Wii or xbox 360

[firstwdw]

For 7 year old? We do not own a video game system- I always said never as I was a teacher before I had children BUT winters are long here and we just got rid of cable to save month to month so i am starting to think it might be fun for the whole family. I am curious what game system is better? I prefer there to involve movement and not just sitting in front of the TV. I am just starting to explore this is an Xmas option but it's all new- I don't know the differences or the costs associated with either. And I am not even 100%?sure I am ready to cave in. Any insight appreciated!!!

 

[jimandami]

I just asked my DS8 (he has both) and he said Wii is better in this situation because he thinks its easier to play (for beginners is how he put it...lol!). I like the Wii a bit better because I feel there are more games we can play together as a family. The Wii-U is coming out next weekend and looks pretty cool but is around $350 I think. One thing to keep in mind, though, is that as your DS gets older, his friends will probably be more into XBox (tween to teen years), so if you only plan to buy one system for the next several years, XBox might be a better "investment."

 

[jdcthree]

For 7 year old? We do not own a video game system- I always said never as I was a teacher before I had children BUT winters are long here and we just got rid of cable to save month to month so i am starting to think it might be fun for the whole family. I am curious what game system is better? I prefer there to involve movement and not just sitting in front of the TV. I am just starting to explore this is an Xmas option but it's all new- I don't know the differences or the costs associated with either. And I am not even 100%?sure I am ready to cave in. Any insight appreciated!!!

The Wii will have more games for a 7 year old. You can get some pretty good deals on them now, too. There are so many fun family games for Wii, and not nearly as many for Xbox. Kinetic is really fun, but they really need more games that appeal to families.

 

[cjnix29]

Wii is probably easier to play, but something to keep in mind is that it is being phased out with the new system coming out. There may be less games you can play on it going forward. If you are Ok with that, the Wii is better for that age group. We like the xbox better, but I have a 9 year old, and he has been playing games for awhile now.

 

[dreamer423]

We got Wii about 2 1/2 yrs ago, i think, when Ds 8ish. I thought-wii is more family friendly, less violent. etc.

But all of Ds' friends have xbox and he likes kinect as well. oh and kids are SO much better at working all the controllers than u think they'll be.

For the last 1 1/2 yrs he's been asking for a xbox. It's the only thing on his birthday/hanukkah list. Now I kinda wish I'd just gotten xbox in the first place.

So he's turning 11 and xbox is it-and he knows it will be years before he can do any violent games or internet connecting.

FWIW-you may consider xbox with kinect. it's amazing how long 1 or 2 games can hold a kid's attention.

 

[Nayan]

I would go with Xbox with Kinect. Lots of kid-friendly games with lots of movement. The big plus is no controller to hang onto and it'll grow with your child.

 

[diamondpixienc]

We have both systems too but I would defineately get the Xbox Kinect for your little guy since he will be new to all of this and you would already have a jump on those tween years as a bonus.

 

[wiigirl]

I would say Wii

 

[LJSquishy]

For his current age, a Wii would be the better choice because almost all of the available games are clean, family-oriented games.

However, even by next year, he will probably want an Xbox. You could go the Xbox route now with the Kinect...that is probably the ultimate choice because the Kinect will allow your entire family to play some interactive clean family games (like the Wii), but it can also grow with him as he matures. It also works as a DVD player (not a Blu-Ray like the PS3). There are way better games out for the Xbox unless you are only interested in cutesy games, in which case the Wii is the way to go. The Wii doesn't have any games geared toward older kids in my opinion.

 

[jeepgirl30]

We have a wii and ps3. The wii is hardly ever used. DS is begging for an xbox because a lot of his friends have them and they can go online and play each other.

 

[tikilyn]

The problem with Wii is that kids out grow it really fast. We have all three wii, xbox and ps3. Guess which one gets used the most. Xbox of course. My kids are dd almost 12 and ds9. I think xbox will be the better choice only because it has staying power. You ds will grow with the xbox and it will get more use over time, IMO. The wii pretty much just sits around doing nothing, unless my daughter wants to watch netflix.LOL

In fact my ds bought his own xbox and now my dd is asking for her own for xmas so she doesn't have to ask her brother to play on his.LOL Santa is going to be very accommodating this christmas !

 

[mjkacmom]

Girl - Wii
Boy - xbox (because in a couple of years, all of his friends will have one)

 

[firstwdw]

Thanks all. Still not sure- he's a young 7 and in first grade only. I do not want anything violent or that he will do online with friends. What kinds of games does wii or Xbox kinect have? This is more for family to do together or a play date. I do appreciate all your input! It may come down to cost as it seems wii is much less. I may forego the idea and put it off for another year or so. Do many factors to think about. Thanks again!

 

[Nayan]

Here's some of the kid-friendly Xbox games:

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/kinect/games

 

[firstwdw]

Nayan, thanks for that link!!!! He'd love the Pixar one and some of the others too! Now, do we HAVE to pay a monthly fee or is that only for online access to play with friends? How much does Xbox kinect cost and what about the cost of the games??? Will there be any online sales? Do we have to buy all kinds of special controllers like wii( wheel, remote, balance board) or does it come with a mat of some kind? Thank you for trying to help me!!!!!

 

[firstwdw]

Oh one more xbox question. Does the "kinect" part mean it is active? Or is that the Internet part? Are they all wireless ?

 

[Scurvy]

Oh one more xbox question. Does the "kinect" part mean it is active? Or is that the Internet part? Are they all wireless ?

The Kinect is the active part - it tracks your movements so you can play games using motions instead of controls. It also has a microphone and responds to voice controls and allows voice chat in some online games (unless you turn that part off).

 

[Nayan]

The Kinect part attaches to a port on your Xbox and does not need to be plugged into the wall. If you can, try and grab a bundle that includes the Kinect and then you won't have to buy anything else except games. Keep an eye on Amazon and Gamestop as they will likely have good bundle prices and not as busy as Kmart, Target, etc. The games run around $20.