hi
Avid gamers out there - would you be kind enough to recommend a console that will be suitable for 5-6yr old kid and something I can join him as well. His Xmas present.
thanks
Console Recommendation for 5 Yr Old Boy!
CheapSticks on 06/11/2017 - 22:41
Comments
Probably a 2ds. Which means you'll need one too, if you want to play with him (and TBH, there are some fun games for us older folk on the platform too)
+1
thanks
How about the Nintendo Switch Console thing - has that got the 2DS thing and more (just looking at pictures)
There are a bucket load of games for 2ds/3ds. Switch is just new.
@CheapSticks:
Not sure what you mean, 3ds is a handheld system, switch is for TV and a tablet.Switch doesn't have a built in 3ds.
@PVA:
thanks - So the games that kids can play on 3DS - are they not avlble to be played on TV with Switch?
No. Switch and 3DS/2DS while both current nintendo console platforms that use similar looking game cartridges, are separate from each other. They can't play each other games (although there are some games that will be sold for both).
The switch is more of a home console that you can take out portable. The 3DS/2DS are proper portable consoles.
3DS and 2DS are the same platform, and all 3DS games will work on both. The difference being that the 3DS can do images in stereoscopic 3D (like at the movies with the glasses), and the 2DS can't. They play the game games just as well as each other otherwise.
If you want to be able to join in, and you want to be able to play it on the TV, then get a Nintendo Switch. It has a dock you connect the console to, that lets you play all its games on the TV. Then if you're travelling you can pick up the console, and it works as a portable console. A really great system.
With all that though, the kids 5. Does he really need a current generation console? It'll probably be a bit wasted on him. A WiiU with a bunch of kids games that you can play together (like all the 'Lego' series) will give you a big library of great games, that still look pretty great by modern standards, and you should be able to pick one up pretty cheap second hand since the WiiU has been superceded by the Switch.
Alternatively a second hand Xbox360 or playstation 3 could be had cheaply and have great libraries of kid friendly games.
+1 My now 8 year old has had one since she was 4. Nintendo make great games for kids (and adults). I'll be getting my 8 year old a Switch for Christmas. I'm sure I'll have a play of Zelda too ;)
Wii U,
or second hand Wii, buying one that someone else had already got running with lots of games is "cheap"
per comment below re older generation - it's bang for bucks
My son's 6 and playing on last generation consoles (X360/PS3). If graphics aren't a big deal and with how cheap the games are, you can spend a couple hundred bucks for a ridiculous amount of entertainment. Kids games like Lego and Skylanders don't get much better on their XB1/PS4 counterparts. Plus when the discs/controllers inevitably break due to manhandling from young kids, it's no big deal.
Can you pls elaborate on "graphics are not a big deal"?
Do we get some of the Nintendo child friendly games on X360 or PS3?
Last gen consoles won't output graphics as well as the current gen consoles (ie: pixels might be more obvious, lines won't be as smooth, might take longer to load). If you've got a 4K TV you'll probably want the current consoles to take advantage of it, if you're still on 1080 then I'd say there would be minimal difference on the kids games.
Nintendo tend to keep their titles exclusive to their platform (ie: Zelda, Mario etc.). There are plenty of other kids games that will suit a 5 year old, but IMHO if you got him nothing but Skylanders and Lego titles, you'll get a a couple hundred hours of gaming out of them. Oh and the X360 Kinect can be a lot of fun if you can get the fiddly camera working
ok thanks - got somewhat clearer - its so confusing with all the different product out there and games combination especially when I am buying the first one !
@CheapSticks:
Yep, there are a lot of options out there and as a PC gamer, I was tempted to get the latest gear. But bear in mind your 5 year old is just starting out and everything will be new and awesome to them, even if the X360/PS3 are older than they are!In true OzB spirit, I plan to keep my kids one console generation behind for as long as I can - gives me a more affordable upgrade path!
Nintendo Switch.
I agree, there's a lot of games in Nintendo's camp that appeals to 5 year olds. Not to mention it is portable. The Nintendo Switch would be my top recommendation.
Better yet, maybe get a 3DS instead… the hardware is cheaper, slightly longer battery life, and heaps of backlog of titles.
