X Box Wii PC Games - Bamboozled please help

[candide]

Have DD 7 & DS 9. We have got a kids laptop for games and DS has a PSP. Evryone was quite content.

Then ...... after a complete disaster with the new FIFA 12 for PC we decided that maybe we need to bite the bullet and buy a dedicated computer gaming console. Then I thought we might get something for all the family.

I feel totally unengaged by computer games and have no patience with bits of technology that don't work or you have to spend hours fiddling about with. DD can take them or leave them but have been at cousins house and all the kids seemed to have a good time playing on the Wii. Have also heard lots of people saying that girls like the Wii dance games.

DP & DS on other hand have had a lot of fun playing together on Lego Star Wars & FIFA games and all DS friends loved playing them (until the PC got broken by FIFA 12 - its now got to go to the menders).

Wondered whether we should get a Wii for some family fund but now there is also this new Xbox Kinetica thing too - would that be better than a Wii? Although have also read that you need quite a lot of space for it - our lounge quite big but don't know if can be arsed to move the furniture the whole time ...... Plus we only have a small TV (about 21inch) so do we need to get a whole new TV too.

PLus have now tried totting up the costs and it seems that we are looking at at least £250 - £300 outlay to get something that would go some way to fitting all potential desires. So then thought maybe go for the Xbox to satisfy DS/ DP and get a Kinetica thing another time (e.g. bday/ next Xmas). Also looked at dancing DVDs on Amazon (only £12) and wondered if DD would be just as happy with on of these.

The other thing is that the Wii games look more child friendly/ a bit of a laugh & Xbox games a bit more grown up. Would DS grow out of them and games console end up dusty heap in corner while he goes on line to play mindless Annhilator games with faceless computer geeks in a couple of years time ..... Argh!!!!!

So not sure what I'm asking really - can anyone relate to where I coming from - can I get something that will satisfy us all or should I just buy scrabble instead.

You can get FIFA and more 'grown' up games on the Wii. It's much better for kids and my DS (8) hated his xbox so much that I had to swap it at the game shop for a Wii. He's constantly playing on it compared to the 4times he played his xbox in the 8months he had it. He also had the kinnect which he hated as he was distract by the red beam that shines out of it. The Wii doesn't have this problem and in my opinion is better at detecting your movements then the kinnect. Oh did I mention the Wii is a lot cheaper then an xbox as are the games? I'm sure your DS would love the dancing games just as much as your DD and guitar/rock hero is a must that both your DS/DP would love playing together. In a nutshell get a Wii

"Game" sell pre owned Wii consoles for £50, I was going to get one for my kids who think gameboy advance is high technology who are not very clued up on latest console technology, as games are still widely available.

If you can afford the xbox, I would go for that. DSs have a Wii which we bought when they first came out. It is good for family games and getting everybody involved, but for games such as FIFA, lego star wars etc, the quality is not as good.

Since my dsis bought them an xbox, the Wii hasn't been played.

As an estimate my living room is 14x12 foot and without moving furniture, two people can play the kinect.

One final note, by the time your DS gets to secondary school, he will be asking for the xbox or platstation 3 anyway.

So 50/50 split so far! Am not feeling any less bamboozled by it all - any other Wii / X Boxers out there who can sing me their relative praises.

I think my heart is saying that it would be lovely if we could all bond as a family over some family friendly Wii games but my head is saying in reality its a present for DS & DP and DD & me will be spending Xmas day doing knitting/ craft/ reading new books.

Any DD's got an Xbox that they love ....

Not a computer game but...

Can I suggest Crainium family edition as a really good family board game which is guaranteed to give you a afternnon of family fun.

Ah yes VDMN - we have played that. I just had the feeling that if we HAD to get a games console I would like it to be something for everyone.

DD's Xmas list consists of modest requests such as a pair of rabbit slippers, a Hello Kitty book

DS list consists of XBox or Wii, Nike Football boots (fave option cost £50plus), Football (fave option £25 plus) etc etc.

It doesn't seem fair somehow!

My 2 DSs (7 and 5) have a Wii - takes up no space at all. they can operate it on their own. We have Donkey Kong, Wii party, Just dance, Fifa 11 and Mario Karts for it and they love it. Have bought them pirates of the caribbean game for it for xmas.

My DC (9 and 4) play on the Wii a lot - we chose it over the XBox and PS3 because it cost less than the others had a lot more child friendly games available for it. They like playing Wii Party, Wii Sports and Wii Play as well as Carnival Games, Super Mario, the Raving Rabbid games and WarioWare.