Gaming system for young kid

ekywildcat_rivals26726

All-Conference
Apr 24, 2009
1,657
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So the wife wants to buy our 7yo grandson, who stays with us, a better gaming system for Christmas. He has an old PS 2 that his daddy used when he was a kid. He likes to play football, basketball, and NASCAR games plus cop games and he wants guitar hero. So we've read up on x-box and ps4. I know there is different variations of x-box. Seems to be plenty of games for both, I would like to have the simplest one to operate. So what are the paddock recommendations? The wife is a firm believer in buying the most expensive when in doubt. I need facts.
 

LineSkiCat14

Heisman
Aug 5, 2015
38,149
59,554
113
I prefer Xbox as it's a MS product and seems to have a bit better integration, but that won't matter for him. Admittedly, haven't kept up on the "System Wars" as of late. Does PS still charge for online? Do they have cable integration yet?

Then again, if he has a PS2 already, stick with what he knows and go with the PS4.

Both systems have released 1.5 versions of the XboxONE and the PS4.. basically slightly revamped versions before their REAL next console. You should just grab the original PS4 or XBOXONE on the cheap.
 

_Chase_

Heisman
Jan 22, 2004
33,881
33,248
113
They are both nearly identical in terms of simplicity to operate, so I wouldn't base your decision on that. They also offer just about the exact same games.

The PS4 controller is slightly smaller, so that could sway you a little bit since he's only 7.

But really, for a 7-year-old, you can't really go wrong with a PS4, Xbox One or Xbox One S.
 

BlueRunner11

Heisman
Mar 26, 2011
11,563
35,624
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Not the Wii U....my kids (9 and 6) won't touch it because there's an Xbox one (mine) in the house.
 

KyCatFan1

Heisman
May 6, 2002
30,866
31,591
113
If he was older and cared about talking to his friends in games then I would suggest Xbox One. Much better interface for starting parties and chatting. Since he is familiar with the PlayStation controller, probably better to go with what he already knows. I hate the PlayStation controller because it is to small for me, but it is perfect for kids.

Most of the games are on both systems, but there are a few big games that are exclusive to each system. All the sports games should be on both, but games like Halo, Gears of War, and Uncharted are only on one system. Probably not in his age range anyways.
 

Atrain7732

All-American
Dec 11, 2009
3,783
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Don't have any kids to give first hand experience.

However, I have been very happy with my Xbox One since I purchased a few years ago. Bought it as a bundle deal and have used it quite a bit since then without issue. I actually use the Blue Ray Player & Netflix/Amazon apps much more than I had originally thought. They are quite useful gadgets that I will always have around. Truthfully, do not play much in the way of games anymore. Will buy an occasional COD game, but that is about it. Although the new Battlefield 1 looks pretty sweet and tempting.

So, to actually get to the point. I think the Xbox One is by far the better machine all around. As far as controller, your grandson will not take long to adapt to the slight difference from PS. The fact that the Xbox is so user friendly in pretty much every way will also be useful. JMO
 

School boy

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Oct 29, 2007
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Not sure why the other poster said not the Wii u. He would love it, but the best of the best is a PS4.

Now if he's only 7 you may want to get a Nintendo 3ds and they have lots of cool games.

So if he wants more then one player get the ps4, if not just get a 3ds.
 

rmattox

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Nov 26, 2014
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For what it's worth....About 15 years ago: We waited until all the other kids had a gaming system before we bought our kids one...I regret buying it. It didn't take long for the two boys to get addicted to playing. We limited their access to around 30 minutes to an hour per day.

I've worked with kids all my life. My second career has me working with them as a counselor. We talk about lots of things, including goals and dreams. Probably 75% of the kids asked what they'd like to do for a living say something like being a video game developer. Even many of the young adults I work with, many suffering from anxiety and/or depression, when getting them to think ahead and take their lives into their own hands often say something like" I've decided to go back to school..I'm going to study video game design". Video gaming has become a disease.

I'd recommend to any guy that has the balls to do so (I wish I'd had the foresight) to : 1. Avoid getting the kids a system...but if you do, limit access to an hour per day 2. Avoid getting a kid a phone until he/she's involved in after school activities (then only a phone that only calls and I'll encourage my kids to never allow my grandkids to touch the darned things. Worthless!
 

KyCatFan1

Heisman
May 6, 2002
30,866
31,591
113
I've been gaming since the Atari 2600 and it has had no detrimental effects on me. While I don't play as much lately, I enjoy gaming to get away from things for a few hours. Especially if you've had a bad day. Take out some frustration by shooting video game characters. Anyone that has issues like you say likely had far worse issues before gaming and they try to use video games to hide from them. You can't solve all your problems inside a video game. It doesn't mean you can't use them for a healthy release.

I agree with limiting kid's time on them during the week. My son is in the 10th grade and we don't let him play during the school week. We want him to focus on getting good grades for college. We do let him play for a while on the weekends if he has no issues with his school work.

Both of my kids have had phones since they were 10. Part of it is because we don't have a home phone. My daughter is turning 11 and is a cheerleader and is practicing 3 days a week and going to competitions. She spends the night with friends frequently and it is nice to be able to get ahold of her anytime we want. My son is 15 and he is part of the chess club. He practices after school twice a week and goes to tournaments all the time.

