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