games console for 8 year old

wilson1973 · 31 January 2011 at 1:55AM

Can anyone recommend a games console? It's for my 8 year old son. I don't want the latest console that would cost me a fortune. I just want something second hand or new old stock that has a good selection of games suitable for a boy of 8,reliability of console is important and could anyone advise the best place to look,I'm thinking Ebay or at a shop that has trade ins like Gamestation

I purchased him a gamecube last year but he hasn't used it a lot there doesnt seem to be that many games for it now

bluenoseam · 31 January 2011 at 2:29AM

Really the only thing you'll be looking at is a PS2 - the only one of the previous generation of consoles which has been even moderately catered for in the last 3-4 years. However you could run into reliability issues, while you can get lucky it's not uncommon for them to break down, try if you can to get a slimline console - slightly less chance of it going bust. The other issue you may have is finding games, there's a ton of them but retailers are now starting to move away from them - on top of that the games themselves second hand you might find are absolutely annihilated, they weren't noted for their resillience so check for scratches/gouges etc.

Now for the absolutely positive news - the games are varied (massive amount of titles from all genres from platform to shooters), plentifull (best selling console of all time, therefore the games were made in massive numbers) & should be cheap - especially now the likes of Game will be trying to shift their old stock. I know it might not be brilliant in terms of "comebacks" but check your local car-boot/charity shops - you'll probably find they have tons at good prices. The best thing about the PS2 is the fact it provides a good basis for future "upgrading" - while the PS3 isn't totally backwards compatible, the controllers are carbon copies and for younger gamers are easy to handle as opposed to say a Gamecube, which even as an adult i found tricky or an original Xbox controller. When he grows up it's highly likely he'll progress onto PS3 or whatever with ease - although i'm guessing he'll start busting your head for a PS3 soon enough!

As for where to buy, Game/Gamestation - same company just shop around your locals to find the cheapest possible!

or you could be REALLY lucky and discover that he's not bothered with games - expensive habbit you know!

exup · 31 January 2011 at 1:49PM

I agree with the PS2 route - but not the slim - everyone I know who has a slim PS2 has reliability issues and there are some games that they simply refuse to play.
The older bigger PS2 with inbuilt transformer and fans/heat sinks was generally more reliable (just as the new PS3 slim and older, bigger PS3s).
There is also more room to expand the older style PS2 with expansion ports should you wish

There are still a few titles released in the last year for PS2, Rock Band 1 and 2 (plus the track pack add ons) being a title that springs to mind because I bought it for my PS2. The better thing that the intruments I bought for the PS2 version still worked on the PS3 when I decided to buy one of those.

You may be able to pick up a PS2 for about £15, I have seen some in shop windows of various game console shops around my local area.

WhiteChristmas · 31 January 2011 at 1:59PM

How many decent games suitable for an 8 year old were there for PS2, though?

Honestly, if your budget will stretch to it, get him a Wii.

Syman · 31 January 2011 at 2:10PM

there were some posts on cheap wii deals ( Morrisons IIRC)

JasX · 31 January 2011 at 2:21PM

I was thinking wii.... just make sure he's co-ordinated enough not to throw the remote thru the middle of an expensive flat screen TV (or dig out a bulky old CRT from somewhere he can throw them at to his hearts content)

starnight_2 · 31 January 2011 at 2:23PM

My DS (8) has a PS2 and we have a Wii, I have found there are plenty of games for both consoles for that age range, of course this will all depend on what sort of games he like as well.

KiwiCrazy · 31 January 2011 at 4:41PM

I would recommend the Wii, they are cheap to buy new and of course cheaper if you buy from Gumtree, local ads in shops or eBay.

There will be NO issues of reliability of availability of games for it as it is new. Also there will be LOTS of games to pick from as the Wii is aimed at the younger audience.

I hope this helped you.

swifthorn · 31 January 2011 at 5:12PM

Wii, PS2 or you can try a GameCube if you can find one.

exup · 31 January 2011 at 5:29PM

WhiteChristmas wrote: »

How many decent games suitable for an 8 year old were there for PS2, though?

Honestly, if your budget will stretch to it, get him a Wii.

there are loads of suitable games for an 8 year old on PS2 and on PS1 which a PS2 is backward compatible with.

Although there are plenty of games for the Wii you will find they are more expensive. But the wii does have the added bonus of more active sports games. But then the price is going up.

I do have the dance mat games for my daughter (and myself) such as DanceStageEuromix for the PS2 (PS1 version) which is exactly the same as the arcade version . lots of fun.