Should games have ages on them?

[cryptik76]

Most mainstream games really aren't appropriate for kids who can't read, anymore. We're a long way from the simple one-screen, one-fire-button kind of games that most of us here loved when we were younger (and many of us still do, or else we probably wouldn't be here at Atariage).

 

Really the only games you're probably safe buying for a child anymore are the games that you can tell right from the title and box art that it's going to be a kid game, like Spongebob or something. And usually those are asinine and have no challenge.

 

It's a shame that there aren't more games that are specifically designed for kids but that actually have some challenge or fun to them (and doesn't patronize them... ie: "Which one is the circle?" and then it highlights the circle so the kid can't possibly make a mistake unless he or she has no hand-eye coordination), but as the target audience of video games gets older, the games also get more complex.

 

My recommendation would be to find games that use simpler controls and not a lot of text. Like an arcade compilation (Midway Arcade Treasures might fit the bill, except it has the gory Smash TV on it) or Kirby's Air Ride, which apparently only uses the d-pad and the A button for controls.

[Gregory DG]

It's a shame that there aren't more games that are specifically designed for kids but that actually have some challenge or fun to them

 

Pretty much what I was thinking. It seems as if the games themselves have been targeted for a more mature audience each successive year of existence. For example, I think Atari is good for everyone, including kids less than 3. NES was great for kids 5 and up. I wouldn't recommend anyone under 8 play games from the current generation.

 

They just don't design games for kids less than 8 years old anymore....

[Sharky]

 

They just don't design games for kids less than 8 years old anymore....  

 

I agree, I wouldnt exactly know of a modern game to put on to keep an 8 year old entertained anymore.

 

 

Only things come to my mind our very old games...

 

 

Pac-man ?