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Choosing A
Video Game System: Which One Is Best For Kids?
In the old days, choosing a video game system for kids wasn't
all that hard. After all, parents didn't have to worry about games
carried by systems like Atari (there was nothing threatening about
Pac-Man or Space Invaders). Today, however, with the proliferation
of games with mature content available on games supported by the
major system manufacturers, parents want to know which system
carries the most kids-friendly games, ones that the young ones will
enjoy and one that parents will not regret spending money on.
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Let's start with the Sony PlayStation 2, the
best-selling game console on the market today. There are literally
thousands of titles available for this system, which cater to every
age range. There are approximately 600 games for the PS2 that have
the "E" rating, meaning that it is suitable for
kids/children ages six and
above. However, many of these games are too complicated for young
children to play. Games that children ten years old and above can
enjoy are rated E10+, while those that are rated EC (Early
Childhood) are of course, suitable for the very young. The PS2
carries about a dozen E10+ games, including movie-based titles like Shrek Super Slam for PlayStation 2 and Chicken Little. EC titles
that little ones can enjoy include Dora the Explorer: Journey to the
Purple Planet, Eggo Mania and At the Races Presents Gallop Racer.
Nintendo's GameCube console continues to be popular because it
carries titles that are popular with children. The Entertainment
Software Rating Board (ESRB) lists 263 video game titles rated E for
the GameCube, and these include some of the most popular and beloved
among the children of today and years past, such as Sega's Sonic
GEMS Collection, Nintendo's own Mario Party 6 and Mario Tennis. The
Legend of Zelda series and several Pokemon titles are available
exclusively on the GameCube as well.
Microsoft's Xbox and Xbox 360 video game consoles likewise have
many, many titles that are rated E; the Xbox with approximately 270
games and the Xbox 360 with so far about a dozen -- but count on the
number of Xbox 360 titles to increase since it's a new release. Some
games published by Microsoft exclusively for the Xbox and the Xbox
360 and which have the E rating are Astropop and Feeding Frenzy.
However, remember that most game publishers release crossover
titles, or games that are available on multiple platforms. For
instance, Eidos Interactive's LEGO Star Wars (rated E) is available
for the GameCube, PS2 and Xbox; Activision's Madagascar (rated E10+)
is available on the same platforms, while Global Star Software's
Dora the Explorer (rated EC) is available on the PS2 and Xbox, but
not on the GameCube.
What about parental control options? Among the four systems, the
Xbox and the Xbox 360 have the most efficient parental lock
functions. Parents are able to set limits on the games and films to
be played on the systems. If you set the system to play only E-rated
games, kids won't be able to play DVD's or games that have Teen,
Mature, or Adults Only ratings. The GameCube also has a parental
lock feature, albeit a less effective one. Users note that all it
does is tone down certain effects that might be troubling for
children (for example, the amount of blood seen in games) but do not
block the playing of games at all. It doesn't even screen or bleep
offensive language. The parental control function of the PlayStation
2 is even worse -- it doesn't allow parents or anyone to restrict
access to video games at all. The most parents can do is to set the
PS2 to prevent their kids from watching DVD movies with
inappropriate content.
When it comes to price, the GameCube comes out tops. Available for
only $99, it's significantly cheaper than the PlayStation 2 and
Xbox, whose prices range from $150 to $199 (or more if bundled with
game titles). The Xbox 360, being the newest of the bunch, is the
highest-priced. For $299, you get the system and a wired controller.
For $399, you get a wireless controller, a headset that players can
use to talk to other people online, a 20 GB hard drive that is
loaded with game-related videos and music, and a remote.
Parents should go out and try each system personally as well as look
at the different titles available for them before deciding which one
to buy. Factors such as number and age of users at home, game title
availability, and budget should also be considered. Each system has
its own pros and cons, and families will differ in their
preferences: some will be content with the limited but popular games
of the GameCube; some might prefer the wider offering of the
PlayStation 2 or the Xbox; others might opt for the high-tech
features of the Xbox 360. But all things considered, making the
right choice will provide hours of wholesome, fun, and worry-free
entertainment for the little ones and for their parents as well.
by: Mark Robbins |
