Gaming "Curriculum" for my future gamers...

[kevates]

My wife and I are expecting Twins in March.

I would like them to be well-schooled in gaming and have a deep appreciation for the classics. It would be sad for me if their experience with gaming started with the Wii or the Playstation 3 (not that I could afford it with twins on the way anyway).

I need your help and advice to develop a list of console and arcade games from Computer Space on up.

What are the "must play" games that would help them develop gaming skills, an appreciation of the classics, and a true understanding of gaming culture and history.

What categories make up the best curriculum? And what games are must plays in those categories?

Should it be separated by eras (8-bit, 16-vit, etc) or genres (shooters, RPGs, etc)?

When should the training begin and what is appropriate at what age?

Are there books and magazines that should be included??

This could also be a great help as far as orienting anyone who is new to gaming.

Let me know what you think.

Kevin

[thefireflowermario]

Possibly tetris because its the most simple game for starters.

[Chakan]

First thing's first: Be very careful of what you play around your soon-to-be-infants. Those guys pick up so much bad behaviour and language from all sorts of entertainment. You may be desensitized to all forms of vulgarity, but I'm sure you won't be pleased when your toddler starts talking about bitches, karate chopping your guests, or luring hookers into cabs with the intentions of scoring big and murdering them.

Obvious for anyone who thinks about it for even a second, but even harder to practice diligently when they're shoved up your wazoo 28/7.


What I'd recommend for smaller kids is some casual play on a cheap handheld game. A puzzle game with colors, sounds and shapes is very good. Tetris works great here... but so would Simon.

As they grow up a bit more and start getting favorite TV shows, look for liscenced stuff that controls well. It may look like rehashed crap to you, but that toddler sees OMFG DORA THE EXPLORER GAME!!!

Funny note: Our 4-yr-old, who loves his GBA Dora game, started crying last night because Shinobi III was too hard for him. Get used to this, and then even more used to being handed the controller for assistance. Every hour of every day.

Eventually, as they hit 5 or so, some older console games might be the ticket. Bonk, Mario, Sonic, Zelda, etc. Nothing I can vouch for from experience at this stage, but we can all remember what captured our hearts. Look for something similar.


Just don't forget that all kids develop differently. Be a good parent and know what you're exposing your child to from first-hand knowledge, then let how much fun they're having be a good guide. It's a blast to experiment with your old favorites and almost always a good bonding experience.

Man, I intended for this post to be like four lines when I hit Reply. So tired. ; ;

[Steven]

Obvious for anyone who thinks about it for even a second, but even harder to practice diligently when they're shoved up your wazoo 28/7.

Man, I intended for this post to be like four lines when I hit Reply. So tired. ; ;

Chakan, when YOUR DAYS are 28 hours long, I'm not surprise. ;)

[cyberfluxor]

First thing's first: Be very careful of what you play around your soon-to-be-infants. Those guys pick up so much bad behaviour and language from all sorts of entertainment. You may be desensitized to all forms of vulgarity, but I'm sure you won't be pleased when your toddler starts talking about bitches, karate chopping your guests, or luring hookers into cabs with the intentions of scoring big and murdering them.


LOL I just pictured that. If your toddlers are talking all that smack I'd have to see it! (Man am I desensitized) ;)


Be sure to show them some educational games as well to keep them on track with school and look cool (Hey, it rhymed). Some good games for those are Peppers Adventure in Time, Magic Schoolbus, and Incredible Machine to name a very few.

[Chakan]

Obvious for anyone who thinks about it for even a second, but even harder to practice diligently when they're shoved up your wazoo 28/7.

Man, I intended for this post to be like four lines when I hit Reply. So tired. ; ;

Chakan, when YOUR DAYS are 28 hours long, I'm not surprise. ;)

Was actually intentional. Wanted to illustrate how often they'd be coming up to you.

[dreamcaster]

Y'see, on the one hand - I think that the type of games a young child plays should be monitored.

But by the same token, I wasn't given any such supervision - and it was up to me entirely to decide what I did and didn't play.

At age 4 I got a PC and I played mostly Tetris, SimCity, Captain Comic, F-15 Strike Eagle II and a plethora of 70's arcade game re-hashes/rip-offs (e.g. PacGirl, Moon Lander etc.). Oh, and some Math Blaster.

