Which Console Offers the Most Learning Video Games For Kids?

Not all consoles are created equal. Some, with their processing power and storage space, cater to an older crowd. Others, aiming more for a casual, family-friendly set, rely on innovative controllers and kid-friendly graphics to offset their relative lack of processing strength. Both, however, have learning video games for kids and teens.

So which one's the best?

READING GAMES FOR KIDS

Flash back to a couple decades ago, when video games were a bit simpler. There wasn't the power or the storage space to create the expansive, immersive worlds we see on the current generation of console games. Learning video games were also fairly limited, generally flat and, if we're going to be honest: boring. You had, also, very limited choices in your choice of console. Nintendo or Sega were the only two systems to reliably support and release games for their consoles. Meanwhile, PC gaming was expanding.

Parents were also generally safe in the knowledge that if they purchased an NES or a Genesis, games were unlikely to contain much in the way of questionable content. The market, both traditional and learning video games, was vanilla. Safe, reliable, and not especially exciting. The exceptions to the rule were easily caught by even a cursory glance at their titles - parents could reasonably expect games like "Nightmare on Elm Street" or "Splatterhouse" to be unfit for their younger kids.

Things have changed. Today, there are six main arteries for video games and learning video games, each with dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of games. Game makers' ability to create entire worlds to explore, both benign and kid-friendly (Mario or Zelda) and gritty and violent (Grand Theft Auto, Resident Evil). As almost always, however, a smaller set of learning video games accompanied the flood of sports, adventure, action, and shooters. Which, then, is the best console for a family?

Well, quite a bit of a recommendation depends on what you're looking for in the console. If you're reading this article, however, you're probably looking for a family-friendly console, able to entertain and teach with fun learning video games, as well as offer up a traditional set of adventure and fantasy games, appropriate for kids. With that in mind:

For families with children in elementary and middle school, Nintendo's consoles (Wii, DS) are generally the best choice. Quite simply, Nintendo's consoles are the most kid-centric consoles available on the market. They have the motion-sensing controller (Wii) and stylus (DS) that add a greater level of intuitive interaction, perfect for the younger crowd. They have recognizable stars like Mario, Link, Zelda, and Sonic, that kids tend to love. Their colorful, lower-resolution graphics lend themselves to more cartoony graphics that children seem to inherently enjoy. Finally, both the DS and Wii have a greater number of learning video games targeted and marketed towards distinct age groups.

As always, use the Internet and do a little research. I'd guess you'll find the consensus agrees that for family-friendly software, for learning video games that both teach and entertain, the Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS are the two best choices for your family.

Which Console Offers the Most Learning Video Games For Kids?

William is a father, gamer, and writer living in New York City. When not playing a learning video game with his son, he's exploring Central Park, learning to enjoy a vegetarian lifestyle, and jogging his way back to his high school years. He owns both a DS and a Wii, and still enjoys joining an old friend for an occasional game of Madden football. He has not, according to his significant other, grown up yet.

READING GAMES FOR KIDS