If I'm buying a Wii

[FurbysMakeSexNoises]

Give me some very basic advice please. Thinking about buying a Wii as a joint present for DS8 and DD6- there are some great bundles on eBay for second hand ones with loads of games and had thought of getting one.

However I see there's a Wiiu on the block as well which will come with fewer games and have some kind of upgrade in March.

We are not techno savvy and usually spend under 100 on each kid but DS very into computers and I love the idea of us being able to play games as a family and games DD would love.

Speak slowly for a dimwit- top tips please?

With Mario Kart you just buy the extra controllers, up to 4 at a time

Or with the Wii U you can play online with people from around the world (it automatically matches you up) or you can play with friends online if you know their online name.

Wii controllers are cheap tho, think Xbox controllers are £50

Disney infinity toy box speedway is good.

If you want a huge back catalogue that is mostly aimed at kids then the wii u would be best as you have all the wii games to choose from and the nintendo shop has lots of older classics to play. But the wii u is scarcer than the xbox as it is out of production.
I would try and see if your kids know of any games they might like to play as mario would mean a nintendo for sure or garden warfare as that is xbox or playstation. Minecraft is now on the wii u as well.

If its anything like my DS's school they will mainly want

Disney infinity - 3 different games
lego dimensions - lots of different levels and now game packs
skylanders - about five different games
minecraft
Fifa

Everything else is an extra. These are the important ones at their school.

We have a wii which We have had for probably about 7 years (maybe more I can't remember). The DC (11,8,6) love playing on it and we don't have that many games for it, they are happy with the few that we have (the sports resort it came with, london 2012 Olympics, just dance and a toy story game).
The 8 year old is becoming more aware that his friends are playing games on xboxes and PS4 and is wanting to know what it's all about, so we are upgrading to an Xbox so he can be part of the fifa17 crowd at school. It's up to you if you want your DC to be part of that or if you want to hold off for a couple/few more years though.

attitus thanks for that list.

I am going for a minecraft story mode, two DI games, and some figures for toy box + speedway, and buying the xbox bundle which comes with zoo game, dance game etc. then will look to get lego later perhaps next xmas and skylanders...I am hoping when we have the box, the games will be the main gifts next year.

I'd go for the Wii U. There are many more age appropriate games for Wii/Wii U than for Xbox and PS4, as most others have said.

leaves in case you didn't realise, you can't just buy disney infinity speedway. You need a disney infinity starter kit too. I think the speedway add on goes with the disney infinity 3 starter kit. Not sure whether it's back compatible with disney infinity 2 because mine have had the starter set each year for each new game. The speedway was definitely last years.

You can get the original skylanders starter kit (number 1) for about a tenner now. Same with skylanders giants.

Also bear in mind that minecraft story mode is not minecraft. Its a completely different game. neither is it multiplayer.

atticus what do I need to buy please for minecraft, my dd is 9 and good at it on laptop.

We have disney infinity starter set edition 3.....I also have some figures I believe will only work in toy box...and then want to get the speedway.

I have been on steep learning curve with all this- and have literally just got the xbox one for £199 !!

You need this
minecraft

This is a different game

[http://www.argos.co.uk/product/3053779 story mode]]

www.argos.co.uk/product/3053779

link to minecraft story mode

This is the speedway add on for disney infinity 3
www.argos.co.uk/product/4021896

atticus if you come back, while I have your ear do you know how much extra fun these extra figures give to toy box, Ie a mulan figure or whatever....are they that exciting and also the dics that change the landscape, are they worth it?

There is also this add on

www.argos.co.uk/product/4256197

The DC seem to like the extra characters but in toy box mode you are literally just playing with a different character. Toy box mode is a little bit like minecraft in that you are creating worlds.

You can however buy "playsets" which add whole new levels to the main game. Disney infinity 3 is star wars and so my DC like having lot of different star wars characters for that main game game. There's also a finding Dory playset and an inside out playset and a marvel battlegrounds playset. The playsets come with extra characters.

Personally I think the playsets are better than just getting a load of extra characters because it gives you more gameplay.

thanks atticus! am worried about which minecraft I have now. I cant check in box as dc awake

will check tomorrow, also the speedway is out of stock everywhere it seems....

The discs are now about the same price as a character and so I'd get characters above discs. Mine don't really use the discs much.

Thanks atticus I will stop buying random characters now then, we have the inside out play set, and I have just brought fear for it, we also have the star wars starter set play set....but no other characters for it.

Disney have cancelled disney infinity and are not making anymore new games and so its possible that they've stopped producing the various characters/add ons etc.

We are at peak character now I think (mine must have about 30 of the things) but the add ons and game sets are definitely worth getting whilst you can get hold of them. Can you get it on eBay?

There are three extra star wars playsets, each with two characters and so if you got a couple of those you'd end up with a good selection of star wars characters.

thank you I am soooo grateful! and I assume this lot will keep her entertained till next xmas"!

We had a wii and upgraded to a wiiu 2 years ago. Ds (9) loves it too much.
I love wii games and feel it's a very family orientated console. We love the wii party games, wii fit games and all time favourites are the Mario games (especially Mario kart).

Wii u has a game pad that can be used when the normal telly is on, can be used to watch telly / Netflix / YouTube through it and even to control the television too.

Well this has been an education! Still don't understand lots of it but have decided to bid on an eBay Wii u bundle as it looks like my DD would enjoy the games too and we can always upgrade in a few years if my DS gets really into it with his mates. At the moment they seem to have a variety. And my DH isn't into games so no point spending loads.

Much appreciated.