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Which console for my 7 year old ... if any?

  • 08-10-2017 11:16pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,338 ✭✭✭


    Hi all, my young fella is obsessed with his DS2 but anytime he goes to his friends or cousins he comes home wanting an Xbox. His friends have older brothers and his cousin is nearly 10.we are thinking of getting him a console for Christmas but I’ve never played an Xbox or play station before so haven’t a notion where to start.
    I’m looking for advice on what console should I get him or should I leave it for a year or two? Any advice would be great but I’d rather he wasn’t online if I’m honest.
    Thanks


«1

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,271 ✭✭✭shamrock55


    My young fella is 6 and plays Lego games and Minecraft on my old PS3, as long as you keep game time to a minimum(wkend) and keep the games age appropriate I don't see the harm


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 34,701 CMod ✭✭✭✭CiDeRmAn


    The Switch would be a great buy for him.
    So many of the games on the Xbox and PlayStation are geared for older gamers, while Nintendo have a better selection of games for all ages.
    Also, the format allows a person to play on the tv or in portable mode, it also allows for multiplayer gaming out of the box.
    A Switch, Legend of Zelda and Mario Kart is a great combination, maybe throw in Arms and Rayman as well.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 399 ✭✭Paleblood


    Hi all, my young fella is obsessed with his DS2 but anytime he goes to his friends or cousins he comes home wanting an Xbox. His friends have older brothers and his cousin is nearly 10.we are thinking of getting him a console for Christmas but I’ve never played an Xbox or play station before so haven’t a notion where to start.
    I’m looking for advice on what console should I get him or should I leave it for a year or two? Any advice would be great but I’d rather he wasn’t online if I’m honest.
    Thanks

    You don't have to let him online and at that age you shouldn't if you can't guarantee constant supervision. At that age he'll get plenty of fulfilling experiences just playing single player games or playing side by side with friends or family.

    I'd pick him up a second-hand PS3 slim in CeX. You'll have over a decade worth of games to choose from and all of them are cheap and getting cheaper. You could also for an Xbox 360 for the same reason. There's not much between them but I reckon there's a better selection of age appropriate games for the PS3.

    Don't get won over by a PS4 if you see one going cheap. It simply does not have enough games for younger players. My 8 year old nephew has a PS4 and he's barely turned it on in over a year. He loves his 360 more for exactly the reasons outlined above. My brother takes him to get a string of 'new' games every fortnight because they're so cheap.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 399 ✭✭Paleblood


    CiDeRmAn wrote: »
    The Switch would be a great buy for him.
    So many of the games on the Xbox and PlayStation are geared for older gamers, while Nintendo have a better selection of games for all ages.
    Also, the format allows a person to play on the tv or in portable mode, it also allows for multiplayer gaming out of the box.
    A Switch, Legend of Zelda and Mario Kart is a great combination, maybe throw in Arms and Rayman as well.

    Maybe when it drops in price and has a large selection of age appropriate games. Right now your 'great combination' would cost the best part of €500.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,397 ✭✭✭✭Digital Solitude


    What about a Nintendo Switch?

    Its portable, powerful and a lot of new games are coming to it, though maybe not as much as Xbox/PS so far.

    From the start you can play multiplayer in a lot of games and have the likes of Overcooked, Mario Kart now and Super Mario Oddessy coming soon.

    Gfs siblings (7 & 10) basically go into meltdown when we take the Switch away

    Might be worth looking at


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 399 ✭✭Paleblood


    Paleblood wrote: »
    Right now your 'great combination' would cost the best part of €500.

    More like €650 actually. I didn't realise the Switch was still €400 second hand.

    PS3 slim is €95 in CeX.

    Maybe even go for the PS4. There's still a great selection of kids games available for it and at least if a brand new game comes along that he's interested in he'll be able to play it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,397 ✭✭✭✭Digital Solitude


    Paleblood wrote: »
    More like €650 actually. I didn't realise the Switch was still €400 second hand.

    PS3 slim is €95 in CeX.

    Maybe even go for the PS4. There's still a great selection of kids games available for it and at least if a brand new game comes along that he's interested in he'll be able to play it.

    €650?

    Switch €330
    MK8 €50
    An Indie €20
    Total €400

    €650?

