Play station or X box...I don't know what to do.....?

kerrymay

Hello everyone!

Even though I hate thinking about Xmas in December I need to plan ahead so wondered whether all you techie type people could give come advice.

My son (7) wants a games console for Xmas. We already have a Wii. So I'm looking at either X box or Playstation but haven't a clue what's best, or best for a 7 year old boy anyway. My hubby and I are not big games fanatics - we will play with the kids on the Wii but never buy any games purely for ourselves.

Son likes Sonic/Mario/wrestling/superheroes type games. He has TV in his room with built in DVD player. I am wondering whether PS2 would suit his needs (cheapest option) but don't know whether PS3 games play on it or whether you can still buy new PS2 games?? I don't want anything too swanky or expensive as he is only 7 and I don't let him play for hours on his room on his own. But hubby says he doesn't want him to have anything too outdated or that you can't get new games for??

Any advice gratefully received!! Thank you xx

gjchester

Find out what his friends have. Forget the technical side, if you buy the "wrong" one you'll regret it. By buying the same he can swap (and depending on the console) and play his friends online.

kerrymay

Hi gjchester,

Thanks - I think his friends have got them all unfortunately! He's soooooo deprived apparantly! I know he's played on them both at his friends' houses and likes both of them - he hasn't expressed a preference unfortunately. You are right though, I want to get the right one so I don't regret it - I don't mind spending the extra if needs be.

Alcmene

I like the XBox better but it is really only personal preference.

I certainly wouldn't go for a PS2, he'd never forgive you!

ComplexP

This is an interesting one. To be completely honest the Wii is the ideal console for a 7 year old. But you obviously already have one of them.

Both the Playstation 3 and the XBox 360 are at the top end of the price scale and are really aimed at adults. I believe that both companies have 'delux' models ('Elite' for XBox and 'Slim' for PS3) that have recently hit the shelves so it is very possible that you could find a 'standard' second hand version quite cheap now.

If I had to choose between them, I'd say that the XBox 360 is the better gaming console (get ready to duck) but the PS3 has the ability to play Blu Ray discs which are now pretty much the industry standard for high definition media.

You won't find Mario games for any console if it is not Nintendo but I believe the other genres you mention are respresented on both consoles.

For your information, the PS2 and PS3 are not generally compatible (although I think Sony are currently working on creating some ability for the PS3 to play PS2 games but not the other way round).

Another option could be the original XBox but new games for that are drying up. Interestingly the PS2, although very dated now, still has a healthy list of upcoming games such is its popularity.

So to sum up, if your kid has played either the XBox 360 or the PS3 and expects to see similar graphics then I think you should look for a second hand one of those. If he's only ever played the Wii then you could probably get away with the PS2 and you can buy those for a song.

Since he's only 7 perhaps getting him a PS2 to start with would be the best bet since they are seriously cheap to buy. Perhaps the next generation consoles can wait until he's old enough to appreciate them?

EDIT: Having read the above posts it's obvious your kid will expect one of the next gen consoles. Look for a second hand XBox 360.

kerrymay

Hi Alcmene

Yep, that's what my husband says about the PS2 - I think I was being seduced by the price!! But I didn't realise that 7 year olds would know what was newer and better - I'm sure I was still playing with Fisher Price at that age!!

Ok, so then it looks like it's PS3 or the Xbox 360. What actually is the difference between the two? Any websites where I can look at comparisons?

TIA x

ComplexP

kerrymay wrote: »

Hi Alcmene

Yep, that's what my husband says about the PS2 - I think I was being seduced by the price!! But I didn't realise that 7 year olds would know what was newer and better - I'm sure I was still playing with Fisher Price at that age!!

Ok, so then it looks like it's PS3 or the Xbox 360. What actually is the difference between the two? Any websites where I can look at comparisons?

TIA x

A website called IGN do game reviews for all consoles. I think that the PS3 is the technically more powerful console but the XBox 360 seems to be the gamers favourite.

kerrymay

ComplexP wrote: »

This is an interesting one. To be completely honest the Wii is the ideal console for a 7 year old. But you obviously already have one of them.

Both the Playstation 3 and the XBox 360 are at the top end of the price scale and are really aimed at adults. I believe that both companies have 'delux' models ('Elite' for XBox and 'Slim' for PS3) that have recently hit the shelves so it is very possible that you could find a 'standard' second hand version quite cheap now.

If I had to choose between them, I'd say that the XBox 360 is the better gaming console (get ready to duck) but the PS3 has the ability to play Blu Ray discs which are now pretty much the industry standard for high definition media.

