The inevitable has happened... video games.
 

My son has discovered video games... He wants a Nintendo Switch. Does anyone have one of these? They look like they combine the good points of a game boy, gaming console, and a wii.

I was never a gamer and in fact sold my Nintendo at the peak of the hype in the late 80’/early 90’s for more than I paid for it that Christmas your couldn’t get them in stores...

We live on a farm and my kids spend a LOT of time outdoors. My kids are into go-karting, skiing, hiking, etc. Unfortunately, he wants a gaming system.

Educate me on the Nintendo switch.

How old is he? Nintendo makes mostly "kid" games and has never been particularly great in the graphics department... That said - you will have an easier time finding age appropriate content for this platform vs. the Microsoft XBOX or SONY Playstation which are the reigning console champs.

I've always been a gamer. Two younger brothers just keeps the hobby going! We just bought a switch and Zelda is an absolutely fantastic game. The switch is a great first console. Decent graphics power, not what you would expect out of a handheld. Lots of fun games. Portability. The ability to connect it to the dock and use it as an actual console. I'd pick one up. Just wait until he discovers fortnite!

get him a dirtbike.

Limit, limit, limit.

My daughter could have cared less but my son would have spent his entire life in the basement having a Vulcan Mind Meld with his XBox.

BTW, had I had the opportunity, so would have I - it is that seductive.

One hour a day after his homework was done during the week, strictly enforced.

Two hours a day on the weekends only after all his chores/work was done, strictly enforced.

That is nine hours a week and was plenty.

Summer and holidays were negotiable depending on what I needed from him. Kids are really poor negotiators when it comes to video games:)

Don't do it. If you get your kid started on video games, you'll regret it.

He has a dirt bike and got his first quad at 3. He also have a racing kart.

Paul has it nailed here! Nothing wrong with some gaming as long as it doesn't take over his life.
I know this too well from my own son, he is so hooked.

Depends on the kid. I enjoyed playing video games, but I was still way, way more likely to be found outside than inside.

And then there are the "kids" that are in their 30s that still setup times to go play games together.

My personal recommendation is to go with a PC, and go for off the beaten path older games where you can create your own content.

Nintendo tends to be ok.

Racing sims are the only thing worthwhile on the other platforms.

Avoid anything 2002 and up from a company called Electronic Arts.

Some online games can be very useful in learning how to work and communicate with a variety of people. Most online games you will find these days are a huge drain on the player, see the idiot thread. The ones that abuse their customers the most have the marketing dollars to spend to be what you find.

So unfortunately, as much as I just recommended online games, what you will likely find today is bad.

I was fortunate to have gotten to play when I did before some gaming companies took things into a very evil business model, now it proliferates.

Un-ethical companies try to make a gaming experience that is addictive, initially fun and rewarding, then create an experience of diminishing return on the rewarding feelings. You have to start paying or playing more to get that same feeling.

Once games were a great way to play with others, to learn, build mental skills. Now they are platform to rob and steal the life and money from people.

But, the good experience, the good games, can still exist, just be careful!

I've never been a console gamer, so I'm not sure on advice on console specific things.

I made a few thousand dollars income from age 14-17 from my video game activities but I am not a normal person.

The one thing I would add to what Seahawk said, if it is multi player play it with him. That way you'll know what is good or bad.

We have a Switch and kind of got it by accident a year ago when they were released.
My wife knew that the available Switch games were spoken for and told my son if the store has one I will buy it for you.
Turns out that one guy had paid his deposit and didn't pick up his in time. When my son told them it was his birthday the guys at the gamers store were so happy to sell it to someone that wasn't going to flip it online.
It is kind of cool as it can be a stand alone game with its own screen or you can use it as a console on for the TV. Good for road trips.

So here is where we are at with it:

My son is 7 and excels in math and sciences, it very hands on and a farm kid. He is an excellent skier, is the fastest of his run group at go-karting and rides his dirt bike.

He wants to play mostly car games and has a few on his tablet. Oddly the video game he plays most is ‘prodigy’ which is a math game. You have to solve math problems to win battles.

He hates to read.

We have given him 2 choices if we get a switch:

1. He earns a minute of gaming for every minute he spends reading and the reading has to be done first.

2. We will pay him a dollar a book and he can save up the $420 needed to buy the console and any games he needs to buy for it.