    :confused:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,218 ✭✭✭✭Tom Mann Centuria


    If you're going old generation I'd go Nintendo

    Wii - dirt cheap 2nd hand loads and loads of games suitable for a 7 year old, way more than the PS3 or Xbox 360

    Wii U - still pretty cheap, can play all Wii games and has screen controller or play using Wii controllers.

    If you're going latest generation

    Switch - I'd worry a bit about robustness of screen/controller but Nintendo still kings of family friendly gaming.

    Xbox One - plenty of indie games that are suitable, EA Access (like a library of games you own for duration of a subscription) around 30 euro for the year. Other games such as Rocket League and Minecraft (so does wii u and Switch tbf) available and a lot of Xbox 360 games that are compatible with the Xbox One can be got cheaply (check compatibility lists online first)

    Kids can tease a bit if it's not the latest this that or the other, and want the games their friends have, otherwise I'd say go for the Wii U or Wii all day long.

    Oh well, give me an easy life and a peaceful death.



  • Closed Accounts Posts: 399 ✭✭Paleblood


    €650?

    Switch €330
    MK8 €50
    An Indie €20
    Total €400

    €650?

    :confused:

    Switch, Zelda, MK8, Arms and Rayman was the magic combination.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 399 ✭✭Paleblood


    Paleblood wrote: »
    Switch, Zelda, MK8, Arms and Rayman was the magic combination.

    To be fair €320 for a Switch is a good price and in line with my initial valuation. I revised my total estimate when I saw they were still nearly €400 in CeX. I assumed that would be the cheapest bricks and mortar option. But let's split the difference and leave it at €500 for the above combination. That's still an awful whack for a 7 year old's first console. Or perhaps do as you suggest and pick up MK8 and an indie for €400. That seems awful sparse though. It reminds me of my first console. Playing Sonic, just Sonic, for an entire summer.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 29,930 ✭✭✭✭TerrorFirmer


    I agree with an Xbox360, PS3 or Nintendo Wii. Tons of games on each platform suitable for him, he'd never run out of games no matter which he chose.

    Also important that if he's fixated on an xbox, maybe just get him that - kids will want what they want and getting a different console probably wouldn't go down as well. In a year or two if he wants to get the Xbox One or PS4 or whatever you can revisit that, but for a 7 year old now I think the 360 or PS3 would be perfect and they're very cheap.

    Gamestop sell pre-owned Xbox 360 250GB's for €80, and you have the benefit of a shop warranty, for example. You'd get one for the same price with a fair lot of games second hand on adverts, either.

    Anyway, I suppose it's all moot if it's the Xbox One he's fixated on - should be some good deals around Christmas, it's already pretty cheap (usually around €250 with games bundles) and you can get one second hand now for about €150 on adverts.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,252 ✭✭✭circadian


    I'd recommend the Switch. You can get Minecraft and crossplay with Xbox will be coming for it later this year apparently. He could then play it with friends/cousins on the Xbox then.


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Computer Games Moderators Posts: 52,631 CMod ✭✭✭✭Retr0gamer


    I'd recommend a switch as a good family console but if he wants an xbox best to get an xbox. He can play games with his cousin and mine craft is on there.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,143 ✭✭✭Grumpypants


    The Switch is great but If you get a switch (not only is it really expensive) but he will still arrive home from his cousins talking about wanting an xbox.

    You can get an Xbox One S, with Minecraft & FIFA 18, and a Fifa 18 jersey, brand new for €250. That's three presents he will love.

    Minecraft is a great game for kids to learn life skills. It is being used in schools now as it is such a good developmental tool.

    You can set the xbox so it can't go online but most kids games are online safe now anyway. So no chatting, messaging etc. You just play the game with others.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 399 ✭✭lsjmhar


    Hi all, my young fella is obsessed with his DS2 but anytime he goes to his friends or cousins he comes home wanting an Xbox. His friends have older brothers and his cousin is nearly 10.we are thinking of getting him a console for Christmas but I’ve never played an Xbox or play station before so haven’t a notion where to start. I’m looking for advice on what console should I get him or should I leave it for a year or two? Any advice would be great but I’d rather he wasn’t online if I’m honest. Thanks

    Switch is best option. Can use as handheld or connect to TV. Games will be age appropriate, e.g. Splatoon is a good shoot em up but no bullets, just paintballing.


  • Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 28,633 Mod ✭✭✭✭Shiminay


    Get him whatever his cousins have so he can play with them and swap games and so on, it'll make life easier. You can also ask said cousins for the details if you're not completely familiar with the various options.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 34,916 ✭✭✭✭NIMAN


    I notice everyone is saying, yeah buy him one.

    No advocates for him being too young?


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 34,701 CMod ✭✭✭✭CiDeRmAn


    Paleblood wrote: »
    Maybe when it drops in price and has a large selection of age appropriate games. Right now your 'great combination' would cost the best part of €500.

    Price was never mentioned as a factor.

    The Switch will cost around the €500?
    The console with Zelda = €389.99 in Smyth's
    The console with Mario Odyssey = €370 on Amazon
    An extra game and it comes to around €430/€450, not quite the €500 you are referencing.

    And it already has a great selection of age appropriate games, both in physical form and from the digital shop.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,105 ✭✭✭ectoraige


    Is it just that he wants something to play on, or is there a specific game/franchise he likes? When our son was 8 we got him a second-hand X-box 360, we'd had a Wii for a couple of years before that but the newer FIFA games weren't supported on it. Now he's hitting the same problem, FIFA aren't supporting the Xbox 360 any more so he's looking to upgrade again.

    If he's going to be having friends over a lot, don't forget to have enough controllers, they can be pricey enough too.


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 34,701 CMod ✭✭✭✭CiDeRmAn


    NIMAN wrote: »
    I notice everyone is saying, yeah buy him one.

    No advocates for him being too young?

    7 years of age is not too young, but then it's up to each parent to make that call.

    Other posters are right too, a PS3 has a great library of games and is cheap as chips right now.
    An Xbox One or PS4 is also an affordable console, but the games are pitched at teens and over in the main.
    Yes, there's Fifa but most of the focus is on action titles, most of which are at least 15's.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,900 ✭✭✭✭TitianGerm


    CiDeRmAn wrote: »
    The console with Zelda = €389.99 in Smyth's
    The console with Mario Odyssey = €370 on Amazon

    Stop trying to tempt me :pac: I really want one but I don't have the time to play it :(


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 399 ✭✭Paleblood


    NIMAN wrote: »
    I notice everyone is saying, yeah buy him one.

    No advocates for him being too young?

    Not at all. Videogames are a medium, like any other. Is he too young to read, watch films or listen to music.

    Everything in moderation, and with a responsible parent calling the shots.

    Gaming is a very healthy activity for a young child.


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Computer Games Moderators Posts: 52,631 CMod ✭✭✭✭Retr0gamer


    NIMAN wrote: »
    I notice everyone is saying, yeah buy him one.

    No advocates for him being too young?

    Got my first computer, a Commodore 64, at 7. Still remember it as a great present... even if I was jealous of the girls next door who got an import SNES that year....

    7 is the perfect age to get into it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,122 ✭✭✭sierra117x


    A big thing is if he's playing with his friends online this requires a paid account on either Xbox or Playstation. If it's just having his friends around to play there's no need.

    There are parental controls on most consoles these days so you can limit the content he has access to. For example he could only speak to people on his friends list and he could only add people to that list with your approval first. You can also limit time played I believe so for example he could play it for no longer than an hour.

    I think there's no harm in having it at a young age but definitely have it in a public area in the house so you can monitor his activity. And invest in some.good headphones so you don't have to listen to Lego star wars the whole time....


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,994 ✭✭✭ambro25


    NIMAN wrote: »
    No advocates for him being too young?
    No such thing. Provided that you monitor usage and games.

    I deliberately "dropped" my kid in the "digital cauldron" when she was 12 months. Always supervised, always time-limited, but dispensing as broad an experience of digital-y things as possible (portable media players, tablets before tablets were ubiquitous (e.g. MS Paint on creaky old PII/PIII Fujitsu yokes), PC & PC gaming, consoles <handheld and lounger models>, etc).

    12 years on, she's with anything and everything 'digital', like a fish in water.

