which gaming console for a 9 year old?

foreignobserver

The gaming forums did not have a section to ask this question so I thought maybe someone here could give me some advice.

Lookin to buy a gaming console, but not a portable one as they seem to be too addictive (for kids anyway). So I am looking at xbox, ps2, wii... or is there anything else out there?
What's worth getting and why?
Want to buy a brand new one(this is a gift) but my budget is limited.

Any help appreciated, esp. so if coming from parents, thanks!

javaboy

Moved from AH. I reckon this might be ok here since I see a XBOX or PS3 thread here.

Snakes & Ladders and Ludo

K.O.Kiki

PS2, no question.

Massive library of cheap games, everyone & their little brother still has one, can be locked/hidden away quickly

Isn't it kinda sad that the cheapest "mobile games platform" these days would be the mobile phone? DS is more expensive than a PS2, WTH.

Bring back cheap handhelds!

Retr0gamer

The non-portable ones are just as addictive as the portable ones. I would have said a DS straight away since it's a fantastic console with a rake of brilliant games but if you want to stick to a non portable system the best one to get is the one that all his mates have so he can swap games.

superfly

i would say the Wii is the cheapest all in and maybe aimed more at his age
but i would suggest seeing what his mates have as they will want to swap games with each other

Redlion

superfly wrote: »

i would say the Wii is the cheapest all in and maybe aimed more at his age
but i would suggest seeing what his mates have as they will want to swap games with each other

+1

Ardscoil Ris

superfly wrote: »

i would say the Wii is the cheapest all in and maybe aimed more at his age
but i would suggest seeing what his mates have as they will want to swap games with each other

+2

Taltos

Personally I think 9 is too young - saying that after seeing my now 14 yr old nephew grow up with a console.
When I was younger I would have said there was no issue - but this guy got totally addicted to first the PS2 and now the PS3. Definitely affected how he interacts.

If you are getting this to keep him quiet and to get some you time then please reconsider or if not - please police/strictly limit the time he spends on it.

Saying that I had an atari when I was 8 so who am I kidding - only you know your child and if they are mature enough for it.

Professey Chin

superfly wrote: »

i would say the Wii is the cheapest all in and maybe aimed more at his age
but i would suggest seeing what his mates have as they will want to swap games with each other

Redlion wrote: »

+1

Ardscoil Ris wrote: »

+2

-8

Definately ps2. Cheap, tonnes of cheap games, something for everyone and since everyone has one tonnes of people to swap games with (all said before yes but good points)

CutzEr

What happened to kids playing with boxes -.-

If you are really really intent on getting your a 9 year old a console, then I would say a Wii (I'm a PS man myself.. But the wii seems better equipped for the small majority of umm 9 year old console gamers -.-)

foreignobserver

Thanks for all your comments
@Taltos:

Taltos wrote: »

Personally I think 9 is too young - saying that after seeing my now 14 yr old nephew grow up with a console.(...)
If you are getting this to keep him quiet and to get some you time then please reconsider or if not - please police/strictly limit the time he spends on it.

It is actually for my nephew. I imagine my sister will do the bad cop part
Nonetheless this is a very valid point you made, so - thanks.

Professey Chin

Taltos wrote: »

Personally I think 9 is too young - saying that after seeing my now 14 yr old nephew grow up with a console.
When I was younger I would have said there was no issue - but this guy got totally addicted to first the PS2 and now the PS3. Definitely affected how he interacts.

If you are getting this to keep him quiet and to get some you time then please reconsider or if not - please police/strictly limit the time he spends on it.

Saying that I had an atari when I was 8 so who am I kidding - only you know your child and if they are mature enough for it.

Hypocrite :pac:

Overheal

SNES....or Wii.

Rev Hellfire

PS3 + lbp

SeantheMan

superfly wrote: »

i would say the Wii is the cheapest all in and maybe aimed more at his age
but i would suggest seeing what his mates have as they will want to swap games with each other

+2

Berty

Bash me with rotten vegetables all you want but:

How about buy him a football or a bike?

Overheal

Fishing Pole too. Went into the sporting goods store and something about the smell of fresh basketballs gets you feeling adventurous.

Kinetic^

Nintendo DSi

Sarky

Kinetic^ wrote: »

Nintendo DSi

One of the staff in the local Game showed me the DSi recently. Specifically how the internet browser has no filters on it. Do you really want to be the one who introduced a nine year old child to hardcore pornography, or worse, 4chan?

K.O.Kiki

Sarky wrote: »

One of the staff in the local Game showed me the DSi recently. Specifically how the internet browser has no filters on it. Do you really want to be the one who introduced a nine year old child to hardcore pornography, or worse, 4chan?

Yes.
...
Wait. Can I still change my answer?

(FYI: kids are less prevalent on 4chan than you might expect. They get bored too easily, and have nothing to contribute)

Otacon

Goddamnit, I have a DSi and can't get to any pr0n sites!

Anyway, I would advise getting a PS2. It is dirt cheap, has fantastic games for that age group and everyone has one so swapping games will be a breeze.

