posted March 05, 2008 08:25 PM         

Where can I study the advantages/disadvantages of each setup -- and what the heck is current now anyway, I haven't kept up with the trends since Sega Genesis
There's X-Box, Nintendo-Some-Number, and ???

posted March 05, 2008 08:56 PM         

Playstation 3

Nintento Wii

posted March 05, 2008 10:39 PM         

As a mom, I am reminded here that a strong consideration may be the ongoing cost of games after the initial purchase. Many people rent these from their local video stores...

It seems however that their are just a limited supply in which to choose from on certain game systems. Hopefuly someone more knowledgable will touch on this hidden area of gaming as well???

posted March 05, 2008 10:53 PM         

However, being that your kid is 12, I would recommend the Nintendo Wii. It's got great games for kids his age that you wouldn't object to as a responsible mother. Most of the games on the other consoles have some games that might make you cringe as a parent. The Wii is amazing, too! Nintendo really came up with a very unique way to introduce their gameplay and I daresay you might have a little fun with it yourself.

Have fun!

posted March 05, 2008 11:00 PM         

Why? It's the cheapest, most innovative, and most accessible for people of all ages.

With lots of wii games you actually stand up and move around, and I believe its a system that adults would enjoy playing too....then again the Playstation can play blue rays which will probably take over for DVDs in the near future.

Xbox of course wins in the online category...but I think wii gives you more opportunity for real human interaction

posted March 06, 2008 02:27 AM         

Star Wars Lego is a favourite, I don't know if he thinks he is too old for that, my eldest plays it and he is 40-something. . Tiger Woods Golf is another one everyone likes.

Assassin's Creed is meant to be good but it is quite violent. So it is up to your parental policy, really. I think it is an 18?

posted March 06, 2008 08:27 AM         

Now it depends upon what he is into Zala . I see he is an active independent so you just can't go wrong with a Nintendo Wii; That game console offers you physical interactivity with the games (ppl... if you turn this statement into an innuendo, clamity shall strike.)

However the problem with Wii is that graphics and game selection wise... Its a dud. Out of all the three consoles, its the weakest interms of hardware and it offers a limited genere selection.

The X-Box 360 is personally my console of choice since I am an avid shooter/Action adventure/ Strategy player Lol! If your Son likes games with top of the line graphics and experience then X-Box 360 is the way to go. Microsoft has vastly improved their selection; even taking quite a bit of the market share away from Sony and PS3.

PS3 more centers its genere selection around action/adventure and RPG (Role play Games.) Now I personally don't know your son's taste but he might like the Action/Adventure selection of what Sony has to offer. One of my recent fav. for PS3 is Heavenly Sword.

Though if you want a more balanced Console with a very good variety of generes backing it up, I personally would recommend X-Box 360 .

While we are on the topic of games and game related hardware, look what my bros got for our Rec. Room Lol!:

posted March 06, 2008 01:27 PM         

And Xod, your "innuendo ---> calamity" warning made me *extremely* curious what in the heck you meant -- good thing coworker next door is an excellent Explainer

As for what kind of games, well I don't know if the kid even knows what's out there, as he isn't quite old enough to haunt the mall gamers-store..... he likes shoot-em-up Star Wars type of stuff. His favorite GameBoy game is MegaMan.....

posted March 06, 2008 01:33 PM         

Do you play Halo3? If so, we should totally play a game together!

posted March 06, 2008 01:54 PM         

I think you'll be ok with any of the above, but personally I'd back Xodian's recommendation of the X-box 360.

You want reviews, though, so here:
http://products.howstuffworks.com/nintendo-wii-video-game-console-review.htm
http://products.howstuffworks.com/sony-playstation3-video-game-console-review.htm
http://products.howstuffworks.com/microsoft-xbox-360-video-game-console-review.htm

posted March 06, 2008 04:23 PM         

I would love to Bud, but I recently ended my X-box Live account; I just don't have time for Network play anymore unfortunately. Besides, intimate gaming time with my GF beats network play Lol! (no offense intended to the masses offcourse.)

