XBox, PS2, PS3, etc. (nbc)

[HeldUp]

I want to get my boys a nice gift for completing Ramadan (they both fasted the entire month).

My wife has always resisted the idea of getting them a gaming system, but I think they are old enough now (13 and 10) to get one. Heck, we can't get a dog because of our allergies...

I really don't want to spend the $500 or so on the new Play Station 3. Target has the PS2 for around $130. Is this so out of date that they'll hate or is it better than playing games on their computers?

Any other ideas or options?

Thanks!

[jas & max]

Atari or Coleco systems are nice(obsolete). The only thing I can say is is seems that the original xbox is slowly being phased out for the newer xbox 360. See you in south central..

[nish01]

according to CNET.com, here is the new console of choice

http://reviews.cnet.com/consoles/microsoft-xbox-360-elite/4505-10109_7-32390552.html?tag=also

at the end of the review are links to all the other consoles if you want to compare

[eagle8487]

I know it's not on your list, but my niece and nephew (11 and 8) love their Wii. It does have the added bonus of some physical activity being part of the game. The console is finally readily available at about $250 and most games are in the 50 range. (The kids buy all the games themselves so they are also getting lessons on need v. want--sort of like I need GA-ok, bad comparison.)

Good luck and I think the boys' accomplishment is great! Congrats to them.

[Jeniene]

My 13 year old son loves his PS2. He's had it for a couple years now and still plays with it every day (after his homework of course). For his 13th birthday this year he used the money he got to buy himself a Wii and he really loves that also. Though finding one was very hard. I'm sure that whatever you choose your boys will love it.

Good luck,
Jeniene

[Rising Boss]

Being that i'm 16 years old and is still somewhat into vidoe games...the PS2 and xbox are too out of date. I would recommend xbox 360 or the nintendo wii. the Xbox 360 has the greatest game of all time, halo 3. It costs about 350 but it has alot of violent video games. The nintendo wii is a great family system. You can buy old games off the wii marketplace. These are really old games like mario brothers, zelda, etc. Games from long ago. It doens't use the traditional controller, it uses a controller that looks like a remote. I think you would even liike some of the games. i recommend the nintendo wii being is the cheapest but the most fun and most appealing.

http://www.roughlydrafted.com/RD/Q4.06/745E215D-460A-4393-96E6-56FD13A883A2.html

[POSTAL]

XBOX360
PS3

These systems are the current "state of the art", best graphics, most games are adult targetted.

Wii - fantastic for kids and actually the entire family in general
(it has a fun controller, where it is motion sensitive, for example you mimic swinging a bat, golf club or bowling ball with the controller and it does that action on the screen)

We have a PS2, an XBOX360 and a Wii, I still play sports games on XBOX360 but the kids stick mostly to the Wii and their PS2

[MEW]

My 15 year old son was holding on to a large credit at Best Buy since he was 13. He had the PS2, and wasn't sure which newer system he wanted. (The Wii was never a consideration for him. He very recently bought himself the xbox 360, and is very satisfied. He says he knows people who have had some problems with the PS3, and the graphics and games are terrific on the Xbox 360. It seems to be the game of choice for all of his friends, as well. Now, they go online and play against each other all the time.

[palm tree man]

As with many others above, my two boys (aged 10 and 8) have a PS2 (which we purchased) and a Wii (which they purchased with saved up and pooled-together gift cards from EB Games/Game Stop). They play with both at various times depending on their mood.

One other thought on the games, regardless of which you go with, EB Games/Game Stop (same company, different names) buys games you don't want anymore and sells used games. We maybe buy one new game a year and buy all the rest used from them. The savings are significant and if you can live without having the latest and greatest game right away, it is so worth it to wait a couple of months and buy it used. We have never had one problem with a used game.

Good luck with whatever you decide. I am happy your children did the right things to earn such a great treat.

Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.

PTM

[HeldUp]

Thanks, all. I'm looking into all options. Not sure what we'll do but I'm sure the boys will be happy with our decision (as long as they get one!)...

[cobalt]

Hi Tarik,

Make sure the video game is something THEY really want. Have they been asking for one? Sometimes there is the tendency to assume kids want something, but they really don't.

My sons are now 18 and 16, and we've never had a game console. We weren't opposed to it or anything...they would get their ya-yas out at their buddies' houses, but never really asked for one at our house. I did get them both Gameboys at one point, for road trips, and they would play with them for a short time, and then just put them down for months.

I'd hate to see you get in a position where you are encouraging the boys to play the game, when they might prefer to do something else.

If they DO want one, though, get the 360 or the Wii...the others just aren't really that popular, and they will be able to swap games with friends if you get the popular ones.

[HeldUp]

Postscript:

We spoke with our boys. They decided they wanted either the PS3 or the XBox 360. We ended up buying the PS3 with Blu-Ray player and wireless controllers. While it can't play PS2 games (we don't have any to begin with), the speed and graphics are amazing. Sweeeeet!

Thanks, again, for everyone's feedback. A co-worker is trying to find a Wii. Difficult to find and very expensive when you do find it.