Wii or a DS

Jazzy

if i was a kid, i know for a fact i would want an xbox360.
most games
best games

simple as that.
ps2 is too old

James Howlett

XBOX 360 is great but for a nine year old consider this;

They will eventually want to start playing over xbox live and personally I don't think its a great environment for young kids.
The problem is you have no control over who they meet and anyone who has been online knows how easy it is to encounter aggressive behaviour and trash-talk to the extreme.

While the Wii mightn't be great it does have a good supply of quality games aimed at kids (Mario Kart & Galaxy, Zelda, Okami - kinda).
Regarding the PS2 yes it is cheapest and you will have a hugh library of great games to choose from but it mightn't be long before they stop making new games and you are forced to pre-owned only (nothing against pre-owned but titles can be hard to track down.) The Wii shoudl stay strong for a good few years.

So to sum up: Wii.
And don't forget the virtual channel - games like "oracina of time" should be compulsory!

Jazzy

xbox 360
9 year old gamers want this. its not as ultimately boring as the Wii and is just better for playing games. half the time you are fighting the controls on the Wii rather then the game.
you dont have to get xbox live if you dont want to
the games on the 360 generally have better story lines and they are often more challenging and thats better for a young gamer.

if you want a toy, get a wii
if you want a games console, get a 360


not saying the wii is bad, i have one myself and would consider myself a nintendo fanboy... but alas i know the mind of a 9 year old who wants to play games and ultimately the 360 is better for this.


if it were me id get a snes and force them to play Super Metroid over and over until i am satisfied with their progress :pac:

Retr0gamer

A PS2 and Wii will probably just make them envious of their friends with other newer consoles. I had my C64 when I was 9 and had the thing far too long and wanted so badly to have a SNES, Megadrive or Amiga, even a NES. I was really envious of my friends and hated the machine other than the handful of games that were actually decent.

James Howlett

Jazzy - Your right the 360 does produce better games, I am currently addicted to Gears of War myself, but I just wanted to make the point about XBOX Live. Whatever happened to Sportsmanship eh?

Retrogamer - I had a similar experience. Got a Game Gear instead of a genesis for christmas when I was younger. Sad face.

OP - Please let us know what decision you make.

Gummy Panda

OP, get him a ball in a cup

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoUly6OoS7M

RAFC

I have an 8 (nearly 9) yr old, and an 11 yr old (and two teenagers) - in the house are 2 PSPs, DS, DS lite, PS2, PS3 and a WII. The one they really play with (when it's raining only) is the WII.
That is the one I recommend for that age - but others are right, nothing better than seeing them out playing, the games here only come second to that (and I don't even have to get cross) they prefer being out at that age

O'Coonassa

Atari 2600

Kinetic^

Retr0gamer wrote: »

A PS2 and Wii will probably just make them envious of their friends with other newer consoles. I had my C64 when I was 9 and had the thing far too long and wanted so badly to have a SNES, Megadrive or Amiga, even a NES. I was really envious of my friends and hated the machine other than the handful of games that were actually decent.

Agree 100%. Kids don't want previous generation consoles. It's not till their older will they appreciate retro gaming.

Sarky wrote: »

One of the staff in the local Game showed me the DSi recently. Specifically how the internet browser has no filters on it. Do you really want to be the one who introduced a nine year old child to hardcore pornography, or worse, 4chan?

If somebody wants to view those sites, they will find them regardless of filters you put on your home network. The DSi has some really good games, that are fun and educational. It also has a massive games catalogue.

4Xcut

RAFC wrote: »

I have an 8 (nearly 9) yr old, and an 11 yr old (and two teenagers) - in the house are 2 PSPs, DS, DS lite, PS2, PS3 and a WII. The one they really play with (when it's raining only) is the WII.
That is the one I recommend for that age - but others are right, nothing better than seeing them out playing, the games here only come second to that (and I don't even have to get cross) they prefer being out at that age

Side Note: At what age do your parents stop getting cross with you and start just being mad/angry?

On Topic: Don't get him a previous gen console, it will just make him envious as stated above.

The Xbox 360 would get my vote. As regards live, just say no. You bought him a console, you can say no. If he whinges take it away for a week. If he whinges again, a month, etc.

L31mr0d

OP, I'd go with others and see what his friends have. Failing that why don't you ask your nephew what he'd like? If it's a present then just test the air, casually ask him what games he's played at his friends house, and what did he play it on.

A great part of gaming is swapping games and talking about them. Being able to just bring your new game over to your friends house rather than having to pack up the entire console and bring it with you.

Xbox 360 would probably get my vote also, and I'd say his friends will probably have it as well.

Otacon

If you do decide on a current gen console, with no online connection, would a Wii not be better?

Also, I actually think the PS3 wins in the pre-teen games market, against the 360. It has more games aimed at that age-group (Ratchet and Clank, Buzz, Singstar etc.) as well as most of the good multi-platform stuff (Guitar Hero, Rock Band etc.)

superfly

wheeee! for wii

cian1500ww

The 360 gets my vote too.

S.I.R

N64.

skaterboy

PS2
No doubt for a 9 year old is the best:):D