Game Systems

[BrandiDup]

Which do you have and why?

I've been thinking about getting my kids a game system for Christmas, but I'm totally undecided about whether I should and which game system I'd even buy.

Right now, it seems like a system plus a few games will run us around $600. Do you think any of them are worth it?

Do you have a game system? Which one do you like and why?

We had an XBox about 5 years ago, the hard drive went completely out 4 months after we bought it. I think we spent about $300 on it, plus the $$ for games. We called to see if we could return it and they said they don't accept any exchanges after either 60 or 90 days. :rolleyes: and they wanted $100 just to take a look at it, not including any parts or labor for fixing. So, yeah, it went in the trash and I'm still really pissed about it. I guess I SHOULD have bought the extended warranty, but live and learn, I guess. That left a sour taste in my mouth though.

[deezelpope]

<i>Last year for Christmas, my kids each got Nintendo DS Lites...they're $200 apiece, and games run $20-$50. They LOVE their DS's.</i>

[Reeve of shinra]

a DS is cheap and fun. the nintendo wii is also one of the cheaper next gen game systems and its a ton of fun with great games.

[Wayne Luke]

We currently have a Gamecube, Playstation2 and an XBOX. Each kid has a Nintendo DS (I won't replace them with the Lite version). The kids are getting a Wii for Christmas.

The Wii ($249.00) and three extra controllers + nunchuks (~$180.00) plus 5 games will be about $729.00. Well actually 4 games since Super Smash Bros. Brawl got postponed. The game has been in my room for a while now as have the controllers. Just need to pick up the games over the next few weeks.

They are getting the Wii because the kids have more fun with Nintendo products than either Microsoft or Sony so it will get the most use. The PS2 and XBOX are actually mine and they only have a few games on those consoles.

[Brad]

It depends on what your kids like and your resources (how much are you willing to spend in other words ;)).

At this point if you're going to get a brand new console I'd go with an Xbox360 or a Wii. The Playstation 3 is just as fun as the other two but it costs more and most of the games on it are begin released on the 360 as well.

Best advice I can give you is; Find out which games your kids want and find out which system has them. For example there is no point in getting a PS3 imho if your kids aren't into games like Gran Turismo and Metal Gear Solid (both are usually released on Sony consoles). If they're all about Halo get the 360.... If Smash Brothers is their thing get the Wii. ;)

If I were shopping for kids I'd go for the Wii and get plenty of "Wii Points". The Wii Points can be spent by yours kids on games which can be downloaded via the internet. I'd also buy one or two new games for them...I'll leave that up to you! The new guitar hero was just released though so investing in that might be good if your kids like guitar hero.

Do you have a game system? Which one do you like and why?

Too many to list! The ones I play most often are; The PS2, Gamecube, N64, Sega Dreamcast, Sega Saturn, Neo-Geo, NES, SNES, Sega Genesis, Sega 32X and my gameboy color. I plan on buying the Wii, xbox360, and PS3 at some point this year... I kinda got screwed waiting around on the PS3 to drop in price. Now I'm going to have to find an older one that'll emulate PS2 games in hardware. :(

BTW: If the HDD was the only thing wrong with that Xbox I would have been willing to buy it from you. Next time something breaks and you can't send it back send me a PM...I _always_ need parts. :p

[BrandiDup]

My son is 5, my daughter is 3 but they both are very much into gaming and are VERY good at it. I used to be a little expert at them and could beat just about any game on my super nintendo (old skool :p ) but they are already better than I could ever be. Sad, right? :o

Anyhoo, I'm looking for something pretty child oriented b/c I seriously doubt my husband or I will really play much on it, besides playing the kids games with them. I have heard that Nintendo tends to offer more in the way of games for young kids.

We have a regular GameBoy Advance and my son LOVES his, but it basically boils down to me getting two Nintendo DS plus some games for them to share, or the Wii.

Wii is at the very top of my list right now and it looks like for the console plus an additional remote plus 4 or 5 games, I'm going to spend around $600-$700. So, I want to be sure it's going to be something my kids would enjoy.

One of my biggest questions is- I know the Wii is the really interactive console where the kids will be standing up and moving around (Which is another big reason why I favor this one versus the traditional controllers) but is there an OPTION to use a standard controller with it? Or do you have to use the interactive ones? I think it would be kind of cool to alternate, but I'm not sure if the system is made to be used with the regular controllers.

