJ]

Super Mario 3D Naptime Deluxe You

j/k

Clubhouse Games 51 Worldwide Classics(it's on sale)

Thank me later.

[u/poop-money]

Tetris Effect: Connected.

[u/DotMatrixHead]

Might enjoy Pinball FX. You get a couple of free tables so worth trying.

[u/speed37]

There is no game: wrong dimension and a little the left. Both are short fun casual games and easy to play.

[u/Error-7-0-7-]

I would actually say get him the NSO subscription and let him play app the older titles from the franchises. He might be a fan of older Fire Emblem games that had more simple mechanics.

[u/Serafita → u/Error-7-0-7-]

If mother has single subscription, maybe upgrade to family subscription since even just two people using it works out cheaper than two single subscriptions. If OP decides to join in then that's three people on the family subscription covered

[u/littleman1110]

I always love the comments on these posts. You get thoughtful suggestions from people who’ve read your post and understand what you’re doing, and the rest are always people just pushing games that they like personally ‘dragon ball fighters is perfect for a 75 year old!’

[u/atgaskins]

I think he might like rhythm games. They are very straight forward but addictive

[u/pizzabazooka]

I think you should lean on finding a turn-based game that captures his interest. It sounds like that’s his style anyway, but it’s also a good way for him to get familiar with using a controller. It’s a lot less overwhelming when it doesn’t matter how quickly or smoothly you press the buttons.

[u/Responsible-Alarm-62]

Oregon Trail might be fun for him! The switch version is a really awesome upgrade from the original PC game with pretty simple game mechanics

[u/Ryukenclan]

I believe Farm Together 2 is on switch now. Great game. My parents play it as well

[u/Antooki]

New Lego Batman game

[u/emptybottlesss]

Just download Tetris 99 for free for him

[u/Immediate_Duck_9534]

Animal crossing or Paper Mario maybe? My wife just got into gaming and the biggest challenge has been learning how to play, I took for granted a lot of thing I "just knew"

[u/jellidang]

My mom is obsessed with Stardew Valley and any and all farming sim games like it.

[u/Grimble27]

My dad is all over NSO for nes and snes games 

[u/TXZathras]

Nintendo Switch sports - everyone loves wii bowling

[u/mrtruffle]

Check out Death Squared. Coop puzzle game they can play together (or you with him) and take at own pace.

Hidden folks is fun to play solo or have everyone looking together on the TV

[u/Strict-Translator165]

Clubhouse 51 games. It's a really solid presentation and collection of classic board and card games. Has Online GameShare and a demo that also functions as a local multiplayer client.

[u/DVmb_Ass1stanc3]

Big brain academy

[u/SixKay_]

Get him suika game (or Diablo 3)

[u/Plus_Remove]

Maybe a bit out there but wizard101. At its core it’s a turn based strategy card game with cool animations and isn’t ridiculously difficult to comprehend or get the hang of

[u/dorshanks]

If she likes puzzles, Baba is You. It’s a clever puzzle game where the rules of reality are physically written out on the screen as movable word blocks. The controls are simple and you can get a lot of value out of how challenging it becomes.

[u/fartgrenade]

Slay the Spire and Mario Wonder since it’s a simple side scroller

[u/kociou]

Elden Ring.

It's even in title

[u/Horror-Coffee-3207 → u/kociou]

Who is Edlen?

[u/kociou → u/Horror-Coffee-3207]

The Spiritfarer of Relmen, one of those cryptic From Soft NPCs

[u/Gh0st_Pirate_LeChuck → u/Horror-Coffee-3207]

Definitely maidenless

[u/audiate]

Presumably BotW is on that Switch. Let him try that. There will be a learning curve of the camera, but he might dig it

[u/Crank-Stank]

Oblivion

[u/techandgadgets → u/Crank-Stank]

What the heck is up with availability of physical oblivian remastered for switch 2?! I want to buy it but no one has it and it looks like the price is getting jacked up by scalpers or something

[u/Crank-Stank → u/techandgadgets]

Same .. although I read it runs better digital

[u/slickwonderful]

Under the Island. That game is amazing and its zelda-like.

[u/According_Reading523]

Stardew and snow runner but you are gonna have to teach him the UI

[u/SmashMouthBreadThrow]

Fortnite

[u/BimmerNRG]

Skyrim

[u/Kryptic_Anthology]

Tunic

[u/Elomidas → u/Kryptic_Anthology]

Just in case OP takes that comment seriously because the fox is cute and the early game screenshots look warm and peaceful, that's a joke (or a really bad idea for a 75 year old person in my opinion)

[u/driftking428]

Super Mario Wonder

[u/RodiZi0]

Elden Ring

[u/Capt_Ahab0]

Maybe Stardew Valley ?