At first glance, Celeste looks like a retro throwback to the games we played on the SNES. You play as Madeline, a young woman determined to climb the fictional Celeste Mountain. The gameplay is simple: you can jump, climb walls for a limited time, and perform a mid-air "dash."

But don't let the cute pixel art fool you. This game is objectively difficult. You will die. Your kid will die. They will die hundreds, maybe thousands of times. The genius of Celeste is that it makes "death" feel like a tiny, necessary step toward success rather than a punishing failure. You respawn instantly in the same room, ready to try that jump one more time.

As Madeline climbs, she encounters "Part of Me"—a purple-haired, goth-looking version of herself who represents her self-doubt, panic, and cynicism. The game isn't just about reaching the summit; it’s about Madeline learning to stop fighting herself and start working with her anxiety.

If your kid is into "precision platformers" or follows gaming YouTubers, they’ve definitely heard of Celeste. It has a massive cult following because it respects the player's intelligence.

We talk a lot about "grit" in parenting circles, but Celeste actually lets kids practice it in a safe environment.

There’s a specific moment early in the game where a character tells Madeline to visualize a feather floating in the air to calm her breathing during a panic attack. It’s a real-world grounding technique. When my friend's middle-schooler started using the "feather trick" during a math test, we realized this wasn't just "brain rot"—it was functional emotional regulation disguised as a video game.

Learn more about how video games can help with emotional regulation

Recommended Age: 10+

While the game is rated E for Everyone (with a "10+" for some mild profanity and themes), the difficulty is the real gatekeeper here.

One of the most "Screenwise-approved" features of Celeste is Assist Mode. The developers explicitly state that the game is intended to be challenging, but they want everyone to be able to enjoy the story.

In the settings, you can slow down the game speed, give yourself infinite stamina for climbing, or even make yourself invincible. It’s a fantastic way to lower the "barrier to entry" for kids who get easily discouraged. It turns a "hard" game into a "cozy" game.

Check out our guide on the best cozy games for kids

If you see your kid huffing and puffing or looking tense while playing, that’s actually part of the experience. The game is designed to make the summit feel earned. However, if the controller looks like it's about to be launched at the TV, it’s a good time to suggest a "feather breath" or a break.

The creator of Celeste, Maddy Thorson, came out as trans during the game's post-launch development, and it is canonically established in the DLC (downloadable content) that Madeline is also trans. It’s handled with extreme subtlety—just a small pride flag and a photo on a desk. It’s not "the point" of the story, but it adds a layer of depth regarding Madeline's struggle with her identity and self-acceptance. For families who prioritize inclusive media, Celeste is a shining example of how to do it right.

In a world of Roblox "limiteds" and Fortnite V-Bucks, Celeste is a breath of fresh air. You buy the game, and you own the game. There are no loot boxes, no "battle passes," and no way for your kid to accidentally spend $200 on a digital hat. It is a pure, self-contained artistic experience.

If your kid is playing Celeste, you have a golden opportunity to talk about mental health without it being "cringe."

Try these conversation starters:

Ask our chatbot for more ways to talk to your kids about mental health in games

Celeste is one of the few games that I would describe as "essential." It’s not just "not bad" for your kids; it’s actually good for them. It treats them like capable human beings who can handle hard things.

It’s a far cry from the mindless scrolling of TikTok or the dopamine-loop of [Brawl Stars](https://screenwiseapp.com/media/brawl-stars-app. It requires focus, patience, and self-compassion.

If your kid is looking for a new challenge, or if you’re looking for a game that actually has something to say, Celeste is a mountain worth climbing.