But by the same token, I was exposed to Wolfenstein 3D, Street Fighter (and later Mortal Kombat) and developed into the person I am no worse for wear.

But I look at my younger brother, and he's a completely different story. There's not a chance in hell I would've let him touch an FPS or gory 2D fighter when he was my age. Hell, I only just think he's ready for it now (aged 12).

I guess it's dependant on the child, as everyone is unique - and what might be okay for one child - may not be for another.

Probably the only forgone conclusions are: no GTA. LOL

But yeah, I'd say Tetris (or similar puzzler: e.g. Dr. Mario) and any basic 2D platformer would be a great start.

Hell, some 70's classics wouldn't go amiss either. Pac-Man would definitely by on my child's 'gaming curriculum'. :)

[kevates]

Ok, my coming twins... this is going in a direction I had not intended

say I have a non-gamer and I want to turn him or her into a hardcore gamer...

what are the essential games they would need to master to both have the skill and have the depth of experience needed... 8-bit era, 16-bit era, 32-bit era, etc.

what movies and literature should the person become familiar with in addition...

your suggestions are appreciated.

[kevates]

I meant to say "forget my upcoming twins" at the top of the last post.

[badinsults]

They probably won't even be able to play games until they are 2 or so, you have lots of time to plan.

Always go for some SMB1 on the NES. That was the first game I ever played.

[boatofcar]

I'm probably gonna get flamed for this, but there are a lot more developmentally appropriate activities for children age 1-4 to partake in than video games.

[theshizzle3000]

I'm probably gonna get flamed for this, but there are a lot more developmentally appropriate activities for children age 1-4 to partake in than video games.

I actually agree a lot on this. I know for a fact that video games can help build motor reflexes but to many can make them not well educated but instead over educated. I would however recommend starting them off listening to the music if you want to go in the gaming direction there are plenty of rpg's who music is suttle enough for a babies ears. Just a suggestion though.

[Fighter17]

Puzzle games is a great start for newborns. Tetris is a MUST at two years old. Let your children play the game so they can figure out how the game works at two. If they say that they're going it correctly but in real life they're not, LET THEM KNOW. Once they master the game (most likely at three), show them other puzzle games. Sega's Columns and Atari Games Klax are two great games after Tetris. Once your children master those, show them Vs. Puzzle games like Puyo Puyo and Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo.

Once your children master puzzle games at around five, show them the Marios, Sonics, Shinobi's, and othe good hard plantformers + 2D fighters. This is also the time to show them Contra, and other good run 'n gun games. Also at five show them shoot 'em ups like Gradius, Fire Shark, and etc. If your children love shmups and master all the old-school ones, show them the manic ones like DoDonPachi and etc. At around eight-ten is when you show them the polygon based games and RPGs.

Word of advice, never buy your children any shitty TV or movie-based video games, because that's how kids want easier games now and days.

If they complain that they can't beat the game, keep forcing them to play it until they beat it, trust me on this one.


These facts made me a old-school gamer for me.

[boatofcar]

Puzzle games is a great start for newborns. Tetris is a MUST at two years old. Let your children play the game so they can figure out how the game works at two. If they say that they're going it correctly but in real life they're not, LET THEM KNOW. Once they master the game (most likely at three), show them other puzzle games. Sega's Columns and Atari Games Klax are two great games after Tetris. Once your children master those, show them Vs. Puzzle games like Puyo Puyo and Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo.

Once your children master puzzle games at around five, show them the Marios, Sonics, Shinobi's, and othe good hard plantformers + 2D fighters. This is also the time to show them Contra, and other good run 'n gun games. Also at five show them shoot 'em ups like Gradius, Fire Shark, and etc. If your children love shmups and master all the old-school ones, show them the manic ones like DoDonPachi and etc. At around eight-ten is when you show them the polygon based games and RPGs.

Word of advice, never buy your children any shitty TV or movie-based video games, because that's how kids want easier games now and days.

If they complain that they can't beat the game, keep forcing them to play it until they beat it, trust me on this one.


These facts made me a old-school gamer for me.

In light of these events, maybe you should have been given a grammar book. :roll:

Tetris is a must at two years old? Christ, children don't even have enough fine motor control to hold a gamepad at two, let alone be able to comprehend what is going on on the screen.

