Another Plea for Christmas Gift Help

MyVintageCocktail

MyVintageCocktail

VFG Member
Sharon's post inspired me to ask you all about a gift for my 12-yr-old. We feel it's time to succumb to his desparate pleas for a video-game system. He uses my PC for playing, but I need to get him off it because it's a constant struggle to get him to understand that I use my computer to make a living with, and that when I say "I need my computer" NOW, I don't mean half an hour from now...

We feel pretty good we've managed to buck the trend till now, but all his friends have systems, and he feels so "out of it." Which I suppose he is, and being really, really smart he already has a somewhat "nerdy" reputation. So, time to get the game system.

Anyway.... Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii, Playstation, or XBox? If we go Playstation, we can only afford a PS2, which, to my surprise, is still available, or a low-end XBox. The Wii is stretching it for us, but we could manage that if we didn't get him anything else (my brother's going to buy him some games for whatever system we get). But I've read that Wii is looking like it might be a short-lived fad.

What do most middle-school age kids have? Which has the most games suitable for that age group? My research indicates that Nintendo DS is probably the most "family friendly" system. Not sure he'd be comfortable with the touch screen & stylus system, though. He's only ever used a keyboard or a stick controller. He loves the Mario games, so I'm leaning Nintendo DS, then he can take it with us when we travel the 6 hours to NY every few months. But I have no clue, really....
 
i would definatley recommend the DS Megan my daughter shes 11, and this is her first games console too, has lots of the brain training games and the zoo one, where they build the park its quite educational, but Megans has been back for fixing twice now, she knocked a glass of water over it first time and they fixed it for free, and now this time its happened again and they charged £55 to get it fixed,id definatley recommend buying the hard case that goes with the DS too.
 
Have you considered some of those gamer shops that take trade ins? The die hard gamers that have to have the very newest things will often take in their game systems to trade in for new games, like we did for old CDs back in the day when you could hold music in your hand. I hate to dis on ebay, but I don't like buying anythying more electronic than a flashlight off of it. With one of these trade in/used shops, you can have the system tested first.
Just a thought. Assuming your kid is ok with something out of the plastic wrap as long as it works. ::kiss2:
 
My kids have a Game Boy Advance but no DS yet, but I'm thinking of giving in on that one. I like the way they also market it with brain building games as well the Mario Bros. and other traditional games.

The touch screen is easy to get the hang of, usually, and the portability is a major plus.

Also, if you wanted to just "get" a gaming system and not make it a gift type thing in the future, think about used systems. I don't mean on ebay - try Game Stop or any video game store. They always have used systems that have been traded in for a newer model. The ones we've picked up have always been fine, in fact, still working a couple years later - and considerably less expensive.
I've shopped online at EB Games and never had a problem.
 
Jenn, Jared's fine with something used, as long as it works! We have a local shop here that has some refurb units. I may look into that.

He's just told us he doesn't want a DS, but he wants something portable... Now, what the hell would that be????
 
We also held out for the longest time. Last year we did get a wii. That would be my recommendation-the whole family likes it. There are lots of interactive games that we can play together like bowling and golf as well as the ones my son likes. We got him the guitar so he really like Guitar Hero and this year I think we will get Rock Star. You can download all the old games pretty cheap too like Mario and my older kids like that. Plus it acts as a computer because it uses the wireless connection and has a web browser.
But If I were you I would definitely ask your son which one he wants because some kids have pretty strong feelings about their favorite systems.
I love that you can rent the games for all of these at Blockbuster.
 
Thanks, everyone, for your help!

Well, OK, since he wants something portable and doesn't want the DS, it looks like it's down to a Playstation PSP, or a used Game Boy Advance SP (Game Spot has them), which is really the one I think he'd like. He mentioned it this morning. He also said not many of his friends have Playstations, and I think he wants something his friends have....

Can you still get new games for the Game Boy? If so, I think I'll get him that one. He really likes the Nintendo games, so makes sense to get that system. Or are just used games available? See, I told you I was clueless....
 
Egads...we have it all :BAGUSE: (except the portables). Favorite hands down is the X-box 360. Wii is a bit juvenile for my boys (12-14). My kids still think the best workhorse of a system for affordability and variety of games is the PS2.

You can get really great deals on used games. We buy a lot on Craigs List and then there is always ebay.
 
