25 replies to this topic

[Dastari Creel]

Now that I've got the 2600 up and running I want to introduce my 5-year-old to it. I want to know what everyone thinks that are the best games for someone of that age. Feel free to throw in hacks, homebrews, and protos (as long as they're complete) if you feel that they apply. I already know that she likes Pac-Man and Frogger on other platforms so she should like them on the 2600 as well (honestly at 5 I liked the 2600 Pac-Man as well and didn't realize its failures until I got older). She also likes Freeway which she played on this stand-alone Activision controller that plugs into the TV so I think that's a winner to get on the 2600 as well.

Please give any other ideas.

[bennybingo]

Texas Chainsaw Massacre?  

[atari2600land]

Grand Prix

[Syntaxerror999]

LOL Im in the same boat as you. First off I use a Sega Genesis controler because up and down are a little more clearer. My kid (4) likes Maze Craze, Outlaw, Combat (which is a little tough for him.) Video Olympics is another good choice, particularly the Basket Ball mode. Berzerk, Basic Math/Fun with numbers, Codebreaker, Pitfall, River Raid, Flag Capture are good choices for older kids. And you cant go wrong with Space Invaders and Ms Pac Man.

[sqoon]

Frostbite

[Random Terrain]

For people with children 5 and under, what kind of things do you think they would want to do on the screen? From what I have seen so far, little kids wanted instant response to their joystick movements and fire button presses, but they also wanted something happening on the screen when they weren't using the joystick. They also didn't like even a second of frustration or being made to wait for anything.

If you guys post what your kids would like to do on the screen, whether it's a game or a software 'toy,' I might be able to make a program or two for kids using batari Basic.

[littleman jack]

My two year old likes Pole Position a lot. He also like Moon Patrol, but prefers the explosions on the 8-bit version. And he likes Circus Atari, Off the Wall, Smurf and Congo Bongo.

So RT, if you can make a game where you drive around and around and make things explode, while monkeys or gorillas roam, that would be his favorite game.

Edited by littleman jack, Sat May 12, 2012 8:36 PM.

[snstay]

my 3 year old likes princess games. but on the 2600 she also digs freeway and her and my 10 year old like to play maze craze (and so do i).

[cvga]

My little guy likes Kaboom. The action starts off slow enough that he can catch quite a few bombs. He's pretty pleased each time he completes a level.

[roberto]

Games with a simple twitch type of mechanics should be the natural choice here.
I'd say Space Invaders and Kaboom seem like perfect fits here, possibly followed by maze chase games like Ms. Pac Man first and then Berzerk or Marauder once they mastered those.
Have fun with your kids!

[PitfallHarry2600]

Boxing, Fishing derby or Combat if you wanna play together.
Otherwise, there are some games with a special "Children mode" such as Warlords or Pac-Man.
I think she's gonna like Berzerk too. OH, AND PITFALL

That's all I'd recommend. But be careful when buying games. Your kid may find a copy of X-Man and he'd like to see Wolverine "in action" XD. No... just kidding.

[Inky]

Space invaders would be an excellent starting point.

[Liduario]

When I had 5 or 6 years I liked to play Smurf, Jungle Hunt, Pac-man, Grand Prix. Kangaroo and Keystone Carpers were good looking,more difficult but fun to play.

Pole Position and Enduro was a bit frustrating.

I didn't like Space Invaders and Berzerk, but my younger brother liked Berzerk very much.

Edited by Liduario, Sun May 13, 2012 7:13 AM.

[BigO]

Random Terrain, on Sat May 12, 2012 8:19 PM, said:

For people with children 5 and under, what kind of things do you think they would want to do on the screen? From what I have seen so far, little kids wanted instant response to their joystick movements and fire button presses, but they also wanted something happening on the screen when they weren't using the joystick. They also didn't like even a second of frustration or being made to wait for anything.

If you guys post what your kids would like to do on the screen, whether it's a game or a software 'toy,' I might be able to make a program or two for kids using batari Basic.

Based on other comments in this thread, I'm wondering if a "beginner" version of space invaders with fewer, larger invaders (read:easier to hit) might be of interest to the wee ones. Maybe when an invader is hit, there could be more visual indications on the screen like the background flashing different colors, more noises, etc.

[Random Terrain]

littleman jack, on Sat May 12, 2012 8:35 PM, said:

My two year old likes Pole Position a lot. He also like Moon Patrol, but prefers the explosions on the 8-bit version. And he likes Circus Atari, Off the Wall, Smurf and Congo Bongo.

