If you bought a PlayStation 5, you likely already have a "tech demo" installed called Astro's Playroom. It was that cute little game that showed you how the controller can vibrate to feel like you’re walking on sand or skating on ice.

Astro Bot is the full-length, big-budget sequel. It’s a 3D platformer where you control a tiny, adorable robot traveling through different galaxies to rescue his stranded crew members (who are all dressed up as characters from other famous games).

It is 100% "brain rot" free. There are no loot boxes, no "Ohio" memes (unless your kid makes them up while playing), and no aggressive microtransactions trying to drain your bank account like Roblox. It is a premium, polished, joyful experience that celebrates the history of gaming.

Kids are obsessed with Astro Bot for the same reason they love Minecraft or Mario: the world reacts to them.

Every level has a gimmick. In one level, Astro can turn into a giant sponge and soak up water to grow huge. In another, he can shrink to the size of a mouse. The DualSense controller (the PS5 one) actually makes sounds and vibrates in ways that make the game feel tactile. For a kid, it feels like magic. It’s high-energy, colorful, and features cameos from characters they might recognize from other games, like Kratos from God of War (but in a cute, non-violent robot form).

Learn more about why certain games are "sticky" for kids

Here is the "No-BS" reality: Astro Bot is not a "baby game."

While the main path through the game is relatively easy—Astro has infinite lives and checkpoints are very frequent—there are optional "Challenge Levels" (often marked by the PlayStation symbols: Triangle, Square, Circle, Cross) that are hard.

I’m talking "I’ve been gaming for 25 years and I’m sweating" hard.

These levels require pixel-perfect timing and fast reflexes. If your 7-year-old is a completionist who wants to rescue every single bot, they are going to hit a brick wall with these levels. There is no "Easy Mode" or "Invincibility Mode" like you might find in Wonder (the Mario game).

The game also relies heavily on motion controls. Sometimes you have to tilt the entire controller to steer a ship or aim a gadget. For younger kids (ages 5-6) whose fine motor skills are still developing, this can be more frustrating than the actual enemies in the game.

At this age, the kid will love running around the hub world and playing the first few levels. However, they will likely get stuck on bosses. You should expect to play "Co-Pilot." Let them explore, but be ready to take the controller when a giant octopus starts throwing punches.

This is the target audience. They have the coordination to handle the platforming and the logic to solve the puzzles. They will feel a massive sense of accomplishment when they beat a hard level. This is a great age to talk about perseverance and how to handle losing without throwing a tantrum.

Older kids will zip through this, but they’ll enjoy the references to other games and the high-quality graphics. It’s a great "palate cleanser" if they’ve been spending too much time in the toxic salt-mines of Fortnite.

Ask our chatbot for a list of cozy games for kids who hate losing

Unlike Roblox or Among Us, there is no online multiplayer. This is a huge win for digital wellness. No strangers talking to your kids, no cyberbullying, and no "Skibidi" chat spam. It’s just your kid and the game.

Because the levels are short and the restarts are instant, it’s very easy for "just ten more minutes" to turn into an hour. The "flow state" in this game is very strong.

Because of the motion controls, kids tend to lean, jump, and swing the controller around. Make sure the wrist strap is on if they’re prone to "active" gaming, or at least make sure they aren't standing three inches from your 4K TV.

If you see your kid getting heated over a "Challenge Level," use it as a coaching moment.

Read our guide on how to handle gaming tantrums

If you find that Astro Bot is causing more tears than smiles, here are a few "softer" landings:

Kirby is the king of "approachable." It has a dedicated "Springy Mode" (Easy Mode) that makes it almost impossible to lose. It’s also 3D and very colorful.

This is also on PS5. The best part? It has local co-op. You can play with your child on the same screen at the same time, helping them through the jumps. Astro Bot is strictly one-player.

A great choice for younger players that focuses more on variety and "theatrical" play than punishing platforming.

Astro Bot is a 10/10 game. It is culturally relevant, artistically beautiful, and mechanically brilliant.

Is it too hard for young kids? The main game is not. Most 6-year-olds can finish the story. But the 100% completion is definitely too hard for them. As long as you set the expectation that they don't have to beat every single secret level to be a "winner," it’s a perfect addition to your digital library.

It’s the kind of game that reminds you why we let kids play video games in the first place—to spark imagination and have a blast.

Check out our full ranking of the best PS5 games for families