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. 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.

[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 ) but they are already better than I could ever be. Sad, right?

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

[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?

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

[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

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.