Choosing Console for 7-year girl and all family

[JTsyo]

So what did you end up getting and did she enjoy it?

 

[Sonikku]

I'd be a bit torn given your criteria. On the one hand, the Wii seems like the perfect fit. It's super cheap now, has lot's of bundles to choose from and is very kid friendly. On the other hand, when I was a kid I don't think I wanted the kid console. When I was a kid, I wanted the "cool" systems the adults were using and probably would not have been against shooting and rifle butting people at 10 as opposed to breaking bricks and stomping goombas. As an adult I came back to Nintendo and came to appreciate their game design despite their broad, bright appeal. But if your daughter is anything like me, then the Xbox 360 with kinect might be the better option.

Beyond that my only complaint about the Wii is that for years and years games start out at $50 and they STAY at $50, almost until the day they take the console off the shelf. 360 games start at 60 and fall to 30-20 in 6 months. Even AAA titles like Fallout new vegas can be had for ten bucks brand new at best buy right now and it's barely been out half a year. Super Mario however? Super Smash brothers? Just about every must have title on the wii commands full price after years of being on the shelf. Something to consider when weighing the costs between cheaper hardware and cheaper software.

 

[HeXen]

SNES...everyone wins.

 

[Tom]

A Gamecube is not a bad idea either. On e of the reasons the Wii is great is it plays Gamecube games. There are lots of great Gamecube titles your daughter would like;

Super Smash Bros
Animal Crossing
Pikmin
Super Mario Sunshine
Paper Mario

 

[PrayForDeath]

Sounds like you need a Wii

 

[biseydaha]

Hi,

I'm having some indecision on which console would best fit my needs.

The thing is, my daughter is having birthday, and some time ago she showed some interest on a Nintendo DS (portable).

So the first logica choice would be to get it such a machine, and everything would be solved. But not so.

My daughter will be 7 years old, and I need something she would like. My thoughts are:
- She likes Nintendo DS because she saw some frieds with one;
- She talked about Super Mario, just because she saw someone playing it;
- I do believe consoles must be supervised by adults (parents), and their usage must be controled;
- A console such as Nintendo DS serves the only purpose of individual entertainment, limiting any sort of social interaction;
- I will NOT give her such a product with the purpose of don't get bothered by her. I do NOT intend to do that, and the image of her ignoring everything around because she is playing worries me ALOT!

So with these ideas (and some others) in mind, I went for a walk into a game shop. I then found several options:

1# Nintendo DSiXL

Since 3DS costs 250€ and the 3D would be deactivated in parent controls, to save her eyes from the 3D strain, I tend to discard it.

I find DSiXL for 180€, and the screen is bigger, and so easier for reading.

I still find it a portable, individual console that ruins social family life. I want interaction between family members, not with a portable dumb machine.

2# Nintendo Wii

It will cost me 220€, and includes Wii + Game Wii Sports + Game Wii Sports Resort + Motion Plus command + Extra Motion Plus command.

Is comes with the already known iteraction games, and many more available. It already has Mario (just to be sure), as she one day talked about it. Maybe she likes platform games generically, and Mario is just a reference.

I think maybe Wii doesn't get more of what it already has ... games have all the same look and feel, a bit cartoon style, but kids like that, right?

3# Playstation 3

I was thinking on getting a PS3, or maybe waiting for a PS4 ... which there is no way to know when it comes out.

But now thinking about getting it also for my daughter, I want some more interaction. So Playstation Move would be a must.

There is a kit with PS3+Move (320Gb version), for 350€. Looks nice, but price is a bit higher.

There is the Eye Pet game that she will love, and her brother too (which has only 2 years old). That's a game that family can iteract, like me kicking the animal around the screen just to mess with her

4# XBox 360 + Kinetic

Costs 250€ with two games for kinetic, but I heard that the kinetic is the one with less precision, maybe PS3 will be more future proof choice.

Still can't find many games that suit 7 year old girls.


So the bottom line is ... if not going for a Nintendo DSiXL/3DS, I'm having a console sitting on the living room, with family games available ... Wii or PS3 Move or Xbox Kinetic, these are the ones on my mind.

I need some quality FAMILY gamming, and some good titles to satisfy a 7 year old girl, that never had any console in her life (and for me, it could keep that way for another 5 years).

If at the end, I end with a console that suits more needs (for example, Wii fit for wife, or GT5 for me ), it would be a bonus, as I would justify a bit more the cost of the hardware.

Your opinions, personal experience counts alot, and is very important to me.


Thanks

Well, like many said, for 7 year olds, you best get her a Wii. They do have more childish graphics that won't damage her psychology.
PS2 is cheap with lots of games to choose from.

But my best choice would be to not get her anything for another 2 years. These things are addictive, and you don't want your child to be a zombie. Let her play these things with her friends. That is what I did. I didn't let my brother touch my PS2 until he was 9.

 

[shortylickens]

Wii is the obvious choice here. Has basic computing stuff like web, and the controls and game lineup are geared towards the family crowd. Only downside is its not much of a movie player.

 

[Todd33]

The Wii is a very shallow experience. I bought one with all the "hit" games and my family (3,5,7) got bored of it quickly.

The PS3 is a good middle ground. Lots of kid friendly games; Lego, Little big Planet, Free Realms, Start the Party, EyePet, Sports Champions, etc. Lots of stuff for adults; Netflix, BD, M rated games, etc. There will most likely be a price drop announced at Gamescon in the next week.

360, well I traded mine in and no one in my family seemed to notice. Kinect might be good if you want to teach kids that skill isn't important, just flail around and get points.

 

[SandEagle]

the Wii is like $134 now with 2 games or something

 

[American Gunner]

the Wii is like $134 now with 2 games or something

I still kinda think that might be about $130 dollars too much. I don't think I will ever buy another Nintendo system.