Question for video gamers

Ok i'm sick of my 7yr old and 11yr old kids hogging my computer playing there video games and have decided to get them a video game system for Xmas. The only thing is I'm not ready to fork out $600+ bucks for a new Playstation or Nintendo. Would it be wrong just to get them a Playstaion2. Even if I get this system all the new games are gonna be for the newer systems. So there's another dilema. But this will be there first game system(besides the computer). But also there are so many games out there for the Playstation2 which would keep them busy until they come out with Playstation4 or Wii2. I don't want to feel like a cheapskate by getting them a Play2 or other older game system. What is your input on this? What should I do? What would you do for your kids or what would you want your parents to do. All comments welcome and thanks for your help.

i would go with nintendo(game cube) or ps2! both have plenty of games for kids. go with whichever one has more games your kids would like. unless they have an HDTV the ps3 or 360 wouldn't look as nice on screen.



vaughn

I wasn't really into vidogame systems until I was a teenager...so I don't know as a 7 or 11-year-old how I'd feel. If you want to play it safe and go with something that is new and realitively inexpesive, go with a Wii. It's got a whole new controler concept that I think is neat, some good games and it's $299, as opposed to the $600 PS3's are going for.

For myself, I never buy a gaming system until it had been out a year. Systems that have just come out often have manufacturing/hardware flaws (PS2's did initially)--and they're expensive to boot! In a year, the price will have dropped and there will be lots more games out, that don't cost an arm and a leg.

I'm really a PC-gamer myself...I don't own consoles anymore. Though Zelda on the Wii looks mightily fun... :)

--Kim

My son is 16yo and very content w/ his PS2. Plenty of games to buy and you can go on line and play other people and he has the headphones/mic so he can talk to them and hear them.
You kids will love it just fine, I say go for it.

I say go with an XBox 360, but that's just my bias kicking in...Halo 2 is my absolute #1 guilty pleasure.

Go with a ps2. There are so many games available for it, it should keep them busy for a long time.

I would go with the xbox or xbox 360, the reguler xbox games are compatible with the 360 but you just wont get the HD effect out of it, not sure if the ps2 games are like that or not. plus it all depends what kinda games thier into and what you will let them play. nintendo has ALOT more kids games then ps2 or even xbox, which both do have though. oh yeah, plus if you don't have a HD tv then don't bother getting a xbox 360 because you wont get the full effect out of the gaming experince..

Well the PS3 is going to be near impossible to come by this christmas.I'd probably get them a wii because they're only $250 and they look fun.

I'm still happy with my ps2 - there are still loads of games out for it and the older ps1 games will run on it too. Like someone else said, better to let it be out a year or two to get any flaws fixed. I didn't get into video gaming till I was in my 30s :D

PS2 or Gamecube is fine. I'm actually selling both of mine. The PS2 I'm asking alot since I have a ton of games and highly sought after PS1 games. The Gamecube I'm not asking too much but it has about 14 games and a Gameboy player attached to it so you can play Gameboy games on your tv.

My kids have the ps2 they have some great games for it, I have girls but they love Guitar hero. Buy the game which comes with a guitar and then an extra guitar runs bout 20 bucks. They will dual for hours! And after christmas when they are bored of the games they do have check your local gaming stores many of them sell used games for around 20 and even offer trade ins.

I would go with a PS2 personally. I had one for the longest time and loved it. You can still buy games as where with the 1st play station games are harder and harder to find. X-box is another good choice. They are pretty reasonable but not a fun as a PS2 IMO. I would ask them what they want and go from there. There was the whole disk read error with the first PS2's(shich we unfortunately bought) so watch out for that

I have both the xbox and the ps2, and I certainly don't plan on spending any money on the newer consoles until they drop in price. There are plenty of games out on both platforms and they will continue to put out games in the future. There have been problems with the Xbox360 and PS3 when it comes to playing some older games or usuing certain controllers. I prefer my xbox over my ps2 because I find the graphics to be better. There are plenty of people on ebay selling their whole set ups including lots of games for a great deal.

The wii has some great games and nice features if you interested. http://wii.nintendo.com/

Thank You all for your help. It made my decision alot easier. I think I'll go with Ps2.

He will likely be thrilled with the PS2, we had the same dilemma with my nephew when PS2 first came out....he wanted one so bad, but it just wasnt in the cards at the time :( So we got hime a PS1 and he was just ecstatic, he didnt care that it wasnt the PS2, he was just so happy to have his very own game system :) and besides....it may not seem like it compared to whats out now, but the PS2 is a very cool machine....definitely trumps anything I had as a kid ;)

I love game cube, because i love the games that they have for it, honestly, you're kids are young, and they are probably not going to complain too much...and when your 11 year old is a little older, and he wants a better game system, he can save money and earn it himself, :D
If you go to GameStop (I dont know if you have them where you are), or a local gamer's store, they usually have used ones for about 20% less, and usually in great condition.