You won't find Mario games for any console if it is not Nintendo but I believe the other genres you mention are respresented on both consoles.

For your information, the PS2 and PS3 are not generally compatible (although I think Sony are currently working on creating some ability for the PS3 to play PS2 games but not the other way round).

Another option could be the original XBox but new games for that are drying up. Interestingly the PS2, although very dated now, still has a healthy list of upcoming games such is its popularity.

So to sum up, if your kid has played either the XBox 360 or the PS3 and expects to see similar graphics then I think you should look for a second hand one of those. If he's only ever played the Wii then you could probably get away with the PS2 and you can buy those for a song.

Since he's only 7 perhaps getting him a PS2 to start with would be the best bet since they are seriously cheap to buy. Perhaps the next generation consoles can wait until he's old enough to appreciate them?

Hi!

Thanks for your reply - I have to say I was thinking the same as you in terms of whether a 7 year old could even tell the difference between a PS2 and 3. Apparantly they can - but I suspect this is only because they hear older siblings or parents discussing the merits of them?

A friend gave us their old original Xbox for him and he was quite happy playing on that until it died a slow and painful death. The problem I found was that the second hand games I bought him for it either didn't work at all or spent forever loading etc. However when a game did work he never complained at the graphics and was quite happy. Tbh he is a happy little thing and I suspect that he would be OK with a PS2 - it's more my hubby doesn't want him to have something that is outdated enough for his friends to sneer at - ridiculous given they are only 7.

I'm not bothered about the Blu Ray Player option as I don't like him up in his room alone watching movies anyway - and he does have a DVD player for when he is allowed to do that. So, it looks as though I have to decide whetehr to pay the extra merely for him to have something newer, esp as games are still being made for the PS2?? Are there any other benefits of having a PS3 or X box?

TIA x

ComplexP

kerrymay wrote: »

Hi!

Thanks for your reply - I have to say I was thinking the same as you in terms of whether a 7 year old could even tell the difference between a PS2 and 3. Apparantly they can - but I suspect this is only because they hear older siblings or parents discussing the merits of them?

A friend gave us their old original Xbox for him and he was quite happy playing on that until it died a slow and painful death. The problem I found was that the second hand games I bought him for it either didn't work at all or spent forever loading etc. However when a game did work he never complained at the graphics and was quite happy. Tbh he is a happy little thing and I suspect that he would be OK with a PS2 - it's more my hubby doesn't want him to have something that is outdated enough for his friends to sneer at - ridiculous given they are only 7.

I'm not bothered about the Blu Ray Player option as I don't like him up in his room alone watching movies anyway - and he does have a DVD player for when he is allowed to do that. So, it looks as though I have to decide whetehr to pay the extra merely for him to have something newer, esp as games are still being made for the PS2?? Are there any other benefits of having a PS3 or X box?

TIA x

Unfortunately, your husband has a point. From the sound of it your son's friends all have next generation equipment and even if he is initially happy with a PS2 it will only take one comment from his mates to turn him against it. And it will happen.

Games are still being made for the PS2 but it is definately near the end of it's life now.

Having seen the rest of the info, I would recommend going to one of those small, gaming specialist shops on the high street (Pink Planet and the like) and asking about their second-hand XBox 360s. They should be quite reasonable if you hunt about and they usually come with some sort of cover.

Whitewillow_2

There is a massive difference between ps2 and ps3, one is grey the other is black for starters, and ps2 will only play original ps games and ps2 games. I would go somewhere like game, they do great package deals on second hand consoles, and the staff tend to be quite good, ask them whether the xbox or ps3 has the better games for a 7 year old. Ive had xbox 360 elite for close on 3 years now, paid a shedload for it but i can honestly say out of all the consoles i have had (also have a wii a laptop, a pc and psp and nintendo ds lite) it is still in date, can still get games for it, still works well, and has been the best investment ive ever made in a console. Most are out of date in 18 months! I would go to game and ask them (or even a small independant games store) they will know what the kids in the area are buying, with the bonus of getting a cheaper second hand console! HTH

kerrymay

Hi ComplexP,

That's exactly what my husband said - that the other kids will say something because they have the newer models. I have £90 in Argos vouchers so was thinking of getting it from there but will look around for a good second hand deal and could use the vouchers for daughters xmas pressies instead. I think I will rule the PS2 out then - I'm already a mean mummy who won't buy him the new season's football kit if the old season's still fits and I know he gets comments about that so maybe I will let him be in with the 'in' crowd just this once!!