Remember, consoles can do more with what they have. The hardware of a game console is much less complex than that of a PC, there is much less software, and the internal software is stored on ROM chips, so it operares much faster and more efficiently than a PC with identical clock speed/RAM. (the N64 only has 4 or 8 megabytes of RAM, and look what it can do)
Sony playstation is way better than nintendo 64, but is definately aimed more at adults. If you dughter doesn’t care about graphics and if she like pokemon, get her n64. Otherwise playstation is the way to go. Unless you are willing to pay $300 for the sega dreamcast which leaves both sony and n64 in it’s dust.
Hey, I don’t make this stuff up, I just repeat what was printed in my gaming magazine. For those of you interested:
http://www.dailyradar.com/features/index_sony.html
Scroll down about halfway and click on Playstation2 crash course and just keep clicking the pages, that should give ya info. The other links have some good stuff too.
Can you still buy Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis? I was under the impression that once the newer version came out, they quit selling the older one…
And do they still sell games for these? It sounds like a viable option, esp. if they bundle kids’ games a lot.
As a matter of fact, as of about a week ago, I spotted both systems at a Toys R Us store, and if I remember right they were dirt cheap compared to what they originally sold for… about $30 I think.
Yes, you can still buy both the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo, new or used. Both will run you about $30 new. Both systems are no longer being produced, same goes for games for both systems. If you’d like to check pricing/availability of games, try www.funcoland.com or www.buyrite1.com or your local yard sale.
There are 2 versions of the Super Nintendo and three versions of the Genesis. For reliability, I’d try and get one of the newer versions- in all cases, the newer model is smaller than the older model (Genesis1=big & bulky, Genesis3=very small).
For young kids, hands down, Pokémon Snap! for the N64. Adults love it too!
You know, I went to ToysRUs today with the full intention of purchasing a Nintendo64, since a lot of posters have said it’s more durable for kids and the selection is bigger. But when I was actually perusing the games avail, I was shocked that the N64 games cost a minimum of $30 and most are $40. On the other hand (and I know someone mentioned this) the PlayStation section had a whole section for $20. So, I’m wondering if you all were just worried about my kids mishandling the cd’s or if the actual PlayStation was known to “skip”, etc. I’ll grant you that the N64 system looked sturdier, but I’m not up to ponying up $40 for each cartridge either. I can buy almost twice as many PS games for the same money.
Also, I noticed some of them said I needed a memory card or a booster card. And when I was fiddling with the demo station, my remote starting buzzing in my hand. Is that an “extra” thing I have to purchase? Does anyone find it necessary, or is annoying after awhile? Is that what “dual shock” means? As you can tell, there was no knowledgeable salesman around.
I thank you in advance for your help! You guys are great!
You dont HAVE to have a memory card to play the games… however if you want to keep your records and progress of the games stored, some require it. Duel Shock is what you felt in the vibrations in the controller, some games will do this, some will not (the game itself will have the duel shock logo). I like it, all PS now have this. If you dont like it you can always find older controllers that do not vibrate.
as for durability of the PS, I really dont see a problem with some moderate supervision or teaching. My playstation has fallen off of the tv which is in an entertainment center and hit the ground pretty hard, not a thing was wrong with it, but try to treat it like the CD player it is. I have also RENTED PS games that were nothing but scratches (as you can imagin with rentals) and they have always played. As long as there not DEEP scratches its ok.
we own both N64 and playstation, PS does have cheaper games and more selection. But like so many have said before N64 has more kid oriented (mine only gets played when nieces and nephews come over)
Memory cards are used to save your game position. Many of the more complex games can take literally days to complete and the ability to save your game is a necessity.
The vibrating controller is what the Playstation calls “dual shock” and Nintendo calls the “rumble pack”. It’s a system that makes your controller vibrate or shake to provide feedback when your character is hit or whatever. I don’t particularly care for it but every game I have with it lets you turn the vibration off.
“Drink your coffee! Remember, there are people sleeping in China.”
Dennis Matheson — dennis@mountaindiver.com
Hike, Dive, Ski, Climb — www.mountaindiver.com
You can get used N64 games at Funcoland for $10+. Newer games are pricier than PSX games though.
As to the durability, I take good care of my systems and my PSX no longer works due to a CD motor burnout- prior to that I had overheating as well as skipping problems with games (I do have an early model PSX though). The N64 has no moving parts and has not given me any problems.
With either system you’re probably going to want to purchase one memory card.
Note on memory cards:
ALL PSX games require additional memory cards to save progress
SOME N64 games require additional memory to save progress, but others have it built in.
Some games that have it built in:
Zelda, Mario 64
I love my 64. esp Mariokart. never goes out of style.
Since the systems are cheaper and there are still a lot of games available, especially since you’re resigned to having to upgrade in the next couple of years, I’d say that Super Nintendo would be a good way to go - buy the extra games now (while they’re still available) with the money you save. When your kids are older (and hopefully they’ve made the machines more durable) you can invest in a CD-based system.
My kid claims that light guns are available for Sony Playstation (and Sega Dreamcast) but not for N64 or PC. I find this hard to believe. Can anyone cite a good light gun for PC (preferable, maybe I’ll get one) or N64 (so I can prove him wrong 
?
That reminds me, what about PC games? You must have one (unless you post from work!) There is a wide variety of game controllers for the PC so you don’t have to use the unforgiving keyboard. Its an option to consider since the newer console systems are going to/have already appeared on the market. you kids can even benefit, many PC programs are educational in nature, just recently we bought one for our son called Jump Start for toddlers, geared for kids between 18 months to 3 years. I love how he says his colors! RED! BOO! YEAWOW! PUPUL! BACK! Ah, but yours are older of course. I sure wish I could give you the perfect suggestion, but really, wether you get an N64, Playstation, Dreamcast, SNES, Game Boy or whatever, your kids will enjoy themselves. Everyone has their own favorite, how about your kids’s friends? What system if any do they own? Have your kids expressed any interest in any system in particular?
I finally bit the bullet and bought Nintendo64. They were offering the DonkeyKong64, plus basic system for $130. I have always liked DK, so I went ahead and bought it, along with an extra controller, 2 memory cards, and a hockey game for my husband. I’m still going to purchase SuperMario Brothers, too, but that’ll wait til the crowd settles down.
Thanks for all the info!
Don’t forget Pokémon Snap, in which you (the player) wander around a mysterious island with a camera. The entire point of the game is to sneak up on wild Pokémon and take pictures of them. (You can get hardcopies made at participating Blockbuster stores.)
John W. Kennedy
“Compact is becoming contract; man only earns and pays.”
– Charles Williams