Good Luck!

Gamecube: $99
Nintendo Wii: $249

If you want to spend $400ish get a nintendo wii, an extra remote or two, and a few games + a few gamecube games.

If you want to spend $200ish, get a gamecube, controllers, and then games.


The one benefit of the nintendo wii is that it can play Gamecube discs, and theyoffer older platform games for download wirelessly. Also with the motion sensing controllers, the nintendo wi gives a much better workout than sitting down playing games :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Uncle Festae

He will likely be thrilled with the PS2, we had the same dilemma with my nephew when PS2 first came out....he wanted one so bad, but it just wasnt in the cards at the time :( So we got hime a PS1 and he was just ecstatic, he didnt care that it wasnt the PS2, he was just so happy to have his very own game system :) and besides....it may not seem like it compared to whats out now, but the PS2 is a very cool machine....definitely trumps anything I had as a kid ;)

---

I think PS1 is better then the PS2. PS2 is more about looks and PS1 had much better games.

ps2 and xbox are great. we have all the systems and no one ever plays the gamecube...

just got an xbox 360 and it's great. future shop has the system for 499 with 5 games!!!

I would go with PS2 you can buy games at gamestop used 5.00 to 10 bucks lots of choices. Me personaly have HD with 360.

Yes, go with a PS2. The XBox just doesn't have the variety of games that the Sony systems do.
I love my GameCube but unless they're Mario fans....

my thoughts exactly:rockon:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by elevatethis

I say go with an XBox 360, but that's just my bias kicking in...Halo 2 is my absolute #1 guilty pleasure.

---

i'd get either the PS2 or wii system.according to a friend, you can download classic games on the wii like zelda,donkey kong,super mario bros.,etc.in other words, games that were for nintendo and super nintendo and maybe even sega!! the PS2 is cheaper now and there are a TON of good games.i want a PS3 but they'll be nearly impossible to get plus they're expensive.

I would go with the PS2 myself. You could spend the $130 at the store for a new one or you could get the older boxier PS2 at a pawn shop for around $60-$90. I like the older model due to the fact of the air vents and the fan. The newer model doesn't have the fan or any kind of vents which makes it really easy to over heat. I like the PS2 myself for the selection of games and if you really want to run the PS1 games you can still play those on it as well.


The main question is what kind of games do they like to play? PS2 offers really great games and alot of them are best sellers so your only looking at $20 new for the best sellers... I'd take a look at what they're playing on the computer and use that as an idea for what to get them for games.

Like other people have added as well...It's best to wait a year before buying the new technology/consoles. By that time any flaws or kinks would be worked out and the price would be cheaper.

IMO...
Nintendo is more of a child based system
PS2 has more of a variety in games
and the Xbox has a good variety as well with what appears to be more catered to the 1st person shooters and RPG's (role playing games)

I hope that helps and best of luck in your christmas gift purchasing!
:rockon:

I remember growing up and my parents and some family thought I was spending to much time "playing' on my computers...LOL, I haven't had any of those comments in a looooong time. Having my career already started before I was out of high school was priceless.

Although this isn't really what this is about. If its just games they want all the above suggestions will be helpful I'm sure. However you could find a low priced basic second computer for them to use and still maintain the versatility of the PC. OR buy yourself a newer decent computer or laptop and let them have at the current PC.

get the xbox 360, ur kids will have so much fun with it, its the greatest video game system ever made

The PS2 is fun for me still and I have had it since they first came out. My little brother who is 11 loves to play and there are a TON of games for it. IMO, don't go with nintendo. They haven't made anything right since N64. I had a gamecube and it was broken within months, something about the laser motor not working. Sent to Nintendo and received a new one, another problem arose and I never bought another nintendo product. You won't look back on buying a PS2

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Vomitore

I think PS1 is better then the PS2. PS2 is more about looks and PS1 had much better games.

---

well now you can have the best of both worlds, PS2 plays PS1 games:)

Since this is going to be mostly played by your kids, I'm assuming, a Nintendo Wii would probably be the way to go as most games are geared towards kids. Also you can play Sega, Genesis, Super Nintendo, and Nintendo games on it. I don't know the availablitly of one right now, but I'm sure you'll be able to get one after the Christmas season is over. As for the PS3 I heard that it won't come available until March 07. Plus it's a cheaper system and your kids will get a work out with the new controller system! Hope that helps! :D