    But will still spend far more time creative writing, drawing, painting, horse riding <etc.> than gaming. I can barely interest her in coop Halo or a 2 player arcade cab session these days (:()

    I trust her enough to have put a TV (no aerial) and Wii U in her bedroom a few months back. I don't think it's been turned on more than twice (each time, when she had a school friend stay for a sleepover, and with lights self-extinguished by 22:00).

    Same as everything: it's not the media. It's how you raise them :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 399 ✭✭Paleblood


    CiDeRmAn wrote: »
    Price was never mentioned as a factor.

    The Switch will cost around the €500?
    The console with Zelda = €389.99 in Smyth's
    The console with Mario Odyssey = €370 on Amazon
    An extra game and it comes to around €430/€450, not quite the €500 you are referencing.

    I based my opinion on the price of a Switch in CeX, where they're still almost €400 without a game. They were the cheapest around when I purchased mine and I thought they'd still be cheaper. My mistake. In fact I priced your entire recommendation in CeX, including Arms and Rayman (and I included a second JoyCon) and it was over €600. So let that be a cautionary tale for anyone who, like me, thought that CeX will save you a few quid.

    And you're right, price wasn't mentioned as a factor but I (perhaps wrongly) thought it would be given that the OP, by his/her own admission, hasn't a clue what they're buying and that it's a 7 year old's first console. I certainly know that price would be a major factor for me in that situation, but that's just me.


  • Administrators, Computer Games Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 32,595 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭Mickeroo


    If he's raving about an xbox just get him that. Plenty games for younger players on them and some good deals around at the moment.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 34,916 ✭✭✭✭NIMAN


    Moderation is very important.

    I have a 7yr old who has been asking about a console for 2 yrs now, as all his friends have one. Many play their consoles for a few hours a day. For me, that's not healthy.

    We have considered relenting and letting Santa bring one this Xmas, when he will be 8. But it would be strictly controlled and likely only be allowed at weekends.

    He loves reading,lego and documentaries, and I just fear the presence of a console would become the number 1 priority.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,900 ✭✭✭✭TitianGerm


    NIMAN wrote: »
    Moderation is very important.

    I have a 7yr old who has been asking about a console for 2 yrs now, as all his friends have one. Many play their consoles for a few hours a day. For me, that's not healthy.

    We have considered relenting and letting Santa bring one this Xmas, when he will be 8. But it would be strictly controlled and likely only be allowed at weekends.

    He loves reading,lego and documentaries, and I just fear the presence of a console would become the number 1 priority.

    You could just say 1 hour a day and that's it. If there's any argument you don't get to play for a week.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 399 ✭✭Paleblood


    NIMAN wrote: »
    Moderation is very important.

    I have a 7yr old who has been asking about a console for 2 yrs now, as all his friends have one. Many play their consoles for a few hours a day. For me, that's not healthy.

    We have considered relenting and letting Santa bring one this Xmas, when he will be 8. But it would be strictly controlled and likely only be allowed at weekends.

    He loves reading,lego and documentaries, and I just fear the presence of a console would become the number 1 priority.

    As much as I love games, and despite my previous comment above about how healthy an activity is can be for young children, I'd still exercise caution where a child has a very keen interest in reading. A lot of children like reading, but some children love reading and if your child is in the latter camp then I'd let him continue with that as a priority until he's a bit older. That's just my two cents.

    But you seem to have the right attitude about how to introduce a console so I don't imagine it would be too disruptive either way. I imagine the important thing is to be strict. If the child knows that the console is for an hour or two at the weekend, and there's no getting around that, then he'll get used to it. But if he knows it's there whenever he stags for long enough, or whenever mam and dad aren't looking, then it's possible that he'll get distracted.

