What console for a six year old?

What console for a six year old?

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Discussion

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

54 months

Monday 20th February 2017
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[redacted]

born2bslow

1,674 posts

134 months

Monday 20th February 2017
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The only place to play MarioKart is Wii, Nintendo don't share their toys with others.

My kids are 9 and 11 and they still go back to playing on the Wii occasionally, and when we visit my mum it's all she has. IMO the most kid friendly console, grannies love it too as the games are generally fun and non-violent.

RTB

8,273 posts

258 months

Monday 20th February 2017
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My two, 8 and 5 have my old PS3 and mainly play the lego games (most recently obsessed with lego dimensions). We have a Wii, but to be honest they rarely touch it. The PS3 is a much better console all round.

SwissJonese

1,393 posts

175 months

Monday 20th February 2017
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I got an old XBox 360 for my 5 years olds with a few games 2nd hand for about £30. They loved playing the kinect dance and Kinect Adventures games, but got bored of it pretty quickly and haven't been that fussed to play it again.

Bullett

10,881 posts

184 months

Monday 20th February 2017
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Mario Kart is only on Nintendo. There is a new Nintendo console out soon (the Switch) which I think has Mario. That's probably your best bet if Mario is essential.

You can get 'kart racer' games of various quality on other systems (F1 race Stars for example).

Lego games are cross console and excellent. My boy likes those, Star Wars, Ratchet and Clank, Knack, Little Big Planet etc. all on PS4 or PS3.

Unless Mario is critical they are all much of a muchness. Current gen PS4/xbox1 would be my choice but then previous gen PS3/xbox360 would also be fine, and cheaper.

Steve Campbell

2,125 posts

168 months

Monday 20th February 2017
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Current Gen is OTT in my opinion for that age.

A Wii would be my 1st choice as a great console to get them into it...with loads of age appropriate titles, ability to play together in the same room & fun way of playing. My now 13 year old (now on my PS4) started with Wii and used to love Karting & all the sports games at first before progressing onto the fun platform type games that are available. At that age they don't care about "hi res" or "processing power" or "online". It's all about the game play and fun which I think the Wii did very well. It also allows anyone to join the fun (Grandparents included). We've had many a laugh with all ages of family playing the various sports games mainly. We would have been hard pushed to get the older folks playing with a PS controller.

As a 2nd choice I'd consider an older PS3 but I don't think you'd get the same level of family engagement...something I was keen to have with mine as they will have plenty of time as they get older sat on their own in a dark room playing games !!

(PS alert...I've always had PS's so can't comment on the Xbox etc)


mikeyr

3,118 posts

193 months

Monday 20th February 2017
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My boy is 6 at the moment and just got into PS3 gaming.

He's got:
  • Sonic Racing Unleashed (so-so game but he enjoys it)
  • ModNation racing (much more fun than sonic, the nearest to a Mario kart style game - plus you can download other people's creations which look like the Nintendo )
  • Burnout Paradise (by far his most favourite!)
  • Rachet and Crank (he's still not played)
  • Minecraft
Took him all of half hour to suss out the controls and how to use the sticks to drive. He's now genuinely good at the games!

boyse7en

6,712 posts

165 months

Monday 20th February 2017
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I'd vote for a Wii.

Its cheap
There are loads of fun games (rather than fighting/shooting games)
Parents/grandparents can join in easily
Lot of kids have them so his friends can bring extra controllers and join in.
Collaborative play in a lot of games
Just Dance is hysterical when a group try to do it while pissed
It's got Mario Kart

dai1983

2,912 posts

149 months

Monday 20th February 2017
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Quest begins to find a wii bundle that doesn't come with a barely used wii fit and wk games. Some recommendations:

-Pikmin
-Mario Galaxy although both games can be nails
-Zelda skyward sword. My boy enjoyed just watching me play
-Ghost Squad is cheap and some may frown upon a kid playing this but ours played similar at arcades
-Lego Indiana Jones doesn't have the infuriating vehicle levels of Star Wars lego
-not used virtual console but loads of Nintendo classics there.
-Donkey Kong Country
-smash bros
-for yourself I'd recommend Metroid Prime. The trilogy is expensive but number 3 is cheaper. They also remade MGS but again it's a desired game. RE:4.

You can play loads of GameCube titles but the classics can be expensive. I've not enjoyed Mario cart since the n64 TBH!

born2bslow

1,674 posts

134 months

Monday 20th February 2017
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Aw Pikmin (and Pikmin2)...loved those games. firing up the Wii now smile

TheGuru

744 posts

101 months

Saturday 11th March 2017
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PS4, he'll grow up very quick and Nintendo can a a bit babyish.


Steve Campbell

2,125 posts

168 months

Saturday 11th March 2017
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PS4 : Really ? ......he's 6. The Wii was the "go to" family entertainment system when mine was that age, even though we had PS3 aswell. Fun for all the family. If you want him to sit in front of the gaming machine on his own, go PS4 or XB.

I'd be hard pushed to name 5 excellent age (6) appropriate PS4 games (& PS4 isn't great for same room multiplayer). There are bucket loads of them on Wii ...and cheap.

Wii is prefect for a 6 year old. They can progress to a PS or XB in about 4 years, when they will be pestering you to play 18 rated games anyway.....but that's another story :-) ....and also, as some have mentioned, Wii is much more fun for family after a few drinks aswell :-)

hyphen

26,262 posts

90 months

Saturday 11th March 2017
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Atari 2600, Commodore 64 etc Let the kid work his way up through the historically significant releases.

Perfect controller for a small child


Edited by hyphen on Saturday 11th March 13:19

272BHP

5,033 posts

236 months

Saturday 11th March 2017
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To be honest the best games machine for a 6yr old is probably an iPad Mini.




thebraketester

14,221 posts

138 months

Saturday 11th March 2017
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N64

Mr Snrub

24,965 posts

227 months

Saturday 11th March 2017
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Xbox 360 games are dirt cheap now, loads of Lego and various kid friendly games as well. By not getting a gold membership you can keep him away from online play as well

phil-sti

2,678 posts

179 months

Saturday 11th March 2017
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Little lad use my xbox one and plays the lego games, Disney infinity, minecraft and roblox

dxg

8,188 posts

260 months

Saturday 11th March 2017
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hyphen said:
Atari 2600, Commodore 64 etc Let the kid work his way up through the historically significant releases.

Perfect controller for a small child


Edited by hyphen on Saturday 11th March 13:19
Useless without autofire.

grumbledoak

31,532 posts

233 months

Saturday 11th March 2017
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A Wii or an iPad.

Whatever his friends play on, is probably more important.

TheGuru

744 posts

101 months

Sunday 12th March 2017
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Steve Campbell said:
I'd be hard pushed to name 5 excellent age (6) appropriate PS4 games (& PS4 isn't great for same room multiplayer). There are bucket loads of them on Wii ...and cheap.
Knack
Lego Marvel Avengers
Skylanders
Little Big Planet 3
Minecraft
Leg Dimensions
Forza Horizon 3
Lego Jurassic
Ratchet & Clank
Disney infinity
etc.

Plus dozens of indie games, some of which are fantastic. (Rocket League is one of my 6yo's favourites)