Well, I finally did it...I let my kids save their money and buy one of these things. I've two boys that are 11 and 12, I bought the 4GB bundle and the 250GB hard drive since you CANT find the 250GB Kinect bundle anywhere.
Now, which games would the boys like. They have a Wii, love most Mario games, Punchout and such. They liked Battlefront on a friends PS2.
THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PLAY MATURE RATED GAMES...PERIOD.
They wanted the Xbox to play HALO Reach, but that's a no-go. So any ideas on what games they would like/I can get them?
Very few XBOX games that aren't M-Rated. Their's Rockband and Guitar HEro, but those don't utilise the Kinnect. I think their's some Sports Package thing like Wii Fit coming out, but IDK what it's called.
To the Internet! *returns*
It's called Deca Sports Freedom. Their's also a game called Kinnect Adventures, it's rated E and looks like it's just a bunch of minigames, so that should be fine.
That said, there are many PS3 games that are also available on the 360. Just saying. For instance, a decent amount of JRPGs, though I'm not sure if they're quite the target audience for that sort of thing. Quite possible to get a game that's not M-rated or Kinect, anyways.
I believe Batman Arkham Asylum isn't rated M and thats a pretty good game I'd recommend for any kids that age.
Also, Star Wars Force Unleashed 1 & 2 are pretty fun, not without their faults though, so I'd recommend buying them used/on sale.
Pretty sure Halo 3 and ODST aren't rated M, either, so maybe you should try those.
Enslaved, Journey to the West is also a good (and fairly popular, that seems to be important as well with boys that age) game that isn't rated M
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"Malt does more than Milton can to justify the ways of God to man, ale, man, ale's the thing to drink for those whom it hurt to think"
I believe Batman Arkham Asylum isn't rated M and thats a pretty good game I'd recommend for any kids that age.
Also, Star Wars Force Unleashed 1 & 2 are pretty fun, not without their faults though, so I'd recommend buying them used/on sale.
Pretty sure Halo 3 and ODST aren't rated M, either, so maybe you should try those.
Enslaved, Journey to the West is also a good (and fairly popular, that seems to be important as well with boys that age) game that isn't rated M
Can't comment on Enslaved. Halo, from what I hear, is remarkably tame for an M rated game - I'm not quite sure why it's not T. That said, I can understand not wanting to get them an FPS.
Arkham Asylum isn't M? Huh. I just checked, and... well, yes, it's entirely justified. Still a bit surprised for no good reason.
And yes, Force Unleashed, while I've never played it, seems like good fun.
Can't comment on Enslaved. Halo, from what I hear, is remarkably tame for an M rated game - I'm not quite sure why it's not T. That said, I can understand not wanting to get them an FPS.
Arkham Asylum isn't M? Huh. I just checked, and... well, yes, it's entirely justified. Still a bit surprised for no good reason.
And yes, Force Unleashed, while I've never played it, seems like good fun.
In short, Drider has some good ideas.
I work in gaming retail, these are some of our staples for boys that age who aren't allowed M rated games
The Prince Of Persia games might also be interesting for them, although they're a bit old and I wouldn't personally recommend the newest one.
Still, there's a difference "good" and "popular"
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"Malt does more than Milton can to justify the ways of God to man, ale, man, ale's the thing to drink for those whom it hurt to think"
Last edited by Driderman : 12-07-2010 at 10:11 AM.
I sold my 360 for a PS3 years ago, but looking at current 360 top lists, there really don't seem to be that many games that are not either shoters or sports games.
What a lot of people highly recommend are the Lego games, like Lego Star Wars, Lego Indiana Jones, or Lego Harry Potter. And they are also completely appropriate for kids.
The random background generator is awesome. I got a NG dwarven magus who was involved in a "pleasure" scandal with some arcane experiment backfire as well. My imagination is running off with that.
I sold my 360 for a PS3 years ago, but looking at current 360 top lists, there really don't seem to be that many games that are not either shoters or sports games.
What a lot of people highly recommend are the Lego games, like Lego Star Wars, Lego Indiana Jones, or Lego Harry Potter. And they are also completely appropriate for kids.
Now we just need to wait for someone to create Lego GTA. The universe will implode.
Saying that there are "Very few XBOX games that aren't M-Rated." is absolutely untrue. The vast majority of 360 games aren't rated M, particularly if you factor in some of the excellent offerings on Xbox Live Arcade.
That said, if you're looking for games that actually use Kinect, the list is currently pretty short - essentially, the launch titles right now, since the thing only came out a month ago. There's a list here.. Most people who like Kinect seem to get the most out of Dance Central (Which...probably won't be a hit with boys aged 11 and 12), Kinect Adventures, and maybe Kinectimals (again, probably not a big winner for your kids).
If you're picking from the "long list", well, I personally enjoyed Prince of Persia (not Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands, which I haven't played), which, while criticized by many for being "too easy" is unlikely to meet with that criticism from a twelve year old. Everyone in their right mind loves Castle Crashers (Teen rated for cartoon decapitations and poo jokes :P) but that's XBLA, so you'll need an internet connection. I quite enjoyed Lucidity (Also XBLA) but your kids may find it too "kiddy looking" or too difficult (it's NOT EASY). Free demo for them to try though.
