I am trying to decide what game system to get my son for Christmas.
I want to say up front...I know very little about these systems. In fact, my last system was the Sega Genesis.

Even so..my son has expressed a pretty strong interest in a system.
Me and my wife have talked about it. As long as there are some rules and controls on what he plays and how much he plays, we suppose it will be ok.
My son is 5.

I have considered the Xbox 360, the Wii and the PS3.
I have even considered the PS2. Perhaps my son really can not appreciate the advances in the PS3 and the games will be a ton cheaper.
We have also thought that maybe the Wii will help to keep him more active.
Then we thought..maybe this is the Ford/Chevy debate all over again.
In fact, we have thought a million different things.
What we have come back to is that we really know nothing about how to choose a system.

So I am asking for some advice.
Now keep in mind..this is for a 5 y/o.
Advice about the best graphics when watching blood spurt is not going to be something that we want for him.
Also..when you give your opinion, if you could say why you chose a system would be really helpful too.
Thanks in advance.

11/19/2007 10:20:22 AM

Hmmmm, I remember getting my first Nintendo when I was 3. Anyway, get him a DS Lite and call it a day. It's cheap, has plenty of great non-violent games, he can play it anywhere and you won't have to stand in line to get one (like a Wii).

[Edited on November 19, 2007 at 10:28 AM. Reason : :]

11/19/2007 10:23:42 AM

I may be in the market to sell a PS3 cheap, if you decide to go that route PM me

11/19/2007 10:26:33 AM

at that age I'd go with a Wii or any nintendo system really. They always seem to cater to the young crowd more so than any other game console.

11/19/2007 10:27:02 AM

I'll second the DS



or a gamecube.

11/19/2007 10:27:24 AM

I agree. For a 5 year old, I'd stick with a Wii. You're going to find the most kid friendly games for that system. Most of the XBox 360 and PS3's strongest titles won't be age appropriate for your son for at least another decade.

11/19/2007 10:28:59 AM

I would definitely NOT get a PS3 or Xbox360. He is too young to fully appreciate these systems. Plus all the good game are not suitable for his age. You would be wasting some serious money on these consoles and be limited to a very very small library of children's games.

[Edited on November 19, 2007 at 10:29 AM. Reason : asdf]

11/19/2007 10:29:14 AM

Wii or PS2. PS2 has TONS of games, and you can find most of the kids ones used for like $10-$15. If you want him to be more active, you could get DDR and a dance pad too.

11/19/2007 10:32:58 AM

Wii.

All of his friends will be getting one. And if they don't, they'll be wishing they did.

11/19/2007 10:50:57 AM

Wii, or maybe even a gamecube, they have tons of games for kids and what it would cost to buy a new wii with one game you could get a gamecube used with tons of games.


But def something from the nintendo line, it is more kid friendly.

11/19/2007 10:53:09 AM

my sister recently got my niece (6) a GBA and she loves it

11/19/2007 11:03:11 AM

Quote :

"Anyway, get him a DS Lite and call it a day. It's cheap, has plenty of great non-violent games, he can play it anywhere and you won't have to stand in line to get one (like a Wii)."

Nintendo Wii or Nintendo DS Lite

11/19/2007 11:04:14 AM

Agreed..pretty much any recent nintendo system

wii or gamecube for console or the DS lite

11/19/2007 11:16:31 AM

Thanks all.
You have certainly made this a lot easier.
He already has a little mobile system and he loves that.
I guess that makes the Wii a frontrunner.

Now I suppose that I actually need to find one.
Seems like they are sold out about everywhere. Any advice on a good place to get one?
Hey..I am not above standing in line on Black Friday if it is a good deal.

11/19/2007 11:40:09 AM

Wii, hands down. For kids and friends the system is unsurpassed.

11/19/2007 11:42:54 AM

Quote :

"As long as there are some rules and controls on what he plays and how much he plays, we suppose it will be ok."

those rules will go out the window once you open the box.

Quote :

"Any advice on a good place to get one?"

me

[Edited on November 19, 2007 at 11:48 AM. Reason : used gamecube if you want tons of games for cheap.]

11/19/2007 11:48:28 AM

The Wii is so much better than the GameCube and it can be found for $199.