He is undecided but seems to favour option 2.

I appreciate everyone’s feedback on this. I think once spring hits and the mountains of snow melt, he willl be back on the dirt bike etc and this dilemma will be behind us for a few months. Also the pellet gun the Easter bunny is bringing might change his desire for video games somewhat.

they didn't touch a video game until last year, 9 and 11. This siht is like crack, they can stay in their room full day and night and never need to see day light and be OK with it. My little one wanted a WII. We bought it so the two can play together. They were the outcast with their friends because all they talked about was their games and how to get pass a certain stage, so we decided to give in. My little one loves ro run around the outside especially the mountain. The older one is great at math and he's very hands on and is involved with his middle school's robotics team. They just won state and going to nationals in Iowa in a couple months. I think (I am crying here) the video helps him with some hand eye coordination. Thank goodness they are both readers and the little one loves and brings a book with him on longer trips and of course their game. Limit is the key. No freaking phone or games in a restaurant (except for me if a client or my workmen calls and if its important) unless we stay and talk for an hour after a meal. You bet your ass they time us but it rarely happens for more then 20-30 min after we finish eating.

I just can't understand the attraction. We had games back then and all my friends had them, but we were more interested in how to shoot down the city light with BB guns instead.

Sounds like you have a strong boy . You should be fine . I wish it were different here. Seahawk and others make very valid points . Limit limit limit. My son would never leave his room if we left it up to him. It is all he is interested in and all he talks about .
For my son I think letting him get so deep into games was the single worst parenting move I have made to date . I wish I could take it back.
His older cousin and several of his friends are all heavy duty gamers and he really looks up to these guys. When he is not playing video games he wants to research games
After a session of him playing it is very difficult to bring him back to earth and do normal things. His mind is mush for 30 minutes

Instead of just flashing lights, push-button reflexes, and simple strategy...I hope the big corp 'video games' will someday become more educational.

There is all types of entertainment out there.
It should never be easy but it should always teach something bigger and different.

My random unsupported theory,

I think it helps if they’ve done a thing in the real world first. Ride a motorcycle, fire a gun, beat up a hooker, etc. it establishes a disconnect from fantasy.

Of course I just finished South Park and am getting back into World of Tanks.

Did you get everything you asked for as a kid? I sure as hell didn't. And it hasn't hurt me one bit. Neither has it hurt my kids. So, my decision was to have no TV, no computer games and no smart phones (age limit 16). They will ask for a while, then give up. Then it is another fad / console / game / phone / tablet, and it will fade away again.

G

Geez. Tough crowd.

Some of my fav memories are the nostalgic games I played with my dad. My brothers and I have shared some awesome squad gaming moments together. I turned out okay, and I was pretty spoiled.

I agree! Tough crowd! All people need fresh air and physical exercise. But I don't think outdoor sports are suited for everybody. My 15yo has never been into sports, but has a network of friends all over the world, and has taught himself Photoshop and video editing, has his own Youtube channel, and is a very happy individual. And it all started with video consoles.

Some of you are probably going to get a fit, but my 3yo is extremely good at playing Mario! And we play together and are having a great time doing it. He's in kindergarden and do everything other toddlers do, but he's also playing games with his 47 year old dad.

Addiction to video games is a serious problem to many, I realize that, but I don't see gaming any different from any other leasure activity for a well adjusted person.

And this being a car forum, have you heard about this guy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jann_Mardenborough

Started out on a racing sim, and now is a professional race driver. And there are many making a living as gamers. It's not easy to get to that level, of course, but not all are able to get into the NBA/NFL either.

Just because it's not a 'traditional' activity, or isn't happening outside the house, doesn't mean that it's bad. Heck, I was told that I played too much Commodore 64, and watched waaaay too much TV in the 80's. I don't think I took that much harm from it.

Let them play (but of course don't let it take over completely). It's great fun!

I have found that I have little interest in fantasy/superhero/alternate reality shows, or games. The only game I really ever got into was NASCAR where I had the wheel, and pedals in front of me, and I could drive 20-30 new, and old tracks.....but that was 10-15 years ago, so definately NOT a gamer.

As a teen in the late 70s/early 80s, I did go to the arcade before anything was available to play at home.