| In the old days, choosing a video game system for | | | | LEGO Star Wars (rated E) is available for the |
| children wasn't all that hard. After all, parents didn't | | | | GameCube, PS2 and Xbox; Activision's Madagascar |
| have to worry about games carried by systems like | | | | (rated E10+) is available on the same platforms, while |
| Atari (there was nothing threatening about Pac-Man or | | | | Global Star Software's Dora the Explorer (rated EC) is |
| Space Invaders). Today, however, with the proliferation | | | | available on the PS2 and Xbox, but not on the |
| of games with mature content available on games | | | | GameCube.What about parental control options? |
| supported by the major system manufacturers, | | | | Among the four systems, the Xbox and the Xbox |
| parents want to know which system carries the most | | | | 360 have the most efficient parental lock functions. |
| kid-friendly games, ones that the young ones will enjoy | | | | Parents are able to set limits on the games and films |
| and one that parents will not regret spending money | | | | to be played on the systems. If you set the system to |
| on.Let's start with the Sony PlayStation 2, the | | | | play only E-rated games, kids won't be able to play |
| best-selling game console on the market today. There | | | | DVD's or games that have Teen, Mature, or Adults |
| are literally thousands of titles available for this system, | | | | Only ratings. The GameCube also has a parental lock |
| which cater to every age range. There are | | | | feature, albeit a less effective one. Users note that all it |
| approximately 600 games for the PS2 that have the | | | | does is tone down certain effects that might be |
| "E" rating, meaning that it is suitable for players ages | | | | troubling for children (for example, the amount of blood |
| six and above. However, many of these games are | | | | seen in games) but do not block the playing of games |
| too complicated for young children to play. Games that | | | | at all. It doesn't even screen or bleep offensive |
| children ten years old and above can enjoy are rated | | | | language. The parental control function of the |
| E10+, while those that are rated EC (Early Childhood) | | | | PlayStation 2 is even worse -- it doesn't allow parents |
| are of course, suitable for the very young. The PS2 | | | | or anyone to restrict access to video games at all. |
| carries about a dozen E10+ games, including | | | | The most parents can do is to set the PS2 to prevent |
| movie-based titles like Shrek Super Slam for | | | | their kids from watching DVD movies with |
| PlayStation 2 and Chicken Little. EC titles that little ones | | | | inappropriate content.When it comes to price, the |
| can enjoy include Dora the Explorer: Journey to the | | | | GameCube comes out tops. Available for only $99, it's |
| Purple Planet, Eggo Mania and At the Races Presents | | | | significantly cheaper than the PlayStation 2 and Xbox, |
| Gallop Racer.Nintendo's GameCube console continues | | | | whose prices range from $150 to $199 (or more if |
| to be popular because it carries titles that are popular | | | | bundled with game titles). The Xbox 360, being the |
| with children. The Entertainment Software Rating | | | | newest of the bunch, is the highest-priced. For $299, |
| Board (ESRB) lists 263 video game titles rated E for | | | | you get the system and a wired controller. For $399, |
| the GameCube, and these include some of the most | | | | you get a wireless controller, a headset that players |
| popular and beloved among the children of today and | | | | can use to talk to other people online, a 20 GB hard |
| years past, such as Sega's Sonic GEMS Collection, | | | | drive that is loaded with game-related videos and |
| Nintendo's own Mario Party 6 and Mario Tennis. The | | | | music, and a remote.Parents should go out and try |
| Legend of Zelda series and several Pokemon titles | | | | each system personally as well as look at the different |
| are available exclusively on the GameCube as | | | | titles available for them before deciding which one to |
| well.Microsoft's Xbox and Xbox 360 video game | | | | buy. Factors such as number and age of users at |
| consoles likewise have many, many titles that are | | | | home, game title availability, and budget should also be |
| rated E; the Xbox with approximately 270 games and | | | | considered. Each system has its own pros and cons, |
| the Xbox 360 with so far about a dozen -- but count | | | | and families will differ in their preferences: some will be |
| on the number of Xbox 360 titles to increase since it's | | | | content with the limited but popular games of the |
| a new release. Some games published by Microsoft | | | | GameCube; some might prefer the wider offering of |
| exclusively for the Xbox and the Xbox 360 and which | | | | the PlayStation 2 or the Xbox; others might opt for the |
| have the E rating are Astropop and Feeding Frenzy. | | | | high-tech features of the Xbox 360. But all things |
| However, remember that most game publishers | | | | considered, making the right choice will provide hours |
| release crossover titles, or games that are available on | | | | of wholesome, fun, and worry-free entertainment for |
| multiple platforms. For instance, Eidos Interactive's | | | | the little ones and for their parents as well. |