The PSP is very cool. It wirelessly connects to other PSPs so they can play together, has a browser and holds your music, pictures and other files. It is also hackable which opens it up to play ALL the old games for free. shhhhh!
 
We have all of them (no I don't buy the systems, he saves up for them and now, thank God, has a job)
Serious Gamer son.

He says it depends on what you will let your son play.
If you are going to limit it to E and T games the Wii is good and cheap and you can download older Nintendo games.

The PS2 would be fine if he has never had a system before since all the games will be new to him and you can go to places like Gamestop and get used games.

Josh is in love with his PS3, but he seems to get more Xbox games.

I cannot express my love enough for Gamefly.com.
No getting games that cost $50 and have him play for an hour and go "well that sucks"....he only buys the games he KNOWS he will play over and over, the rest we get from Gamefly. It looks expensive, but in then you save so much more money not buying games.

BUT hands down, we miss the old Nintendo 64 and wish we had never gotten rid of it. Off and on I look on eBay for one with a good amount of games, but they do not sell cheap.
 
Even tho your son doesnt want the Nintendo DS, Anne, we stood in line at 5am Black Friday at walmart to get Melissa one.. they were $139 i think.

She loves the touch screen and it has wireless capabilities to play with others with DS as well as instant & text messages.

She won $1500 in vegas on the penny machines, and other than a Madonna concert t-shirt, this is all she spent so far.. my frugal kid!

there's so many out there, it is confusing, way over my head!
yvonne
 
From reading what you say about your son....

he wants portable... the only two options open to you are going to be the PSP and the DS.... they are the only thing newer and games are still made for that I know of..... anything older than those would be emberassing if he is concerned about his frinds having them too.....

If he said no the the DS it sounds like the is wnating the PSP.... now I am sure there are other players out there no nmaes but no names mean no games lol... I think both systems have theiar advantages.... but PSP rocks hard! you can store movies and music on them and they seem to have more game selection!

Here is a fact sheet on both... Basically the DS is a cheaper more kidy version of the PSP where the PSP is more a big boy toy... better graphics more memory stuff like that!

Here is a non bias comparison link!
http://gear.ign.com/articles/599/599454p1.html

basicallt states..... PSP better graphics and screen size... Nintendo DS and PSP have same sound systems....The controls depend on preference as both are a little different... the DS folds shut do more durable to scretching and stuff DS has faster load times and such and longer battery life... I would buy screen protectors if you get the PSP for like 6 bucks online .. even ebay!!! THEY ARE A MUST!

I think its up to you.... DS is just kiddier in most eyes which may be why he said no... the titles are great but more classic but more wholesome... the games that teh PSPs carrya re the same as its big brother and MANY mature games which is easy for him to download from a friend...so as a mom... if he just wnats to play games you do what you think is better..... I would go with PSP personally... name looks and LOTs of games to choose from but also keep and eye on what he has on it!

here are links to the game titles availabel to
PSP can not find an exact number
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_PlayStation_Portable_games

DS (over 600 titles)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Nintendo_DS_games

Good luck and I hope that helped a little
 
They do still make new games for the Game boys. They are pretty reasonably priced also, even brand new. One thing to be aware of. They are about the size of a zippo lighter and are easy to miss when you toss clothes in the washer.

It seems overwhelming with so many systems, but they are all fun and .... oooooh!!! Just had a brainstorm! Go to Target and plan to spend some time and let him play the display models. I haven't looked in ages, but they used to have the different gaming systems set up to be played and "test driven".

Like Julie's family, my kids also still love the N64 - and it still works just fine and games are cheap to come by - they really like the old ones more than I expected them to.
 
Wow, thanks for all the help, everyone! Sharon, I never thought about taking him around to the store and having him "demo" them....

Doesn't really matter to me what he gets, as long as we can afford it (!), but I am very careful about what he plays--maybe "too" careful... So my personal preference would be the DS, as the whole family, including the 6-year-old, would enjoy all the games on it. But since the oldest one is gonna be 13 in a few months, it could be that he'll perceive the DS as being too "young" for him.

I'm even thinking now about maybe the PSP for the older one, and getting the little one a used Game Boy so he can play his Super Mario games. They they'll both have something to keep them occupied on the long trips up to NY.

Too many choices, not enough time..... Aaarrggghhhh
 
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