Game system info needed

[Rock'n Robin]

We are considering getting the kids a game system for Christmas. This is mostly for DS who is 7 1/2 and has vision issues, so he can work on his hand-eye coordination. All 3 kids (the girls are 10 and 13) have gameboys but the girls don't really play much, so I don't have to worry about "teen" games--I'm thinking I'll only get E rated stuff.
I do not want to be one of those families that has every game system and does nothing else--I want to get one good system that will work for DS for a while. In fact, by the time he can play teen games is how long I'd like to hold on to the system.
DH has heard that PS2 is the way to go, but I have had parents of kids his age say gamecube is better.
I'm just looking for feedback from my DIS buddies on which system is the better one. I'm more of a tri-peaks solitare/minesweeper person myself.
Robin M.

 

[SunFloridaDisney]

My DS (16) the game expert here, has the following comments:

Gamecube is better for younger kids because more games are available with E rating, more of a kids system than anything. The kid games (Mario, etc.) are, in his opinion, more fun than what's available for PS2.

He loves his PS2, but he says there are not many E rated games for that system. PS2 does, however, play CD's and DVD's which Gamecube doesn't.

Good luck!

 

[Karel]

The problem is that I don't think that either the PS2 or the Gamecube will last until your son becomes a teenager.

There is always something new and better coming around the bend. And when the new and better comes out, they stop making the old. My son bought himself an xbox last summer and now he's already saving money for the 360. I'm pretty sure that there is a new PS system coming out too.

That being said, I think the Gamecube is probably better for you. It's fairly inexpensive - I think you can find a bundle (system and game) for a hundred dollars.

Plus you can buy a special part for the game boy games to be played on the game cube.

 

[Papa Deuce]

YEp, Gamecube is the way to go, EXCCEPT, in all likelyhood, you will get 3 - 4 years max from it. If he plays it a lot you also have to wonder if it will last that long. No system you buy today will probably be wehat he wants in 4 -5 years.

 

[almacdonald]

We have an Xbox and a Gamecube.

I originally bought the xbox for my boyfriend for christmas but there weren't many multiplayer games or games that i was interested in. Xbox caters to (in my opinion) 20-30something males. There are lots of sports games and first-person shooter games (which are not E-rated).

We bought the Game Cube about a year later because there are more multiplayer games and more games that don't involve shooting and wars. I really like the Mario games like Mariokart and Mario Party. It's also a lot cheaper to get the system, a game and an extra controller (2 in total) than an Xbox (if that's a concern)

Reccomendation: Game Cube. Hands down!

 

[dismom9761]

I would also say Gamecube.We have the Ps2 and my sons love it but there aren't alot of E rated games.My mom is getting them a Gamecube for Christmas(to keep at her house)and there are alot of games for them.Also it is much less expensive.My son loves the Mario games on his gameboy.