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General discussion

Need help in selecting Game Console

Dec 8, 2006 6:39AM PST

I need some advice as to which game console to choose (Wii or XBox360) for my wife and I. We are both 50 years old and haven't played any game console since "Super Nintendo" when our children were small, and my wife especially like the "Mario Brothers" games.

We now have 4 grandchildren ranging from 16 months to 14 years. Our youngest grandchild lives near us while the other 3 live in California (1000 miles) so we are looking for a game console with games that we could play and our youngest granddaughter could play as she grows older especially since we get to babysit her about 2 weekends a month.

Neither my wife nor I are into the "violent" type games which is about all I see advertised on TV anymore, but we would like a console that would play a wide variety from "toddler" age to "Mario Brothers" and "Tetris" type games.

We do get to see our other grandchildren from California (we live in New Mexico) for 2 weeks each summer and they are 8, 11 and 14. What ever console we get would need to play games that they would like also.

Do either the "Wii" or "XBox 360" have games that are considered "educational"? We especially want a console and games that would help our youngest grandchild (16 months) to increase her motor skills and learn her colors, ABC's, numbers, etc before she starts kindergarden in a few years.

I would appreciate any advice on which console to purchase and names of games for the grandbaby and her grandparents.....

Thank you

Discussion is locked

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Go for Wii
Dec 8, 2006 11:20PM PST

For what you are asking, I would recommend the Wii. It uses imaginery that would be on par with younger kids. Since it is new, the library of games are slim.

The xbox360 is more for the mature gamer. Often having "violent" games and those with the swearing you would see in everday life. Not all games are like that, and games such as Need For Speed and possibly NHL 07 with the skill-stick could help with re-action timing and reflexes.

Might also bring interest into the sport that is great for fitness and to play for fun. Happy

Good luck,

Mike

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Oh and another thing
Dec 8, 2006 11:23PM PST

Since you guys seem new to the gaming industry (much has changed since the Super Nintendo days...), you should know that each game is rated by the ESRB, as movies are.

Each game is rated accordingly. Some are rated T for Teens, others are rated E for Everyone (ages 10 and up), etc.

You should look at games on all consoles and compare the average ESRB rating and then make a decsion from there.

Mike

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wii definitely
Dec 9, 2006 6:54PM PST

by the sound of your situation I would recommend a nintendo wii without question.
the whole philosophy behind the wii's creation is that anyone can play it and have fun.

my cousins aged 7 and 10 years came over to visit me and i wanted to see how they would go with it and they really surprised me.

they had no problem negotiating the menus, which are just a simple matter of just pointing and clicking, like a mouse on a computer.

when playing "wii sports" which is included with the consoles, i was again surprised how skilled they were with the tennis and the bowling.
both of them managed to get strikes on a few occasions!!

as for educational games and improving motor skills I would reccomend the "wii-play" bundle which is a second wii-mote (controller) and a game that is very good for improving the motor skills, recognising colours, spacial recognition etc. it starts off relatively easy even for a small child but begins to become more challenging which would allow them to improve and learn at their own rate. it really does cater for everyone.

it would not surprise me if your grandchildren end up giving you a challenge in a lot of 2 player versus games!

another thing that's worth mentioning is that the wii sports game can also provide a good healthy amount of physical exercise, it even includes a fitness age calculator for adults. it uses some of the mini games including, but not limited to baseball, boxing or tennis to measure your speed, stamina and balance.

another thing that you will most likely be pleased about with the wii is the "virtual console".

the wii's virtual console allows you to purchase classic games from various previous consoles such as the NES, SNES, N64. as well as sega's mega drive/genesis, the Turbografx-16 and also Commodore64. which means you will be able to play all of the games you used to play when your children were small. Happy

it's also worth mentioning that the wii can play any gamecube games that might interest you or your grandchildren Happy


The xbox360

while the xbox360 can be a lot of fun, but in my opinion the xbox360 doesn't offer the instant "pick up and play" feeling that the nintendo wii does, especially for younger gamers. for a small child the xbox360 controller is simply just too complicated and large. not to mention being signifigantly more expensive than the wii.

one thing I would be personally concerned about is the amount of swearing and cursing that is displayed by immature users on xbox live, I remember reading some truly shocking statistics on the rate at which xboxlive users curse and i would never allow children to be exposed to that sort of foul language.

hope some of this information helps you decide which system is correct for you. Happy