Wii u, XBox or PS4

Ladeback69

I am trying to figure out which gaming system to get my 5 year old for Christmas. He has had an old Wii for while, but it is not working anymore. He will be 6 in February, but I feel he is still young for the XBox or PS4. I like The Wii u in that it gives him a mobile unit and is backwards compatible. He also wants the Skylander portal and Gamestop has a Wii bundle with the Skylander portal for $250. That's the way I am leading, buy just was winding if I ought to do XBox?

Grillin_beers

I have a PS4 and I like it. I work with a lot of tech companies and some of the programmers convinced me that the PS4 was the best option. These guys are pretty hardcore so I listened to them.

DMW

For that age, Wii.

r8rs4lf

Sounds like you have your answer already.

Myself, I own the PS3, PS4, and the XBOX1. 90% of the time I play on the PS3 because of the games I have on it. The PS4 blows the PS3 out the water as far as graphics go, but it's not backward compatible and not a whole lot of games available although it's getting better. I do use the PS4 controller on my PS3 though. The XBOX1 just sits there collecting dust.

For kids I think the PS3 or the XBOX360 is the better choice because of all the games available.

theyolksonyou

At that age my boys really enjoyed the wii as there were lots of family games and they got to be active with all the motion. As they've gotten a little older they migrated to an xbox, but the games are all sports or first person type games, depending on which kid.

Zmokin

r8rs4lf said:

Sounds like you have your answer already.

Myself, I own the PS3, PS4, and the XBOX1. 90% of the time I play on the PS3 because of the games I have on it. The PS4 blows the PS3 out the water as far as graphics go, but it's not backward compatible and not a whole lot of games available although it's getting better. I do use the PS4 controller on my PS3 though. The XBOX1 just sits there collecting dust.

For kids I think the PS3 or the XBOX360 is the better choice because of all the games available.

I ditto this sentiment.

& The Wii is fading into oblivion.

grege345

Once you get Xbox or ps4 you won't see him again till his 16 and needs gas money. In a way I wish he never had either. Just sayin

tjosborne

I'd say wii u if it's just for your 5 year old.

SkinnyV

So I gave in and now let my 5 yr old have some time on my PS3 that is rarely used. Picked up all kinds of Lego games for cheap and its been fun playing with him and seeing him problem solve and figure things out on his own.
If I was going from scratch I'd go WiiU, and may get him one anyway at some point.

Skiddymarker

Funny - when it is just the big kids (adults) we tend to use the PS4, when the grandkids are over, the Wii gets a workout, Resort, Mario Cart and even the original Play. No matter what the skill level, you can have fun. 

This past weekend the popular one was Sports, baseball and tennis. 

For one or two players, PS4, for a big group, Wii. 

SouthGaSmoker

I have a 7yo and he has a Wii and PS3. I'm thinking about upgrading him to a PS4 this question if SWMBO agrees.  There are plenty of games out there for his age.  A warning on the Skylander game.  It's a dang money pit.  We bought one for Jr. on a whim when it first came out.  After spending money on 40 different character @ $7 each, they came out with the second edition (Giants) another 40 characters. EEK.   Then last year it was Skylander Swapforce and more characters with some being $15 each.  Now, this year it is Skylander Trapteam or something like that and Jr. has it at the top of his Christmas list.  I guess it makes buying presents for him easy for everyone for birthday etc but dang it gets expensive!!

Ladeback69 said:

I am trying to figure out which gaming system to get my 5 year old for Christmas. He has had an old Wii for while, but it is not working anymore. He will be 6 in February, but I feel he is still young for the XBox or PS4. I like The Wii u in that it gives him a mobile unit and is backwards compatible. He also wants the Skylander portal and Gamestop has a Wii bundle with the Skylander portal for $250. That's the way I am leading, buy just was winding if I ought to do XBox?