I'm not really much help though, because while I'm not necessary playing a lot of M-rated games (Though that takes Bayonetta off the list), my tastes tend towards nichey titles like JRPGs and fighting games that aren't generally to the taste of young kids. It might, truthfully, be easier for you to let the kids do their own research - including downloading demos off XBLA, though you might want to explore the parental controls on the system to make sure they don't get any M ones - and then investigate the titles they ask for before letting them buy/receive them, rather than trying to figure out what they might like.
I asked the same question a while ago (link to thread) and got quite a few suggestions, although my daughter's a bit younger than your two at 6.
Planets versus Zombies she likes, although she refuses to play it single player (the later levels are a bit intense for a 6 year old).
The various Lego games make good family friendly choices.
Toy Soldiers on XBox Live is one that caught my eye recently and isn't graphic in terms of gore (it demonstrates the effectiveness of machine guns against infantry in a frighting manner though, especially considering the period it represents). While I wouldn't consider it suitable for my daughter, your sons might enjoy it.
Beautiful Katamari is fun, although your sons might find it a bit boring.
All the Lego games are awesome, but boys at that age might feel they're "too big" to play them.
If not, any of the Lego games are very recommendable
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"Malt does more than Milton can to justify the ways of God to man, ale, man, ale's the thing to drink for those whom it hurt to think"
Batman: Arkham Asylum is one I'd second. Great action/adventure game, though for kids that age it may get a bit on the scary side at times.
I'm currently playing Enslaved: Odyssey to the West, and would tentatively second that recommendation. Pretty good action/platformer game, though with a pretty serious story to it.
Personally, I'd say get The Force Unleashed for the Wii instead of the 360. It's one of the few games that make quite good use of the motion controls for something other than shovelware minigames, and it's the only version of the game which has multiplayer (if I'm remembering that right).
But, yeah, looking through my 360 games, not much else I can recommend without knowing other tastes they may have. I'm more of an RPG guy myself, and I don't know if 11 and 12 year olds accustomed to Mario games would be interested in those sorts of games.
On XBLA one that might be worth a try is Splosion Man, a simple but challenging old-style platformer. But yeah, that's about all I've got there too.
Zevox
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If they liked Battlefront, they could try Battlefront II (it would have to be used, though. It's an original-XBox game rather than a 360 game). Also for the original XBawks: Republic Commando. Fantastic shooters, both rated T. Online play isn't available unless you grab the PC versions, though, since original XBox games were yanked off of Live support like a year or so ago. Battlefront II was noted for being one of the top-ranking not-Halo 2 games on Live-supported multiplayer, if I'm remembering correctly.
Wii
Ultimate Alliance 1 and 2
Amazing Spiderman
Punchout
Mario Baseball and Soccer
PC
Rome Total War
Age of Empire III
I like the Force Unleashed II, they have the first one for the Wii.
If I can get Battlefront II for them they will geek out. We will have Live for downloads so that is an option as well. We got the Kinect cause we knew games will come out for it, but they would like SOME kind of "T" shooter games as well.
Colour me impressed. Nice to know I'm not the only one, too. I was playing Starcraft/Warcraft 2/Dungeon Keeper/Total Annihilation/Sacrifice at age 6~8. Needless to say, I played poorly, but still.
So, uh... XBLA. I suppose recommending Ikaruga would make me a bad person? More than I already am? Just checking.
I would like to recommend Arkham Asylum and Force Unleashed too. Both are great games that are a lot of fun.
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Colour me impressed. Nice to know I'm not the only one, too. I was playing Starcraft/Warcraft 2/Dungeon Keeper/Total Annihilation/Sacrifice at age 6~8. Needless to say, I played poorly, but still.
So, uh... XBLA. I suppose recommending Ikaruga would make me a bad person? More than I already am? Just checking.
I was playing StarCraft at 9, I was pretty good too!
Anyways, recomendations:
Lost planet (1) (Kind of like battlefront)
Portal (Not sure if it can be bought outside of the orange box....)
Perfect Dark (XBLA)
Halo Wars (Great RTS, rated T)
Destroy all humans (They`d probably love these games)
+1 For Toy Solders
+1 For Lego (SO MUCH FUN)
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Seeds with the speed and power of smg rounds.
Midrange explosives.
Death rays powered by the sun itself!
Portal (Not sure if it can be bought outside of the orange box....)
Portal is available through Steam as well, where it most definitely can be purchased separately. Almost any computer purchased within the last 3-4 years should be able to run it.
I like the Force Unleashed II, they have the first one for the Wii.
If I can get Battlefront II for them they will geek out. We will have Live for downloads so that is an option as well. We got the Kinect cause we knew games will come out for it, but they would like SOME kind of "T" shooter games as well.
Wait... you let them play Force Unleashed, but deny them Halo? Perhaps you should actually look at some M-rated games instead of believing everything the ESRB says is good for you. Aside from the off-color alien blood, the Halo series is lax on the intense violence... at least compared to turning people into charred stumps and ripping them apart with your mind...
