My boys 6 and 7 are at an age now that thay want to play computer games. I do not want to get them a new console, as they will only be allowed to play it a couple hours a week. I have newer played and have no interest in playing computer games, so I have no idea what is out there. What I am after is recommendations for second hand consoles that are not connected to the internet, that would suit kids of this age.

Basically cheap, two controllers and a handul of kids games as a second hand bundle is what I am looking for on ebay, but have no idea what is good, easy to operate, out of date totally etc. I would hook it up to the TV with a HDMI cable.

A Nintendo Wii would be ideal.



Very cheap, there's loads of games out there, you can also play Nintendo Gamecube games on one, but you need to plug the Gamecube controller into it.

I would recommend Mario Kart and any of the Lego games series.

Yeah if you want 2nd hand buy a Nintendo Wii. I see them for about $40-$50 in 2nd hand shops these days. Games will probably be in the $5-$50 range depending on where you buy them from. Or if you have a spare USB hard drive and follow an online guide, you can "borrow" games from "friends" on the internet and have 100's of games for free.

Also the console connects to the TV via AV cables or you can buy component cables, and can also be connected to the internet if need be. Plenty of child friendly games on the Wii, but also a lot of utter crap.

You could also go down the Nintendo DS handheld console route as well. You might have to buy 2 of the to stop the arguing. They are also dirt cheap now.

We still use our PlayStation 2, which I've had since my daughter was a toddler. She's 13 now and still enjoys all the old games (I do have a few others apart from car games). Places like the Gamesmen and EB Games sell reconditioned systems for not much. Plenty of systems and games on Ebay.

After a garage cleanup a few months ago, I found the ancient (1982?) Atari 2600 system and games cartridges. I don't even know whether it works - it plugs into the aerial connection on old TVs and comes in on what was VHF channel 3. I don't know how to get it to work on modern TVs with RCA inputs.

PS3 would be my suggestion.

Used ones are dirt cheap from EB games and come with a warranty and the game range is still pretty good but fairly cheap as PS4 is taking over.

Phil, now theres a flashback.
Running through the RF cables you just have to plug the antenna into the back of it then the output RF to the TV antenna connection.
then it will just tune in like a TV station.

I still have nearly all my old gaming consoles, my mother did sell my Sega Master system at a garage sale in the 90s and I sold my game cube on ebay to some collector last year but I still get some my old ones out when I'm feeling nostalgic.

My original playstation is almost 20 years old (one of the first originals) and still works although the RCA cables are falling apart.

build a PC, consoles suck.

I only run Linux based PC, so games are not available.

Our 9 year old is now on a xbox after using a ps2.
Games can be the $ killer if he wants something new.
We mostly get the 2nd hand games from EB Games,sometimes they have sales from about 8 bux a game.......

We get in the car and have to drive for 3-4 hours to visit rellies (the trip only takes US 3-4 hours, it takes THEM 3-4 years, but that's another story! :smilegrin.
The 2 year old has an endless fascination for trees and trucks, and sleeps half the trip, so he's OK now. The 5-nearly-6 year old however.........

After one long trip in the back seat of the Grandies car (Hehehehehe!), their Xmas present for both of them was one of these each........
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LeapPad 
https://www.google.com.au/search?q=Leap+Pad&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source...

These Leap Pad doovies are the next best thing to a "dome of silence" (which reminds me, I must build the wife one......). All the games are loaded into the machine, you can set up WiFi if you want, but we prefer to keep them off-air. 1000s of games to suit all levels, AND (drumroll please)........they come with headphones!!! YAY!!!

I personally think they should be working in coal mines and frying ants with a mag glass on their one hour free per week, but being stuck with kiddies for hours on end when they whine and sook for the whole trip is somewhat of a tribulation overcome by electrickery.

Remember that helbus asked for cheap consoles. Preowned Wii consoles are less than $50, Nintendo DS handhelds are around $50, PS3 consoles are no less than $150 and LeapPads are around $100.

If you want something that can played anywhere, e.g. during long car trips, laying in bed, and doesn't need a TV to connect to, then i suggest a Nintendo DS Lite. They can be picked up for around $50, come in different colours and you can download games for free which will save you money. Out of all the consoles listed above, this has the most kid friendly, educational and puzzle games available. Although if you're kids don't like sharing then you might have to buy 2 of them.

As for a console that connects to the TV i'd recommend the Nintendo Wii. It has also has more kid friendly games than other consoles. There are even a few games that the adults can join in on. These games can also be downloaded for free if you have a spare USB HD drive. The PS3 is a great console but it's aimed more at teens and adults and doesn't have much to entertain a 6 and 7 year old unless you want them shooting, killing and smashing things. And games are expensive compared to the others.

I own a Nintendo 64, SNES, Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360, PS3 and the kids own a Nintendo DS Lite each and 2DS. So yeah we love to game. If you decide to go down the Nintendo Wii or DS route, PM me and i can help you out with the games so you don't have to buy any.

Other thing to consider is the type / flavour of games. Most of nintendos games are age appropriate for he younger generation so I would recommend a Wii also.

I have a Wii and a PS3 and an 8 year old son.

The LEGO range of games (batman, marvel, lord of the rings, Indiana jones, Star Wars) are good problem solving, long play (won't bore quickly) and only cartoon violence.

Isn't Linux the old name for Android?

+1 for Atari 2600.

Yeah!!! Go the 80's!!!!

Sorry, not sure what came over me. Carry on.

I have used some of the current linux OSs. works pretty good, but I don't use it on my PCs because of the games.

Go down to the local Cash Converters and buy a Nintendo 64 or SNES.

Teach them the classics! Don't let them die. Never let them die.

Tell them to go outside and play.

yeah, tell em to learn about modern electronics...........




And blowing them up outside like this guy.

https://www.youtube.com/user/Photonvids/videos 

much of my childhood was like this

Hi Pete,

A game cube or a PS1,2 or 3 all cheap nowa days,

I have a PS 1 & 2 and game cube spare..