Dingdongler

Thinking of buying my first games console. I need

1) It to have suitable educational and non violent games for a 3 and 4 year old. Their time on the machine will be very restricted.

2) My wife would quite like to use it for a keep fit type game.

3) I have a short attention span and so would want to play quite simple shoot em up type games.

Though I've never bought a games console I have a whole load of up to date AV gear including a BDP, HD projector, 5.1 surround sound etc.

Anyway, I think that the XBox 360 with kinetic would probably be right for me. Any thoughts appreciated.

ps I see the xbox comes with different hard drive capacities ie 4gb and 250gb. What is the hard drive on it actually used for?

Thanks

Jamescsti

Your options will either be the Xbox 360 or the Wii.

The Wii has far more games for a 3-4 yr old but if the time will be restricted then the Xbox will probably be ok.

I would say the Xbox 360 with Kinect is a better option than the Wii for fitness games although Wii fit is very good also.

If you have any intention at all of connecting the Xbox online then the 250gb hd is a must, it is used for saving games, downloading extra content of which there is tons, if you want to start playing something like Call of Duty online then you will very quickly find the 4gb is useless, to me it's a false economy

Dingdongler

Thanks James. I hope I don't get into on line gaming as the last thing I need is another addiction!

However for the sake of £50 I may as well future proof myself.

Can you get things like guns you can point at the screen for the x box? I saw guns for the wii in the shops today but not for the xbox.

Thanks

btw, every Comet, Currys, PC World I popped into today was sold out of the xbox!!

bioforger

iTrader: (1)

xbox online is not free btw, something to consider

Jamescsti

Xbox gold costs £39 per year but can be bought cheaper, works out at about £3 a month to put it into perspective, and is only required to play games online
Can't say i've seen any guns for the xbox, but for a decent shooter like Call of Duty or Halo you will need a control pad anyway.

To buy an Xbox go to a proper game store such as Game or Game Station on the High street, you will have no trouble finding stock, comet and currys are a waste of time for these things.
Also I was in Argos today, they had loads of new xbox's stacked up

bioforger

iTrader: (1)

yea n ps3 online is free to put it further into perspective

GazTheHat

Even if you don't go online (which i don't), you'll still fill up 4GB very quickly as you can save the games to the HDD, for improved loading times etc.

I have the Wii (+ Wii Fit) and an Xbox, two very different consoles. I can't see my 6 year old playing the xbox, as the controller is big for small hands, yet she does enjoy playing on the Wii. Me, i haven't really found any games i like to play on the Wii (and i've softmodded it Something else to think about is you'll need to buy and store the wii fit board (£60+)

Jamescsti

However PS3 is significantly more expensive initially

In any case it's irrelevant as the PS3 will not offer the OP the type of games he is looking for

Camoscooby

iTrader: (5)

Xbox all the way mate...........

WII's are ****

krisando

iTrader: (2)

As an owner of a 360 and wii, for the kids and family id go for a wii. 360 with kinect is great, but 360 break down, a lot.

Myself, missus and the kids have loads of fun with the games for the wii, like wii party etc. and the fitness ones are good also.

Ant

If you have a old one....

mart360

We have most consoles

Ps1 / PS2 / Wii / Xbox360

Wii

Don't be fooled, the Wii isn't new, its just a gamecube with a makeover and

some slick marketing (reminds me of another technological device that

reinvented itself )

That said its great fun, and can be used by all ages, The Wii fit board, is

hilarious, with many an evening spent trying to ski jump to the perfect

score. It has some degree of backwards compatibility, and will play all

game cube games - remember Pickmin

On the downside, the graphics aren't the best, and the cutesy / simplistic

style wimii's do grate after a while.

The controller while simple to use become a pain in the *rse when coupled

with the motion plus device, Whoever thought of adding a big blob of

useless latex to the end of the controller needs talking too... that said,

take the sleeve off .

Longevity is its other issue, we use it about one every 3 month's once the

initial "new" phase wore off

Score out of ten - 7



Xbox 360

I was going to go for a PS3, as i'd owned a ps1 &2, but due to Sony's

decision to remove the emotion engine chip, and give the UK emotion

via emulation, it meant that over half my previous games wouldn't play

So decided to get an xbox 360.

