Console Gaming for Kids

[3NF]

I'm a PC gamer myself, but do not have any sort of console (Wii, PS3, Xbox). I'm looking to get a console for the kids (5 year old). From what I've seen, it seems the Wii would be the best fit for them. I'm looking for recommendations on what accessories I should consider getting when buying the console.

 

[Homerboy]

I'd say WII too.
My kids loved it at first (now 7 and 9) but have pretty much migrated to the 360 at this point. There are lots of good kid games for the 360 (Mini Ninjas, the LEGO series, Kinect, Toy Story 3 etc etc).

But what your kid doesn't know, he won't miss. There are a lot of great games for the Wii too.

 

[wuliheron]

We gave our kids computers instead. My son was so desperate to figure out how to play games on the thing he learned windows and taught himself how to read.

 

[Bman123]

I'd say a 360 is better, the kinect os so damn easy to use, no controllers so no buttons. My daughter is 5 and loves the kinect games

 

[3NF]

I'd say a 360 is better, the kinect os so damn easy to use, no controllers so no buttons. My daughter is 5 and loves the kinect games

Are there many kinect games (children) for the 360? Also, I hear you have to pay a subscription for internet access.

 

[Duder1no]

Wii for small kids dude

 

[mmntech]

For family friendly gaming, Nintendo is always the best bet. Plus it`s a great opportunity to cut their gaming teeth on legendary franchises. Personally, I`d go with a DS over a Wii though.

 

[DaveSimmons]

DS or Wii.

360 and PS3 have a few kids games, but not many compared to those two. Also with the 360 you might want to do something (play online, watch Netflix, ...? ) only to find out you need to fork over $40/year for Live Gold.

 

[zerocool84]

For family friendly gaming, Nintendo is always the best bet. Plus it`s a great opportunity to cut their gaming teeth on legendary franchises. Personally, I`d go with a DS over a Wii though.

Yea if it's only for one kid, get them a DS. There are more games for kids on the DS than on the Wii. I wouldn't get a 3DS, get the DSi.

 

[ManBearPig]

i must say my nephews love the ps3, but they hated the PS MOVE as they are a bit too young to be coordinated enough to really get it so i dunno about Wii. theyre 5. we play super street fighter, ratchet and clank, infamous, and marvel vs capcom 3 a lot.

 

[guyver01]

My 6 year old loves Kinectimals..

Also plan on getting Sesame Street once it comes out.

 

[3NF]

Thanks for the feedback. I thought about the DSi, but I have 2 kids and would like something all of us can play together.

 

[waggy]

i have a 4 yr old and a 8yr old. the 8yr old does not like play mutch.

the 4 yr old loves the wii and DS. we have a bunch of children games.

we do have lego star wars for the PS3 and he plays that. though the new Lego starwars game is a lot harder and he has trouble at times.

 

[AstroManLuca]

Are there many kinect games (children) for the 360? Also, I hear you have to pay a subscription for internet access.

You probably don't want a 5 year old kid playing games online with the types of people who frequent Xbox Live.

You do have to pay for some online services but not all. You can still download arcade games and stuff, all it prevents you from doing is playing online games and watching Netflix.

I'd still say Wii though. Best local multiplayer, although Kinect might be good for younger, less coordinated kids.

 

[blackdogdeek]

my daughters (4 and 7) love the wii. they play just dance 2 with their friends so we made sure we had a total of 4 wiimotes. they also play wii sports which requires two nunchuks.

 

[3NF]

I think I'll go with the Wii. The DS would be cool, but children lose things too easily I guess if I want an Xbox or PS3 later I can get it. I suppose some people have more than 1 gaming console

 

[mmntech]

You probably don't want a 5 year old kid playing games online with the types of people who frequent Xbox Live.

Heck, even I don't want to play with the types that frequent Xbox Live.

Now that you have a Wii, try getting them into some games that will get your kids moving.

 

[PieIsAwesome]

If you don't mind the gore and profanity, pretty much all games on all consoles these days are best suited for young children. In efforts to widen target audiences, publishers have improved game stories and gameplay so that infants will draw the most enjoyment.

 

[Cdubneeddeal]

My friends seven year old daughter loves playing Adventures with the kinect.

 

[Kabob]

Wii or DS. Kinect is great but there's not enough titles for kids out yet.

 

[3NF]

Just saw this today ... Wii 2?

http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/gaming.gadgets/04/15/nintendo.wii.2.mashable/index.html?hpt=T2

 

[MikeyLSU]

I vote for 360+kinect. You will get more fun out of it than a wii plus the kinect is great for anyone.

And like someone said, I would never let my children of that young age play online. Way too many wackos out there with microphones.