| Buying video games for a kid's birthday or | | | | skateboarding game or racing game. Or do they |
| Christmas can be challenging. All the different | | | | really like a particular movie? Most major movies |
| systems and games can be intimidating for | | | | have a related video game you can buy. |
| anyone who doesn't play video games | | | | Rating- Is the game appropriate for the kid? Now |
| themselves. Luckily, the decision doesn't have to | | | | you have honed in on the games you might want |
| be overwhelming if you keep four things in mind. | | | | to buy but you have to be sure they are |
| System. Genre. Rating, and Reviews. | | | | appropriate. Video games have a rating system |
| System - What system should you buy a game | | | | like movies, with E, E10, T, and M standing for |
| for? Games are made to work on one specific | | | | Everyone, Everyone over 10, Teens, and Mature. |
| system so you need to be sure you are buying | | | | If the child is seven, but sure the game you |
| the game for the correct system. Ask the kid or | | | | choose is not rated Mature or more than likely |
| their parents what system they own. The main | | | | the parents won't be too happy. |
| choices are: Playstation 2, Xbox, Gamecube, | | | | Reviews- Is the game any good? Just like |
| Nintendo DS, Gameboy Advance, Wii, Playstation | | | | movies, some video games are well made and |
| 3, Xbox 360, and PSP. Many kids own multiple | | | | fun and others are not. You want to be sure you |
| systems too, so be sure you know which one | | | | don't buy little Tommy a car racing game that is |
| they want a game for. They might own a | | | | so bad it doesn't matter how much he likes cars |
| system but never play with it anymore. | | | | he is still not going to dislike the game. The best |
| Genre - What kind of game should I buy? Now | | | | place to find reviews is online. You can go |
| that you have narrowed down your search to | | | | gamerankings and see all the reviews available for |
| the right system, you have to choose the genre | | | | a game. They provide a percentage score and as |
| of game you will buy. The best way to do this is | | | | long as the game above 60% you can be sure it |
| use what you know about the child. Do they play | | | | will be good enough for a present. |
| soccer? Buy a soccer game. Love watching | | | | Keep these four things in mind when shopping; |
| football? Buy a football game. Do they skateboard | | | | System, Genre, Rating, and Reviews. |
| or are they obsessed with cars? Buy a | | | | |