    I should qualify all of the above by saying that I've been both a videogame lover and a bookworm for the past 27 years, and one has never interfered with the other.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,143 ✭✭✭Grumpypants


    I got my first handheld (Nintendo Game and watch donkey kong 2) at 4. Triggered a love for games that has given me decades of enjoyment and a brilliant career.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,870 ✭✭✭✭Generic Dreadhead


    For a 7 year old, a Switch is by far and away the best option.
    It's a great peace of kit and you only need to buy him 2 games for it.
    If you get Mario Kart, you can play together with the 2 joy-cons included in the box and Zelda is a long game so will keep him occupied
    Getting him a console that is more than a decade old is not a great idea, minecraft aside


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,900 ✭✭✭✭TitianGerm


    For a 7 year old, a Switch is by far and away the best option.
    It's a great peace of kit and you only need to buy him 2 games for it.
    If you get Mario Kart, you can play together with the 2 joy-cons included in the box and Zelda is a long game so will keep him occupied
    Getting him a console that is more than a decade old is not a great idea, minecraft aside

    I was leaning towards the switch as well but if his friends have an Xbox or PS4 then I'd say go with that. Most kids that age want Minecraft and FIFA and maybe another odd game.

    The fact there's some really good deals on the One S and PS4 means it'd be a bit cheaper as well for the first console.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 974 ✭✭✭Remouad



    Gfs siblings (7 & 10) basically go into meltdown when we take the Switch away

    That's a perfect reason not to get one. Kids don't need something else to have a meltdown over.
    Shiminay wrote: »
    Get him whatever his cousins have so he can play with them and swap games and so on, it'll make life easier. You can also ask said cousins for the details if you're not completely familiar with the various options.

    This is probably the best advice regarding which console to get.
    NIMAN wrote: »
    I notice everyone is saying, yeah buy him one.

    No advocates for him being too young?

    Personally I think 7 is too young and it should be delayed as long as it's not having a social impact.
    Also if there are younger siblings in the house bear in mind that it's being introduced to them too.

    However OP has stated that their son is already obsessed with the 2DS then, if there aren't any other children in the house, the point is probably moot.


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 34,701 CMod ✭✭✭✭CiDeRmAn


    Retr0gamer wrote: »
    Got my first computer, a Commodore 64, at 7. Still remember it as a great present... even if I was jealous of the girls next door who got an import SNES that year....

    7 is the perfect age to get into it.

    And now you spend your spare time either playing games or online talking about them.
    You are not a good advertisment for the hobby! ;)


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  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 34,701 CMod ✭✭✭✭CiDeRmAn


    Paleblood wrote: »
    As much as I love games, and despite my previous comment above about how healthy an activity is can be for young children, I'd still exercise caution where a child has a very keen interest in reading. A lot of children like reading, but some children love reading and if your child is in the latter camp then I'd let him continue with that as a priority until he's a bit older. That's just my two cents.

    But you seem to have the right attitude about how to introduce a console so I don't imagine it would be too disruptive either way. I imagine the important thing is to be strict. If the child knows that the console is for an hour or two at the weekend, and there's no getting around that, then he'll get used to it. But if he knows it's there whenever he stags for long enough, or whenever mam and dad aren't looking, then it's possible that he'll get distracted.

    I should qualify all of the above by saying that I've been both a videogame lover and a bookworm for the past 27 years, and one has never interfered with the other.

    It's all about balance at the end of the day.
    I'm also a book lover and a games player and, sadly, work and family have meant that no longer am I devoting significant time to either pasttime.
    The days of having three books on the go at once or putting five hours a day into videogames is long past, now that I'm 45 and working from half eight to five o'clock, five days a week.
    At least my son is benefiting from my collection now!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 34,916 ✭✭✭✭NIMAN


    As I say my boy who is 8 in December has been asking. We are deciding whether to bend or not.

    But he has 2 younger siblings of 6 and 4 as well, and as another has said, you are not only introducing the 8yr old to gaming, but the 4yr old too.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,338 ✭✭✭positivenote


    THanks One and all for the varied response.
    To clarify a couple of points:
    He's 7 and has gotten into reading alot over the past 3 months or so.
    He loves his DS2 and gets it as a treat every few days.
    There is a younger sister in the equation who isnt really into the DS2 as much tbh
    Alot of his friends are talking about their xbox's and minecraft (which he is obsessed with when he goes to his cousins).
    If I go with the xbox 360 he would proberbly expode with the excitment on christmas morning.
    Where is the cheapest place to pick one up with a couple of controllers and say mario kart/Zelda/Minecraft etc... ?
    Again thanks a million for the advice.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 974 ✭✭✭Remouad


    THanks One and all for the varied response.
    To clarify a couple of points:
    He's 7 and has gotten into reading alot over the past 3 months or so.
    He loves his DS2 and gets it as a treat every few days.
    There is a younger sister in the equation who isnt really into the DS2 as much tbh
    Alot of his friends are talking about their xbox's and minecraft (which he is obsessed with when he goes to his cousins).
    If I go with the xbox 360 he would proberbly expode with the excitment on christmas morning.
    Where is the cheapest place to pick one up with a couple of controllers and say mario kart/Zelda/Minecraft etc... ?
    Again thanks a million for the advice.

