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Choosing A Video Game System: Which One Is Best For Kids?

In the old days, choosing a video game system for children wasn't all that hard. After all, parents didn't have to worry about games carried by systems like Atari (there was nothing threatening about Pac-Man or Space Invaders). Today, however, with the proliferation of games with mature content available on games supported by the major system manufacturers, parents want to know which system carries the most kid-friendly games, ones that the young ones will enjoy and one that parents will not regret spending money on.

Let's start with the Sony PlayStation 2, the best-selling game console on the market today. There are literally thousands of titles available for this system, which cater to every age range. There are approximately 600 games for the PS2 that have the "E" rating, meaning that it is suitable for players ages six and above. However, many of these games are too complicated for young children to play. Games that children ten years old and above can enjoy are rated E10+, while those that are rated EC (Early Childhood) are of course, suitable for the very young. The PS2 carries about a dozen E10+ games, including movie-based titles like Shrek Super Slam for PlayStation 2 and Chicken Little. EC titles that little ones can enjoy include Dora the Explorer: Journey to the Purple Planet, Eggo Mania and At the Races Presents Gallop Racer.

Nintendo's GameCube console continues to be popular because it carries titles that are popular with children. The Entertainment software rating Board (ESRB) lists 263 video game titles rated E for the GameCube, and these include some of the most popular and beloved among the children of today and years past, such as Sega's Sonic GEMS Collection, Nintendo's own Mario Party 6 and Mario Tennis. The legend of Zelda series and several Pokemon titles are available exclusively on the GameCube as well.

Microsoft's xbox and xbox 360 video game consoles likewise have many, many titles that are rated E; the xbox with approximately 270 games and the xbox 360 with so far about a dozen -- but count on the number of Xbox 360 titles to increase since it's a new release. Some games published by Microsoft exclusively for the xbox and the xbox 360 and which have the E rating are Astropop and Feeding Frenzy. However, remember that most game publishers release crossover titles, or games that are available on multiple platforms. For instance, Eidos Interactive's LEGO Star Wars (rated E) is available for the GameCube, PS2 and xbox; Activision's Madagascar (rated E10+) is available on the same platforms, while Global Star Software's Dora the Explorer (rated EC) is available on the PS2 and xbox, but not on the GameCube.

What about parental control options? Among the four systems, the xbox and the xbox 360 have the most efficient parental lock functions. Parents are able to set limits on the games and films to be played on the systems. If you set the system to play only E-rated games, kids won't be able to play DVD's or games that have Teen, Mature, or Adults Only ratings. The GameCube also has a parental lock feature, albeit a less effective one. Users note that all it does is tone down certain effects that might be troubling for children (for example, the amount of blood seen in games) but do not block the playing of games at all. It doesn't even screen or bleep offensive language. The parental control function of the PlayStation 2 is even worse -- it doesn't allow parents or anyone to restrict access to video games at all. The most parents can do is to set the PS2 to prevent their kids from watching dvd movies with inappropriate content.

When it comes to price, the GameCube comes out tops. Available for only $99, it's significantly cheaper than the PlayStation 2 and xbox, whose prices range from $150 to $199 (or more if bundled with game titles). The xbox 360, being the newest of the bunch, is the highest-priced. For $299, you get the system and a wired controller. For $399, you get a wireless controller, a headset that players can use to talk to other people online, a 20 GB hard drive that is loaded with game-related videos and music, and a remote.

Parents should go out and try each system personally as well as look at the different titles available for them before deciding which one to buy. Factors such as number and age of users at home, game title availability, and budget should also be considered. Each system has its own pros and cons, and families will differ in their preferences: some will be content with the limited but popular games of the GameCube; some might prefer the wider offering of the PlayStation 2 or the xbox; others might opt for the high-tech features of the xbox 360. But all things considered, making the right choice will provide hours of wholesome, fun, and worry-free entertainment for the little ones and for their parents as well.

Mark Robbins is a gamer providing valuable tips and advice on video game systems, game cheats, and giving new game reviews. http://www.official-game-cheats.com.

posted by 1920 @ 6:06 PM 0 comments

Backyard Home Design - Outdoor Ponds Add Intrigue To A Landscape

One water feature growing in popularity is the backyard pond. It is not uncommon today the find a well cared for lawn and a small pond to add some landscape design intrigue. Not only are these ponds a great addition to the backyard visually, but also can sooth the senses and be filled year round with plant and animal life.

The biggest obstacle many new comers to water gardening or ponds face is keeping the pond clean and clear. If a pond in not designed correctly or taken care of properly in can quickly become a smelly, ugly eyesore people do not want to get near.

As in most things in life a garden pond needs balance creating an ecosystem as close to natural as possible. When done this way, the pond can be enjoyed much more as the pond cleans itself.

Excessive algae growth is one of the biggest causes of a pond failure. Without enough plants or animals to keep everything in natural balance, algae will begin to growth out of control. This murky, stagnant and usually bad smelling pond makes a great home and breeding ground for mosquitoes and other bugs creating a pond of frustration.

Controlling algae growth is a matter of using specific types of plants in your pond to help keep balance. algae is a plant and needs sun to thrive, one way to help keep algae under control is to place water plants like water lilies in your pond which float on the surface. This helps block sunlight for the algae below in the water. Water lilies are the most popular of the surface floating plants that help block the sunlight from encouraging algae growth. Water lilies also have some very beautiful flowers as well, not floating leaves only!

fish is another item to include in your pond. fish love to nibble away on algae and helps keep its growing from getting out of control. Cleaning debris like dropped leaves and decaying matter from your pond is another way to control algae growth. Planting or placing plants in or around the edge of the pond can help keep debris from blowing in. Anyway to starve the algae stopping it from growing is the purpose.

Plants around the outside edge of the pond will help create a larger ecosystem. In turn this can attract a variety of wildlife like birds, squirrels, frogs and other wildlife will naturally help with pest control and help keep the pond clean and beautiful.

Thomas Fryd over at http://www.plant-care.com offers ideas on pool plants and gives some tips and ideas on pool landscaping to increase and add entertainment value to a home pool or deck area.

posted by 1920 @ 9:45 AM 0 comments