Which videogame system for a 6 year old?

[crazyforgoofy]

Isabella has become enamored of the videogames she sees other kids use - and occasionally uses when she visits. She has mostly educational games to play on the computer but the cd-rom drive is dead or dying and I won't get a new one until Steve and/or Jeff have a chance to build me a new computer (aren't I a lucky mom?) And summer is upon us with a lot more free time for Isabella.

So, would you buy a PlayStation2, a GameBoyAdvance or a Game Cube for a six year old girl? And why? Easier to use? More appropriate games available? Price?

Advice is appreciated. I've had a vote for each. My preteen/teen pals like PlayStation2, my nephew likes GBA and another nephew thinks Game Cube is a better platform for Isabella. Whaddya think?

 

[geffric]

my kids have game cube

 

[Mimi Q]

My DN who just turned 6 last week got a Gameboy Advance last Christmas. He just loves it. I was afraid the games would be too hard for him, but they aren't.

 

[gymnasticsmom68]

I would go with the Gamecube, they have games that are made more for the younger kids.

 

[2BigKIdz]

I would go with the gamecube. They have more games for younger children than the other platforms. Plus, they are very reasonably priced now. Gameboy advanced is a lot of fun too, and is portable but for long term play the gamecube would be a better option. PS2 is great, but probably better suited for children 10 and older, or those who have been gaming for awhile (same for x-box).

 

[#1 Disney Fan]

I would also eliminate the Playstation 2, and go with one of the Nintendo products.

As for Gamecube vs Gameboy advance, I'm not *too* familiar with either... but I would think it would largely depend on where you picture her playing with it. At home? Then go with the Gamecube. Do you need the portability so she can play in the car or on trips? Then go with the Gameboy.

When I was younger (way back in the Nintendo/ Super Nintendo / regular Gameboy days ) the home systems always seemed to get more use than the handheld ones. I had a GameGear and rarely ever used it... but the Nintendos... wow, we wore them out. On the regular systems it's easier to play multi-player, and is nicer to look at on the much bigger screen too of course.

So I guess my #1 vote is Gamecube, #2 vote Gameboy Advance.

 

[poohbear2]

I agree with the Game Cube or Gameboy Advance. The games are cute and fun and appeal to younger children as well as older ones.

 

[HollyJoy]

We have an Xbox, and my 7 year old loves it. She also just got a Gameboy Advanced for her bday and hasn't put it down!

 

[KimRaye]

I would also suggest a GameCube. We don't have one, my parents do , but I know the system and some of the games. MUCH more appropriate for a 6yo, imo. We have an OLD N64, and it's never played anymore. 6yo DD also has DS's old Game Boy Color (pre-gameboy advance), and she loves that, especially in the car. 16yo DS has an XBox, which I would NOT recommend for a 6yo! DD can play a couple games, but due to the graphic nature of most games, I won't let her even WATCH some of those being played. jmo

 

[shortbun]

I don't see Gameboy Advance or SP as a video game platform. It's a hand held travel game machine, has a small screen, low light
and the games have much less features. Since SP came out, it's
a little cooler but it's definitely a "car/vacation" toy versus the
Gamecube/PSII/Xbox genre. We have Gamecube and we love it!
DS, almost 9, is pitching for another platform. Loads of kids have
two or more. I'm not doing that. My nephew has all three and
a some of the older ones. We actually have N64 and lots of games
in a box. How often are you willing to change systems? Nintendo
will be coming out with something to make the cube obsolete soon I fear. Some games are already NOT being produced for Gamecube-afficianados say it's because another system is coming out. PS seems to keep their systems working for all games, at least that's what they did with PS and PSII. that's all I know.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

We just bought a Playstation 2 for our 6 yo DS last Christmas. When we compared all 3, it just seemed like the better one to us. And a PS3 is coming out in a couple years and we are able to trade in our PS2 toward the purchase of a PS3. We have no trouble finding games appropriate for my sons age. One nice thing about PS2 also, you can buy an attachment to make it a DVD player, if you don't have one. My DS also has a GB advance. We just traded in the older one for an SP model. Very much improved, but as some posters said, its a travel model, doesn't compare to the TV games.