So RT, if you can make a game where you drive around and around and make things explode, while monkeys or gorillas roam, that would be his favorite game.

Thanks for the ideas.

BigO, on Sun May 13, 2012 7:24 AM, said:

Based on other comments in this thread, I'm wondering if a "beginner" version of space invaders with fewer, larger invaders (read:easier to hit) might be of interest to the wee ones. Maybe when an invader is hit, there could be more visual indications on the screen like the background flashing different colors, more noises, etc.

Good idea. I'd never make the screen flash, though. I don't have epilepsy, but flashing screens hurt my eyes and I don't think it's good for people in general, even if they think it doesn't do any harm. Some programmers might think it's fun to try to give some players epileptic seizures, but I'd like to avoid that if I can.

[Animan]

Frogs and Flies! Such a laid back game with simple controls. I've yet to meet a soul who doesn't like this game.

[cvga]

Shark Shark for Intellivision is also fun for younger kids. Isn't Go Fish the Atari version?

[BigO]

Random Terrain, on Sun May 13, 2012 6:24 PM, said:

littleman jack, on Sat May 12, 2012 8:35 PM, said:

My two year old likes Pole Position a lot. He also like Moon Patrol, but prefers the explosions on the 8-bit version. And he likes Circus Atari, Off the Wall, Smurf and Congo Bongo.

So RT, if you can make a game where you drive around and around and make things explode, while monkeys or gorillas roam, that would be his favorite game.

Thanks for the ideas.

BigO, on Sun May 13, 2012 7:24 AM, said:

Based on other comments in this thread, I'm wondering if a "beginner" version of space invaders with fewer, larger invaders (read:easier to hit) might be of interest to the wee ones. Maybe when an invader is hit, there could be more visual indications on the screen like the background flashing different colors, more noises, etc.

Good idea. I'd never make the screen flash, though. I don't have epilepsy, but flashing screens hurt my eyes and I don't think it's good for people in general, even if they think it doesn't do any harm. Some programmers might think it's fun to try to give some players epileptic seizures, but I'd like to avoid that if I can.

Seriously, changing the background color two or three times in a second or two can induce an epileptic seizure?
Oh, wait, I see. You consulted an attorney before posting didn't you...

Okay, so you won't be flashing the children; probably a wise decision. Maybe if the game play is slower and fewer sprites are being drawn there'd be time to do a more elaborate "death scene" for each destroyed invader.

[Anthony John Morley]

My cousin used to play Smurf all the time as a little girl. I would suggest Smurf, Frostbite, Keystone Kapers

[Master Phruby]

My five year old has a mild case of CP so it makes it hard for him to play games with both hands. He likes games where he just moves the joystick with autofire running. Freeway, Pac-man, ms Pacman, Adventure and Space Invaders are some of his favorites. When he plays Mame, he uses my tank stick. Gauntlet, TMNT, Rampage and any shooter are his favorites. He is actually really good at E.T. He beats the game in less than five minutes most of the time.

Edited by Master Phruby, Mon May 14, 2012 8:33 AM.

[Master Phruby]

It's funny how a five year old raised on playing the 2600 can easily beat his 12 year old brother that is an expert on MW3 when playing Space Invaders or Freeway.

[Lucky Man]

These were my daughter's favorite 2600 games when she was about that age:

Smurf: Rescue in Gargamel’s Castle
Strawberry Shortcake: Musical Match-Ups
Grover’s Music Maker
Big Bird’s Egg Catch
Cookie Monster Munch
Oscar’s Trash Race
Alpha Beam with Ernie
A Game of Concentration
Pressure Cooker
Frogger
Ms. Pac-Man
Pigs in Space
Frogs and Flies
Lady Bug
Taz
Bowling
Holey Moley

[Dauber]

** trying hard not to suggest "Beat 'Em And Eat 'Em"...trying hard not to suggest "Beat 'Em And Eat 'Em"...trying hard not to suggest "Beat 'Em And Eat 'Em"...trying hard not to suggest "Beat 'Em And Eat 'Em"... **

[theloon]

I had no problem with Atari Adventure at that age.  See, most of us should have a crate of commons by now.  Give them the bin and let them pick which games to play.

Having to put back 103 carts will also teach them why emulators rock.

Edited by theloon, Tue May 15, 2012 8:08 AM.

[J. McDermott]

I babysat a 4 year old that loved the Fall Down homebrew. To my surprise, he managed to beat both his older brother and myself at it so it gets my recommendation!