[iamchris]

Puzzle games is a great start for newborns. Tetris is a MUST at two years old. Let your children play the game so they can figure out how the game works at two. If they say that they're going it correctly but in real life they're not, LET THEM KNOW. Once they master the game (most likely at three), show them other puzzle games. Sega's Columns and Atari Games Klax are two great games after Tetris. Once your children master those, show them Vs. Puzzle games like Puyo Puyo and Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo.

Once your children master puzzle games at around five, show them the Marios, Sonics, Shinobi's, and othe good hard plantformers + 2D fighters. This is also the time to show them Contra, and other good run 'n gun games. Also at five show them shoot 'em ups like Gradius, Fire Shark, and etc. If your children love shmups and master all the old-school ones, show them the manic ones like DoDonPachi and etc. At around eight-ten is when you show them the polygon based games and RPGs.

Word of advice, never buy your children any shitty TV or movie-based video games, because that's how kids want easier games now and days.

If they complain that they can't beat the game, keep forcing them to play it until they beat it, trust me on this one.


These facts made me a old-school gamer for me.

I can almost guarantee a 2 year old will not be able to handle tetris. And doing that is going to make your kid hate videogames. But on the plus side, maybe s/he will be awesome at baseball or something.

I think you're also forgetting that videogames are supposed to be fun. The way you want to raise your kid is no different than a sports dad, its just way waaaayyyy nerdier.

[Fighter17]

In light of these events, maybe you should have been given a grammar book. :roll:

Tetris is a must at two years old? Christ, children don't even have enough fine motor control to hold a gamepad at two, let alone be able to comprehend what is going on on the screen.

I was given a grammer book before, didn't work. Can't learn any language correctly because according to my doctors the part of the brain that controls language functions doesn't work correctly on me. So it doesn't matter how many times I speak or type, I'll always make a mistake. Do I try to fix it, yes but it never works.

I start playing Tetris since I was two, and start playing Columns since I was five. It can be done.

Heard of Lil' Posion? That kid start playing the Sega Dreamcast according to his family by age one or two!

He didn't turn out to be a retro-gamer, so that's why he played a Dreamcast.

[iamchris]

In light of these events, maybe you should have been given a grammar book. :roll:

Tetris is a must at two years old? Christ, children don't even have enough fine motor control to hold a gamepad at two, let alone be able to comprehend what is going on on the screen.

I was given a grammer book before, didn't work. Can't learn any language correctly because according to my doctors the part of the brain that controls language functions doesn't work correctly on me. So it doesn't matter how many times I speak or type, I'll always make a mistake. Do I try to fix it, yes but it never works.

I start playing Tetris since I was two, and start playing Columns since I was five. It can be done.

Heard of Lil' Posion? That kid start playing the Sega Dreamcast according to his family by age one or two!

He didn't turn out to be a retro-gamer, so that's why he played a Dreamcast.

I can understand if your parents put a controller in your hands and you moved things on the screen by yourself. My dad let me sit on his lap and drive the car once when I was a kid. But theres a whole world of difference. At 5 I can beleive the columns thing. Five year olds arent incapable. But have you met any 2 year olds lately? I mean, if they cant not piss their pants, I cant beleive they're able to play a complex game.

[mgriff]

My first console I got when I was 3, I got a Sega Genesis bundled with Sonic for my b-day... I also had gotten Outrun, NBA Jam and others... Today, the Sonic series and the Outrun series are some of my favorites... Don't force any games on your kids, let them try what they feel like and if they don't like gaming, its not the end of the world...

[mgriff]

In light of these events, maybe you should have been given a grammar book. :roll:

Tetris is a must at two years old? Christ, children don't even have enough fine motor control to hold a gamepad at two, let alone be able to comprehend what is going on on the screen.

I was given a grammer book before, didn't work. Can't learn any language correctly because according to my doctors the part of the brain that controls language functions doesn't work correctly on me. So it doesn't matter how many times I speak or type, I'll always make a mistake. Do I try to fix it, yes but it never works.

I start playing Tetris since I was two, and start playing Columns since I was five. It can be done.

Heard of Lil' Posion? That kid start playing the Sega Dreamcast according to his family by age one or two!

He didn't turn out to be a retro-gamer, so that's why he played a Dreamcast.

I can understand if your parents put a controller in your hands and you moved things on the screen by yourself. My dad let me sit on his lap and drive the car once when I was a kid. But theres a whole world of difference. At 5 I can beleive the columns thing. Five year olds arent incapable. But have you met any 2 year olds lately? I mean, if they cant not piss their pants, I cant beleive they're able to play a complex game.

