Getting Back Into Gaming at 40: A Beginner’s Guide

If you’re over 40 and wondering whether it’s too late to pick up a controller again, the answer is simple: it’s never too late!

Many of us grew up with consoles in the living room or handhelds tucked into school bags, only to drift away from gaming in our twenties and thirties when life became busier.

Now, in our forties, gaming is calling us back, and the good news is that this is the perfect time to return.

Choosing Your Gaming Platform

The first step into gaming at 40 is deciding where you want to play. These days, there’s a platform for every type of player:

• Nintendo Switch: The ultimate cosy console. Great for farming sims, narrative adventures, and family-friendly titles. You can dock it to play on the TV or curl up with it handheld. When I started playing on the Switch again, I played it docked, but nowadays there is nothing cosier than playing handheld in bed!
• Steam Deck or PC: Perfect if you love indie games, pixel-art, and a huge library of affordable games. The Steam Deck adds portability, so you can play anywhere.
• PlayStation or Xbox: Ideal if you’re drawn to cinematic blockbusters and big-budget adventures. These are also great if you want online co-op with friends or family.
• Mobile: Sometimes you just want a quick puzzle while you’re waiting for the kettle to boil. Mobile gaming is better than ever for short bursts of play.

Personally, I use the Steam Deck because it suits how I like to play and the kinds of games I enjoy most. The key is to choose what feels comfortable and fits into your life and budget.

What is Steam?

When I came back to gaming, I had no idea what Steam was or whether it was even safe to use. In simple terms, Steam is an online shop and library for PC games.

You create a free account, buy or download games through it, and they stay in your digital library forever. Steam also handles updates automatically, so you don’t have to worry about patching or installing things manually.

It’s completely safe to use. It’s owned by a company called Valve and has been around since 2003. Millions of people around the world use Steam every day (including me!)

You’ll find everything from blockbuster titles to small indie cosy games, often with big seasonal sales that make it very affordable.

Easy First Games to Play Over 40

The best way back into gaming is to start with games that are welcoming, relaxing, and don’t demand hours at a stretch.

Some favourites I’d recommend include:

• Stardew Valley: gentle farming life, a friendly community, and no pressure. Available on: Switch, PC (Steam), PlayStation, Xbox, Mobile.
• Coffee Talk: late-night conversations over pixel coffee and beautiful storytelling. Available on: Switch, PC (Steam), PlayStation, Xbox.
• Dorf Romantik: calming, tile-based puzzles that are perfect for short sessions. Available on: Switch, PC (Steam), Mobile (iOS/Android).
• Grimshire: autumnal, cosy atmosphere with a little mystery to explore. Available on: PC (Steam).
• Zelda: Breath of the Wild: a sprawling, magical world to lose yourself in when you’re ready for something bigger. Available on: Nintendo Switch, Wii U.

These games are proof that you don’t need lightning-fast reflexes or endless free time to enjoy gaming.

Finding Time to Play Games Over 40

Life at 40 can be busy, so carving out gaming time looks a little different than it did when we were younger. A few tips that help me:

• Create a cosy corner: a chair, blanket, and cosy candle can make short play sessions feel special.
• Play in bursts: even 10 minutes can be enough to complete a quest, build something small, or just unwind with a quick puzzle.
• Think of it as self-care: gaming is a valid way to relax, not something you need to justify.

Building Confidence Again

If it’s been a while, it’s normal to feel out of practice. Modern controllers can look intimidating and game menus can feel overwhelming at first.

My advice is to take your time, adjust settings to your liking (turn on subtitles, lower difficulty, remap buttons), and remember that the joy of gaming is in the experience, not perfection.

Community and Connection for Women Over 40

You don’t have to game alone if you don’t want to. There are plenty of welcoming spaces for women and older gamers:

• Online communities like cosy gamer Discords or subreddits.
• Facebook groups and forums dedicated to women who play.
• Local spaces like board game cafés that often cross into video games.
• Streamers on YouTube or Twitch who build relaxing, inclusive, and fun communities.

Join the Pixels and Chai YouTube community!

Gaming becomes even more rewarding when you can share it with people who understand your love of cosy worlds and creative play.

An Invitation to Play

Gaming after 40 is joyful, inspiring, and absolutely for you. Whether you’re rediscovering old favourites or exploring cosy new titles, this is your space to enjoy.

If you’re thinking about returning to gaming, what’s the first game you’d love to play? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

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