    CEX is probably easiest. Get one with a decent sized harddrive. Games load and run much better when they are installed.

    No Zelda or Mario on Xbox. Those are Nintendo only.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,994 ✭✭✭ambro25


    NIMAN wrote: »
    As I say my boy who is 8 in December has been asking. We are deciding whether to bend or not.

    But he has 2 younger siblings of 6 and 4 as well, and as another has said, you are not only introducing the 8yr old to gaming, but the 4yr old too.
    Your 7 year old is already introduced, he has and uses a 2DS. And in all likelihood all 3 of them will go through 'gaming' a one time or another, to an extent of another. That's an inevitability (if you wait to avoid some element of peer/social pressure problems down the line).

    Notionally, you have three options:

    (i) see gaming as a collective activity (incentivising multiplayer gameplay: Nintendo Wii, Wii U or Switch I think, with games like Mario Party or Mario Kart)

    (ii) see gaming as your 8 year old's "me-time" away from his siblings (in which case, broader choice of console. What is your lad like with his 2DS, when his 2 siblings are "around"? How do your 6 and 4 year old behave about that 2DS? Do they want it/their own?)

    (iii) wait until the youngest gets to 7-ish (but I'd expect peer/social pressure-borne problems with the 2 elders by then)

    The first two are not necessarily mutually exclusive, either.

    You could have a PS3/xbox 360/xbox One/PS4 <whatever> for the 8 year old, and a Wii (they really are cheap as chips 2nd hand nowadays) for all 3, with the choice of which to use for the limited/imparted playtime down to the 8 year old.

    Or a single PS3/xbox 360/xbox One/PS4 <whatever> for the 8 year old, and games suitable for the 6 & 4 year old (many games have an age rating of 3), and a couple extra pads, with the choice of which game to play for the limited/imparted playtime (or some of it) down to the kids and/or you. E.g. 30 mins 3-player Lego or Minecraft, balance left as your 8 year's me-time gameplay.

    Many different ways to skin that cat responsibly, fairly, and inclusively :)


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,143 ✭✭✭Grumpypants


    THanks One and all for the varied response.
    To clarify a couple of points:
    He's 7 and has gotten into reading alot over the past 3 months or so.
    He loves his DS2 and gets it as a treat every few days.
    There is a younger sister in the equation who isnt really into the DS2 as much tbh
    Alot of his friends are talking about their xbox's and minecraft (which he is obsessed with when he goes to his cousins).
    If I go with the xbox 360 he would proberbly expode with the excitment on christmas morning.
    Where is the cheapest place to pick one up with a couple of controllers and say mario kart/Zelda/Minecraft etc... ?
    Again thanks a million for the advice.

    Double check with the cousins which xbox they have. The Xbox 360 is the older console. The xbox One is the latest model.

    The xbox one will play most 360 games, but a 360 won't play xbox one games. Best off to future proof youself for 5+ years with a xbox one. Or you will be in the same situation next year.

    You can look online for deals but they are all in and around they same price. Gamestop have a good xbox one deal with minecraft, fifa 18 and a jersey. For only €250.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,929 ✭✭✭✭ShadowHearth


    From what I learned having an 8 year old ratty:

    She has 3ds, my old 360 and tablet.

    360 is a pure minecraft box. Buying games for it is pretty much waste of money. She plays for a bit and gets distracted by a spot on the wall and thats the end of it.
    3ds is same, buying games for 50 quid, then her playing it for 15min and never coming back to it.

    The tablet on the other hand is her weapon of choice. Kids get bored of games so fast and tablets got tons of free small games.

    Where I am going with this? Switch is amazing, but its a lot of money for a console. Games cost 50-60 quid. Kids get bored of same game very fast and buying them for that price per pop is financial suicide.

