...not to want my 10 yr old son to play 18 cert games on his X-Box?

[Wordsmith]

My 10 yr old (nearly 11) DS has just got an X-Box and badgered us into getting him Halo Reach to play on it. Now he wants Just Cause 2 for this birthday next month - I've just watched the trailer and realised it's an 18 and it's horrendously bloodthirsty! Halo Reach was bad enough...

I can understand him wanting exciting games and all of his friends seem to have these but we have just said no.

He sold his Playstation 2 and all his games to buy his X-Box but seems to think this means he can have all these horrible games. We're not giving in, but can anyone recommend any exciting X-Box games that are 12 rated or under and will appeal to an 11 year old?

An added complication is that we won't let him have the X Box or a TV in his room (except for special occasions like sleepovers) so he plays it in the living room, often when his 6 year old brother is around. DS2 watched DS1 playing Halo and has had bad dreams since.

I know he and his friends and many parents think I'm a fuddy duddy but I'm not bothered about that. But is it really the norm for kids in Y6 to play games aimed at adults? Do you think it's OK?

Mutt - we do have a Wii, which is our 'family' console (DH got it free with his mobile phone contract). We have some great games like Wii Sports Resort, Mario Kart and Just Dance 2.

DS1 traded in his PS2 and all his games, and sold his Nintendo DS to me and his dad so we could give it to his little brother, in order to buy his XBox. He's been very mature about the whole thing so I'm not trying to imply he's a spoiled brat.

I don't want him to feel left out with his friends but he knows there are some limites beyond which we will not go when it comes to video games Halo Reach is just beyond it but I won't make that mistake again.

Unfortunately, a lot of games for the Xbox tend to be aimed at older gamers. Mostly the shooters.

Do you think maybe he'd try an RPG? I remember I was about ten when I first played one and I loved it - they tend to be rated between U-level and 15, and most are fantasy based, don't know if he'd be willing to give it a go or not but might be worth a try?

Xbox games . All the games on this link are age appropriate, your DS can browse through and see which ones take his fancy. The lego ones are really good.
Stick to your guns

I have similar with my 9 year old DS wanting to play games like Call of Duty etc. We just say no. And no again. And no way. And ask again and you won't even HAVE a playstation!

Unfortunately other parents let their children. DS's best friend here has Call of Duty. My sister lets her boys have it.

The only over age games I have let DS have are Star Wars Battlefront and WWE Wrestling. The Star Wars as he has seen all the movies, played the Lego ones and I figured he knew enough to know it was not real. He didn't really like it so only played it once or twice. The WWE one he plays a lot. I hate it but he loves WWE. Watches it on TV. Rehearses moves with his friends etc.

Halo 3 is a 15 where the others are rated 16. Maybe this might be a compremise for you. I have both games which my boys play both then my youngest is 13 not 11.

XStargirl - what's an RPG? sounds interesting.....

RPG is role playing games like Fable and Mass Effect. A lot of rpg are 16 and over though so be careful if you are a sticklier for age ratings

Star Ocean: The Last Hope is a great rpg game and only rated 12 so you son might enjoy that.

I think it depends on your childs maturity, there are 18 year olds I know that shouldn't be playing such games as they are so immature emotionally, but I also know 11 year olds that are more mature than some 15 year olds I know.

Maybe do your research and see why its been rated that highly?

Hiya, I have the same issue here with a 12yo DS and and 25yo OH! The games suitable for my DS are on a different shelf so as to reduce hassling issues but he still tries!

I've gone through all our games and have the following info for you (in consultation with OH whose opinion is more relevant!)

Ace Combat 6 (12) Aeroplane flying

Blazing Angels (12) Aeroplane flying
Forza 2 (3) Car racing
Avatar (12) film-a-like RPG
Mass Effect (12) Space RPG
Two Worlds (12) Medieval knights RPG
Star Ocean (12) Sci-fi RPG
Lord of the rings (12) film-a-like strategy
Battlestations Midway/Pacific (12) Ship Strategy
Civilisation Revolution (PG) world domination strategy!

Generally DS plays these games on his own or with OH, the have played Halo Reach together and OH says there are lots he wouldn't/doesn't let DS play. I know he hankers after them though and has played stuff at his friends homes. Ah well, I'm not in charge everywhere damn it!

webbygeek91 - sorry but I don't agree that it's the maturity of the child that is the issue here. The ACTUAL issue according to the research is that the constant exposure to the violence and actually being the perpetrator in most of these games actually de-sensitises parts of the brain in children. The empathy parts. Etc. Childrens' brains are still developing. An immature 18 year old could very well play these games with no ill effects. Yet a very mature 12 year old might be affected more. Yes it is a 'maybe'. But not worth the risk imho. Not where there are so many other games out there for them to play.

Well the reason I'm on here at 4.45am is because DS2 has woken up with 'bad dreams'. That's 3 nights running after he watched DS1 playing Halo Reach (unbeknown to me) for 15 mins.

Had a long chat with DS1 last night and told him why won't be letting him have Just Cause 2, or any other games over a 12. He understands but says that "they all talk about them at school and I'll be left out." FGS over age video games seem to be all tha matters to Y6 boys?!

Thanks for the list BellaStella, some great sounding games there, will check them out.

Webbygeek I'm with Buda, I don't agree with the 'depends on your child' theory either. Children's brain development is a delicate area and games/films are rated for a reason. Unfortunately kids seem to think the higher the rating, the better the game.

I do check out games - several parents told me Halo was OK, but I think it's dodgy. Amazingly I was talking to the mum of DS1's friend last night - he has Just Cause 2 and she didn't even know it was an 18!

I don't think you are a fuddy duddy. Good on you to for not letting him have it in his room except special occasions and saying no to the game being requested. I think you may have to give the sibling something else to do though while DS is playing. Just stick to your guns. He will likely end up playing them at friends place, so don't think he won't be exposed to it but don't allow in your house or it won't stop there.

It does breed lack of empathy. That's all we need for the next generation of adults, more of less empathy.

Wordsmith - tell him to do what my DH does about football - knows just enough to blag it

I agree about the empathy. I also think some DCs are just more susceptible to the "wound up-edness" that comes with playing any console game - violent or not. I have to strictly ration DS2 as he's quite obsessional and has tempers after he's been playing on the Wii.

Wordsmith, you are parenting according to what everyone else allows their child to do, or what you think they are allowed to.
My first thought was 'Halo Reach is a 15, and her boy is 10.'
My second thought was 'DS2 is 6 and is watching it, WTF?'

Change your parenting if you are not happy with the results, I think you should have got a grip on your ideas and principles and made some decisions a long time ago.

Goblinchild why don't you read the thread properly before you come over all judgy-pants and you'll find out exactly what I am doing.