need help choosing a console

[spudorange]

Hi, firstly I would like to say hello to everyone, can not see thread section for new members to do so.
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I want a console for my (nearly) 5 year old granddaughter, that she can play handheld but also be able to connect to the TV.

It can be quite old and run such games as pacman, mario, donkey kong etc etc
What do you recommend please?

my son has a nintendo ds but I think that can not be connected to the tv

appreciate people's thoughts

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Fire TV with emulators?

The $120 model comes with a video game controller. Not sure if it supports two controllers though.

 

[MarkizSchnitzel]

I mean, the Switch just came out..

 

[razel]

I debated whether to reply at all. This is probably the 3rd time we've seen a new female forum member not too technically inclined create a new forum account and ask a novice question on a heavily tech related site.

Regardless, the question was kindly asked and still useful and I suspect that perhaps when your kids brought up an idea of a handheld that connects to a TV that they more likely meant the Nintendo Switch which is in high demand and low stock.

 

[Paperlantern]

An original Wii would be a good option for a 5 year old really. Readily available used out there with games for well under $100. As well as a very large library (1500+) games on the used market for relatively low prices (save for a few gems of course). Additionally, if it is the real original and not the mini, it will play the entire GameCube library of over 500 games with nothing more than the need of a single gamecube controller. Even supports wide screen and looks fine on most HD TVs to this day. The last I checked maybe a week or so ago, the virtual console was still active as well, allowing you to download older games like Super Mario Brothers series for the NES, SNES, and other systems, further increasing the playability of the old system.

 

[desura]

The f? 5 year old kids should be playing with blocks and running outdoors.

 

[disappoint]

The f? 5 year old kids should be playing with blocks and running outdoors.

You didn't have technology around when you were 5 years old? Kids today have a cell phone in their hand 5 seconds after the umbilical cord is cut. Granted they probably try to eat it, nevertheless they have it.

 

[Stg-Flame]

I was playing an Atari and NES when I was 4. Video games can be beneficial in many aspects for children as they increase hand/eye coordination, spelling, grammar, problem solving, etc.

My advice would be to go with a refurbished Wii and stick to older games for now. They are relatively cheap (GameStop still sells them for around $50) and the games are relatively cheap as well.

 

[HOOfan 1]

You might want to consider an Android tablet. There are many games for Android, and that might be the best way you can have a mobile device that can also connect to a TV

 

[Feneant2]

I'd also recommend a tablet, with the added advantage that it has learning apps that you could also install.

 

[WhiteNoise]

I'm a little late but my daughter was playing educational games on the ipad at 1 years old. She didn't do to good but she was hanging in there. By 2 she was very good with the ipad. When she turned 3 she started playing pc games by 4 she was able to play pc games pretty well, (kid games) Now she is 7 and plays all sorts of PC and console games.

I guess my point is; age doesn't matter that much.

On the other hand my son at almost three still doesn't play any games. I have tried but he's more into toys. He has a completely different mind set than my daughter at his age.

 

[Sonikku]

The f? 5 year old kids should be playing with blocks and running outdoors.

When I was 5 I had already saved Hyrule twice over.

 

[HOOfan 1]

When I was 5 I had already saved Hyrule twice over.

Why I was 5 I somehow managed to play Commodore 64 games, play with legos and hot wheels and play soccer and T-Ball and swim competitively.

 

[NTMBK]

Do you need her to actually be able to take the handheld outside of the house? The Wii U lets you play games on the "handheld", or on the TV- but you have to keep the handheld within wifi range of the box plugged into the TV.

It has lots of kid-friendly Nintendo games, and through its "Virtual Console" download store you can get lots of different old retro games. And it can play all the Wii games like Wii Sports (if you buy a Wii Remote to use with it), which can be a lot of fun to play with kids.

The alternative is the Switch, which is completely portable and can be taken out of the house. But it's more expensive and harder to find.

Hope that helps If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!