Kids Playing Video Games

[tree_]

My child turned 3 at the end of July, and he's loving video games! We've been playing the Switch together almost every evening. He loves Mario. His favorite is Odyssey, which he pronounces very well now after a little coaching. He also plays Super Mario Bros. Deluxe, Mario Maker 2 in which we play other people's levels on the easy setting and are almost at 200 levels completed, and DK games. On the PS5 he loves to play Astro's Playroom and go down the big slide in the water level and find the choo choo in Spiderman, and just kinda stand there and watch it come and go, yelling "choo choo!", and not getting on the tracks or he freaks out. It's just fascinating watching him learn and observe video games.

[Ello Sailor]

Stomp his ass out in Mario Kart. No mercy, Spartan style.

[Norah]

My nephews can finally hang with me in Duck Game.

[tragabigzanda]

1. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES)
2. Mario Kart (Wii)
3. Half-Life 2 (PC)
4. Twisted Metal 2 (PS1)
5. NHL 95 (Sega Genesis)
6. The Oregon Trail (graphical version, 1985, Apple II)
7. Metroid: Zero Mission (GBA)
8. Missile Command (Arcade)
9. Rocket League (PS4)
10. Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Father (PC)

[Norah]

My nephews can finally hang with me in Duck Game.

how much cocaine do they get

trag

[tree_]

Stomp his ass out in Mario Kart. No mercy, Spartan style.

He can’t even stay on the track at 50cc yet. When he gets better I will show him how much further he has to go.

[Norah]

he's a little kid turn on track assist

[tree_]

Nah gotta learn real rules in the real world

[Norah]

wow, you against training wheels too?

[tree_]

No cause that prevents actual physical harm. Bad outweighs the good.

[Norah]

you're a weird guy, ace

[tree_]

Yeah I know. Most of us are eccentric.

[Monkey_Driven]

My 4 year old watches me play from time to time, but I rarely play when he's awake. He did enjoy playing as Bowser Junior in Bowser's Fury and running around in Odyssey. Lately, he has been interested in walking around and chopping down trees in Breath of the Wild.

The camera controls and movement are still a bit tricky in a 3D space. We also are a tablet free house, so he doesn't have any experience with touchscreen games. Trying to wait as long as possible before he's introduced to those.

[tragabigzanda]

1. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES)
2. Mario Kart (Wii)
3. Half-Life 2 (PC)
4. Twisted Metal 2 (PS1)
5. NHL 95 (Sega Genesis)
6. The Oregon Trail (graphical version, 1985, Apple II)
7. Metroid: Zero Mission (GBA)
8. Missile Command (Arcade)
9. Rocket League (PS4)
10. Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Father (PC)

[Anders]

When do you start? My kid is 21 months old, and she hasn't played any video games yet.

[tragabigzanda]

1. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES)
2. Mario Kart (Wii)
3. Half-Life 2 (PC)
4. Twisted Metal 2 (PS1)
5. NHL 95 (Sega Genesis)
6. The Oregon Trail (graphical version, 1985, Apple II)
7. Metroid: Zero Mission (GBA)
8. Missile Command (Arcade)
9. Rocket League (PS4)
10. Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Father (PC)

[Bammer]

I will gladly share my individual parenting tips for $4.99 a pop.

PM me.

[Anders]

Why pay you, when Trag has free advice?

[Anders]

I gotta think that 5-6 is a more reasonable time? But maybe I'm being prudish. Totally open to being wrong here.

How strict have you been, or plan to be, on tv and ipad use?

[tree_]

Yeah I'm glad tree is bonding with his kid, but I have some misgivings about the brain impact of fast-paced gaming at such a young age. But who knows, maybe his kid will turn out to be a genius?

We are bonding in many more ways than with the little video game time we have. But I do think it's good for him; improves fine motor skills and problem solving. I don't let him just space out and drool. We talk about what's going on and work on his speech and I take it away if he misbehaves or throws a tantrum. Video games can be magical worlds to explore, and as long as you pay attention and remain vigilant, I don't think they're the least bit harmful, at least the ones we play.