Now that Xmas is upon us (ugh!) I’m wondering what type of game to get for the 5 year old boy. I’m considering Xbox, Playstation2, VTech, Leapster, etc.
What are your experiences with these console games. I don’t want a handheld, because his hands are still pretty small so am leaning toward the TV games.
I’d appreciate anyone chiming in!
Wii or Gamecube without a doubt. Wii is the newest Nintendo system and Gamecube is the previous generation. Nintendo has the best games for kids and both systems are cheaper than their Sony and Microsoft counterparts.
My six-year-old daughter is playing Super Smash Brothers with her brother RIGHT NOW on our Gamecube … .
Another recommendation for the Wii or Gamecube. Nintendo traditionally builds their stuff to be sturdy, and the titles are definitely more kid-friendly than the buckets-of-blood “hardcore” games for the other systems. Might as well get the Wii (if you can find one – I tried all weekend with no luck 
), as it plays all of the Gamecube titles as well.
I would also reconsider the notion that handheld systems are too small for younger kids. My son started with a Nintendo DS Lite when he was six, but I’ve seen four- and five-year-olds play with them as well.
I like the Wii because it actually gets you moving, at least a little bit. And the added bonus of playing older games on the console is awesome. It seems to me like a lot of games for Xbox and PS2/3 seem to be sort of complicated or violent. Nintendo, in my opinion, has the best range of games for all ages. When the relase more NES and Sega games for download I’m gonna try and get my hands on one.
I’d have to agree with those above who’ve already recommended the Wii or the Gamecube…
Nintendo is the most kid-friendly of the major console systems available now. For a child a little older the other options (XBox, Playstations) might be worth considering… but for younger children the Nintendo systems are, IMHO the best.
Playstation and XBox tend to cater to an older crowd leading to more violent games overall… Additionally, in no way is online play for these systems appropriate for a 12 year old, let alone a 5 year old.
Good luck!