GBA games for old men

[fishsandwich]

Hello all...

My father turns 80 this year (I was a late baby) and I'd like to get his something along with the 21 year old bottle of scotch I generally get him. He's had surgery after surgery for heart desease and lung cancer, and he has diabetes. He's a tough old bird, and I hope he stays with me on this earth for years to come, but I want to do something special for his birthday in case he's not around much longer.

My nephew got a GBA for Christmas last year, and my father seemed facinated by it and even went out looking at them. He plays solitaire by the hour on his PC, and I've seen several of those cheap solitare and card handhelds near the john from time to time.

I think he'd like the GBA, but I don't have one and I don't know what to get him.

Solitare (was there GGA version or just a GBC) and some card games are obvious choices, but I don't know what else to get him. I'd like to expand his mind beyond what he's already played.

Keep in mind that the man has never played a console game in his life. Is a Mario game too much for him? A racing game? How about a stategy game like Advance Wars? Do you think he'd like DOOM or an isometric action game? Dare I try an RPG? I love my father a great deal, but I've always found him a bit intimidating (though not so much as when I was young.) I honestly have no idea what kind of games old men like.

Any suggestions? Anyone here with an old Dad or Uncle who likes his GBA? Anyone of you guys on here actually 80?

:popcorn:

[Drexel923]

They have Ultimate Card Games for the GBA:

http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=160431

[I Am Humanoid]

How about Scrabble for GBA?

I think that would a good recommendation

if he's into board games and such.

[GunPanther]

Hello all...

My father turns 80 this year (I was a late baby) and I'd like to get his something along with the 21 year old bottle of scotch I generally get him. He's had surgery after surgery for heart desease and lung cancer, and he has diabetes. He's a tough old bird, and I hope he stays with me on this earth for years to come, but I want to do something special for his birthday in case he's not around much longer.

My nephew got a GBA for Christmas last year, and my father seemed facinated by it and even went out looking at them. He plays solitaire by the hour on his PC, and I've seen several of those cheap solitare and card handhelds near the john from time to time.

I think he'd like the GBA, but I don't have one and I don't know what to get him.

Solitare (was there GGA version or just a GBC) and some card games are obvious choices, but I don't know what else to get him. I'd like to expand his mind beyond what he's already played.

Keep in mind that the man has never played a console game in his life. Is a Mario game too much for him? A racing game? How about a stategy game like Advance Wars? Do you think he'd like DOOM or an isometric action game? Dare I try an RPG? I love my father a great deal, but I've always found him a bit intimidating (though not so much as when I was young.) I honestly have no idea what kind of games old men like.

Any suggestions? Anyone here with an old Dad or Uncle who likes his GBA? Anyone of you guys on here actually 80?

:popcorn:


You know, that's very cool that your Dad is still with you, especially after being through so much. I'm very sure that with a loving son such as yourself, he will definitely be around for years to come. :)

Anyway, try to get a feel as for what he might like to play besides card based games.

Since it's a GBA, make sure you get him an SP (that frontlight feature makes a huge difference) along with some (optional) grip enhancers so he can play them comfortably, especially if he has bigger hands.

RPGs may be too time consuming and are probably a bit confusing at times, especially for most casual players, but if you think he's going to like the idea of being able to build characters from the ground up and actually 'grow' with them, then by all means, let him have a shot at an RPG.

Action platformer games require lots of dexterity (in terms of hand based actions) so unless you think he's going to be really good at manipulating a cross pad, 3-4 buttons and possibly 2 L/R shoulder buttons, you might want to avoid these games.

Some puzzle games may be a little fast, especially when they're along the lines of those 'falling piece' puzzlers like "Tetris" or "Dr. Mario", but there are some games out there that he would probably enjoy. "Bust A Move" is a good title that comes to mind. If you're also inclined to have him play some regular classic GameBoy Games, then I'd also recommend "Daedalian Opus" which is an excellent puzzle game that challenges not just the logic but also the patience of the player.


If you really want to give him something that will be unique, you could get him a GBA "Flash Cart" which will allow you to run emulators on the GBA.

In particular, you would run an NES game emulator on the GBA and choose the following ROM games for him to play:


Casino Kid
Casino Kid 2
Hot Slots (adults only!)
Peek-a-Boo Poker (adults only!)


