Which to Buy???

Updated on January 08, 2008
L.H. asks from Lewisville, TX
29 answers

Hey Mamas,
My son will be 7 in March and I am trying to figure out which game system to buy. We have a game cube, but you can't buy games at Wal-Mart , Target anymore. Should I get an X-box 360, PSP3 or a Wii?? Any advice would be appreciated....:)
L.

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J.J.

answers from Austin on

If you're going to do anything, i would do PS3 because of the games and the graphics are really good.

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A.S.

answers from Lubbock on

i wouldnt sugesst a xbox360 they arent making a whole lot of games for it and a lot of people have had problems with the consoles.A playstation 3 is a little pricey but it there is a lot of games for it and i have heard that it will play the playstation 2 games also.

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B.L.

answers from Houston on

The Wii hands down! It is great for all ages. We have a 2, 4 and 9 year old (girls) and they all love it- so do I and I am not a game fanatic!

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S.V.

answers from El Paso on

Hi well we just got our kids the wii for christmas. They love it and it gets them up off the couch or chair to move around also. so it does give them some excercise.

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T.E.

answers from Houston on

wii. Buy the wii. We have had ours since Sept. I don't know who loves it more my kids or my husband. We had friends over on x- mas. The adults played it more than the kids.

p.s.
we also have an x-box and the kids have nintendo ds
the wii is a player action moving game. the only butt siiting you do is waiting for your turn.
just a hint on buying one, the stores don't stock them on the shelves. If they are in the stores weekly add then they will have them. If you don't see them ask the employees, they will help you out. Good luck!

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A.C.

answers from Austin on

We own a Wii and it's actually fun for everyone. My sons are 2 and almost 5. They get a lot of use out of it and it makes me happy to see them jumping around and whooshing their arms (not just sitting still on the couch or bed). The Wii has been so popular that my boys' grandfather even bought one and has bowling competitions with is friends at his lakehouse. I enjoy the tennis too!

Good luck!
A.

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T.L.

answers from Houston on

I have a PS3, but I feel like a Wii would be better for your 7yr old.

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Y.D.

answers from Dallas on

I would recommend the Wii, we have a game cube, which we love for Mario Party, but the Wii is the funnest thing ever. You actually have to get up and move and that is a plus.

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T.T.

answers from Dallas on

I would suggest a WII too...it's great fun for all ages. My husband and I play it after the kids are in bed...My 3 yr old attempts to play and doesn't get discouraged, my 10 yr old loves it!! We like that we can make our own characters, so we have players that look like us. I like it because you are actually playing games (sports, etc.) not just fighting, killing, etc...

On a side note, I know how to crochet a little bit and I enjoy it when I have the time! :o)

What church do you attend? I teach Sunday School at my church too!

Good luck with your search!!

T.

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B.C.

answers from Beaumont on

If you already have a gamecube buy the Wii. It plays all the gamecube games so you won't loose any of your original investment. Plus it's good clean fun for the whole family! We bought one for our kids for Christmas and we play it more than them! Mario Party is a fun four player game that's like playing a board game. The Mario Sonic Olympic games really is a bit of a challenge and it gets your moving. Dance Party is good for all us ladies wanting to loose weight. They even have a work out mode. Mario Galaxy, Guitar Hero, and Wii Play are really a lot of fun as well. The system isn't too expensive compared to the others. It does take a lot of accessories. You have to buy controllers and old style controllers if you wish to play old games.

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S.C.

answers from Austin on

I would go with the Wii... you CAN play your old gamecube games on it as well as the new ones!!!

So FUN and worth the money!

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T.H.

answers from El Paso on

We have the xbox360, wii, and a ps2. By far the one my 8 y/o son uses the most is the wii. He gets everyone to play with him (including my mom) and everyone has fun playing. Unlike the 360 or PS3, it comes with a game (wii sports) that is endlessly fun and you'll be able to play your gamecube games on it as well. The biggest factor with it is that you get off of your butt to play it!

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M.J.

answers from Dallas on

Wii is very interactive and you will also enjoy as well.

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K.L.

answers from Beaumont on

I like to consider myself a gamer. I've been checking out the various systems, and I'll have to agree that a Wii is probably the best way to go for a younger child.

We have an original X-Box. We have some great games for it too. Even my 4 year-old is trying to play it. One thing to remember is that the X-Box is geared for the older kids. There are a lot of first person shooters. This system is renown for its graphics. (which is why the shooters are so popular) Of course there is also the Halo factor. I bought the 360 mainly because of Halo 3. I would not really recommend this for a 7 year-old unless you don't mind the shootings.

The PS3 is great if you have previous PS systems. It plays PS 1 & 2 games. It also comes equipped with the blu-ray and HD technology. The online games are free, but you don't have as many options as X-Box Live. This system is 3rd on my list to buy.

The Wii has a lot of kiddo friendly games and the bonus of getting people to get up and move! My son has put on some weight this year and I think I'm going to buy a Wii to help him with that! (LOL) What would be great in your case is that the Wii is compatible with GameCube games. It does not have the capacity to play DVD's or CD's. The online gaming is severely lacking compared to the X-Box Live and PS3. But in the interest of safety, I would rather my kids not get online anyway.

If you need more information, do a google search for each of the systems' reviews. The Wii is going to be my next major purchase.

K. L.

P.S. Check out ebay, Gamestop, and pawn shops for the older games.

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T.L.

answers from Dallas on

Wii Wii Wii! We got one in 2006 and we've all enjoyed it. I would say it's more kid-friendly than the other systems. My 4year old daughter loves it...we spent two hours the other night singing High School Musical karaoke! haha Great fun, and she loves the bowling game. Your only problem will be finding one! Good luck!

