Xbox One -vs- PS4 for a toddler - Any kid friendly games out there?

[jimrawr]

Hey everyone I am thinking of getting one of the new systems to play with my toddler. Hes only 2 years old so the games would need to be really kiddie. For example he really enjoyed watching me play Mickey Mouse Castle of Illusion.. I think he would really like playing games that use the camera if they are easy enough..

Are there any games out like this for either system? I think he would enjoy Rayman Legends but I can get that on the PC.

Thoughts?

 

[poofyhairguy]

I see your angle, and I applaud it.

 

[purbeast0]

repost.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2387500

 

[jimrawr]

repost.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2387500

That post is asking about sports games and racing games.. not exactly the info I need.

Thinking more about it, maybe the Wii U would be best for us? Those Mario games look fun and I think he would be very interested

 

[jimrawr]

Does the Wii U have a camera system like the Wii? Doesn't seem like it does from what I can see..?

 

[Arkaign]

Honestly a cheap tablet is better for that age. Touching is intuitive, you can get plenty of titles for 99 cents or even free, the investment is low, and most of them are fairly toddler-proof in durability (with supervision).

I think a PS4 or XB1 for a 2 year old would be fairly insane. WiiU has the best games for younger players, but 2 years old is really stretching it.

 

[poofyhairguy]

I think a PS4 or XB1 for a 2 year old would be fairly insane.

Unless that is the only way you can talk your wife into getting one. Help a brother out.

 

[mmntech]

Does the Wii U have a camera system like the Wii? Doesn't seem like it does from what I can see..?

It does but it's not used for motion control. For motion control, it uses the standard issue Wiimote.

Unless that is the only way you can talk your wife into getting one. Help a brother out.

Lol. That's exactly what I was thinking. Honestly, there's very few video games out there that are appropriate for kids that young. There's a reason for that too. For starters, they're very difficult to develop. Second, toddlers need to be encouraged to imagine and explore the world through play. Something video games don't really offer. I think he'd be better off with some Duplo blocks or a big wheel.

 

[jimrawr]

It does but it's not used for motion control. For motion control, it uses the standard issue Wiimote.



Lol. That's exactly what I was thinking. Honestly, there's very few video games out there that are appropriate for kids that young. There's a reason for that too. For starters, they're very difficult to develop. Second, toddlers need to be encouraged to imagine and explore the world through play. Something video games don't really offer. I think he'd be better off with some Duplo blocks or a big wheel.

Yeah he wont do the actual playing yet, but he enjoys watching me play them as long as its really child themed. And no I didn't need the wifes permission lol. I got us a Wii U and we'll see how that goes

He does enjoy the crap out of his ipad though

 

[mmntech]

Yeah, Wii U is a great system. Especially once he gets a bit older. I'm still just shy of pulling the trigger on one.

iPad is probably okay. Give him lots of educational games to mess around with.

 

[sxr7171]

Not trying to tell you how to raise your kid, but there is research out there that suggests children that young are better off not looking at a screen.

 

[Rage187]

I looked at screens from when I was 3 with pong, to now. Video games are good for you, like bacon.

 

[gorcorps]

Not trying to tell you how to raise your kid, but there is research out there that suggests children that young are better off not looking at a screen.

"I'm not trying to tell you how to raise your kid, but here's how you should raise your kid"

Mind your own business :thumbsdown:

 

[exdeath]

I'd say Wii U over One/PS4.

Stuff like Mario 3D World and Mario Kart 8 is far more colorful and playful and appealing to kids vs Titanfall/Infamous and other serious mature oriented games.

 

[mizzou]

You can't polish this turd. Just be a man and say "I want one" and go get yourself one!

Toddler is just way too young to really appreciate a console. By the time they can, we will be in ps6's by then.

 

[cmdrdredd]

FWIW: The Galaxy S5 has a "kid mode" lol

Serioously though, if it's for you just buy it. either one. If the toddler really wants to play some games, start with touch games on your smartphone or tablet. Just put it in a protective case that will protect against drops. Even the WiiU would be a little too advanced for toddlers.

 

[Sulaco]

You can't polish this turd. Just be a man and say "I want one" and go get yourself one!

Toddler is just way too young to really appreciate a console. By the time they can, we will be in ps6's by then.

Really? 12+ more years to appreciate a console?

 

[Topweasel]

Yeah he wont do the actual playing yet, but he enjoys watching me play them as long as its really child themed. And no I didn't need the wifes permission lol. I got us a Wii U and we'll see how that goes

He does enjoy the crap out of his ipad though

It'll be awhile. Seriously niche games ones (which kids fall under) are pretty hard to find on the newer consoles. They are slow to develop, get access to the hardware later than everyone else, and a .0001% attach rate on a console that only has 4 million users would barely cover the mastering of the disc itself.