I initially had a white standard 360, but a dodgy cd unit put paid to that,

and it was replaced with an elite

On the hardware front its good, with the ability to transfer the games to

hard disk, any noise that comes from the cd unit (not much i have to say)

is completely gone, and loading times are quicker.

Game wise the choice is very good, with all ages covered. The lego series

of games appeals to all ages, (adults included )

On the adult side you are spoilt for choice, with some excellent first person

shootem ups, Call of duty, Gears of war - Racing games, Forza series

Music wise there is guitar hero & rockband, great fun for the kids and the

older rockers amongst us

Xbox live is handy, coming two flavors, Silver - allowing downloads of

demo's and additional content (some free and some via points)

Gold, all content accessible - online chat / gaming

You can set parental restrictions with the xbox, limiting what type and age

restrictions they can play both on and offline

My youngest (8) is on his xbox now, he gets a set time per day and we vet

the games before he buys them

The xbox can also be used as a media streamer, streaming movies and

Mp3's from our server upstairs, so we can watch HD stuff as well

Plus side - choice of games - media streaming

Minus side - No bluray player (come on MS )

Score out of ten - 9

Hope this helps

Mart

stevebt

iTrader: (8)

If your buying mainly for a young child and your missus then the Wii is the best choice, you could buy a wii and a 360 and be well covered

Ant

The problem with the wiinis that it's dated technology, I bet the wii hd is not far away. And Kinect seems the better option IMO

scoobyverysoon

iTrader: (1)

Dont rule out PS Move - the controller wipes the floor with the Wii they just need to get some games out for it - I prefer to hold/feel something (oh er) rather then dance about in my living room plus you can get all the usual attachments for it guns bats etc

scoobyd00999

iTrader: (1)

+1

Jamescsti

Have you tried the Kinect?
I thought the it would be terrible (and I own a 360) but having tried it I find it to be a very good bit of kit, works far better than I thought it would, the way it picks up movement is very impressive.
If you have tried it then fair enough but I think everyone should try it before they knock it.

I hope the PS Move attachments are better than the Wii ones as they were a waste of time and money, with the exception of maybe the steering wheel for mario kart.

Scotsman

iTrader: (3)

We've got a Wii plus a 360. Wii definitely for the young ones and the family (my wife even plays on the the Wii and does Yoga with it too). The controllers are superb (for the sorts of games the Wii has).

Scooby Soon!

That's a bit like saying the games on the PS3 have not yet reached there full graphic potential because the programmers are still getting used to it

The psmove will be the same "it's got amazing potential, it just needs some games" it's a dead duck!

I don't know why Sony don't knock the ps3 on the head and have a fresh start it's been a disaster from the start......

jayallen

iTrader: (31)

Thats a bit harsh fella....after all, it does double as a blu ray player!

Jamescsti

Bloody ecpensive blue ray player! lol

Mine was just over £100 and came with 6 blu-ray movies included! (Samsung as well)

P1Fanatic

I own a PS3 and Ive not played Kinect or Move yet. I need to have a go as Im still confused how Kinect works for non dancy type game ie fighting.

As for titles I just did a search on Amazon and returns 171 PS3 games with Move compatability and 32 Xbox games that are Kinect Compatible.

scoobyverysoon

iTrader: (1)

its turning into another xbox Vs PS3 thread

Dead space 2 demo on PSN

Not tried the kinetic myself either so cant comment i just have my opinion on it the fact that I like more control on a game plus I dont have a xbox

And my brother just had RROD again over christmas on his new Xbox he also told me that it scratches disks for fun is that true you cant bounce around near the console or it kills the disks microsoft were damn quick swapping the box though.

Luther

iTrader: (13)

I have all 3 and for what you want I'd recommend the Xbox/Kinect combo.

The PS3 is definitely the better Adult machine but doesn't have as many 'young children' orientated games.

Gordo

I have a 360 and a Wii - the 360 is fantastic and gets used most days (but I won't be buying the kinect as I don't want the missus anywhere near it). The Wii hasn't been turned on for 18 months - only decent game was zelda. We tried various sports / family stuff on it but it's ok for a few mins fun but rapidly becomes pants. Online is verrrrry addictive with the 360, you are warned....