SmokeyPitt

I agree Wii U for a 5 yr old.

fence0407

This will be a small investment (when you add games, etc). I'd go with something that he could grow into. Personally, I'm a Playstation fan. I have the 3 now and love it. I'm waiting on it to crap out before I get the 4. It gets plenty of use being able to use Netflix, Amazon Prime and Hulu for watching shows etc. Millions of game options that you can pay for and download right on the system. Also, at some point he might want to play online with his friends (when he's older obviously). From my understanding you have to pay extra for the Xbox to do that (or at least you used to). You don't pay extra on the Playstation. 

.02 

buzd504

The PS4 now requires a PSplus subscription for online play.

fence0407

buzd504 said:

The PS4 now requires a PSplus subscription for online play.

Thanks for the clarification. I've had the PS3 now for like 5+ years now so I'm out of the loop. Still think it's a great system.

jimreed777

Wii U and mario kart 8 - fun for the whole family - awesome game series. I love PS4 - but Wii U is the choice for 5-12 year olds

Ladeback69

Thanks for all the advice. I forgot to say I have an old 80 gb PS3 and my son has played it but not without a lot of help from me. Looks like it will be the Wii u with Skylanders bundle. We usually make the big item from Santa, but this year we want the credit. I'm going to going to go try one out today if I can find one at Best Buy or Gamestop to play. @SouthGaSmoker‌, I figured it would be, but he won't stop talking about it. He wants minecraft game to, but they don't make it for the Wii u or Wii. I guess I may get it for the computer.

GATABITES

I think a PS4 would be my choice as I have been on this platform for the last few years. I definitely say purchase a next generation unit (Xbox 1 or PS4) as he can grow into it. If you get the Wii U, it will get old with using a wand to play games. A lot of my friends were on the Wii hype (which is great for family get togethers) but not too much fun for solo gaming. 

If it were my son he would get a PS4

Ladeback69

GATABITES said:

I think a PS4 would be my choice as I have been on this platform for the last few years. I definitely say purchase a next generation unit (Xbox 1 or PS4) as he can grow into it. If you get the Wii U, it will get old with using a wand to play games. A lot of my friends were on the Wii hype (which is great for family get togethers) but not too much fun for solo gaming. 

If it were my son he would get a PS4

I thought this too, but won't there be something better in 5 or 6 six years that I'd better. I'm leaning towards the Wii u because it seems easier to operate at his age. The one thing I did forget is the Xbox and PS4 are Blue Ray players. I am going to check them all out and make a decision today. Wife won't like spending that much on a 5 year old, but what the hell.

blind99

Ladeback69 said:

Thanks for all the advice. I forgot to say I have an old 80 gb PS3 and my son has played it but not without a lot of help from me. Looks like it will be the Wii u with Skylanders bundle. We usually make the big item from Santa, but this year we want the credit. I'm going to going to go try one out today if I can find one at Best Buy or Gamestop to play. @SouthGaSmoker‌, I figured it would be, but he won't stop talking about it. He wants minecraft game to, but they don't make it for the Wii u or Wii. I guess I may get it for the computer.

I have the old Wii, can't comment on the new systems, but I can say my 6 year old and I are having fun playing Skylanders together.  Each section takes 20 or so minutes to play so it's not a big committment.  I am playing as some character called "Lava Barf Eruptor."  What a great feeling, barfing out lava on your enemies!!!

The Cen-Tex Smoker

Ladeback69 said:

I am trying to figure out which gaming system to get my 5 year old for Christmas. He has had an old Wii for while, but it is not working anymore. He will be 6 in February, but I feel he is still young for the XBox or PS4. I like The Wii u in that it gives him a mobile unit and is backwards compatible. He also wants the Skylander portal and Gamestop has a Wii bundle with the Skylander portal for $250. That's the way I am leading, buy just was winding if I ought to do XBox?

He will love the Wii U if he likes Nintendo games. I have a 19 yr old and a 15 yr old they still play the Wii U more than the Xbox. They both recently told me if they were going to buy a new system today that they would buy the PS4 but but they love nintendo games and would never be without a nintendo system. They are nerdy when it comes to games but I think a 5 yr old would love a Wii U for many years to come.

