When can you let your kid play Nintendo games?

Lol I'm aware there is no definite age threshold though most common theory says that it's acceptable to let kids play video games when they're 3.

I'm so looking forward to my daughter ("coming out" February 12), and I've been already thinking long-term how cool would be to expose her not to mind-numbing passive entertainment in the form of cartoons, or lousy "non-games" she will obviously be exposed later on as she goes to kindergarten and school but only to the best of the best, that is Nintendo classics that are like Beethoven among other games.

Is 3 years of age a good age to let her play Nintendo video games?

What should I get a 2ds or a Wii U? I'd rather get the latter but I wouldn't be surprised if both in the end. Anyway, do you think Wii U will still be in circulation and supported in 3-4 years time?

What Nintendo games would be best for that age? I was thinking Donkey Kong Country, Animal Crossing. Pikmin, maybe some Zelda titles, definetly something Mario, including Mario Kart, maybe Smash, definetly Kirby and Scribblenauts and all that jazz.

Let her play when her fingers are big enough.

I hooked up my NES for my son when he was 3.

Now he is 4 and has a Wii and plays Mincraft on the ONE with me.

It may seem a little soon but I did notice it help his motor skills, instruction and problem solving.

Would Disney Infinity be a good choice?

Get her something better to play.

@Salt_The_Fries

Not Really... Lack of Toy Box tutorial really stunts the learning curve... I love the game but Its not something I would expose my children to.... Believe it or not she might be better off with Little Big Planet 3... Its got that Popit thingy, learning to create in that thing is much more intuitive.... Plus the game is just fucking adorable. If only it didn't have so many bugs :(

I think you should start out with platformers like Mario, Disney Infinity doesn't seem like a good idea to me, doesn't that game have camera controls? Camera controls require a lot of coordination.

3 is a good age, then its fun to watch them get better at games as time goes on. You at first let them win games, then you'll find yourself noticing you're really trying. It's a blast.

Get her an older game system like an NES, SNES, N64, PS1, etc. GBA SP and old DS is fine. Let her graduate to new tech and save you $$$ for more games for her.

3-5 yrs, btw.

my children will never touch a nintendo console, it will be only sony to them. They will be raised on the sony environment of gamers by gamers mantra.

When they become interested in it, I guess. What a weird question.

I've had 4 little siblings and a shit ton of little cousins. I introduced all of them to games around 5 or 6, but they usually don't start to appreciate a good game until 7 or 8.

Like Park said, 3d camera controls are off putting to a young beginner.

Go for side scrollers, 2d fighters.. just 2d games in general if you can. Platformers make a great entry.

I always start them off somewhat old school. Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis games. Stuff like Mario Allstars, Sonic 1-3 and Knuckles, Donkey Kong Country, Street Fighter 2 (any 2d fighter will do). I also find that kids like old school Punch Out. Once they grasp some basics, move them on to games like Link to the Past, Mario RPG, Chrono Trigger, Mega Man X, etc..

Also Smash Bros. Any kid can enjoy Smash. NSMB games are good too, since they're pretty easy early on and they're some of the best multiplayer side scrollers around.

THEN. Once you think they're ready to cut their teeth on some 3D control, go for Mario Kart. By the time they get the feel of that, they're ready to move onto other more complex 3d titles.

@parkurtommo

Well yeah... But its not the presence of the camera thats the issue... Its how shitty it is thats messed up.... No child should suffer like that at such an early age...

3 is fine, but you will probably just 'know' when the time comes. once the door opens, it doesn't close again.

I'd say three years old sounds optimal.

ALSO. Almost forgot..

Once they start getting the hang of some games that they like and they've played a good few, take em shopping at a game store (if those still exist when your daughter is of age) and let them pick a game or two. That's really the best. They get to see the huge variety of games and more importantly, they'll really love choosing for themselves. They'll be more invested in the game because it's theirs. It'll be a good feeling for you too haha. I'll never forget the first time I took my kid sisters to a Gamestop, it was great! They loaded up on DS and Wii games, was a lot of fun really.

Which is one of the worst mantras ever.

Anyway, I'd say about three or five as well.

@Gue1: Yeah, better break them in early cuz ya know, maybe by then GREATNESS has finally arrived.

My nices love Super Mario 3D World, they are 4,6 and 8 respectively.

Oh yeah, this is a good one.

My little sisters couldn't get into the SMG games, but they took to 3D World naturally. Come to think of it, it was their first 3D game outside of Mario Kart. No tricky camera maneuvering helped ease them into it.

Slow your roll... You might realize those same kids will do it just to piss you off. Then resent you for the dictatorship environment.

My mom and dad used to always talk shit about my gaming when I was a kid.. They both play casual games on Facebook now.

When you try to block something from any human ... They will want it more. It's in our nature.

unless you're just bullshitting?

PlayStation for Life.

Teach 'em young'Teach'em strong'Teach 'em to Live, Learn and Love the SONY way.

Start them on classic gaming. Let them experience gaming as it was and grow into modern gamers.

wow I'd hate to be one of your kids.

On subject 3-5 works well. My niece is 4 and she has a 2DS. I put a couple of the old Mario games on there so she can get used to it. She plays NSMB and NSMBU. My nephew is 3 and he is into the TMNT games. I gave them my old Wii with a bunch of games and they are pretty content. I'll probably give him my old 2DS and some TMNT games when he is 4.

One of those things you just gauge by knowing the kid. When you feel that they have the general capacity to be engaged by it in a meaningful way

I got my nephew hooked on bayonetta 2, he also likes killing hooker on GTA and getting killstreaks of up to 30 on CoD. He is only 4 but i started him gaming at the age of 1 month with easy games like Tekken and Resident Evil.

