SHould i get my 12 year old son a PS Vita for his birthday?

[mike208]

He loves video games, already has a xbox 360, Wii and a 3DS. We also have a PS3 in the living room, which he plans on occasion.

We have been trying to decide what to get him for his birthday this year. We usually like to get him one big thing and let the rest of the family by him some odds and ends. We tossed around ideas of a kindle fire HD, possibly a new cell phone(he really doesn't talk on the phone much yet, so I think the phone would go to waste, but it would give him access to mobile games)the PS vita, Wii U, or just getting him a few new games for the consoles he has.

Looks like the Vitas just dropped to $199, and I hear it will do some neat things with the PS4 when it arrives. But he does already have that DS and just bought himself 3 new games for the DS with some early birthday money he received. He does still like the "kiddie" style games on the DS, but he is also into more mature games of which the PS Vita seems to have more.

Just wondering what are the pros and cons of the vita? I have been reading reviews and a lot of people say its awesome, others say just play games on your phone.

 

[Jodell88]

He has enough consoles. Get him books or something.

 

[lothar]

Get him books to read.

This.

 

[mike208]

Do you have kids? Getting them to choose books over video games is a tall order. And he does have plenty of books which he does read from time to time. But I know when I get home from a long days work I want to unwind how I want to unwind. I am OK with him doing the same for the most part

 

[zaydq]

I would suggest an ipod touch for games and reading. Ios has a lot of decent game content for children.

 

[mike208]

I would suggest an ipod touch for games and reading. Ios has a lot of decent game content for children.

I considered an iPod but he's not into music much. So it seemed like a waste like the phone.

 

[zaydq]

I considered an iPod but he's not into music much. So it seemed like a waste like the phone.

Unlike a phone, it doesn't come with a monthly fee to use. I figure it has a camera he can use, a simple interface, a device to consume Internet content, easy to type on and email/face chat or Skype with family members and the games on the app store are quite a bit cheaper.

 

[Tom]

I have lots of grand kids and their friends around. They all really like to play games on ipods, ipads, Android phones and tablets, and laptops. And occasionally DS's. None of them ever express any interest at all in the Vita.

 

[Kneedragger]

I would say the Vita is a good buy right now since the price drop. He does have a lot of gaming options already so thats really up to you.

What else does he like to do? New consoles are coming out for the holidays is he gonna want one of those too?

 

[ibex333]

Why not get him a bike? If he already has one, how about a pair of dumbells and a pullup bar? Have those too or not fitness inclined? Get him an acoustic or electric guitar. Hate noise in your house? Enroll him into a boxing gym with a good trainer for a month. See if he likes it.

Why are parents so narrow minded these days? Poor daddy comes home from work dog tired and just wants to be left the hell alone while the kid will "busy himself" with another video game... How about you get up, no matter how tired you are, and go play catch in the park with your son, or take him fishing? It'll do you good too! Job doesn't allow for free time? Time to look for another job, even if it pays less.

Basically give him anything for the b-day BUT video games or consoles. Do not give him an ipad. He will not read, he will play some games and then the device will sit collecting dust. Get him to learn a new awesome skill, or get him to go outside more often. If all he does most of the time is video games, he'll end up like me, and trust me - YOU DON'T WANT THAT.

 

[bearxor]

I considered an iPod but he's not into music much. So it seemed like a waste like the phone.

An iPod touch is less a music player and more a general purpose device. I would also second this recommendation as it will give him mobile gaming on the cheap. Just don't grab a 4th gen one. They're almost three years old now.

 

[lothar]

Why not get him a bike? If he already has one, how about a pair of dumbells and a pullup bar? Have those too or not fitness inclined? Get him an acoustic or electric guitar. Hate noise in your house? Enroll him into a boxing gym with a good trainer for a month. See if he likes it.

Why are parents so narrow minded these days? Poor daddy comes home from work dog tired and just wants to be left the hell alone while the kid will "busy himself" with another video game... How about you get up, no matter how tired you are, and go play catch in the park with your son, or take him fishing? It'll do you good too! Job doesn't allow for free time? Time to look for another job, even if it pays less.

Basically give him anything for the b-day BUT video games or consoles. Do not give him an ipad. He will not read, he will play some games and then the device will sit collecting dust. Get him to learn a new awesome skill, or get him to go outside more often. If all he does most of the time is video games, he'll end up like me, and trust me - YOU DON'T WANT THAT.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure no parent wants that.

