Games Like Minecraft: Picks With ESRB Ratings and Prices

If your child has built everything they want in Minecraft, these games keep the mining, crafting or building and change the rest. We list each one’s ESRB rating with its descriptors, because a few of them rate higher than Minecraft’s E10+.

Quick comparison

Prices are Steam list prices for Windows, checked in October 2026. Sales are frequent, so the price at checkout can be lower.

For reference, the ESRB rates Minecraft E10+ for fantasy violence.

Closest to Minecraft: Terraria and Core Keeper

Terraria is the pick most Minecraft players reach for first. You dig through a 2D world, craft better gear and fight bosses. The ESRB rates it T for Teen, citing blood and gore, cartoon violence, mild suggestive themes and use of alcohol, and notes that online interactions are not rated. That is a step up from Minecraft, so parents of younger kids should look at it first. Our Terraria beginner’s guide covers the first hours.

Core Keeper is a top-down mining game where up to 8 players dig out an underground world together, according to its Steam page. The ESRB rates it E for Everyone with mild fantasy violence and lists users interact, because of its online co-op. It is the gentlest rating on this list that still has combat.

For builders: LEGO Worlds and Dragon Quest Builders 2

LEGO Worlds lets kids build and reshape worlds made of LEGO bricks. The ESRB rates it E10+ for cartoon violence. It suits children who like Minecraft’s creative mode more than survival.

Dragon Quest Builders 2 adds a story and characters to block building. You rebuild towns, grow farms and fight monsters. The ESRB rates it E10+ with alcohol reference, comic mischief, fantasy violence, mild blood, mild language and suggestive themes, and lists users interact. It is the most expensive game here at list price.

Calmer picks: Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley is a farming game with crafting, mining and a small town to befriend. The ESRB rates it E10+ with fantasy violence, mild blood, mild language, simulated gambling, and use of alcohol and tobacco. The ESRB summary explains the gambling descriptor: one area has a casino where players bet in-game coins on slot machines and card games. It is worth a talk with younger kids. Our Stardew Valley beginner’s guide explains the first season.

Free pick: LEGO Fortnite

LEGO Fortnite is a survival and building mode inside Fortnite, so it costs nothing to start. The ESRB rates it E10+ for fantasy violence and lists users interact and in-game purchases. The purchases are the catch: Fortnite sells cosmetics for V-Bucks, so set up Epic’s parental controls before your child signs in. Our Fortnite Creative guide covers the creator side of Fortnite.

Picking the right one for your child

1. Check the ESRB rating and the descriptors, not only the letter. Two E10+ games can differ a lot.
2. Ask what your child likes most in Minecraft: building, exploring or fighting mobs. Match that to the “Best for” column.
3. Look for online play. Games that list users interact let your child meet other players, so set up friend and chat limits first.
4. Wait for a sale if the game is not urgent. Steam discounts are common, and two of these games were on sale when we checked.

Roblox fans have a separate list in our games like Roblox guide, and our Minecraft vs Roblox comparison helps if your child plays both.

Sources checked October 2026: Steam: Terraria · Steam: Stardew Valley · Steam: Core Keeper · Steam: LEGO Worlds · Steam: Dragon Quest Builders 2 · ESRB: Terraria · ESRB: Stardew Valley · ESRB: Core Keeper · ESRB: LEGO Worlds · ESRB: Dragon Quest Builders 2 · ESRB: LEGO Fortnite · ESRB: Minecraft