The dreaded video-game choice

[Caleb]

Well, we've managed to put it off for eight years, but yesterday we received a heartfelt request from our 8 yr old for a...game cube? what the devil is a game cube? and should parents prefer it over any other game system? I'm told it's similiar to a play station or nintendo, neither of which know anything about either. I guess I'm wondering mostly about the availability of suitable games. can anyone share their experience on this? thx C

 

[dmc]

I have an XBox....
Has more Adult titles like SPlinter Cell, Halo.. At least it used to...

Also plays and stores CDs...
And plays DVDs too...

 

[hammer]

I have an XBox....
Has more Adult titles like SPlinter Cell, Halo.. At least it used to...

That's why I went with the GameCube for my son. The GameCube does have the lowest quality graphics of the three systems that I know of (GameCube, Playstation2, XBox), and it doesn't have the CD/DVD player capability, but IMO it has the best selection of games for younger kids.

 

[Vortex]

Hammer we had the play station 2 and Nintendo, but would only buy kid friendly games. We just got the cube, because of game selection mostly sports. I don't play them at all, my son is happy with it.

 

[BeanoNYC]

Get the PS2 this way you can get some adult titles to play yourself. Socom 2 and GTA San Andreas rocks.

 

[cbcbd]

Gamecube is developed by Nintendo, PlayStation2 (PS2) by Sony, Xbox by Microsoft.

-PS2 has the biggest selection of games and usually has long staying power because of that - plays dvds.
-Xbox has a lot of proprietary developers who will only develop for Xbox-but most are adult games anyway. The controller is huge and clunky - it's horrible for me, I couldn't imagine 8 year old hands trying to use it. Wouldn't recommend for kids at all.
-Gamecube - Has a lot of proprietary Nintendo games that can only be played on it and is strictly a game box (can't play dvds). It has the best controller of the 3 IMO, and has the best fun party games (Monkey ball is my favorite). It is small,cute,portable, and has a handle. No wonder an 8 year old would go for it.

Get the PS2 if you'd like the option of playing DVDs and might even play some games yourself.
If you don't plan on playing any "adult" games, your son wants to play games that are strictly made for the Gamecube (like Mario), and don't care for the dvd player, then get the Gamecube.

He might outgrow the Gamecube, but then again, by that time other consoles will be out, the Gamecube will be outdated, and he'll want the next thing anyway. Get the Gamecube

 

[ctenidae]

I'm with cbcbd, here.
Gamecube- good for kids
PS2- good for kids and adults, if games are chosen, uhm, carefully. Plus, it's cooler now, becaue it's skinny. Will be replaced by the PS3, probably next year, but Sony's good about making stuff backwards-compatible, and there will probably still be new games out for PS2
X-box- almost solely for adults. Plus, it's a Microsoft product. Take that as you will.

 

[awf170]

I'm with cbcbd, here.
Gamecube- good for kids
PS2- good for kids and adults, if games are chosen, uhm, carefully. Plus, it's cooler now, becaue it's skinny. Will be replaced by the PS3, probably next year, but Sony's good about making stuff backwards-compatible, and there will probably still be new games out for PS2
X-box- almost solely for adults. Plus, it's a Microsoft product. Take that as you will.

i agree 2,but gamecube is the cheapest so that is good

 

[Caleb]

thanks all. went out and bought gamecube today. I didn't realize it, but it plays gameboy games too, a big plus given the $ we've spent in gameboy games. thanks again. C