Let me think about some other GBA, GBC or GB games that would probably suit your Dad.





:rockets: GunPanther :2gunfire:

[ubikuberalles]

I recommend Brain games. It's got backgammon, chess, checkers, four-in-a-row and more. The computer opponent is darn good too and I think your dad will find it really challenging.

[Goodwill Hunter]

I'd recommend anything turn-based (no twitch reflexes required) and anything that he is already familar with (don't have to learn the rules, or read a manual). Card games, board games, casino games, etc.

Lots of turn based games for regular and color gameboy in addition to GBA titles (4-in-1 funpacks, etc.)...not the stellar graphics of the new stuff, but I bet he's not as adverse to Black and White as some of us are. Good luck and nice idea, best wishes to your Dad.

Rich

[SoulBlazer]

Okay, I want to say I agree with the above choices and the Mario games are good ones to get as well as a pinball game.....

But what I really want to know is what the HELL is that avatar from GH and can he please get rid of it so it does'nt freak me out anymore?!? :P X_x

[Kilik Kurosawa]

Okay, I want to say I agree with the above choices and the Mario games are good ones to get as well as a pinball game.....

But what I really want to know is what the HELL is that avatar from GH and can he please get rid of it so it does'nt freak me out anymore?!? :P X_x

i think his title should be changed to "hungry? why wait?"


Back on topic: There is also an add-on to the GBA that allows you to check your blood sugar, although i don't remember what is called. Also there is a Texas Hold'em fame that is pretty cheap and fun to play.

[suppafly]

They have Ultimate Card Games for the GBA:

http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=160431

I cant recommend this game enough. It was over 50 variants of card games, including casino games: texas hold em, and lots of different types of solitaire games.

This game KICKS ASS! And 2 players can play with ONE game, using the cable...

[fishsandwich]

They have Ultimate Card Games for the GBA:

http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=160431

Thanks everybody for the suggestions...

I am going to get him the game mentioned in this post... it looks to be right up his alley.

I also have a copy of Klonoa that I have in my trade bait... its seems like a simple, straight-forward platformer. I'll give him that, soo.

I am going to get a copy of DOOM or Duke Nukem.

F-Zero also goes (that's for me more than him ;) )

Can anyone suggest a strategy game in the vein of Shining Force of Advance Wars that's SIMPLE?

Thanks!

:D

[SirDrexl]

My dad didn't play that many games, but in the last few years of his life he would play the Monopoly game for N64 all the time. Is the GBA version any good?

[Tatsu]

Bust-A-Move was the first game that came to my mind after reading your post. It's a good puzzler that doesn't gets too fast.

I don't know if he can handle an RPG, as somebody said above they can be tricky and they need a lot of time. But if you wanna try one then go for Final Fantasy - Dawn Of Souls. It has a turn based fighting system and the difficulty level is set very low. Maybe give him a printed out Walkthrough from the internet with it so he can look things up if he doesn't know where to go or what to do. I think Dawn Of Soul is a good game to start when you want to bring somebody into RPGs.

[SoulBlazer]

Good idea, had'nt thought of that. Final Fantasy - Dawn of Souls is just a remake of classic Final Fantasy 1 and 2, games that originaly came out in 1987 and 1988. Due to their age, they are 'simple' RPG's compared to modern ones, but also very good games to start someone out on who has'nt played a RPG before. Some of the battles can be tough, but if you buy him the Prima or Nintendo hint book to go with the game, it will allow your Dad the chance to see if he likes the game or not. And with the extra stuff added on to both games, both of them will take a LONG time to complete.

[fishsandwich]

<posted to this older topic>

My old man (also known as my father) turns 80 this year and loves to play Solitaire on his PC as well as various cheap one-game handhelds whilst sitting on the john.

I have often wanted to introduce him to a higher level of gaming, but I just didn't think he was interested.

This Christmas, my 6 year old nephew got a GBA and some games. To my surprise, my father was completely facinated with it. He even went out looking for one. Too bad he's cheap and all the used GBA's were sold out at Christmas... he wasn't willing to pay $80 for a new GBA with no games.

This Easter, he pointedly asked my nephew if he brought his GBA with him to visit (he had not.)