Right now, Wii is the front runner from what I know about it. It's so much money to invest though, I guess I just have to pray that we'll all enjoy it :p

[Brad]

You can use the gamecube style controllers with it and they hook up on the top/side of the console. :)

If you're going to be playing gamecube games or older emulated games with it (like your SNES games ;)) it's pretty much a requirement.

[BrandiDup]

We have a gamecube now- will those games work with the Wii? :eek:

if so, that would be AWESOME b/c we have a ton of gamecube games. :D

[Chris M]

I believe they do yeh...

I own a PS2, an XBox, used to have a GameCube and an N64 but don't really play on any of them much... I use my PSP or PC more :p

Chris

[Wayne Luke]

Nintendo Wii is the system to have for young kids. Mine are 15, 12 and 11 and its still what they want. Many of its games are rated E so there is a wide rande to choose from. With the points, you can download a lot of older sega and Nintendo console games.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

I just went thru this a few months ago when my son turned 7. Looked at all the newer consoles, and finally decided for the Nintendo Wii. Couldn't have made a better choice.

What made me decide:
- Nintendo has a large history of games suitable for children. The XBox and PS3 both have many games aimed at older audience, but only few for children under 10 years old.
- The controlers for WII are wireless, easier for children, no wires get tangled.
- children learn much faster to use the movement controler then an old-fashioned controler where they only need to press buttons. The movements are mostly natural. Lol, even i can not stop playing tennis with it, it is so much fun.
- they will not just sit on the couch, but will actually be moving around. They get an excercise while playing.

PS Make sure they have enough clear room, becuase they will often get so much into the game that they will forget their surroundings and hit anything within reach. :D

[Marco van Herwaarden]

One of my biggest questions is- I know the Wii is the really interactive console where the kids will be standing up and moving around (Which is another big reason why I favor this one versus the traditional controllers) but is there an OPTION to use a standard controller with it? Or do you have to use the interactive ones? I think it would be kind of cool to alternate, but I'm not sure if the system is made to be used with the regular controllers.It depends on the game. Some games can be played with a regular controller also, some don't.

You do have the option to play your old GameCube games with GameCube controlers.

[no mods]

Since there young go with a Wii, since most likely it will have more games suitable for younger kids.

[Lag]

Seeing as your kids are still fairly young I would recommend buying them a Wii. I think there is a lot more younger orientated games, and seeing as how you said you and your husband won't be playing too much I don't see a need for you to get anything different.

Now one of the advantages the PS3 is the ability to play Blu-Ray disks, as well as yet another price drop bringing one of the PS3 versions down to $400. There are the Gran Turismo series and Metal Gear Solid is coming soon too. But both are games I wouldn't recommended for kids that are just 3 and 5

On to the Xbox 360. I see no reason to buy this for your kids unless there were a bit older. Maybe anywhere from 10+. It does have the Xbox Live Arcade, where you can download plenty of small games. Now along with the Xbox 360 comes Xbox Live. But I don't think your kids are old enough to really enjoy that. And of the course the Halo trilogy (My personal favorite).

Now all of what I just said was me trying to be as un biased as possible. Now, I'm only 16 (and an avid gamer), one of the things the really makes a gaming system to me, is strong online play. I don't mind paying the extra few bucks a month for Xbox Live. A lot of people say that the PS3 is better and some say the Wii is better. Well, there is a fan boy for everything.

I guess I've strayed a little off topic here, but I think you should go for the Wii seeing your kids are still pretty young and it has some fun family safe orientated games. On top of that it's the cheapest one of the current three systems. :p Not to mention it's a very interactive system.

[Paul M]

Just bought my Daughters a Wii between them for xmas.

[BrandiDup]

Thank you so much for your help! We have decided to get the Wii, but now we're just unsure of where exactly we should get it. I guess I should probably get to business and get one soon, before the price goes up even more. I really do appreciate all the input I received, and I think we'll all be very happy with the Wii. My son is going to LOVE the controllers.

[deezelpope]

<i>Do you have GameStop in your area?</i>

[Wayne Luke]

Gamestop is where I bought mine. The other local stores (Wal-mart, Target, Best Buy, Circuit City, Kmart and a few others) are always running out but Gamestop always has them in stock. The employees are also gamers so can answer a lot of your questions and since they aren't crowded all the time, you can get some good service. You can also pre-order games coming out in the next month so that they are ready for you on release day. No lines that way.

