Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Shopping

From everyday essentials to big purchases, swap tips and recommendations. For the best deals without the hassle, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

playstation or gameboy-what is the correct age

20 replies

cod · 26/02/2006 16:45

Message withdrawn

OP posts:
Original poster
cod · 26/02/2006 16:57

Message withdrawn

OP posts:
Katemum · 26/02/2006 16:58

Def live without one for as long as you can get away with it.

SoupDragon · 26/02/2006 17:02

As late as you can leave it. We gave DS1 our old MegaDrive to play with, which he's delighted with, but I hate the way he plays it for hours and gets aggressive when he loses!!

kid · 26/02/2006 17:02

DS is obsessed with his cousins one so I was considering getting him one for his birthday, he is only going to be 4 though. DD is 7 and I doubt she even knows what a gameboy is

serenity · 26/02/2006 17:08

This is difficult for me to answer tbh, as all the games consoles in our house belong to me and Dh not the DSs. They've been playing with them from quite an early age, but mainly because they see us playing with them. If we had no interest and didn't already have them , maybe 7 or 8 would be the age they start picking things up about them from friends? So, maybe a few years after that before you gave in and got them one?

DS1 got his first gameboy when he was 5 (present from overseas SIL) Obviously we didn't let him play it 24/7, and we are quite strict about the games they have, but we don't get all twitchy about kids and video games anyway.

If they become total nerds and technogeeks, at least I don't have to worry about them getting socail lives, and getting involved in sex, drugs and rock and roll

Aero · 26/02/2006 17:10

Can certainly live without one, but after novelty wears off, they're great for long car journeys! Ds1 was given an old one by an older friend for his birthday last year. After initial maddness, it all died down and is now played with occassionally.

serenity · 26/02/2006 17:10

social

gigglinggoblin · 26/02/2006 17:13

ds1 is 7, ds2 is 5. they dont have games consoles at home, if they play on the pc it tends to be quite intense use for 2 or 3 days then they forget and go a few months without it. they do have games consoles at their dads and from what i can gather the only time they dont use it is when they are watching dvds. ds1 plays the games, ds2 watches as he says it is too hard for him (more likely he doesnt get a chance is is told he is rubbish so doesnt try). i dont think they need them or miss them when they are not available

Aero · 26/02/2006 17:14

Ds1 is about to be eight btw, so think six or seven is early enough.
Have bought him a more up to date (though not the latest) one for his birthday as the old one has seen better days. Got it from Ebay and a few games to go with, so I expect it will be novel again for a while.

nikkie · 26/02/2006 17:34

DDs have leapsters (mainly for long trips in car ) I have a very old game boy and they like Tetris on that.

iota · 26/02/2006 17:38

most kids in ds1's class seem to have playstations oe similar - he's in yr2

ds2 got a PSP for his 4th bithday - he had a Gameboy Advance before that. (blame their father- he bought ds1 a Dreamcast when he was 18 mths old)

Enid · 26/02/2006 17:39

I might buy mine a leapster soon

the hand held one (L max)

jmb1964 · 26/02/2006 17:39

never??

Enid · 26/02/2006 17:39

we have a playstation and a gamecube but they arent really interested

they like the little pc games, barbie adventures and jump ahead

iota · 26/02/2006 17:48

better get one if you want your child to be a Laparoscopic surgeon

tamum · 26/02/2006 17:49

We got ds a Gameboy when he was 9. He was very happy with access to a PC before that. It is just so useful for bits of waiting around, and keeping him entertained while the rest of the family is asleep in the morning! Have resisted a Playstation so far, without any real problem.

(Hello jmb1964, long time no see!)

WharfRat · 26/02/2006 18:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster
cod · 27/02/2006 07:18

Message withdrawn

OP posts:
Flibbertygibbet · 27/02/2006 19:54

Yes, deffo leave it if they are not asking for it.
DS1 was very keen for a GBA - saved up his Christmas money and birthday money, and pocket money for 10 months when he was 8, and we allowed him to buy one for himself.

We regulate it's use, and it hasn't been a problem. But I see very little virtue in the thing, and would be happy if we didn't have one.

Mfer · 27/02/2006 21:09

I agree leave it if you can Ds is 9 this month was give and old PS1 by my neighbour but only has car racing games on it - my PAs son got a PS2 for xmas with lots of aggressive games and she has had to confiscate the controller as he was get very angry and aggresive she thought he was going to fit. My neice and nephew both have gameboys and my mother hates them as they come up to visit and just sit playing with them rather than talking to her. I think they have their place ie long car journey but avoid as long as you can - Pc games like the Playmobil and lego range are far nicer!! Lego chess is brill

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread