At first, we were going to get the Nintendo classic. Can’t find anywhere. Then, my wife suggested the Nintendo Switch. I’m more interested in something like the Nintendo Wii, because it allows you to be active while playing. What would you suggest? My children are seven and four years old. So, this is not for hard-core gaming, but for learning and fun.
Isealky, we could buy it now in a store in time for Christmas.
Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions.
Happy Holidays!
TNG
Second the Wii. The game library is huge, cheap, and their age group is well catered to. They'll be much more likely to afford used wii games with whatever gift money they have, new switch games are expensive. Also, my public library has amassed a huge selection of kid friendly stuff they could check out; I'd wager yours has too.
Thank you and kantos. We are ordering a Wii. We don’t want them to have the ability to take it with them out of the home. We envision using it only during dedicated “family” hours when we will all play together. Now, if I can get you and perhaps others to weigh in on the best wii games, that would be awesome. Thanks again
On the whole, nowaypablo basically hit what I'd touch on. I'm less in-the-know of Wii titles than I'd like to be. As far as solo adventurous games that inspire wonder years later, will bring on nostalgia, and a potential for learning about older titles, then Zelda (Twilight Princess, or even Breath of the Wild, if that's out for Wii). and Smash Bros Melee. But IIRC, you have young girls that you may want avoiding violent games (though, I think it's more like to be anti-social than violent). Otherwise, I'd be all for Mario Kart - Mario Party (the link is to 9, but there is an 8) is always a safe bet with groups and kids (if you want a title to play with the kids and easy to pick up, too). Either way, if they get excited and interested, they are bound to develop keen hand-eye coordination. Also, played them a handful of times, if at all, but I think they'd enjoy Just Dance or the Wii Fit assortment. I have an inclination you'd like the titles/games referenced in this paragraph more than the top, lol. The top is where the "best" are, down here is the "safe" are. But if you have any interest in gaming, then the above can also be a shared experience. Can't link Just Dance, since it's formatting is similar to Hubski's and keeps breaking. But there are a few of that released for Wii. Typing in the search bar of the nintendo site will get good results.
FAMILY TIME - Wii Sports Resort. It's wonderful for short group play sessions. - Mario Party is good for longer family time. - Wario Ware is supposed to be lots of fun. I've never seen it, but the reputation is good. - I personally find find Mario Kart and Smash frustrating to play, but again, good group games with great reputations. - Mario Strikers is a personal favorite, but I've encountered lots of people who feel about it how I feel about Smash. It's surprisingly complicated to play, so lots of people revert to button mashing. edit: On reflection, a 7 year old probably wouldn't enjoy this one unless they were big into soccer. - If there are bad Lego games, they are elusive. Every one I've played has had good split screen two player co-op, and was cute enough to be fun to watch as well as play.
The Wii and the WiiU are the two least played devices I own, but I'm glad I have both. If you want some classic gaming in your collection, both Kirby Dream Collection and Mario All Stars are good bargains. If your kids are seven and four, Kirby will be near perfect for them, as the whole series is known for being both accessible and relatively easy. Mario, on the other hand, will provide quite a bit more challenge in comparison, but chances are if they stick with it, they'll find the same rewards in the series we did when we were growing up.
Thinking on it, the Nintendo 2DS could also be an option for similar reasons. The public library probably wouldn't have any cartridges to loan out, but you could give them each one and they wouldn't have to share. Wii has Mario Party, DS has pokemon...
Consider it a third. Also, do your research in WiiU as much as Wii. Despite poor marketing, they are considered different consoles in the gaming community for good reasons in their own right. That said, my poor understanding is WiiU is more portable and the "missing link" between the Wii and the Switch. I'm more a proponent of the Wii alone so you have more time with your child when away from home rather than having them sucked into the digital world when you have intent to connect with them. That way, when its at home, it stays home. Speaking from experience of the child in their own digital reality during family events... Sometimes used as a coping mechanism now. Anywho, While they are young, they may enjoy WiiFit, too. Nothing beats playing catch with Dad, though.
You can play the Wii with your kid! Wanna punch your annoying baby in the face? Wii boxing! A few years later and he's almost a teen? Put him in a chokehold instead, Smackdown vs Raw! Too lazy to teach him how to drive? Mario Kart Wii! "Dad I wanna throw a big party for my birthday!" How about a Mario Party?!
I'm late to the party but I would recommend a switch with the games 1, 2, switch, ARMS, the new Mario, and Mario Kart. 1, 2, switch and arms are both motion sensor based party games. 1,2 is problem solving and goffiness, ARMS is wildly throwing punches and jumping around. ARMS wears even the most hyper kids down in about 30 minutes. The new mario is great for first time gamers. 2 people can play at once, with one controlling mario and the other controlling his flying hat. This allows less advanced gamers to really get into a more complex game. Mario kart has some wonderful features for new gamers, including "bumpers" that keep karts from going off the track, and auto accelerate so they can just use the motion controls to steer. The console also has Minecraft, which is kid friendly and does wonders for developing a builders imagination.
I would get the Switch personally. I have one and that console is fantastic little thing. The games are really interactive and fun. Super Mario Odyssey has a lot of little puzzles and things to collect. The switch still has some motion controls. I've enjoyed everything about the console and it has a lot of parental controls for you to manage your kids playtime.
One thing I remember from my early childhood is that I had an uncle who had an NES system with Legend of Zelda 2 and Super Mario Bros 3. I was a pretty lucky kid who had a Super Nintendo and a Nintendo 64, but I loved going to my uncle's house to play on the older system. Definitely get a Wii. The best part about is the backwards compatibility with Gamecube games. You have two generations worth of Nintendo games to play with. For the Gamecube, I recommend Mario Kart Double Dash, Animal Crossing, and WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Party Game$!. For the Wii, I recommend Super Mario Galaxy, WarioWare: Smooth Moves, and Punch-Out!!
FYI, thenewgreen, you'll have to get the older version of the Wii for it to be backwards compatible with The GameCube. Halfway into its life cycle, I think about three years before the WiiU came out, they made a version that's not backwards compatible.Definitely get a Wii. The best part about is the backwards compatibility with Gamecube games.
I don't have a Wii, but it is cheaper than the Switch. That said, the motion controls were pretty gimmicky, and I didn't see them used much beyond Wii Sports. I don't know what the game library is like at all, although from what I've seen the virtual console is great. FWIW, I bought myself a Switch a couple of weeks ago, and am having a blast.