Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Or am I being a meany? (Christmas console dilemma)

52 replies

trixymalixy · 18/12/2012 16:12

DS asked for a wii last Xmas, i debated it but didn't get one.

I have bought one this year in the amazon black Friday deals for the family, but DS came gone from school with a letter to Santa asking for a wii AND an Xbox 3 six dee (sic). I have been trying to manage expectations that Santa doesn't bring everything you have asked for, but all he has been talking about is this Xbox.

I had decided to stick to the wii because I would quite like one and I have bought a couple of games for it, but am now in a bit of a dilemma. I have been offered a free wii and I have been offered a brand new Xbox a friend won but doesn't want for a good price. DH thinks I am being a meany and should return the wii I have bought, take the free wii and buy the Xbox. I think we should just stick to the wii as I don't really want 2 consoles in the house and I would prefer (and I think DS would ) the wii.

WWYD? Am I being mean as the cost to us would be the same and DS would be over the moon?

OP posts:
crunchbag · 18/12/2012 16:53

I think I would return the bought wii, accept the offer of the free wii and forget about the Xbox.

I wouldn't get 2 consoles for a 5 year old

Original poster
trixymalixy · 18/12/2012 16:54

That's what I think Fluffy, if he'd asked for something outrageous, like a real horse we wouldn't even be considering it, he would just have to be disappointed. We've always set the expectation that he doesn't get everything he asks for, hence no wii last year. If the free wii and cheap Xbox weren't on offer there's no way both would be considered either, so I feel we should stick to just the wii.

OP posts:
KenLeeeeeeeInnaSantaHat · 18/12/2012 16:55

Get the Xbox. My kids have a Wii and while they're ok, the quality of the gameplay isn't as good as other consoles and with the new Wii U coming out, the newer games won't be compatible with it.

Original poster
trixymalixy · 18/12/2012 16:55

Crunchbag, the bought wii is going back whatever!!

OP posts:
Arcticwaffle · 18/12/2012 16:58

I'd give him the free Wii, certainly wouldn't get an x box as well for a 5yo, I would save the money for when he's older and wants something else expensive. That's not mean. He won't know the difference now. Or buy a couple more games for the wii instead.

cantspel · 18/12/2012 16:59

We got a wi when they first game out and i cant see why everyone raves about them. Our sat there unused fro best part of a year before we traded it in for a xbox. At the time mine were a bit older than 5 tho so i dont know if age makes a difference.

crunchbag · 18/12/2012 17:00

Then just forget about the Xbox. your DS will be happy playing with the wii for a few years and then there will be another console out.
There a lots of wii games available and they are cheaper than Xbox games.

CaHoHoHootz · 18/12/2012 17:02

Wii for a five year old. The games are much more kid friendly and you willbe able to pick up all the old (but still great) games for no much money. Don't worry about it being 'obsolete' we still play on our N64 and our GameCube along with our Wii and XBox. ...and my DC's are all aged over 16.

There are loads and loads of good games for the Wii. Eg mario Party.

XBOX Is better for older DC's

CaHoHoHootz · 18/12/2012 17:04

The look of Wii games are not quite as great as the XBox but younger DC's would not care at all.

Original poster
trixymalixy · 18/12/2012 17:06

That was the plan crunchbag, it's just DH mumbling about the disappointment of the action man he wanted and the 6 million dollar man he actually got, and the fact that the cost would have been the same as we would have spent that is making me waver!!

OP posts:
Original poster
trixymalixy · 18/12/2012 17:07

I agree cahoohoo.

OP posts:
beckyboo232 · 18/12/2012 17:12

My son is literally just 5 I would not be buying two consoles for Christmas. As it happens my mum bought him a wii as a surprise last year but its only been used once ds has no interest in it at all. I would stick with whichever he really wants but think two consoles is too much.

ihearsounds · 18/12/2012 17:13

Xbox isn't all that great. My youngest (6) and his mates have played the xbox twice in the last year, they always ask to play on the wii or ps3.

As for the wii being obsolete, I still buy and play games for older consols - ps1, snes, sega etc. There's games on older formats that are fantastic and a shame they will never release.

crunchbag · 18/12/2012 17:13

Like I said, it is your DH who fancies an xbox himself Smile

Original poster
trixymalixy · 18/12/2012 17:15

Grin crunchbag

OP posts:
LondonElfInFestiveCheerBoots · 18/12/2012 17:16

5 is too young for an Xbox, definitely. Wii is better. Get the Xbox for DH if he wants it so much!

Pilgit · 18/12/2012 17:19

the xbox is a good tool for the whole family - there's lots of online content and we use it to get love film, i player and play dvd's (i think you can do this with the wii as well - we have both and the xbox interface is more usable). I wouldn't say 2 consoles is too many for a household (we have xbox, wii, ps2, gamecube, dreamcast, snez - there's probably another luking somewhere - we could open a console museum - DH is a supergeek though) however probably too much for a 5 year old for christmas. I'd do one as a house present - especially as you're getting a good deal.

Original poster
trixymalixy · 18/12/2012 17:19

If I thought he would play it london I might do, but he's really not interested in playing games, we had a PS2 pre kids that was only ever used as a DVD player!

OP posts:
Original poster
trixymalixy · 18/12/2012 17:20

Whatever we do it's a family present, not just for DS.

OP posts:
TalkinPeace2 · 18/12/2012 17:21

we bought a second hand X box from a pawnbroker
Xbox 360, 250 gig, kinect, two controllers, four games
£225
with warranty

Wii consoles were £45 and wii fit boards £19

buy what you can afford without borrowing money.
do not teach your kids to live in the never never (like our politicians do)

MurderOfGoths · 18/12/2012 17:42

I'd say Wii for a 5 year old too. I can't see any good reason to get a 5 year old an Xbox! And there are loads of good child friendly Wii games out there. You just wouldn't be able to play Wii U games on it. (Wii games should work on the Wii U, but not the other way round)

oldpeculiar · 18/12/2012 19:55

We have both wii and X box +kinnect, wii is pants next to xbox.

bakedbeanqueen · 18/12/2012 20:25

X-Box definitely. I found the Wii had the novelty factor but it basically gathers dust now and is very, very occasionally brought out for guitar hero. OTOH, the X-Box is always played with and I have bought DS(9) X-Box Live for Christmas. This was only after finding out about all the parental controls I hasten to add!!

StuntGirl · 18/12/2012 20:47

If someone offered me a Wii and a 360 I'd bite their hand off! But I wouldn't do it for a child, especially not one as young as 5.

They'd get one or the other, and unless I personally/the family was going to make extensive use of the dvd player, xbox live, Netflix/Love Film and catch up tv facilities (some of which require additional subscription charges) I wouldn't get the 360. On a Wii there are much more games for that age bracket, and the games will continue to be available for a long while yet.

And this is coming from a nerd who sells video games for a living!

goodygumdrops · 18/12/2012 20:51

Ooh age 5 I change my mind and go with the majority here, the wii is more age appropriate.

And your subsequent posts make you sound less mean! Grin