    If your child, op, asks for xbox, then get him x box as thats clearly what his friends have and play. No point buying anything else. I see it all the time how her friends come with their own 360 controllers to play games in our house.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 399 ✭✭Paleblood


    THanks One and all for the varied response.
    To clarify a couple of points:
    He's 7 and has gotten into reading alot over the past 3 months or so.
    He loves his DS2 and gets it as a treat every few days.
    There is a younger sister in the equation who isnt really into the DS2 as much tbh
    Alot of his friends are talking about their xbox's and minecraft (which he is obsessed with when he goes to his cousins).
    If I go with the xbox 360 he would proberbly expode with the excitment on christmas morning.
    Where is the cheapest place to pick one up with a couple of controllers and say mario kart/Zelda/Minecraft etc... ?
    Again thanks a million for the advice.

    Word of warning, it's 2DS, not DS2.

    Around these parts 'DS2' is Dark Souls 2 and you definitely won't be getting your kid that for Christmas. :P


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,397 ✭✭✭✭Digital Solitude


    Remouad wrote: »
    That's a perfect reason not to get one. Kids don't need something else to have a meltdown over

    They have a tablet each, a PC, 3DS and an Xbox but would probably shank me for the Switch, which is why I bring it up. The 10 year old is COD and Minecraft obsessed until Mario Kart is on the table.

    Not having kids of my own, meltdowns aren't something I think are common :pac:

    Maybe try find out what games they play op? Minecraft and Fifa would be really popular, Xbox 360, PS3, Xbox One, PS4 or Switch all have those so if that's all he's interested in right now, the cheapest option might be the best.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,900 ✭✭✭✭TitianGerm


    Paleblood wrote: »
    Word of warning, it's 2DS, not DS2.

    Around these parts 'DS2' is Dark Souls 2 and you definitely won't be getting your kid that for Christmas. :P

    When I read the OP first I thought this little fella must be a serious gamer. Wanting Dark Souls :pac:


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Computer Games Moderators Posts: 52,631 CMod ✭✭✭✭Retr0gamer


    CiDeRmAn wrote: »
    And now you spend your spare time either playing games or online talking about them.
    You are not a good advertisment for the hobby! ;)

    Have a decent job, socialise, got a PhD and exercise (not as much as I should mind), so hasn't been all that detrimental to anything other than my bank account :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 974 ✭✭✭Remouad


    Paleblood wrote: »
    Word of warning, it's 2DS, not DS2.

    Around these parts 'DS2' is Dark Souls 2 and you definitely won't be getting your kid that for Christmas. :P

    I was wondering about that.
    Thought it was some new version of the DS that I hadn't heard of.
    Last portable I had was the PSP :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 974 ✭✭✭Remouad


    The 10 year old is COD and Minecraft obsessed

    Can never understand why parents, who wouldn't let their kids watch a 15's/18's movie, have no problem with them playing an 18's game.

    Regularly hear of kids as young as 6 who are playing GTA or COD.


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 34,701 CMod ✭✭✭✭CiDeRmAn


    Minecraft on the Switch is fantastic, and playable away from the TV, which is a massive plus.
    No CoD on Switch yet but ... There will be Doom!
    And Legend of Zelda is probably the game of the year, regardless of format.
    The system is naturally local multiplayer, so Astro Wars Deluxe, Mario Kart 8, Rayman Legends, Arms all great.
    Splatoon 2 will also scratch that CoD itch but in a family friendly way, tons of fun.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 29,930 ✭✭✭✭TerrorFirmer


    CiDeRmAn wrote: »
    Minecraft on the Switch is fantastic, and playable away from the TV, which is a massive plus.
    No CoD on Switch yet but ... There will be Doom!
    And Legend of Zelda is probably the game of the year, regardless of format.
    The system is naturally local multiplayer, so Astro Wars Deluxe, Mario Kart 8, Rayman Legends, Arms all great.
    Splatoon 2 will also scratch that CoD itch but in a family friendly way, tons of fun.

    Honestly I think you need to stand back a bit. You're almost aggressively pushing a €400 switch on someone who's clearly said their son is looking for an €80 xbox.


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