Which Game Console is Best For Children?
According to a recent study done by the NPD group, 91% of children between the ages of 2 and 18, regularly play video games. The youngest generation is extremely savvy when it comes to technology, and at least 75% of kids own their own video consoles. If you are considering buying your little one their first console, it’s not always an easy decision. The most popular console brands, Xbox, Playstation, and Nintendo all have different pros and cons (and different price tags). You might also want to consider what games your child wants to play, as not all the games are available on all three consoles.
How to Choose the Best Gaming Console for Your Children
Choice of games
The availability of games may heavily influence your decision when buying a new console. Games made by Nintendo, such as Super Mario 3D World and any of the Pokemon games are only available on Nintendo Switch. There is a good range of Nintendo games that are aimed at little ones, and many of them are family-friendly. The majority of the most popular mainstream games, like Final Fantasy, you can get across all three platforms. Final Fantasy is a role-playing game that has 25 million players worldwide. If your child wants to play the racing game Forza, or the ever-popular Roblox, then they can only do this on the Xbox. Gran Turismo and Ratchet and Clank are exclusively on PlayStation.
Overall Usability
It is generally fair to say that the younger generation takes very little time to get the hang of gaming consoles. The Nintendo Switch controls are the simplest of the three brands and haven’t really changed much over the past ten years. The Playstation however, has the added excitement of the vibrating controllers – this can really add to the gameplay experience. When it comes to loading up games, the Xbox Series S is very user-friendly. There is no disc drive, so you won’t end up with the clutter of video game discs in boxes, or the heartbreak when a disc gets scratched or lost. All three consoles give parents the choice of restricting use when it comes to both playing time and content.
The cost
The overall cost of buying your child a gaming console can have a big influence on your ultimate decision. If you are looking to buy the latest model, the Nintendo Switch is marginally cheaper than the other brands. You may however need to purchase extra joy-cons and accessories if you want to play as a family. The new PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X both come in at around $499. Along with this initial outlay, you may also want to get a monthly game subscription, to give your child the option of many age-appropriate video games. You may also have to buy a separate pass if your child wants to play online with others.
Buying a new games console for your child can be a big outlay, but promises many hours of fun. The best games console will ultimately be the one that allows your child to play their favorite games.
