Wii, xbox or PS3- Xposted

[mom2happy]

I know nothing about current video games.

DH wants to get the kids 5 and 7 a game system this year.

Which one would you recommend and why?

If this helps at all, I will be limiting game time to 30 min per kid if that's possible.

Also, I would like something the whole family can do together.

I looked on line and Wii is rated lower from a lot of people but I dont really know why.

I would be buying educational games and some fun ones.

[littlemizflava]

the only tip i can give you is look at all the games you would want and get a system that has the most. for my kids they will be getting a wii they are 4&8.

[shanniesue2]

My son is only a toddler, but I have to be honest... I am practically drooling over the xbox 360 kinext bundle.  The kinect system turns you into the controller... so that if you want to make you character jump/kick/etc., then you have to jump/kick/etc.

I think it looks really cool... and definitely more active than a more traditional gaming system.

We don't currently have any video game system... but we enjoy playing Wii at my parent's house (mostly golf and bowling).  We probably won't get the xbox kinect bundle b/c they run about $400 and we just don't have that kind of money.  But I still think it looks really cool!

[NiteNicole]

We have a Wii and it's just not that much fun.  We will go months without using it.  We've traded or sold off a lot of the games because there's just not much content there.  I'm not a huge game person and my daughter is only four (five in Jan).  There are maybe two games that she will play for any length of time.  I think she'd like the Kinect more.

[nola79]

I would get either an xbox 360 or ps3. The ps3 can be used to play blue ray movies, they can both be used for regular dvds. The wii is fun, but my ds prefers the ps3 and xbox 360 to the wii.

I just asked DH and he said ps3.

[lonegirl]

We have multiple xbox 360s (set up in various rooms for extended multiplayer play) and a wii.  The wii is fun, but the xbox gets nearly daily use.  We also use it to access Netflix (which you can do on the wii as well, but is simpler on the xbox).  My son is 4, he mastered the xbox controller 2 years ago...the wii can be a bit frustrating as you have to make sure you are pointing the controller in the proper direction and angle...They have lots of crossover games (most games are available on every system).  With the new Kinect you can encourage physical movements and exercise with it.  So...yeah  my vote is the xbox

[dormiles]

Originally Posted by lonegirl 

We have multiple xbox 360s (set up in various rooms for extended multiplayer play) and a wii.  The wii is fun, but the xbox gets nearly daily use.  We also use it to access Netflix (which you can do on the wii as well, but is simpler on the xbox).  My son is 4, he mastered the xbox controller 2 years ago...the wii can be a bit frustrating as you have to make sure you are pointing the controller in the proper direction and angle...They have lots of crossover games (most games are available on every system).  With the new Kinect you can encourage physical movements and exercise with it.  So...yeah  my vote is the xbox

Erm, getting your kid to play in front of the tv at the age of 2? You sure it's a good idea?

Anyway, i would go for xbox too. It wins in every aspect, and i've seen presentation of the kinetic thingy - was relly great and i can't wait to get one. Wii is more limited when it comes to controlers and games, xbox have almost everything you need.

[Alyantavid]

We have an xbox.  Both my boys can do everything on it and we use it for netflix alot.  Having said that, we're looking at a wii for Christmas.  The games are vastly different.  I'd look into the games and see what ones appeal to you and go from there. 

[lonegirl]

Originally Posted by dormiles 

Originally Posted by lonegirl 

We have multiple xbox 360s (set up in various rooms for extended multiplayer play) and a wii.  The wii is fun, but the xbox gets nearly daily use.  We also use it to access Netflix (which you can do on the wii as well, but is simpler on the xbox).  My son is 4, he mastered the xbox controller 2 years ago...the wii can be a bit frustrating as you have to make sure you are pointing the controller in the proper direction and angle...They have lots of crossover games (most games are available on every system).  With the new Kinect you can encourage physical movements and exercise with it.  So...yeah  my vote is the xbox

Erm, getting your kid to play in front of the tv at the age of 2? You sure it's a good idea?

Anyway, i would go for xbox too. It wins in every aspect, and i've seen presentation of the kinetic thingy - was relly great and i can't wait to get one. Wii is more limited when it comes to controlers and games, xbox have almost everything you need.

LOL I knew that would be an issue with some....that's ok.  I have video of him doing Dance Dance Revolution at that age.  He learned his left from right from that ;)
  ....I am ok with it...he is a well adjusted, happy, precocious,  little boy with an amazing attention span....who also loves highly imaginative play , is already reading level 2 readers, is amazing on shopping trips and we get compliments all the time about how well behaved he is (he isn't the kid running off screaming across the mall- he is the one asking to hold your hand).  So yeah, in our household it comes naturally to play games be they video or board or card or whatever....

[nextcommercial]

Originally Posted by dormiles 

 

Erm, getting your kid to play in front of the tv at the age of 2? You sure it's a good idea?

Eh.. some people are very into being gamers.  I am one of those who doesn't have a problem with it.  Especially if that's what dad likes to do, I would expect the kids to be into it also. 

I love my wii.  But, it's really just mine, nobody else will play with me. LOL.  So, if I had young kids and an interested husband, I think I'd look into the newer movement systems.  I think they are going to pass up wii in popularity soon.  I bet the wii will become obsolete in a few years.

[mattemma04]

We have a ps2,wii,and nintendo ds. If we could trade I would get the xbox with kinect,because I like the non-remote holding  option of kinect over the wii.