That said the PS4 will be opening up Play Now semi soon and that will allow you to play most PS3 games through their cloud services. This would bridge the gap till the PS3 and 360 dwindle down and more of these games come out on the consoles.

One game I can think of for the current consoles is Angry Birds and it's horrendously over priced self. Oh and maybe the Marvel Lego game (which is pretty good and not overpriced like the bird chucking one).

That said the WiiU is probably the best bet if looking for a large list of games that you could play while your kid watches. It's environment is better served for it, with it's hardware roots being what they are companies have been developing for it for almost 15 years, and it's been out for longer. Also the first title games which tend to be the strongest are being done by Nintendo of course and they tend to keep most of their titles if not all appropriate for kids.

 

[Sho'Nuff]

OP - I can only speak to the Xbox one because that is the only console I own (I somewhat regret it because all the titles I want seem to be also available on pc, but XB1 is a nice system regardless). There are several games that your kid would probably enjoy watching and which I think are age appropriate for my five year old.

Examples:

Peggle 2
Max the curse of brotherhood
Rayman
Any of the sports games (FIFA, NBA2K14, Forza)
Trials fusion
Plants vs Zombies
Lego Movie
Lego Hobbit
Lego Marvel Superheroes
Kinect Sports rivals

For anything that is remotely violent I spend quite a bit of time explaining to my son the difference between reality and make believe. It never ceases to surprise me how much that needs to be explained to a 5 year old. And it was needed even more when my son was younger. My wife and I also strictly limit his screen time because we want him to live an active, healthy and "traditional" kid lifestyle. He gets maybe 15 minutes of screen time on most weekdays, usually right before bed. On weekends we let him watch some cartoons in the morning and play games for 30 minutes. Never any more.

Not that gaming is per se unhealthy. I firmly believe that it is not. I grew up gaming and I love it to this day (I've 37). But I will say that there is a noticeable difference between the behavior of my son (and his friends who also have limited screen time) and the behavior of children in my son's class who watch a lot of television, video games, etc. every day. In particular there is a marked difference in attention span. I don't have clinical proof of course, but having seen the difference often enough I honestly believe there is a link. So . . . be careful. Gaming is a fun way to bond with your kid. Just be wary of it replacing good old fashioned father/son interaction and other more natural activities (i.e., those humans have been doing for millions of years).

PS. - I also have a 2 year old daughter. We limit her screen time in the same manner as our son. Not sure whether all of the above games would be suitable for her. I would probably limit to Peggle and plants v zombies.

PS2 - If the goal is to play games with your kid, WiU is probably the way to go. Or even the good ol fashioned Wii. There are tons of fun games on the Wii that would be fine for your kid to watch you play. And you would probably like those titles as well.

 

[ibex333]

I am thinking of getting one of the new systems to play with my toddler. Hes only 2 years old

Dude... Seriously?




What is wrong with people these days? What happened to bicycles, fisher price colored blocks, toy soldiers and other stuff like that? Your kid should be at the playground with his friends sliding down a slide, and climbing up things. Not at home with dad killing his vision prematurely. I am really not sure if it's healthy for a 2 year old to be using consoles at all.
When I'll have a kid, he sure wont be using consoles till he's 8 -10 years old at least. I am sure any pediatrician would agree, at least somewhat.

 

[Schfifty Five]

Hey everyone I am thinking of getting one of the new systems to play with my toddler. Hes only 2 years old so the games would need to be really kiddie. For example he really enjoyed watching me play Mickey Mouse Castle of Illusion.. I think he would really like playing games that use the camera if they are easy enough..

Are there any games out like this for either system? I think he would enjoy Rayman Legends but I can get that on the PC.

Thoughts?

If you want to just play kid games with your 2 year old, you might as well save some money and buy a Wii. A 2 year old ain't going to know the difference between a wii and a PS4/XB1.

 

[Pr0d1gy]

Toddlers lack the manual dexterity in their hands and fingers to manage playing any console game. The best direction is the suggestion of getting them a tablet. A 2 year old can figure out and manage an iPad with some supervision/teaching. The touch based games and creative apps are more manageable control interfaces for their developing hands.

My best friend had his first baby recently and now, at a bit over 2 years old, she has mastered the iPad and is also a physical standout showing advanced balancing skills and athletic coordination...thus shattering the myth that getting her an iPad would lead to her becoming a slug. They key is always balance in her activities, of course.

If the console is really because you want one, then wait for Xmas. If not, then get her a good tablet with a reliable protective case.

 

[smackababy]

I think the Xbox One and the Kinect games would prove pretty fun for toddlers. The Lego games are pretty good, but those are on both systems, so it doesn't matter which you get.

 

[Dumac]

I'm pretty sure this guy just wants to buy a console for himself.

 

[Sonikku]

2 year old? Meh. Get him a wii. (not the U) They can't appreciate the graphics of modern hardware. Give em' something hard and durable that can resist the infant onslaught.