Buying the Best Video Gaming System for Your Teen

Are you planning on buying a video game system? Are you sure you are buying the right one? What would your teen be happiest with? A review of the best gaming systems by a teen that has played them all! Here is the guide that will help you have your needs accommodated when buying a system - a review of video game systems from A-Z. Here is a list of modern video game systems made in the past few decades:

Atari

For you oldies out there, do you remember Atari? Bring back any memories of Asteroids or Moon Patrol? If you want to bring back these memories, you can get the original video game system.

Nintendo

This is the original system made by Nintendo. This is where most of the original games originated from. If you want to see where it all started, little cubes instead of pigments and all, get this system!

Super Nintendo

This was basically just the more advanced version of Nintendo. This is generally true for all systems from the same company - the later they come out, the more advanced they will be. It is harder to break, has better graphics, has more game play for most of the games because the cartridges can hold more information, and has different types of controllers such as the Duck Hunt gun and the telescope. It also has some classic games that have been adapted for Gameboy (see below) including Donkey Kong Country and Super Mario Brothers.

Nintendo 64

This I believe is the ultimate Nintendo system. It brings back memories of the original Nintendo, the same way Super Nintendo does, while at the same time making them better than ever before. Take a game like Zelda. Anyone that likes RPG games loves Zelda. When Zelda 64: Ocarina of Time came out on Nintendo 64, the world raved at what a great game it was. Super Mario 64 didn't get any different results. It would be worth it to buy this system for either one of these games on its own, yet there are lots of multiplayer games that are lots of fun as well. My #1 recommendation on multiplayer games would be Mario Kart 64. No matter what your interest, if you are a Nintendo fan, the N64 is for you, it offers great game play and many options to play with.

Game Cube

This is a (child-like and) more updated version of the Nintendo 64. It does not offer the other advanced features (like DVD players) of systems like X-Box and PS2 which came out at the same time. It offers some decent games (like Super Smash Brothers Melee,) however, they were more often updates from Nintendo 64 and not always as good as the previous counterpart.

Gameboy

There are lots of different Gameboy systems. The point is that it is something you can carry around with you anywhere you go and you don't have to plug it into any wall or anything like that. Sure there was a Gameboy pocket made, but seriously, how helpful was that? You could carry around the original Gameboy in your pocket without a problem. However, if you are interested in having some color put in your games, you can get a Gameboy Color to spice things up a bit.

Sega Genesis

The first successful line from Sega. It was one of the more advanced systems of the time and came with great games like Sonic. The controllers were slightly unwieldy but it has very good game play and was a major competitor of Nintendo's Super Nintendo and Sega Saturn.

Sega Saturn

The second in the line from Sega. It offered better graphics and nothing else significantly different from the Sega Genesis. It also had games from Sonic but since the gameplay was not enhanced as it was on the other gaming systems, it was the end of line.

Playstation

The first in the line of the all-mighty Playstation series. This system offers amazing game play, the best of its time (even better than the Genesis - - but it came out later) and it offered a whole bunch of games and the controls were excellent. With such memorable games as Metal Gear and Final Fantasy the Playstation brand is one of the best.

Playstation 2

The second in the line that offered enhanced graphics, DVD-playing capabilities and even more oodles of games. In addition to those that were mentioned in the Playstation category, Playstation 2 has Dance, Dance revolution. It is a great game which is interactive dancing based on a pad. The only successful system launched among the X-Box and the Nintendo Game Cube.

PSP

A new competitor for the once sole Game Boy. It offers some great games including PQ: Practical Intelligence Quotient. It offers very similar game play to the Nintendo Game Boy but its possible that the graphics are a little better. It depends on who you ask.

X-Box

The X-Box came out with much fanfare and an almost immediate flop. There were not enough games for the system when it came out and the extra capabilities cost extra. It was too similar to Play Station as it had no games of its own (for the most part) that distinguished the brand. There was however, 1 game that I would be _______ to not have mentioned, Halo 2. Halo 2 is the ultimate first-person shooter games, as computers always have had the best first-person shooters. This was a game that matched the calibur of Doom (One of the greatest first-person shooters for a computer) in quality. If you were interested in getting a computer just because of the gaming and the DVD player, but didn't want to pay 1 grand for it, then get an X-Box!!

X-Box 360

The X-Box 360 is a new system that just came out in 2005. The system offers a few more games, better graphics and design but it does not seem that it will do any better than the X-Box. People are waiting with bated breath for the Playstation successor (Playstation 3) rather than spending their money on what is now a scarce X-Box 360 market.

So there you have it, a review of the best and worst systems for teens. There are the Nintendo systems, the Playstations, and the Microsoft systems. They all have their strengths and their weaknesses, you should really consider talking to your teen if you want to buy one for your teen. If they want an older system try ebay.com and for the ones that are coming out try a toy store near you! Good gaming everyone.