I posted most of that because my kids have been around video games (mostly my son) nearly all of their lives and both are productive members of their schools and don't hide in video games. My son wants to be a chemical engineer and my daughter a fashion designer (right now). Neither has aspirations to design video games. I just hate when people blame all the problems with the world on video games, TV, and movies. Blame it on the parents for not helping them with their problems and letting them hide from it in those things.
 

cricket3

Heisman
May 29, 2001
19,086
19,725
113
For what it's worth....About 15 years ago: We waited until all the other kids had a gaming system before we bought our kids one...I regret buying it. It didn't take long for the two boys to get addicted to playing. We limited their access to around 30 minutes to an hour per day.

I've worked with kids all my life. My second career has me working with them as a counselor. We talk about lots of things, including goals and dreams. Probably 75% of the kids asked what they'd like to do for a living say something like being a video game developer. Even many of the young adults I work with, many suffering from anxiety and/or depression, when getting them to think ahead and take their lives into their own hands often say something like" I've decided to go back to school..I'm going to study video game design". Video gaming has become a disease.

I'd recommend to any guy that has the balls to do so (I wish I'd had the foresight) to : 1. Avoid getting the kids a system...but if you do, limit access to an hour per day 2. Avoid getting a kid a phone until he/she's involved in after school activities (then only a phone that only calls and I'll encourage my kids to never allow my grandkids to touch the darned things. Worthless!

Says the guy who's ranting about the evils of video games on an internet message board on thanksgiving.
 

Marine_In_VA

Junior
Sep 27, 2014
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rmattox

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Nov 26, 2014
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Says the guy who's ranting about the evils of video games on an internet message board on thanksgiving.
Yeah...looks pretty crappy. I have an excuse...my kids had to spend the holiday with in-laws this year...wife went to Baltimore to visit new grandbaby. Couldn't accompany her because I had to work last night.
 
Nov 18, 2001
2,995
615
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For what it's worth....About 15 years ago: We waited until all the other kids had a gaming system before we bought our kids one...I regret buying it. It didn't take long for the two boys to get addicted to playing. We limited their access to around 30 minutes to an hour per day.

I've worked with kids all my life. My second career has me working with them as a counselor. We talk about lots of things, including goals and dreams. Probably 75% of the kids asked what they'd like to do for a living say something like being a video game developer. Even many of the young adults I work with, many suffering from anxiety and/or depression, when getting them to think ahead and take their lives into their own hands often say something like" I've decided to go back to school..I'm going to study video game design". Video gaming has become a disease.

I'd recommend to any guy that has the balls to do so (I wish I'd had the foresight) to : 1. Avoid getting the kids a system...but if you do, limit access to an hour per day 2. Avoid getting a kid a phone until he/she's involved in after school activities (then only a phone that only calls and I'll encourage my kids to never allow my grandkids to touch the darned things. Worthless!

Guaranteed "get off my lawn" guy.
 
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Rex Kwon Do

All-American
Oct 15, 2005
7,493
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Getting a Wii U for 7/5/2.....basically just for Mario Kart. Just not ready for the slippery slope that is PS4, them or me. I know WU is being discontinued but whatevs, it's Christmas.
 

Nubb16

Heisman
Jun 30, 2005
128,715
10,042
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For what it's worth....About 15 years ago: We waited until all the other kids had a gaming system before we bought our kids one...I regret buying it. It didn't take long for the two boys to get addicted to playing. We limited their access to around 30 minutes to an hour per day.

I've worked with kids all my life. My second career has me working with them as a counselor. We talk about lots of things, including goals and dreams. Probably 75% of the kids asked what they'd like to do for a living say something like being a video game developer. Even many of the young adults I work with, many suffering from anxiety and/or depression, when getting them to think ahead and take their lives into their own hands often say something like" I've decided to go back to school..I'm going to study video game design". Video gaming has become a disease.

I'd recommend to any guy that has the balls to do so (I wish I'd had the foresight) to : 1. Avoid getting the kids a system...but if you do, limit access to an hour per day 2. Avoid getting a kid a phone until he/she's involved in after school activities (then only a phone that only calls and I'll encourage my kids to never allow my grandkids to touch the darned things. Worthless!
Or just teach balance to your children. My son won't touch video games much yet but he loves watching movies. When the day comes he wants to play them I wild welcome it as long as it doesn't consume his life.
 

rmattox

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Nov 26, 2014
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Or just teach balance to your children. My son won't touch video games much yet but he loves watching movies. When the day comes he wants to play them I wild welcome it as long as it doesn't consume his life.
You're right on that. Balance and moderation is the key to most things. We did to one hour or less per day. Based on my work with children, most parents don't take this approach.
 

ekywildcat_rivals26726

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Apr 24, 2009
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Thanks for the responses, we just went with the x-box, seems to be pretty popular. After the new wears off, he won't play a lot. If he's not winning, he gets mad and quits. Again, thanks for the insight.

And Mash, he's a big kid, he's getting a 9mm. Kidding.