Zala:

LOL! Well, glad to see your co-worker explained it to you. Can you imagine me doing the explaining here on this forum? Don't think it would have been a family friendly place anymore Lol!

Now, since he is into games like Megaman, I wouldhave said go with Wii but with his possible limitless curiousity, he might get bored of Wii way too fast. Xbox 360 offers Megaman type games as well and since he seems to be into the "shooter scooter" type games as well, might I recommend these particular games for 360 (Just machine on machine violence; Nothing graphic.)

Dynasty Warriors : Gundam:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77WYrkS_DDk

Armored Core 4:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhm8nQcO4gM

PS3 has good games but the ones that I am thinking about incoherence with what your Son's taste... Well, they might be a bit too violent.

One of my personal Fav. series from Playstation is Metal Gear solid but that's DEFINALTELY for Adults.

Though its sooo good, I personally think it needs an Oscar. A personal fav. moment from the game (We are all guided by circumstance...)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Qfr0AjmLKk&feature=related

posted March 06, 2008 09:32 PM         

quote:

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A good Wii download site will offer both older games and new releases. The Wii's support for classic Nintendo games means that you have the ability to download your old favorites, as well as the flashiest new games. If you want to download Wii games, look for a site that offers a good variety. Don't give your information or money to any site you don't trust, or that feels shady. Stick to well designed sites that won't sell your information or fill your computer with malware.

---

Where to Download Wii Games

I'm not very familiar with any other of the new systems. Online gaming has its appeal but I think maybe your son might be a bit too young for most of those, plus they often have a monthly fee.

posted March 07, 2008 09:16 AM         

Thanks guys, I too am getting an education

------------------------------
The Anti Boredom Campaign

posted March 08, 2008 12:50 AM         

quote:

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ppl... if you turn this statement into an innuendo, clamity shall strike.

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posted March 08, 2008 12:04 PM         

quote:

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The young Aries is into the martial arts. Any recommendations based on that?

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Plenty though most of em being a bit too violent for his age group Lol! The only sane choice I can think of ATM is Soul Calibur 3 for PS3 or the Marvel Ultimate Alliance for X-box. The animated violencfe isn't too gory but they are "beat em' up" games and thus in comes the martial arts aspect.

He would love "Prince of Persia: The Sands fo Time" though I don't know if its backwards compatible with the X-box.

quote:

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Online gaming has its appeal but I think maybe your son might be a bit too young for most of those, plus they often have a monthly fee.

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With X-box and Wii, yes you do have to pay. With PS3, No . The only problem is, PS3 doesn't offers a wide selection of games when it comes to online play. Thus most people still stick to X-box for network gaming I am afraid.

quote:

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I just happened upon this article about Wii helping couples' sex lives.

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Lol! Or it can destroy it. I am not even gonna get into the Psyc. problems with the extreme end of gaming.

quote:

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LOL oh you tempt me so

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Lol! Well with words like "Joystick," it shouldn't be too much of a shocker that the gaming world has its fair share of sexual innuendos Lol!

posted March 10, 2008 01:50 AM         

I hope you didn't buy the system yet, consider the following

For Gameplay buy the Wii,
For Graphics the PS3

If you want to write your own Game and play it on your console buy the XB0X 360 and having problems with playing half scratched games.

but it uses HD DVD disks while everyone is turing to blueray and there have been some isues with the XBOX 360.

ghanima81,

The 360 is a whimp for graphics compared to the PS3.

The PS3 has 8 procesors, thats like having 8 computers and its graphics card is made by Nvida, ATI just sucks.

For computers nothing beats an Nvida Geforce Cards, the same with consoles, Nvida is the best.

But it doesn't always matter about graphics games is all about gameplay, you can have a 2D flash game, but if it has great gameplay then thats all that matters.

The wii is an excelent example, it focus on gameplay rather then graphics.

I whould pick up a XBOX 360 just because if he wants to make his own game for the 360 he can do that with C# XNA and play it on the 360.

Other then that I whouldn't, also because the 360 runs HD DVD disks, But everyone is turing to blue ray so theres that to consider.

I've been doing a lot of programing I've just started working with C# and XNA all that needs to be done is to write your game and download onto the 360's hardrive.