 

[N.Bailey]

My kids are very spoiled when it comes to video game systems. We have the Xbox with Live, a Playstation 2, a Gamecube, and a Gameboy Advance. My kids are somewhat older than yours 12 & 13, and if your child was that age, I would definitely recommend the Xbox. With your little one though, I would probably go with the Gamecube. They make fun games, games that I feel kids of all ages really enjoy. The bad thing with the Gamecube is, a lot of companies that make the games are backing away from Nintendo because they can't move their games on that system. This is sad but true. Not all companies are doing this however! The nice thing though is Nintendo makes a lot of 1st party games that you won't get on any of the other systems.

If I were you, the one thing I would do would be to rent a PS2 for a day and rent a few games and see what your lil one thought of it. You'll be able to pick up fairly cheap PS2 games and there are probably into the 1000's of games available for that system. It has more titles available (and that means more junky titles too) than any of the other systems out there. With that comes the reduced costs. If your little one doesn't like the PS2, I would go with the Cube. Xbox users mainly like shooter type games. That's the console to buy if that's your genre!

I've bought every Nintendo handheld that's come out since my kids were like 5 or so, and they really have not played them much. Well, my son really got into the Pokemon's at one time, but that's about it for that. They also make a Gameboy Advance Player (not sure that's what it's called) that hooks to the Gamecube (I believe) and lets you play Gameboy Advance games on your TV. It's fairly cheap, so you might be able to pick a Cube and a Gameboy Player up for the price of a PS2 or an Xbox. Pick the Gameboy Advance up later if you feel your child will use it.

 

[Planogirl]

I would suggest heading to Blockbuster and a video store and browsing through the game aisles to see which titles seem more appropriate for your child. I would think that either the Playstation 2 or Gamecube would work depending on what your daughter would enjoy more.

 

[N.Bailey]

I did want to add, if you're wanting a video game system for educational purposes, you're probably barking up the wrong tree as far as any of these systems are concerned. Maybe someone else can help more in that particular area, but my experience has been that video game systems are more for entertainment than education. Of course, I will always say, I could have been overlooking some titles out there?

I do remember back in the either regular Nintendo days or the Super Nintendo days buying a few educational titles, but they didn't go over so well, even back then.

 

[Cindy B]

Personally my kids got a Gamecube at 6 and 9, and HATED it. We also have an Xbox (was given to us) and they LOVE it.

My opinon was that the Gamecube games weren't that great for what they wanted to do. In fact our Xbox, broke, and the Gamecube was to be a replacement for it. They begged for the Xbox to be fixed instead of having the Gamecube as a primary game system.

So now the Gamecube sits in the basement.

 

[Cindy B]

Wanted to add that the Xbox does have some mature games,and we do not allow them.

My son and daughter primarly play Shrek, Blinx, Tony Hawk, Fusion Frenzy, Amped,Spiderman and Star Wars. I check the rating on all games, and determine it on a case by case basis.

My son likes sports oriented games, and there are a ton of those.

 

[aprilgail2]

The Easter Bunny brought my 4 year old a playstation 2 this year and she loves it...we have no trouble finding fames that are god for her. I had asked around in stores and they all suggested a playstaion overthe others because they have more childrens games availble.

 

[N.Bailey]

Originally posted by Cindy B
Wanted to add that the Xbox does have some mature games,and we do not allow them.

My son and daughter primarly play Shrek, Blinx, Tony Hawk, Fusion Frenzy, Amped,Spiderman and Star Wars. I check the rating on all games, and determine it on a case by case basis.

My son likes sports oriented games, and there are a ton of those.

If your child really likes sports titles, the Gamecube is not what you want. While there are a lot of sports titles available for it, a lot of developers and publishers have backed off of making sports games for the Cube. People just seem to buy these types of games for their Xbox's or their PS2's and they're not able to move enough for the Cube.

I think most people (granted not all) that have a Gamecube, have one as a 2ndary system. It's a great side system to have if you've got either of the other 2. Nintendo games are FUN. There aren't as many titles available though and that's why it's not rated by most as the best. Check out Animal Crossing. You might even become addicted to it and you might have to help a little one get started. If your child likes that one, look into the Harvest Moon games (not the new one, but there is a Harvest Moon on the PS2). Pikman is a great game too. Mario Sunshine is a really fun game too. I'm shocked my son liked it so much, because it's usually not his thing, but he really enjoyed it. If Mom and Dad get into playing, all the Resident Evil remakes are on this system too and Eternal Darkness is awesome.