I would buy the Wii before I ever buy a 360 or PS3. It is the only innovative system to come out since the N64 and the Playstation. The PS3, XBox, 360, and PS2 were all just upgraded graphics from the N64 and PS2 with the same old interface and game play with different games. Not until the Wii came out did we see a new type of gameplay emerge, it truly is worth the price tag and the graphics are great for a console. If I want high end graphics I play PC games (they destroy the PS3 and 360), if I want to have fun with friends I find the Wii is way better than all other consoles on the market.

You kid can swing the Wii remote like a golf club, bowl it like a bowling ball (make sure he has the wrist wrap on or it'll be in sticking through the TV), box you like he is really punching someone, and swing it like a baseball bat all out of the box in the included software. Awesome system, hands down best out of the three on the market.

This is coming from a gamer through the Tandy and Dick Tracy on DOS all the way to DX10 Crysis now and I've played it all in between. The Wii really is the best choice for kids in that age and there are a ton of games aimed at their age released or about to be released.



[Edited on November 19, 2007 at 12:01 PM. Reason : ,]

11/19/2007 11:56:11 AM

DS Lite hands down.

11/19/2007 1:19:16 PM

Why would he want a hand held when he could have a Wii. My hand helds (Game Gear) as a kid were always just a substitute till I got home to my Genesis

[Edited on November 19, 2007 at 1:21 PM. Reason : ,]

11/19/2007 1:20:46 PM

Good luck getting a Wii.. during the summer, stores would have them for as long as a day before selling out. The demand has gotten pretty high again, and they sell out within the hour. You might have to wait in line.

Here's a deal online... ships Dec 17.

http://www.ebgames.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=B020070W

* Nintendo Wii system (system, remote controller, nunchuck, stand, sensor and Wii Sports)
* Wii Memory SD 1.0GB
* Wii Charge Station
* 1 additional Wii Nunchuck Controller
* Wii Play with Remote
* Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
* Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
* LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga
* Naruto: Clash of Ninja Revolution

600$

11/19/2007 1:26:14 PM

If you can't find a wii, the gamecube isn't bad and has a huge library of great games (I have over 80).

11/19/2007 3:04:59 PM

Yeah you could just get a Gamecube and once the Wii isn't in such high demand get one since all GC game work on it.

11/19/2007 3:10:29 PM

Yeah, you guys have some good points.
I looked at the games the ones that my son would like ...AND..we will let him play are the Wii and PS2.
We are going to shoot for a Wii...
I figure if we totally bomb out, we can pick up a PS2 pretty much anytime and then get the Wii maybe for his birthday.

That just makes more sense than paying scalper prices.
Besides..maybe I will like gaming again and I will keep the PS2 when he gets the Wii.

11/20/2007 5:58:26 PM

Did you keep your Sega Genesis and your games? Just bust them out of the closet.

"Hey, look at this really cool system. I even got you 20 games for Christmas. Aren't I the best dad ever?"

While it isn't a good idea to give the stuff as gifts for birthdays/Christmas it is a good idea to hang onto your stuff for your kids. My kid is getting a kick out of playing with my 25 year old He-man collection.

11/22/2007 8:41:00 PM

i am saving all of my games so my kids can get the evolution of gaming lecture

11/23/2007 12:38:51 AM

apple IIc, sega genesis, snes, nes. why does a 5 year old need anything more? ok ok, MAYBE n64 for 4 player mario kart, but the kids he's playing with are 5, they don't know any better. at least on my apple II I learned things while I played.

11/23/2007 12:54:34 AM

[quoteNintendo Wii or Nintendo DS Lite[/quote]

11/23/2007 3:07:48 AM

Many thanks to all.
I landed a Wii.
I got to the Kmart early on Turkey day and got one of the 5 that they had.
Based on my research and comments from this thread, I know I got the best system for my son.
Thanks again.

11/24/2007 5:39:12 AM

great choice

11/24/2007 1:23:07 PM

Wii kids are less likely to be fatties too. gg.

11/24/2007 1:47:20 PM

plus u can always play some Wii bowling with him, def. the most family friendly system if u like to get involved.

11/24/2007 3:23:12 PM

YAY FOR NO FATTIES VIA WII

11/24/2007 7:52:00 PM