I think there are Gamestops everywhere.. They own EBGames as well.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

I think there are Gamestops everywhere.. They own EBGames as well.
Never seen one. :D

@Brandi
I think you made the best choice. You will all have fun with it, even more then you think now.

[G0F0RBR0KE]

Depending on who you're planning to buy the game console too. It's best to do your resource on all 3 consoles.

Nintendo Wii = For young people and for family.
PS3 and XBOX = For teenager and adults (maybe for young kids; depending on what game you're planning to buy for them).

So, if you have children, my suggestion will be Nintendo Wii and of course, hook them up with Mario games. We all grew with those games, it's time for them to grow up with those games. Try to get something you and your children will enjoy spending time together. If they're not teenager, don't buy 360 nor PS3 as many games aren't suitable for their age yet.

[BrandiDup]

Thank you so much to everyone who helped me with this decision. We are now the proud owners of a Wii :D I plan to buy one game for my son and one game for my daughter, then buy a few more after christmas. I'd rather buy a few other things that aren't related to games, so I'll hold out on buying too many right away. My son's birthday is the beginning of March anyhow, so he'll probably get another game or two for his birthday, as well.

I'm so happy I finally made the decision and snagged one. Got a decent deal on it also. We got the whole console, an extra remote, an extra controller, plus the sports bundle with a total of 14 games for $360. So, not too bad. I can probably find another two games separately for about $45 a piece. So, I'm looking at only $450 for the whole shebang. Not too shabby :)

[Roxie]

Currently we have:

3 Ninentdo Gameboy Advances
3 Nintendo DSs
2 Sony PSPs
1 Nintendo Gamecube
1 Nintendo Wii
1 Old school Playstation 1

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Congrats Brandi.

Remember that you bought it for the children, so don't use it all the time yourself. :D :D

[Chris M]

Ah but you have to test it out extensively to make sure it all works ;)

Chris

[Weapon-x]

PS3 is the way to go if you like high def and a built in blu-ray player and free online

Xbox 360 is ok but you have to buy external HD-DVD player for it. And Xbox Live rocks!

I know this because I own both of them.

[ronalds8]

I'm waiting for Tekken 6, then I'll get PS3 :o

[Wayne Luke]

PS3 is the way to go if you like high def and a built in blu-ray player and free online

Xbox 360 is ok but you have to buy external HD-DVD player for it. And Xbox Live rocks!


How do these system rate for 3-5 year olds? That is who the game system in question is going to be for. Most preschoolers don't care about Blu-ray of HDDVD as long as they can watch The Wiggles.

[Guest190829]

I don't really play games anymore - I do want to play MGS 4 when it comes out though, what is that PS3? Huge fan of that series.

Anywho, I have a PS2 and a gamecube.

[BrandiDup]

How do these system rate for 3-5 year olds? That is who the game system in question is going to be for. Most preschoolers don't care about Blu-ray of HDDVD as long as they can watch The Wiggles.

LMAO Exactly. I've found some really awesome games for the Wii, that even my 3 year old will probably get to enjoy a little bit. They have far more kids games than any other new system. :up: I am soooo excited to give it to them though, it's just sitting up there in our closet and I'm dying to let them try it out. :D

[Wayne Luke]

Here is a game that my 6 year old nephew loves to play:
http://starwars.lego.com/en-us/VideoGame/Default.aspx

[nurawtek]

X box 360 Xbox 360!!! lol I love mine.. mos def get the extended warranty of you do get it I have the latest and so far works great! but some of my friends has been breaking down. They have an update coming up too through xbox live with some major mods making it more social networked and the ability to play divx files.. anyways thats what I have to say about that. :)

Which do you have and why?

I've been thinking about getting my kids a game system for Christmas, but I'm totally undecided about whether I should and which game system I'd even buy.

Right now, it seems like a system plus a few games will run us around $600. Do you think any of them are worth it?

Do you have a game system? Which one do you like and why?

We had an XBox about 5 years ago, the hard drive went completely out 4 months after we bought it. I think we spent about $300 on it, plus the $$ for games. We called to see if we could return it and they said they don't accept any exchanges after either 60 or 90 days. :rolleyes: and they wanted $100 just to take a look at it, not including any parts or labor for fixing. So, yeah, it went in the trash and I'm still really pissed about it. I guess I SHOULD have bought the extended warranty, but live and learn, I guess. That left a sour taste in my mouth though.