The Cen-Tex Smoker

GATABITES said:

I think a PS4 would be my choice as I have been on this platform for the last few years. I definitely say purchase a next generation unit (Xbox 1 or PS4) as he can grow into it. If you get the Wii U, it will get old with using a wand to play games. A lot of my friends were on the Wii hype (which is great for family get togethers) but not too much fun for solo gaming. 

If it were my son he would get a PS4

You don't use a wand to play Wii U games. it has a pad with large full color touch screen LCD screen that acts as a second gaming screen, TV remote and quasi game boy all in one. You can play games in another room on the remote only. It's really cool. My kids haven't used a wand since getting the Wii U

I get that nintendo games are not for everyone- I personally don't get it but I'm not a gamer. My kids still love them though and they are older. They use it 5:1 over the XBox sitting right next to it.

cookingdude555

I buy all of the consoles (what, buying all the eggs was my only weirdo obsession?).  My 14 year old son loves the xbox, my 5 year old son (6 in January) loves the Wii U.

The Cen-Tex Smoker

This is the game pad for the wii U

GATABITES

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

GATABITES said:

I think a PS4 would be my choice as I have been on this platform for the last few years. I definitely say purchase a next generation unit (Xbox 1 or PS4) as he can grow into it. If you get the Wii U, it will get old with using a wand to play games. A lot of my friends were on the Wii hype (which is great for family get togethers) but not too much fun for solo gaming. 

If it were my son he would get a PS4

You don't use a wand to play Wii U games. it has a pad with large full color touch screen LCD screen that acts as a second gaming screen, TV remote and quasi game boy all in one. You can play games in another room on the remote only. It's really cool. My kids haven't used a wand since getting the Wii U

I get that nintendo games are not for everyone- I personally don't get it but I'm not a gamer. My kids still love them though and they are older. They use it 5:1 over the XBox sitting right next to it.

I guess I havent kept up with the newer version. Any of the choices will be good ones for a 5yo. 

GATABITES

Ladeback69 said:

I think a PS4 would be my choice as I have been on this platform for the last few years. I definitely say purchase a next generation unit (Xbox 1 or PS4) as he can grow into it. If you get the Wii U, it will get old with using a wand to play games. A lot of my friends were on the Wii hype (which is great for family get togethers) but not too much fun for solo gaming. 

If it were my son he would get a PS4

I thought this too, but won't there be something better in 5 or 6 six years that I'd better. I'm leaning towards the Wii u because it seems easier to operate at his age. The one thing I did forget is the Xbox and PS4 are Blue Ray players. I am going to check them all out and make a decision today. Wife won't like spending that much on a 5 year old, but what the hell.

Maybe you have a point. Once he reaches a certain age, all of his friends are going to have next gen systems and he will want to play with them (online). I think its worth the research to look at what they affer other than playing games (netflix, Blueray etc...) 

GrannyX4

Wii U and Skylanders is the best bet. Youngest grand loves his. ;;)

SGH

If your children are like mine, you will end up buying all the systems in the end.

Ladeback69

I just bought the Wii u 32gb with Super Mario 3D World that comes with 2 games for $300 & Skylanders Trap Team that is backwards compatible for $75. The says that's all he will get, but I said the new system replaces the broken one that she made get when he was 3 and not ready for it. He has to get more than 2 presents to open. Good Christmas for him so far.

blind99

there are a ton of little characters you can buy for skylanders, that go onto the portal thing and show up in the game - they might make good stocking stuffers or smaller gifts. 

GrannyX4

blind99 said:

there are a ton of little characters you can buy for skylanders, that go onto the portal thing and show up in the game - they might make good stocking stuffers or smaller gifts. 

Yep, then there is a bag to hold them all and a shelf to put them on and ......... You get the idea but he will love it. ;;)