which video game system to buy?

[Anonymous]

(I posted this in the technology forum, but I would like the advice/opinions of all kinds of parents - not just those who wander over to the tech forum!)

Kids are tweens and teens

Only the oldest two are interested in some sort of system, and have mentioned switch and play station.

I'd like something that the younger kids could also enjoy.

We've never had any kind of video game set up and no one has begged for one - should I just avoid it altogether, if we've gotten this far without one? is it a deal with the devil? I was just thinking it might be nice during this quarantine.

TIA

[Anonymous]

Xbox One X or PS4. Switch is fine but is lacking some games (or good version of games) that the kids would enjoy and is heavier on games for younger kids (think like 5-9 year olds) This is assuming you're not like the sizable minority of DCUM that thinks if kids see blood it will ruin them for life. Because if that's your view then might as well just save money and get a Switch.

[Anonymous]

The best use of a gaming system, IMO, is to connect with friends online. To do that much of the time the kids will need the same system as their friends. So they should find out what their friends have.

Swtiches are sold out or available for hugely jacked up rates. Your best bet is probably a PS4 or an Xbox (they make games for younger kids: anything LEGO would probably work). We have both but I couldn't really tell you which is "better". We had the PS4 for years and then my oldest (15) wanted an xbox so he could play with friends. He got it for his birthday last year. it's been worth every penny during this shut down. He's online with a group of friends every night, laughing and hanging out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Xbox One X or PS4. Switch is fine but is lacking some games (or good version of games) that the kids would enjoy and is heavier on games for younger kids (think like 5-9 year olds) This is assuming you're not like the sizable minority of DCUM that thinks if kids see blood it will ruin them for life. Because if that's your view then might as well just save money and get a Switch.

Switches are hard to come by these days. I think it had something to do with a game they just released (animal something or another?)

[Anonymous]

Our DS 11 has had a switch for a couple of years and loves it. Most of his friends have a switch, a few have xbox or PS4. Oddly he says some friends play games almost exclusively on PC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Xbox One X or PS4. Switch is fine but is lacking some games (or good version of games) that the kids would enjoy and is heavier on games for younger kids (think like 5-9 year olds) This is assuming you're not like the sizable minority of DCUM that thinks if kids see blood it will ruin them for life. Because if that's your view then might as well just save money and get a Switch.

Switches are hard to come by these days. I think it had something to do with a game they just released (animal something or another?)

Yes, I have several friends on FB who are trying to get a Switch and even the used ones on ebay are going quickly. So you have to stalk ebay and other vendors to find them and pounce as soon as you see it. If you blink it will be gone faster than a delivery slot at Whole Foods.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the advice. THe PP who mentioned laughing and interacting while playing the games - can they hear each other talk? or are they typing to each other? Thanks again..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the advice. THe PP who mentioned laughing and interacting while playing the games - can they hear each other talk? or are they typing to each other? Thanks again..

You need to set your parental controls very strictly - like only chat with friends, and make sure you approve their friends list. They most certainly can hear other people and will be able to talk IF they have a headset with a microphone. Almost nobody types on video game systems because it is prohibitively time consuming (no keyboard). The voice chat on most games is super toxic. I'm a 40 year old man and I've had middle schoolers and high school kids calling me, literally, a "n*gger f*ggot" amongst many other terrible, terrible things. There is also just a tendency to gang up on people and to constantly blame others for team failures in team-based games. So whatever you end up doing, make sure they are only chatting with their real life friends. That's just my opinion!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the advice. THe PP who mentioned laughing and interacting while playing the games - can they hear each other talk? or are they typing to each other? Thanks again..

You need to set your parental controls very strictly - like only chat with friends, and make sure you approve their friends list. They most certainly can hear other people and will be able to talk IF they have a headset with a microphone. Almost nobody types on video game systems because it is prohibitively time consuming (no keyboard). The voice chat on most games is super toxic. I'm a 40 year old man and I've had middle schoolers and high school kids calling me, literally, a "n*gger f*ggot" amongst many other terrible, terrible things. There is also just a tendency to gang up on people and to constantly blame others for team failures in team-based games. So whatever you end up doing, make sure they are only chatting with their real life friends. That's just my opinion!

Sounds like excellent advice. Ty