Best Game Platform For Young Children?

[Drac]

The grandparents have offered to buy a video game platform for my kids. While I don't know that we'll even allow this to happen yet, I'm curious as to what system would be the best for a 6 year old. Obviously I'm looking at games like Pac Man or other non violent, kid oriented programs. I'd really like to get some help here as I'm completely clueless. I do all my gaming on a PC and don't know diddly squat about the XBox, PS2, etc. Thanks in advance for any direction you can provide.

[jakethebake]

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The grandparents have offered to buy a video game platform for my kids. While I don't know that we'll even allow this to happen yet, I'm curious as to what system would be the best for a 6 year old. Obviously I'm looking at games like Pac Man or other non violent, kid oriented programs. I'd really like to get some help here as I'm completely clueless. I do all my gaming on a PC and don't know diddly squat about the XBox, PS2, etc. Thanks in advance for any direction you can provide.

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My wife and I decided our kids would have video games when they bought them for themselves. The best game platform for kids is still the backyard IMO. /images/graemlins/grin.gif

[elwoodblues]

Nintendo has usually aimed at more non-violent games than the others. That might be changing, but I would suspect it is the way to go.

[Matty]

N64

[YourFoxyGrandma]

I'll second that. PS2 and Xbox are very geared towards older, more violence-hungry gamers, at least moreso than gamecube.

[WEASEL45]

Nintendo gamecube

[Drac]

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My wife and I decided our kids would have video games when they bought them for themselves. The best game platform for kids is still the backyard IMO. /images/graemlins/grin.gif

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I agree with this for the most part which is why I haven't decided if we'll even go this route. It's a lot easier to send the kids to the back yard in January in Miami than in Minnesota.

[Matty]

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Nintendo gamecube

[/ QUOTE ]Uh, that's what I meant to say.

[stabn]

You definitely want to get them the gamecube. That or a game boy advance SP. That way they can take it with them on car trips, airplanes, etc. Nintendo owns the young market, since they've been catering to them for years. Both Xbox and PS2 have less games for youngers and, frankly, most of the ones they do have suck.

[namknils]

Leapfrog.

It's educational.

[Patrick del Poker Grande]

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You definitely want to get them the gamecube. That or a game boy advance SP. That way they can take it with them on car trips, airplanes, etc. Nintendo owns the young market, since they've been catering to them for years. Both Xbox and PS2 have less games for youngers and, frankly, most of the ones they do have suck.

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If you do get a system, there's clearly no better option than the Gamecube combo pack that's out right now with 2 controllers and MarioKart. That game is enough to buy the system by itself. A gameboy would also be a decent suggestion, but instead of the SP, I'd go for the DS - it just came out and is replacing the SP.

[jakethebake]

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It's a lot easier to send the kids to the back yard in January in Miami than in Minnesota.

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Good point. We actually lived in St Louis when we made the decision...still not quite Minn. Regardless, it seems like you got enough hesitancy about having it at all, so that if you do, you'd limit usage to something reasonable. The couch potato generation just makes me nuts.

[stabn]

A DS is extra money and isn't really worth it over the SP. THe SP has a huge library of games, while the DS currently has few. Also, these are kids, and frankly, the DS is huge and is geared more towards adults (hense DS instead of gameboy DS).

The DS can play gameboy advance games, but, it also has a small stylus etc, which will be very easy for kids to lose. The SP overall is a much better investment for kids, IMO, based on price, games, and size.

[Drac]

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It's a lot easier to send the kids to the back yard in January in Miami than in Minnesota.

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Good point. We actually lived in St Louis when we made the decision...still not quite Minn. Regardless, it seems like you got enough hesitancy about having it at all, so that if you do, you'd limit usage to something reasonable. The couch potato generation just makes me nuts.

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Unfortunately I have a strong attraction to computer/video games so it's probably in their blood. Fortunately I also love basketball, hockey, etc. so they should have a pull toward activities. Finding the right balance will be a constant challenge but there will be limits on games, not on activities.

[Men the Master]

I don't know how many kids you have. But if you have three, let the grandparents buy them one a piece. Nintendo 64, Playstation 2, and Xbox. Then play with them yourself. The games today are just too violent for kids.

[smoore]

gamecube, all the way. I think the gameboys are trouble for young kids, what with jealousy of peers and trouble at school.

[stabn]

Every game today is not too violent for kids, stop listening to tv news bs scare tactics.

[MarkL444]

this exact same question was posted about 2 weeks ago, if that. either way i wouldnt waste my time looking at, it pretty much just says gamecube a bunch of times like this one does (which is by far the right answer)

[youtalkfunny]

I'm in the same spot.

I saw all the recommendations for the Cube.

I bought the PS2 anyway.

When I was a kid, I had an Atari. The controller was a stick and a button.

Then Nintendo came out, and it had TWO buttons. I couldn't cope. I quit playing video games.

Now I have kids.

I bought the system with the most elaborate controls. They'll never feel that sense of helplessness that I once did.

[MarkL444]

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I'm in the same spot.

I saw all the recommendations for the Cube.

I bought the PS2 anyway.

When I was a kid, I had an Atari. The controller was a stick and a button.

Then Nintendo came out, and it had TWO buttons. I couldn't cope. I quit playing video games.

Now I have kids.

I bought the system with the most elaborate controls. They'll never feel that sense of helplessness that I once did.

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the main issue is, game selection. ps2 has a lot of games and all, and probably its fair share of kid games, but gamecube has all the mario type games and [censored] that are perfect. plsu pretty soon your kids are gonna ask you to buy them grand theft auto. take it back while theres still hope.

[A_C_Slater]

Nintendo Gamecube is the most "kid friendly" game system among the Big 3. And it's not even close.