[phathui5]

Our children are 3, 5, 7, and 10. We have a Wii and they all like playing with it. They like Wii Sports, Wii Play and the Wii Fit. We also have some other games, like Star Wars Light Saber something or other.

[2xy]

We have PS3 and Wii. Our Xbox died for the fourth time last month. We bought it in 2006 and have had to send it in three times for the "red ring of death" problem. Now it's not under warranty anymore, and I don't know if we will replace it, although the kids do love the games for it.

FWIW, Microsoft has a track record of releasing glitchy systems before they're really ready. They did it with the original Xbox, and then again with the Xbox 360. I haven't looked into the most recent model....really, I'm at the point where I don't want to purchase any more Microsoft products EVER.

When our Xbox was still working, it probably got the most use out of the three systems. The Wii got the least use. The games for the Wii are vastly different than for the other two systems.

[Joyfull]

Originally Posted by 2xy 

We have PS3 and Wii. Our Xbox died for the fourth time last month. We bought it in 2006 and have had to send it in three times for the "red ring of death" problem. Now it's not under warranty anymore, and I don't know if we will replace it, although the kids do love the games for it.

FWIW, Microsoft has a track record of releasing glitchy systems before they're really ready. They did it with the original Xbox, and then again with the Xbox 360. I haven't looked into the most recent model....really, I'm at the point where I don't want to purchase any more Microsoft products EVER.

When our Xbox was still working, it probably got the most use out of the three systems. The Wii got the least use. The games for the Wii are vastly different than for the other two systems.

Umm..do you mind explain further about the difference of the games for the 3 systems? (Sorry, OP, I don't mean to hijack but I'm also thinking of what to buy too). I have 2 girls 5 and 8 and they're not into any shooting/battle games. They like animal games (they have Littlest Pet shop games on DSi).

Thanks in advance.

[mom2happy]

Wow Im really lost now.

Seems like all 3 are liked.

Maybe if I mention that DH and I are not into video games and this would just be for the 5 and 7 year old?

I called a guy at a local game shop and he recommended the nintendo wii for those ages and said when they are older they will want the xbox or ps3.

Im so confused and we are so stretched for cash right now that we shouldnt even be buying one of these in the first place.

Thanks for all of your info.

[2xy]

It depends on what sort of games you want to play. They all have some of each, but IME PS3 and Xbox have mostly action games....air assault, first person shooter, lots of blood and guts, fast cars. Wii's games are more family friendly and "innocent," if you will. You can Google each system and take a gander at the games on their websites.

Also check eBay and Craigslist for used systems. Some people buy something and sell it a short time later so they can buy something else. My son wants a PSP for Xmas this year; I found one on eBay, like new, with several accessories and 8 games included for the price of just the system.

Edited by 2xy - 12/2/10 at 7:27pm

[kythe]

My kids have been exposed to all three systems at their dad's house since he is an avid gamer.  When I decided to get them a system at our house, all they could talk about was the wii.  I asked my 8 year old son why he likes it more than the xbox or playstation, and he said "because its easy and the games are super fun". 

I'm not really familiar with the games on the other systems, but the wii comes with an interactive sports game that actually requires you to move your arm in the motion you want on the screen.  It's almost like acting it out.  My son loves the Lego games like Lego Indiana Jones, Lego Batman, and Lego Star Wars.   However, the Lego games are made for the other systems as well.  My 10 year old daughter likes the Littlest Pet Shop and Zhu zhu pet games, which are available only on the wii.

I bought our wii a few months ago, at the time it was the least expensive gaming system (I think it still is).  I'm not really worried about when they outgrow the wii.  It will probably wear out before that happens.

[mamadelbosque]

I'm sure the wii will be 'obsolete' in a few more years. But then again, so will the xbox 360 and ps3. Its the nature of game systems - new ones come out every 5-6 yrs. :shrug 

[mom2happy]

Originally Posted by kythe 

My kids have been exposed to all three systems at their dad's house since he is an avid gamer.  When I decided to get them a system at our house, all they could talk about was the wii.  I asked my 8 year old son why he likes it more than the xbox or playstation, and he said "because its easy and the games are super fun". 

I'm not really familiar with the games on the other systems, but the wii comes with an interactive sports game that actually requires you to move your arm in the motion you want on the screen.  It's almost like acting it out.  My son loves the Lego games like Lego Indiana Jones, Lego Batman, and Lego Star Wars.   However, the Lego games are made for the other systems as well.  My 10 year old daughter likes the Littlest Pet Shop and Zhu zhu pet games, which are available only on the wii.

I bought our wii a few months ago, at the time it was the least expensive gaming system (I think it still is).  I'm not really worried about when they outgrow the wii.  It will probably wear out before that happens.

Thanks- easy and fun!

That is what we need. NO video game experiece here and the lego stuff sounds fun.

[2xy]

Originally Posted by mamadelbosque 

I'm sure the wii will be 'obsolete' in a few more years. But then again, so will the xbox 360 and ps3. Its the nature of game systems - new ones come out every 5-6 yrs. :shrug 

The new systems can accommodate the games from the previous systems, and it's not like the old systems can't be played with just because they're "old." Well, I suppose some kids are super trend conscious and wouldn't dare be seen playing an obsolete system in front of their friends, but I don't know anybody like that.

My oldest still breaks out the PS2 on occasion when the PS3 is otherwise occupied, and there is a GameCube lying around somewhere that still gets used.