If it drops and breaks, no problem, they're quite sturdy and can be fixed/replaced on the cheap. Not to mention, its very mobile so it can be taken many places/car rides. Although the graphics are bad and controls are awful, but kids won't notice or care.A third option would be a PS3. It's slightly better than the Xbox 360, and has free online multiplayer. Again, very cheap, lots of games, but overall a pretty decent experience in terms of gaming, even better than the Switch in its early months.
You could also get him an older iPad, maybe the iPad Mini 2… just make sure they can't buy things on their own, and if they did want a paid App you can buy it there. Overall, its quite a capable little tablet, however, to me it is a little too fragile/expensive for a six year old.
And lastly there is Gaming PC. Doesn't have to be high-end. You could just buy a $200 Dell Optiplex SFF complete pc, then throw in a $100 RX 460 inside. It would play many classic games, emulators, and play current games at around 1080p/30fps/Medium settings… which is slightly better than the Xbox One S/PS4 Slim performance.
Great console, just wondering if a 5-6 year old could look after it and not drop it on boxing day!
The 2ds would probably be the better option, lots of games on it too!
Look for a Nintendo system.
Something like the old wii would be perfect but I guess you want new, which is the switch, a lot of money though.You could get a good Wii or WiiU cheap and would have great games available and years down the track get something else when they are older. A wii with some Marino games and kart would be good.
Nintendo Switch for sure.
Has the portability for car trips and you can play on the TV as well. Grab an extra controller for when his mates come over (or if you feel like playing)
A child that age doesn't need a console. Get them an ipad.
You could argue that a child that age doesn't need an iPad either …
Definitely a Nintendo system
I recently picked up a Wii for the kids(ages 6,4,2) with 5 games for $50!
They still don't know its coming for xmas.. :)
Get Kirbys Epic Yarn if you can find it, will be great for all kids as no way to die.
I was genuinely considering getting a 2nd SNES mini so when my kid was old enough, that would be their first console.
What about some cheap sticks.
A Nintendo console will probably be the best, 2DS aiming at little kids, it’s pretty cheap only at $150 so if he ruins it it’s not that hard to replace.
Nintendo games are great for little kids, but still costly these days hovering around the $50 mark for good titles.
As others said - Nintendo switch. Pretty costly for a 5yo though, but has a great selection of games for it.
Also remember if you’re thinking of buying a Nintendo console, buy a hard shell case for it!None; encourage him to play outside.
Definitely Nintendo Switch. My 5 yo loves it - Mario Kart, Pokken Tournament DX, Mario + Rabbids, Mario Odyssey - all great games.
Second hand wii? You can pick them up for peanuts.
And the only game they'll play is probably Mario Cart. Out of the 20 or so Wii games we have, it's the only one that gets repeat use.
For what it's worth, I encourage my kids to do other stuff than sit in front of a TV screen. On the infrequent occasions where they want/need a console, it's good to have multiple controllers so they can play with friends.
I've got a Xbox myself but for a 5yo? Nintendo Switch hands down. Not only is the game library much more oriented towards younger kids, but from a more practical perspective, it involves more physical movement/dexterity/coordination than the other consoles which is probably better for his motor skill development as well.
I think a 2ds for games, or else a pc. Nintendo switch would be the best for playing together, or else a PlayStation. The xbox is lacking in current games, but does a have a large catalog of previous generation games which are also available for purchase.
Check out Spawn Point episodes on YouTube to see if there any games that look good for your kid: youtube
I would even recommend a nes mini for two player games, if you don't mind them being really old. (The snes mini doesn't have many 2 player games)
(As others have said, wii and wiiu are old now but might be available for cheap. Mario cart and smash brothers are the pinnacle of 2player gaming. Nintendo games don't go down in price, but hunt around second have stores. Just be aware the wii had a lot of bad games. Don't go buying just anything for it. Get Nintendo or Google the name)
Depends on how much you're willing to spend on your kid.
If you're willing to spend quite a bit, definitely go for the Nintendo Switch. If not go for a 2DS. Whichever it is, Nintendo platforms are generally more "kid friendly" I would say and has a huge library that would appeal to young children, so you can't go wrong either way.
Insert obligatory PC masterrace comment here.
But seriously though, you need to get him the Xbox One X, if you get him the Xbox One the other preppies will ridicule his outdated technology.