I'd go for the 360. A lot of the software on the Wii doesn't really take advantage of the Wiimote. There are more than a few games for the system where all you do is shake the remote or some other nonsense.

Our Wii gets a lot of use but it's mostly just people playing Wii Sports or Guitar Hero. My Wii probably spends more time emulating older consoles than it does actually running Wii or Gamecube software.

First person shooters on the Wii just don't measure up to the Xbox 360. The Xbox community sees a new FPS games all the time (I'm personally hooked on Left 4 Dead ;)), the controls are standardized for the most part and there is already an established online community to play with on Xbox live.

On that note I would not turn kids lose on Xbox live... For one thing there are too many of them on there anyway and secondly what goes on over voice chat just isn't kid friendly.

I also wouldn't buy into this idea that buying a Wii is healthy for anyone that plays it. I assure you it's possible to play every game for the system with your butt firmly planted in an easy chair. My brother is an expert at bowling (300 is his high score) and he plays it while laying on the couch. If you want active kids video games aren't the answer.

One final thing to keep in mind; One console is not really any more expensive than the other after you add up the cost of extra controllers and games. In my experience it's easier to find second hand Xbox 360 controllers/other misc hardware and games.

Wii...

I love the concept, will reduce some pounds in your kids ;)

Bought wii few months ago, played it for few weeks and never touched it since then.

Xbox 360 keeps me going though, only since its got xbox live and halo 3.

I bought a Wii for the Wii Fit. It works if you actually use it on a daily basis and don't use it to rationalise extra portions of food on the grounds that you'll be burning it off. I keep failing at the second part, but it tastes nice.

Rapscallion

Does anyone want to sell me their dust collecting wii?? HAHAHAHAH ROFLMAO.

I cant believe walmart had them on sale last week for 249 and now they are going for 400 plus on ebay... and getting higher and higher. I'm so sick of the scalpers buying everything up!

I wouldn't touch/purchase any consoles let alone a wii from ebay, I would just persevere and try and browse your local ads. Chances are that someone somewhere (located near you) will be selling a wii and you'll have the luxury of try before you buy ensuring everything is in tip top shape.

Warranty is a big issue with 360s. I've had 2 fail out of 3. My advice is to buy from amazon, if you're in the UK. Their customer support is SUPERB. They sent me a replacement 360 first, then gave me 30 days to ship mine back. Not only that but they paid for postage back to them. Granted, the postage costs are covered by law but a lot of retailers argue when you mention it :)

Yeah, my sisters 360 failed too. A few weeks after she bought it. She had to send it in and pay for shipping. It was under warranty but she still had to pay the shipping.

I have all the systems out now except PS3 and it really depends on who is going to use it the most...

Your son wants it for one game and then it will sit or will he play Halo in multiplayer? Will you pay for the xbox live membership i.e. gold etc?

Wii though is just like you said more family oriented. The wife, myself and our daughter play it more than the 360 and the only thing we play on 360 now is Guitar Hero but for Wii it's MarioKart, Wii Sports and for christmas we are going to pickup the Wii Fit and the snowboarding game you can use the pad with!

So basically no matter what we say it's still going to be your call... I say go to a gamestop or EB games or whatever you have around you and spend 1/2 hour playing both.

S-MAN

Check your local Target if you have one. They get in one or two a day here at each store. We have 3 Target stores in the area including a Super Target. Have to be there at opening and just look. Its a pain but you can get them at standard pricing.

Gamestop/EBgames (they are the same company) also stock refurbished used machines. These are cheaper than new machines of course and come with a 7 day no questions asked return policy. Get it home, hook it up after the kids go to bed and check it out to make sure it works.