The new forums will be named Coin Return (based on the most recent vote)! You can check on the status and timeline of the transition to the new forums here.
The Guiding Principles and New Rules document is now in effect.
Best game system for game-deprived nieces and nephews? (Also, game recs welcomed.)
LadyM
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Today I was regretting that I don't have enough of a Christmas budget to buy my sister's kids a Wii or PlayStation 3 when suddenly I thought, "Wait a minute . . . I can get them an older system. It'll still be better than what they're playing now, i.e. nothing."
I scanned CraigsList and there are definitely affordable older systems out there. Now I'm pondering whether to get them a GameCube, XBox (regular, not 360), or PlayStation 2 (or something else?). Considerations would be which ones have the strongest library of kid-friendly games (I can probably sneak in some with not-too-graphic gore, but definitely nothing with sexual inneundo or strong language) and which have a lot of multi-player games. (Sis has 5 kids . . . Luckily she will be the one dealing with squabbles over "who gets to play next" and not me. I love being an aunt!)
Opinions on best system and games are needed! Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope!
I scanned CraigsList and there are definitely affordable older systems out there. Now I'm pondering whether to get them a GameCube, XBox (regular, not 360), or PlayStation 2 (or something else?). Considerations would be which ones have the strongest library of kid-friendly games (I can probably sneak in some with not-too-graphic gore, but definitely nothing with sexual inneundo or strong language) and which have a lot of multi-player games. (Sis has 5 kids . . . Luckily she will be the one dealing with squabbles over "who gets to play next" and not me. I love being an aunt!)
Opinions on best system and games are needed! Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope!
LadyM on
0
Posts
I don't know about Xboxes, but PS2s had very few games that would support more than two people. In fact, the few games that supported more required a special attachment because the PS2 only has two controller ports.
Also, if they do upgrade to another console, backwards compatibility is much better for Wii-> Gamecube than the other two systems.
PS2 would have the largest library, though.....
Also consider you'll need a memory card for the GC, but the Xbox has a harddrive built in. GC accessories like controllers and memory cards might still be expensive because they're all compatible with the Wii, same could be said for games.
If you're weighing on cost, I'm actually going to change my vote mid-post to the Xbox. All you need is the system and 4 controllers, no other accessories needed. The controllers and games are dirt cheap, especially at gamestop right now, I think they're just doing a continuous buy 2 get 2 free sale to clear out the stock. The systems are like $50 too.
It's got Super Monkey Ball 1&2 on one disc, plenty of sports games if they're in to that, Fuzion Frenzy, Grabbed by the Ghoulies, and a fair amount of other games I think would be suitable. It's got Halo 1 & 2, while there's violence if the kids are allowed to watch a PG-13 sci-fi movie, then it's on par with that. Consider that the system also has the best graphics out of the 3 from that generation as well, kids will enjoy that, and games hold up surprisingly well today. If your sister has an HDTV, then a set of component cables will help quite a lot, and most games have some form of 480p and higher or widescreen support.
Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance 1 and 2
Burnout 3 and Revenge
Dungeons and Dragons: Heroes
Fuzion Frenzy
Gauntlet: Dark Legacy
Godzilla (2 of them, 4 player fighting games kids would enjoy)
Grabbed by the Ghoulies
Halo 1 & 2
Justice League Heroes
Kung-Fu Chaos
Lego Star Wars 1 & 2
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
The 2 multiplayer burger king games
Star Wars Battlefront 1 & 2
Super Monkey Ball Deluxe
TimeSplitters 2 & 3
I've played most of those games above, I believe all of them have 4 player multiplayer, most of them are pretty good. There's probably a few in there rated T, but I don't know the age of your sister's kids (or gender) so it's hard to personalize. Still, they should be appropriate enough for those nearing ten, and they'll appreciate being able to play more grown up games (I know I did).
Again, for the sales and prices alone I would lead towards the Xbox. Depending on the games, they'll also be compatible with a 360 if that's in their future.
This, get the GameCube.
Just remember the peripherals like memory cards and pads.
Oh as a side note the sonic mega collection would be pretty cool for them too, tons of games in one.
Fantastic!
This also (down the line) makes a Wii a very awesome gift. As in, let them enjoy the GC for 2 years then pick up a cheap Wii.
Mario Power Tennis
Mario Strikers
any Mario Party game
Super Monkey Ball 1 or 2
Warioware Mega Party Games
Timesplitters 2 or Future Perfect (teen-rated violence)
Bomberman Generation
Wave Race: Blue Storm
You can probably find a lot of these games for 5 bucks or so in a bargain bin at game stop, so look around.
GameCube system ($20)
Four controllers ($24)
Smash Brothers Melee ($25)
Memory card (came with system)
Budget left: $31
I'm poking around Amazon right now to see how far I can stretch the remainder.
Oh, I didn't really address it before, but the kids' ages range from 16 to 3. (The three year old probably won't be allowed to play anything, which is for the best since there are only four controllers.) They're pretty sheltered and the parents won't allow the older kids to play a lot of games most teens could.