Training a Gamer

[James]

I'd recommend Rock Band over Guitar Hero, honestly. The drums are much easier for a young kid to get into.

James

[bahn]

I'd recommend Rock Band over Guitar Hero, honestly. The drums are much easier for a young kid to get into.

James

But I don't want her to learn the drums... and you're merely speculating; it's not a fact.

[Cowutopia]

now at 6 he can pretty much pick up and play almost anything (as long as theres not a lot of reading).

One thing I look very forward to is helping to teach my children to read not just through books, but through heavy-text games, while he plays, and we work on reading it together so he can progress the story.

[Melf]

My daughter began by watching me play. By 1 1/2 she could point and name both Sonic and Mario (in that order ). Soon, she began playing simple, no-button games like Pac-Man. She's 4 1/2 now, and she's already playing Animal Crossing and Super Mario Bros. 3. She's taken over my SP, for which I got her games she can identify with and play like the great combo cart that has Candy Land, Chutes & Ladders, and Memory, as well as games like Little Einsteins and Bratz. She also loves Kirby too. Basically any platformer or simple arcade game is her thing.

Bottom line: be ready to have to play LOTS of licensed stuff, so she can see how it's done, but once she actually starts playing, she'll appreciate the good stuff more.

One thing I look very forward to is helping to teach my children to read not just through books, but through heavy-text games, while he plays, and we work on reading it together so he can progress the story.

The story in the library in Super Mario Galaxy was great for this. My little girl really got into the game because of it.

[James]

But I don't want her to learn the drums... and you're merely speculating; it's not a fact.

More like stating a theory based on personal observation.

James

[frostwolf ex]

with my younger brother, it was the mario series all the way, the funny thing is, people think kids need easy games, but no, kids will adapt to challenges, so long as they are fair and reasonably doable(i.e. no zork). now he is programming games, but still looks back to the old 2d marios for inspiration.

[kingoffighters]

Donkey Konga or Taiko Drum Masters would be easy for kids to get into, but I don't know if I can stand all the noise he/she would make!

[Mikhal]

I had similar thoughts too. My daughter (who's turning 8 mos. in three weeks) seems to love when Bomberman Live is on the TV. When she gets older, I'll let her play that along with Guitar Hero and Street Fighter II as well. Great thread indeed.

My niece vs. your kid on kaillera. Bring it!

[Hero]

I'd say Pacman because it's very easy to grasp the goal of the game, what the main character is, and what you need to avoid. Plus no need for button-presses!

I'm of the same nature - if I ever have kids, I want to give them gaming in the way gaming grew up.

[Frogacuda]

2-player competitive games would be great, not just for the bonding, but because you can kind of organically adjust the difficulty as she's getting frustrated.