Exactly, this is always the way to go. It saves you money and it allows for them to enjoy the classics and acquire some good taste. It also teaches them to look past all the flash for some good substance.

Yep, and I can tell you it's quite effective. Plus, it gives them a sense of gaming history and appreciation lacking with some modern entitled gamers.

You can never go wrong baby. Get them started on Uncharted, GTA, COD, sprinkle in some Farcry 3 for good measure, If they have been extra good. A little ball grabbing in MGS will really spice things up. I always tell kids if you haven't played Witcher 2 you have not lived a full life.

When I see young kids I say... If you're not cussing on PSN and XBL over a Madden game by 6 you'll never make it in this world. Now get out there soldiers and let it eat. Make me proud. Be sure your out game is the racist slur with the rage quit. You can never go wrong there son.

EDIT: How could I ever forget that classic teabag strategy. Learn it, live it, love it.

Kirby's Epic Yarn is probably a good starting platformer, what with the no death and all.
Plus you can co-op with her.

In 3-4 years time, the Wii U will be around 5 or 6 years old. I'm fairly confident the new Nintendo console will be out around then. The next system will probably be backwards compatible with Wii U games though.

But a Nintendo system (as well as utilising the virtual console) is a great idea for young children.

Nobody's going to reccomend Journey or Gone Home ? :p hahaha !

Too deep for children ey ?

Honestly, Disney Infinity is pretty bland and seems like a cash grab. I would suggest Skylanders or possibly even Amiibo if you are going that route. Skylanders provide clear objectives... there isn't really any "problem solving" in Disney infinity. Unless you just want her to see tinker bell and the Frozen cast.

You can pick up the first three sets of Skylanders cheap, and can find used characters for as low as a couple bucks.

I do have 2 boys (6 and 7 now) and don't have a girl, but my wife agrees that DI was a complete rip-off and lacked substance of just about ANY KIND.

Honestly would suggest looking up the console that plays NES/SNES/GEN. It is a great value... get games like ducktales, toy story, Aladdin, beauty nd the beast, etc. Also games like Mario as well. My boys are growing up with a NES, SNES, GEN, etc. and they STILL pick them t play often times over their Wii U.

FIrst of all, congratulation.

Second, depends on whether your child is interested or not. Also, if Wii U is still the Nintendo flagship console when she's turned 3, I'm not sure whether the pad will be comfortable enough for a three year old. I heard even grown-ups complaining about the size, so yeah.

Get her started on Starcraft at a young age.

@WitIsWisdom

The only problem with Infinity is they don't have a tutorial for the Toy Box (The Creation Mode) oh and The Power Discs are Blind Purchases..... But other than that I would totally put it above Skylanders, besides the Toy Box is the only reason I bought the game in the 1st place... Without it then yeah I wouldn't have picked either Skylanders or Infinity.... But for a child I would reccomend Little Big Planet 3, or I would if they could fix it 1st.

Nonsense aside; I was in elementary school when my parents gave me a NES for the holidays. The classic titles such as Mario, MK, DK, MP, are fun PG games that you can enjoy with your daughter without her mind being corrupted at a young age. Personally, I would wait a couple of more years before introducing her to gaming, but that is your choice due to it being your family.

Right after she finishes Manhunt, otherwise she won't be able to fully appreciate what she's playing.

Nintendo is for ages 3-8 OP... I don't remember much from before age 5 but I do remember playing NES

Be careful with that. By the time the kid is a teen, s/he will rebel by purchasing an XBox.

I started at 4.

Kids should get to play video games when they show interest and can hold the controller. They should however, have limited time in front of the screen, to teach them privilege and make it something that can be taken away as punishment if they do something wrong.

Kids should also play the classics, the games we grew up with. They are far more skill-oriented and help build fundamental skills like hand-eye coordination and problem solving. Modern games just hold their hand, lead them down a linear path, and prompt them to move onto the next cutscene.

Nintendo games still mostly support these gaming ideals, and are an excellent start for any child.

I wouldn't spend money on an expensive video game hardware until my kids could prove to me they can respect the hardware and the game discs.

It's been awhile, but I'm pretty sure I let my kids start playing with the SNES and basic platformers around 3. Basically when they have an interest in it, and when they can hold the controller in their hands.

@foxhound_fox

Becarefull... Kids don't respond well to Manipulation (in the long term)... Its imperitive to teach kids the right values but buying them toys to use as a leash will blow up in your face when its time to Rebel.

Try to raise to children, not Condition Them.

3ish. If they see you playing, they'll want to join in. That's what I did with my dad, and then my bro did the same with me when he was 2. As for games, simple stuff like 2D platformers is what I'd recommend.

Congrats on the baby. 3 is too young brah, I would say 6 years old is probably good age.

"I can sympathize with being a single parent... I have a Dog."

- Rajesh

Small interjection here, but I would stress using the time to play with them and bond. Even if they are (and they will be) painfully bad.

One of my earliest memories was playing Super Mario World with my dad. I'll always cherish that.

But yeah, I would start them with the classics. Easy enough to grab a used Wii and abuse the virtual console for that, if you want to stick to a budget. The older games aren't as deep mechanically, and will be easier to grasp. Not to mention any learning benifits.

I don't have kids of my own, but I introduced my niece and nephew to video games games around the age of 3. At that age, it's good to start with pick-up-and-play, arcade-style classics, like Pong, Space Invaders, Pac-Man, or the early Mario or Sonic games, i.e. games with just one or two button presses. And after getting the hang of the classics, they can then move on to the more modern games. That's how I'd go about it.