Wait... you let them play Force Unleashed, but deny them Halo? Perhaps you should actually look at some M-rated games instead of believing everything the ESRB says is good for you. Aside from the off-color alien blood, the Halo series is lax on the intense violence... at least compared to turning people into charred stumps and ripping them apart with your mind...
Yeah, but if you decide you want to, nothing stopping you from mowing down everyone on your team in Halo. Don't know if you can chop your buddies to bits in Force Unleashed, but... Plus, it may be an anti-gun thing. Starwars is a 'clean' violence. No blood and guts. Halo also has the Gravemind, which, honestly still creeps the crap out of me, and I'm 16.
Yeah, but if you decide you want to, nothing stopping you from mowing down everyone on your team in Halo. Don't know if you can chop your buddies to bits in Force Unleashed, but... Plus, it may be an anti-gun thing. Starwars is a 'clean' violence. No blood and guts. Halo also has the Gravemind, which, honestly still creeps the crap out of me, and I'm 16.
Ummm, last time I checked the apprentice didn't have any buddies, and his goal for the sequel is to kill his teacher. In Halo, the most violent thing you'll see is several splashes of blue coming from an elite as you mow him down, and his final cry of "wort wort wort!". In the force unleashed however... you can smear the lifeless bodies of your helpless enemies all along the walls of whatever unfortunate place you happen to be strolling through until you get bored and commit genocide by yanking a massive starship out of orbit and killing thousands, if not millions.
Also I think the gore in Halo is more mild despite tFU's lack of blood. It has uber-goober dismemberment which should be more strongly rated than the comic stylings spouted by the grunts as they flee.
I don't think they'd be into it, but I always liked to play viva pinata when I had an xbox, mostly because it was colorful.
Also, civilization: revolution might be up their alley based on the total war/age of empires thing.
I will let them pick up HALO (original) when a used gamestop version shows, but part of the problem with new ones isn't the "blood and gore", but the language and sometimes sexual component of the cut scenes. Frankly, we've had that talk but I don't feel like having to explain the facts of life to allow them to play a computer game.
That's why I ruled out Oblivion...for now at least and Halo Reach. I am judging some of this on the ESRB rating for lack of knowledge, even though I KNOW that some of them won't be so bad. Sometimes, we adults just don't see the same things the kids focus on in movies/games/etc.
Example...My kid was watching Transformer and the scene where the boy was hiding the girl in his room and his mom asked him if he was masterbating....I had scene the movie three times and I never remember actually hearing that word, just the suggestion of that...However there is my 10 year old..paying attention who asks.."Dad what is Masterbating?"
Now I'm stuck explaining it...when I don't want to or really NEED to at this age. That's the kind of thing I'm on the look out for more that "JUST" blood and guts.
Wait.
Colour me impressed. Nice to know I'm not the only one, too. I was playing Starcraft/Warcraft 2/Dungeon Keeper/Total Annihilation/Sacrifice at age 6~8. Needless to say, I played poorly, but still.
There are many who went through that exact same list.
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Here is my list and most can be bought for fairly cheap. Less than 10 dollars a piece.
SACRED 2 (Was disappointed by this game but my boys loved it)
FUZION FRENZY
GODZILLA: DESTROY ALL MONSTERS : FOR ORIGINAL XBOX
MONSTER MADNESS
CRACKDOWN
SONIC UNLEASHED
TOO HUMAN
DEATHSPANK (maybe questional humour and its a XBLA game)
CASTLE CRASHERS
Most of these games offer local multiplayer play so they can both play together at the same time.
I will let them pick up HALO (original) when a used gamestop version shows, but part of the problem with new ones isn't the "blood and gore", but the language and sometimes sexual component of the cut scenes. Frankly, we've had that talk but I don't feel like having to explain the facts of life to allow them to play a computer game.
That's why I ruled out Oblivion...for now at least and Halo Reach. I am judging some of this on the ESRB rating for lack of knowledge, even though I KNOW that some of them won't be so bad. Sometimes, we adults just don't see the same things the kids focus on in movies/games/etc.
Example...My kid was watching Transformer and the scene where the boy was hiding the girl in his room and his mom asked him if he was masterbating....I had scene the movie three times and I never remember actually hearing that word, just the suggestion of that...However there is my 10 year old..paying attention who asks.."Dad what is Masterbating?"
Now I'm stuck explaining it...when I don't want to or really NEED to at this age. That's the kind of thing I'm on the look out for more that "JUST" blood and guts.
I will definitely tell you that there is absolutely little to no sexual components in Halo, the closest you're getting is a marine taunting "I've got your Wort Wort Wort right here!" in mid battle. There's a bit of romance but nothing more than a kiss (maybe).
Well, they do make Cortana's breasts jiggle for some needless reason as well, so I guess I can see the justification there. To be fair though, nobody calls attention to it and she doesn't act sexual, it just happens as she moves.
The language though...that...I'm unsure of. I think there's swearing in the game.
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