Kids' budget Xmas present - would you buy used 360 / PS3 console and games etc from Gumtree or splurge on new console?

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  cypher67 on 12/11/2015 - 20:26

  +3

  Well for starters I wouldn't be recommending the games in these bundles like GTA if the kids is 6 y/o. If you want to give the kid a proper gaming foundation you should start with a Nintendo. More age appropriate games, focus more on fun and less on eye candy. Side note, nothing wrong with iPad games for kids that age, you just might need to spend a couple dollars to get the good ones and not candy crush etc

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    spackbace on 12/11/2015 - 20:41

    +6

    Yep, at 6yo he could just play a Wii or WiiU, Mario Kart & Super Mario Bros would be a good start.

    Buy a used Wii for like $50-$100, very easy to soft-mod if you wanna run games off USB.

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    Ventak on 12/11/2015 - 23:14

    True, Nintendo does have a large library suitable for kids games. But a specific brand of console doesn't mean it's specific to one particular age group. Both Sony & Microsoft consoles have their fair share of kid friendly games, and the opposite is true for Nintendo; they have some quite mature games that you wouldn't give to a kid.

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  FrankMcFuzz on 13/11/2015 - 07:22

  PS3/Xbox360 is the best option for 6 - 12 years, though people will try to tell you otherwise. The only thing you'll find on the next gen consoles is adult-themed games… though strangely, targeted towards kids, otherwise they wouldnt jam the interface full of "DO THIS OBJECTIVE, DON'T FORGET" if they actually respected the intelligence of their players.

  I could sit here listing off kid-appropriate games on the PS3/Xbox360 for hours. Like Ratchet and Clank. That's for kids! Do NOT avoid the last generation; they have 10 years of games on them, a large variety of genres and game types, free online play (on PS3, the only non-nintendo console that still has free online). Avoid the new gen if anything. Your kid shouldn't be playing things like Order 1886 and Ryse; not because they're for adults but mostly because they suck.

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  itajac on 13/11/2015 - 07:25

  Hi Mshannon

  In my personal experience, I would recommend you start him off with a Wii or an Xbox 360 with Kinect games. I have been in your situation and my son loved his Wi/Wii U. He used it non stop, for many years, there is a lot more variety of G/PG rated titles, with Nintendo consoles and you will be able to find a lot more cheap pre-owned games.

  My son is now 10 , he wants an Xbox One. I wish, I could purchase a second hand one! . Also found that this console, has been targetted at a more mature age group and this is reflected on the games titles and ratings.

  All the best and I'm sure he will have a blast whether the console is used or new. :)