If shooting games are your thing, you want the Xbox. No other system can compare. We could recommend lots in this genre, but I suspect your little one won't be playing these. If Dad however gets his hands on Halo 2 (soon to be released) your little one might just lose the system forever! LOL

If you like the Japanese role playing games (RPG), the PS2 is your system of choice. The other two can't compare in that area. This genre just isn't our thing, but MANY live for these types of games.

For a little one however, I think I'd still go with the Gamecube and the Gameboy Player. You'd be able to pick both of these items up for roughly $150 and you'd have the ability of playing all the games for the Cube, and you'd be able to play all the handheld Nintendo games. Pick up some of the older Mario Bros. games for the Gameboy advance and I bet your child would have a field day! Having the ability to play the handheld games on the tv opens a wide variety games up. Nintendo has very little competition there and everyone makes games for their handhelds. If I were you, I would at least consider it.

The only way I'd recommend you get an Xbox is if there is an adult or at least someone older that's going to be using the system too. Most husbands can get addicted to Xbox Live and having Live adds 100 times the playability to a game. Just in the above post that I quoted, 3 of those titles are available on all the systems. Tony Hawk being among my kid's favorites, is on all the systems. So is Spiderman and it really is a great game and Shrek I believe is on the others as well, but we've not played it. Fusion Frenzy (Xbox only I believe) is ok, but so is Monkey Ball for the Cube and the Mario Party titles. They are all party type games. Amped is a snowboarding game and while Xbox owners really like it, there are many good snowboarding games out there. 1080 is the considered one of the best actually and you won't find that on Xbox. Blinx is either a love or hate thing. My son hated it, but his friend loves it. It doesn't compare with Rachet & Clank for the PS2 though (according to many reviews). Again however, my son hated it too! LOL He just doesn't care for the platform games. He used to love the side scrolling 2D platforms, like Mario and Donkey Kong (on the handheld Gameboy Advance now), but he doesn't like the 3D platforms and has moved on to sports, Racing and shooting games.

I'm really not trying to pick these games or systems apart, I'm just trying to say, you can get mostly any type of game across any of the systems. The bottom line is, the Xbox has the least amount of games available in the kiddie line. I don't say kiddie to offend either, so please don't take it as such.

You'll find more of those type of titles on the PS2 and if you eBay, you can pick used games up at times for under $10. If you're going to get the player along with the Cube though, you'll find more than enough on both of those systems to keep anyone satisfied.

One other note. The Xbox breaks down more than any other systems. There is a major flaw in the drive. I've had to send mine away for repairs and pay an additional $60 or $80 (I forget which) for repairs and I had to fight with them on the phone to fix it for the price I ended up paying. They wanted a lot more and I was not happy considering I've purchased 8 controllers (4 of which broke are being sent away to be repaired), the DVD playback kit, and over 50 games for that system and now I can add Live to the cost. I've not had any trouble with it since I've had it back. The PS2 is 2nd in line for needing repairs and both of these systems offer very limited warranties. I highly suggest buying extended warranties with either of these! While any system can break, the Gamecube breaks the least of the 3. It also has a warranty that is longer than the other two. Don't quote this 100%, but I believe their warranty is double what the other two offer.

 

[legs22]

Go to the store and look at the games that are available for X-Box. Hardly any for a 6 yr old. DD's dad has X-Box and it's hard to find age appropriate games for dd.

Now, while you're at the store, look at what Nintendo has available for Gameboy Advance and GameCube. They have a lot of games for the younger kids.

I bought dd6 a Nintendo Gameboy Advance for Christmas. She loves it. It's great because you can take it with you. She can use it on long car rides, shopping, and in waiting rooms. And she can also use it at home. She has no interest in playing games on the TV. If she did express interest, I would buy the Nintendo GameCube. You can purchase an adapter that enables you to play the Gameboy Advance games on the GameCube.

 

[jrydberg]

If you're looking for more educational "games" I'd suggest a Leapster (sorta the Gameboy of the Leap Frog line). Got one at Christmas for my daughter who will turn 6 tomorrow. She loves it. Great for any travel. It has a headphone jack so I don't have to listen The downside of it is not a lot of variety to choose from, but she's been very happy with it.