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W.C.

answers from Dallas on

Hi L.,

Me and my son (age 12) have read your request. He suggested that you get the Wii because if you already have the Game Cube you can play those games on the Wii aswell, with the Wii classic controller. That way they can still have fun with them.

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L.C.

answers from Austin on

I am the mother of a 17 year old...we've been through every game system imaginable...my suggestion is the xbox-360 it has a wide variety of games. They have many learning games that help with studies, but also the mindless fun as well.

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A.W.

answers from Fayetteville on

I'd pick the Wii for the kids simply cause it has more child friendly games to it. Beware of the down side of the Wii.. The straps which have been recalled for breaking resulting in smashing T.V.'s, and hurting other people; will no doubt be a concern if not used carefully. Even though they have claimed to fix this problem it can always result in happening again. I suppose it wouldn't be a problem if it was used with an extra T.V. around the house. GoodLuck

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N.

answers from Dallas on

I second Amy C's suggestion of a Wii. We have had nintendo, sega, playstations 1 & 2, and my son bought an x-box after her left home, but out of all of those, my kids think the Wii is the funnest. Ever since Santa brought us a Wii for Christmas, my 20 year old has been over 3 times as much as he usually is to just to play. It's so nice to see my 8 year old up and moving rather than sitting and staring at the tv. And my husband and his brother like to play it too. They've all been trying to get me to play it but so far I haven't tried. I just recently found out they have bowling though so I guess I will give it a try soon. I have never said that about any other video game. :-)

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D.W.

answers from Dallas on

I keep hearing about Wii. It's not cheap, but then again, none of those systems are. :) Good luck in finding one. Not very many stores will keep a waiting list and they are gone within a couple of hours of putting them on the shelf. Although now that it's after Christmas, it might be a little bit better. But that ought to say something about it's popularity.

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J.B.

answers from Killeen on

We have an 8 year old son and a 6 year old daughter. They received a Wii from their Aunt and Uncle this Christmas. This is our first experience with the "video games." It has been so much fun. We have played the sports package games and had so much fun.

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P.L.

answers from Houston on

We have a PS2, my brother has the X-box, and we've played with the Wii. We enjoy our PS2, but my husband seems to think the X-box has a wider variety of better games available. As a mother, though, I tend to lean toward the Wii. My husband says it's difficult to get used to, but your child's not just sitting there passively playing a game - he has to actively participate and move in order to get it to do what he wants. As far as video games go, I see that as a HUGE plus.

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A.R.

answers from San Antonio on

I say the wii because its something that offers more educational games as well as awesome games like guitar hero. Also, he wont be sitting on his butt playing video games since you have to get up and move around to play.

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L.C.

answers from Corpus Christi on

The Wii has lots of family games and kid games. My husband, four year old son, and I love to play the sports game that comes with the console. My son is especially good at the tennis game! I find that one difficult, but he's very coordinated! :-)

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K.T.

answers from Austin on

You will probably want to buy a Wii. THe Xbox360 and the Ps3 are geared more towards "Boys" 15-35. wii has a better selection of non violent games and seems to have games that can get everyone involved. I have a PS2 and a PS3 and there are lots of games but more for adults. No matter what system you get look for the Star Wars Lego(s)games. They're great no blood, they guys just fall apart when they get shot. Pretty fun game. My 5 yr.old gets 20 min. a week that I let him play it. He has really gotten into it. Good Luck in your search. EB Games, GameZone and some others out there have a great selection of older, used games that are less expensive to purchase.
Cheers
K.

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E.

answers from Dallas on

Hi L., We have all 3 game systems because my husband worked for GameStop. My kids, ages 7 & 5, like the Wii best. Did you know Gamestop sells gamecube games? They are used and cheap too. Also, the Wii can play gamecube games if you buy an attachment for it so that is another bonus. The Wii games are expensive, but hopefully they will drop when it's not so new. The used ones are cheaper, but not by much. For Christmas we got Star Wars for the Wii and the kids love it. My husband and I even play it.

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R.I.

answers from Dallas on

We have a Wii and yes my son loves it but we only let him play it on occasions because it is so expensive. The Wii games are way more young children friendly and that is why we bought it. However since we don't let him play it I just buy our games for the game cube at at Movie Trading company or Gamestop. Both places have a money back guarentee and they inspect the games before they buy them. I would do that rather then spending and arm and a leg on one of the newer systems. I regret buying the Wii because we spent so much on it and I am afraid he will break it because everything seems so delicate. (Probably my imagination but it was way to expensive of a "toy")

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A.O.

answers from Sherman on

Why buy one at all. He will just sit in front of the television. I am seeing so many young children that have no imaginations...such a shame. I feel the major reason is that they have game systems and spend more time doing that then playing outside, reading books, riding bikes, etc... My father is the anti-piracy inventor for both the x-box and 360 and my children do not have a game system in our home.

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W.P.

answers from Houston on

Dear L.:
I have a PS2 and consider a PS3 for the picture quality. It is great for the games I like, and X-Box offers some of the same games. I have not tried that one yet. However, the Wii appears to make the kids more active, so that is a noteworthy aspect.

We have guitar hero, which is as active as it gets. My other games are more about puzzles and some fighting, so the interaction is more with your head than your body.

If you have the space in your house, Wii sounds like fun, and I would think their games do not overlap so much with what PS* and X-Box offer, so you may want to consider one of those as well later on. BTW, my son loves the PSP for long car trips...

Regards,
W.

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