I decided last week to get my dear old Dad (who is not in the best of health) a GBA just for the hell of it. His birthday isn't until October... I'd just wrap it and a few games in a box and mail it out. I wish I could be there when he opens up the surprise package.

Anyway, used GBA's cost $60 at the local game stores, and that's with no games. All the cheap games I've seen are crap. I looked on Ebay, but a decent package with a few decent games still commands over $120, not including shipping.

I decided to try Craigs List. For those who don't know, Craigs List is a website that started out as a local thing in California and has now spread all over the country. You can go to the site and then find your specific area and make a post about absolutely anything, whether it be jobs (both available and wanted), yard sales, personal rants, various discussion forums, and personal friends/romance/hook-up ads for just about anyone with any taste (some are quite sincere, some are for hookers, some are flat-out vulgar. Hilarious!) You can also post almost anything for sale- no fees. Seller and buyer beware!

I did a seach for a GBA SP. I saw about 6 posts from the same guy. He had a supposedly mint GBA SP plus 5 games and a carrying case for $150. Then $125. Then $100. Then $80. Then $60. His last post was about 10 days ago. I called and left a message. He called back a few hours later. Seems it was still available. We made arrangements for me to drive to his place of work today and pick it up.

It took me 10 minutes to drive there. He pulls out a minty-mint GBA in a cool carrying case with an AC cord and 5 games, all with instructions. I got the new Zelda Minnish Cap game, Sonic 3, Tony Hawk's Underground, Need For Speed Underground, and Donkey Kong (the classic one). Final price: $60. He was a very nice guy, and he had obviously taken care of his GBA before upgrading to a PSP.

On the way home, I picked up a new Tetris Worlds for $15, a new Rock 'N Roll racing for $13, and loose carts of Iridian 3-D and Agassi Tennis for about $4 each.

I then got online and bought a card game compilation that several members recommended ($30, dammit) and the newest F-Zero NEW for $10 (EB games has a sale on it, folks... it's cheaper new than used, and it's cheaper than the first F-Zero game!) I used a coupon code for 15% off, used my EB card for another 10% off, then used the coupon code for free shipping. I got Dad's 2 new GBA games and 6 SNES games (all crap, but what the hell) for me for less than $60.

I figure Dad will love the card games and he can't help but love Tetris (I almost got Puzzle Fighter, but it cost twice as much and the combo system might be too much for him.)

We'll see what he thinks of the new games... I plan on telling him that I bought F-Zero and Rock 'N Roll Racing because I loved them on the SNES and that I want him to play what I used to love to play. We'll see if he likes Sonic, NFSU, or Tony Hawk. I'm really interested to to how he responds to the new Zelda game. Iridian and the tennis game are just extras.

80 year old men and Game Boys. Who'd have thought? :D

[Daria]

I don't think strategy games get any simplier then Shining Force.

[Teo]

I can't really relate, my 80yr old Grandfather gave me bewildered looks for playing tetris on a gameboy pocket. On the other hand My other Grandfather had a NES with games like pinball quest, Ultima, and Golgo 13. IT takes all types so I wouldn't really say it's fair to limit what games by someone's age other than for example taken into account somoene extraordinarily young.

[fishsandwich]

I can't really relate, my 80yr old Grandfather gave me bewildered looks for playing tetris on a gameboy pocket. On the other hand My other Grandfather had a NES with games like pinball quest, Ultima, and Golgo 13. IT takes all types so I wouldn't really say it's fair to limit what games by someone's age other than for example taken into account somoene extraordinarily young.

Well, he's getting a pretty big sampling of games. I thought about getting a first-person shooter like DOOM, but he's getting a bunch of stuff already and sometimes if you get too much you end up not appreciating any of the games fully because you have too much to choose from (in my experience, anyway.)

Ultimate Card Games (his possible favorite)
Tetris Worlds (his possible 2nd favorite)
Rock N' Roll Racing (my favorite, along with F-Zero)
F-Zero (the new one... on sale at ebgames.com for $10!)
Zelda Minnish Cap
Sonic 3
Tony Hawk's Underground
Need For Speed Underground
Donkey Kong (the classic one)
Iridian 3-D
Agassi Tennis

:D