Games for a 5 year old?

[kingdufus]

I just finished cleaning up a Vader that I rescued from the trash. Now I'd like to introduce my kids to a little old school gaming. Does anyone have suggestions for some games that are pretty easy to play for a 5 year old? I was thinking Fishing Derby, Breakout, and Video Pinball as some possibilities.

[iratanam]

I just finished cleaning up a Vader that I rescued from the trash. Now I'd like to introduce my kids to a little old school gaming. Does anyone have suggestions for some games that are pretty easy to play for a 5 year old? I was thinking Fishing Derby, Breakout, and Video Pinball as some possibilities.

 

Freeway is another one that a 5yr old can figure out quickly, also whats the name of that one frog game...Frogs & Flies or something along that line might be Intellivision, but I'm thinking there is a 2600 version of it also.

Edited September 18, 2008 by iratanam

[nathanallan]

Yes, there is a Frog'n'Flies for the 2600, and it's a good one for kids. Also pac-man (get the nice video cable), Frogger may be a bit of a stretch, but maybe; combat, donkey kong.

[aftermac]

Games such as...

 

Street Racer

Space War

Outlaw

Video Olympics

 

... might work well for a 5-year old.

 

Maybe even a simple shooter such as River Raid.

[Lucky Man]

These are my daughter's favorites...

 

 

Smurf: Rescue In Gargamel’s Castle

 

Strawberry Shortcake: Musical Matchups

 

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

 

Bowling

 

 

Also, she likes the homebrew, Lady Bug and really enjoys the Grover’s Music Maker prototype, if you can pick up a copy somewhere.

[MacbthPSW]

Yeah, Frogs & Flies is great for kids if you put it on the easy setting so the frog just jumps safely back and forth between the lily pads, and can't fall in the water.

 

Bowling is a surprisingly good game for younger kids.

 

In general, any game that requires very little joystick dexterity is a good choice. Pac-Man, Donkey Kong aren't very good choices to start with, imo. Berzerk is a bit better choice.

[n8littlefield]

My son loves Frogs & Flies and is actually pretty good at it - he's 4. Another favorite is Pole Position because it's basically steering left and right.

[+FujiSkunk]

If you're just worried about difficulty levels, remember that the Atari black-label or silver-label games with the teddy-bear logo offer easier variations intended for children. There are Asteroids, Defender, Pac-Man, Centipede, Ms. Pac-Man, Yars' Revenge, Missile Command, and many more.

 

I also think Video Pinball would make a good introduction. That's the very first Atari game I played, and I was 6 at the time.

Edited September 17, 2008 by skunkworx

[dangeraaron]

Jungle Hunt, Frogs n' Flies, and Atari Circus

Edited September 17, 2008 by dangeraaron

[monzamess]

When I was about 6, I liked these games: Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man, River Raid, Frogger, Street Racer (has a sort-of fun math lesson mode), Pitfall, and Asteroids. Pitfall was a little tough for me (stupid alligators) but the others I could play well enough to enjoy.

[Gregory DG]

My 5 year old son's favorite game is Outlaw... He also likes Centipede and Combat.

[Retro Rogue]

Bachelor Party and Custer's Revenge.

[Rik]

If you're not familiar,be carefull about some certain game suggestions here!i'm sure you dont want to give your 5 year old early sex education. Thumbs up for saving a Vader from the trash!!!!

Edited September 18, 2008 by Rik

[Nameko]

Breakout and Haunted House might be good choices, although I'm not sure about the difficulty as I haven't played them for a while and my TV is currently occupied.

[Retro Rogue]

Breakout and Haunted House might be good choices, although I'm not sure about the difficulty as I haven't played them for a while and my TV is currently occupied.

 

 

That's exactly what Bachelor Party is - a Breakout clone. Very easy and fun to play:

 

[iwan-iwanowitsch-goratschin]

Pigs in Space and Frogger!

[Math You]

Math Grand Prix, Fun with Numbers and Hangman.

Edited September 18, 2008 by Math You

[Thomas Jentzsch]

In general, any game that requires very little joystick dexterity is a good choice.

SWOOPS! - Cave1k ?

[maibock]

My 4 year old loves a good game of Adventure.. I have to help him out on how to navigate through the mazes.. The surprise of the dragons sends him into a nice laughing fit.. It's pretty entertaining..

 

Outlaw and Bowling are his second favorites..

[davepesc]

I recommend anything where the player can't "die." My kids both love Frogs 'n Flies, Ms. Pac-Man (on Kiddie setting), Freeway, Sorcerer's Apprentice, or anything we can play cooperatively.

 

They also love the music in Frogger, and they love Chopper Command and Laser Blast even though they can't survive 10 seconds in either.

 

 

 

Yeah, Frogs & Flies is great for kids if you put it on the easy setting so the frog just jumps safely back and forth between the lily pads, and can't fall in the water.

I didn't know there was a setting where you COULD fall in the water!

Edited September 19, 2008 by davepesc

[DarthCalvin]

My 5 and 3 year old love several of the ones mentioned as well as Kaboom and Barnstorming

[landsmarra]

Space Invaders was the first game I played on my 2600 at 14 years old. Basketball was the second.

 

Snoopy and the Red baron was fun too although that one may be a little tougher to find...as well as Sorcerer's Apprentice with Mickey Mouse.

[poker_plus]

My daughter digs:

 

The airplane one (Barnstorming)

The chicken one (Freeway)

The frogs one (Frogs and Flies)

[mos6507]

Ladybug is a good one. Maze games in general are good choices.

[Worst Poster Ever]

I'D GIVE YOUR KID ULTRAVISION'S KARATE, BUT THEN AGAIN, I HATE KIDS. TRY DODGE 'EM.