 

[ViRGE]

I would say the Vita is a good buy right now since the price drop. He does have a lot of gaming options already so thats really up to you.

Agreed. It's a very good system and I certainly enjoy owning it. The game selection is decent (and getting better) compared to the 3DS and miles ahead of anything on iOS/Android in terms of quality, and the hardware is still second to none since it's quite a bit more powerful than a 3DS and has real buttons and sticks versus any kind of phone/tablet. So with the recent price drop it's a good time to buy.

Owning both a 3DS and a Vita is somewhat overkill (you can only play one at a time), but like Kneedragger has said it's up to you.

 

[xeledon20005]

A 3DS is enough no reason to have so many hand held consoles.

 

[MrX8503]

I considered an iPod but he's not into music much. So it seemed like a waste like the phone.

People still use these for music? I figure its more app centric and for playing games.

 

[jidery]

I have a significantly younger brother than me and about a year ago I asked the same question. I already had a Vita and loved it, so ultimately I decided to buy my soon to be 11 year old brother one too. My honest opinion from my observations? It was the best gift I have bought him so far.

The Vita is a fantastic system, offering some of the best bang for your buck possible. I think it makes an even better gift if you throw in a year of Playstation Plus. Why you might ask? Because if you spend the $50 your son will be given 3-5 games a month to play on his vita, that he can keep forever. That's $250 and you just gave your son an awesome console and at least 35 games.

The Vita also makes a great alternative to a tablet because it does offer some of the more common media apps, like Netflix and Facebook and a pretty good web browser since the last update. Sure its a little bit limited when compared to an android tablet, but I see that as a good thing, there is still a lot of stuff you probably don't want your son doing.

In regards to the Vita being more "mature" when compared to the 3DS I would have to agree but only to a small extent. These "kiddie" games you speak of are popular for all ages and the Vita has its fair share of them too. I highly recommend Little Big Planet for the Vita as nearly any kid or adult loves that game. LBP offers thousands of levels so the game is nearly endless.

Do I recommend the Vita for a 12 year old? As someone who both owns one and has bought one as a gift, Heck yes. If you wannt to know anything else, feel free to ask and ill try to respond quickly.

 

[looper]

Do you have kids? Getting them to *choose* books over video games is a tall order. And he does have plenty of books which he does read from time to time.

He has enough electronics.

"choose" ? You are the parent. Reading has to be valued, and the child needs to see you and the wife reading.

A child HAS to/NEEDS to read/study/get very good grades, to earn the privilege to play. No TV/consoles/electronics in the bedroom. Study/exercise/socialize/limited electronics usage.

Rant over.

 

[jidery]

He has enough electronics.

"choose" ? You are the parent. Reading has to be valued, and the child needs to see you and the wife reading.

A child HAS to/NEEDS to read/study/get very good grades, to earn the privilege to play. No TV/consoles/electronics in the bedroom. Study/exercise/socialize/limited electronics usage.

Rant over.

Who are you to tell people how to raise THEIR kids? Answer his question and leave it be. This is a technology forum, NOT A PARENTING FORUM.

 

[Oyeve]

He has enough electronics.

"choose" ? You are the parent. Reading has to be valued, and the child needs to see you and the wife reading.

A child HAS to/NEEDS to read/study/get very good grades, to earn the privilege to play. No TV/consoles/electronics in the bedroom. Study/exercise/socialize/limited electronics usage.

Rant over.

STFU. You have no idea how he is raising his kids, nor is it any of your business.


OP, have you mentioned the Vita in random conversation? Do you know if he has any interest in it?

 

[tential]

I loved video games as a kid. I always got the newest consoles.

That being said, I became a lot different of a person when I went to highschool boarding school with 0 access to videogames/television.

Considering how many consoles he already has, I wouldn't do it. I remember when I had that many, I lost a gameboy advanced and it meant nothing to me. Figure out a hobby he likes, and put that money to that instead.

 

[Graze]

Your kid has enough damn toys. Jesus!

 

[BladeVenom]

Nexus 7

 

[zaydq]

He has enough electronics.

"choose" ? You are the parent. Reading has to be valued, and the child needs to see you and the wife reading.

A child HAS to/NEEDS to read/study/get very good grades, to earn the privilege to play. No TV/consoles/electronics in the bedroom. Study/exercise/socialize/limited electronics usage.

Rant over.

What makes you think his kid doesn't read, and get good grades? I played a load of games growing up, yet I still maintained good grades.