I agree with this because I worked the computer room at a summer camp this past summer and I worked with kids from ages 3-12 and it's amazing that kids even 5/6 year olds couldn't comprehend using more than one arrow key at a time for a driving game or reading the text on the bottom of the screen for a click n point adventure...Kids these days...Not too bright...its seems with every generation people don't learn to think outside the box as much...

[Fighter17]

I can understand if your parents put a controller in your hands and you moved things on the screen by yourself. My dad let me sit on his lap and drive the car once when I was a kid. But theres a whole world of difference. At 5 I can beleive the columns thing. Five year olds arent incapable. But have you met any 2 year olds lately? I mean, if they cant not piss their pants, I cant beleive they're able to play a complex game.

My parents hate video games in general, but on my fifth birthday I recived a Genesis with the 6-pack (includes Columns). When I was two years old I received a Game Boy (from a family friend) with Tetris, and I learn the game very quickly I must say.

If I can learn the damn game at two, then anyone can. Some people are born to learn simple/complex games like me quickly, but some people can't learn the English language correctly like me. It works hand to hand in the end.

[Carey85]

Man, if you mastered Tetris at 2, then you are my new hero... :P

[Fighter17]

Man, if you mastered Tetris at 2, then you are my new hero... :P

That's noting, I remember 1CC Super R-Type for the SNES when I was six, but my Language Arts grades weren't that great. :embarrassed:


How I got the SNES, from my brother when I was six.

[bangtango]

Puzzle games is a great start for newborns. Tetris is a MUST at two years old. Let your children play the game so they can figure out how the game works at two. If they say that they're going it correctly but in real life they're not, LET THEM KNOW. Once they master the game (most likely at three), show them other puzzle games. Sega's Columns and Atari Games Klax are two great games after Tetris. Once your children master those, show them Vs. Puzzle games like Puyo Puyo and Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo.

Once your children master puzzle games at around five, show them the Marios, Sonics, Shinobi's, and othe good hard plantformers + 2D fighters. This is also the time to show them Contra, and other good run 'n gun games. Also at five show them shoot 'em ups like Gradius, Fire Shark, and etc. If your children love shmups and master all the old-school ones, show them the manic ones like DoDonPachi and etc. At around eight-ten is when you show them the polygon based games and RPGs.

Word of advice, never buy your children any shitty TV or movie-based video games, because that's how kids want easier games now and days.

If they complain that they can't beat the game, keep forcing them to play it until they beat it, trust me on this one.


These facts made me a old-school gamer for me.

In light of these events, maybe you should have been given a grammar book. :roll:

Tetris is a must at two years old? Christ, children don't even have enough fine motor control to hold a gamepad at two, let alone be able to comprehend what is going on on the screen.

I'd have to say you are right. I just picked up my nephew an NES for his 5th birthday. It came bundled with several games for under $35. I don't even know if he will become a pro on it right away or not. If not, I figure it can be kept waiting until he is ready to play it. The price was too good to pass up.

I don't see the reason you'd go after the guy for his grammar, though, especially since we are now on a forum without an edit button.

[googlefest1]

i you realy want to get them started on gameing then i would choose games wich require some good hand eye coordination - pac man - qbert - frogger

but to answer the question disregarding the children then: i would pick games that are mostly from the 16 bit era - with a mix of the older stuff - also games that are fun for 2 people
- like total carnage - beat em ups like double dragon - shooters like raiden and super contra- top view driveing games like super sprint and off road. some older titles i would mix in could be - vanguard - gyrus - robotron - bezerk - disks of tron - super ghianna sisters (he he) - teddy boy

[googlefest1]

edit for my post above

amazingly i just noticed someone mention the giana sisters on the first page of posts

[Flack]

My son beat the first level of Super Mario Bros. when he was 2. I also have pictures of him playing Revenge of Shinobi on the Genesis when he was still in diapers. I think videogames are a great way for youngin's to learn motor skills, problem solving skills, reading skills, and if you have more than one tyke in the household, communication adn sharing skills.

That being said, we have a lot of rules in our house. There's no unsupervised gaming, certain titles are obviously off-limits, and we have a 1:1 ratio between gaming time and reading time.

[irata]

We just had a son in September. My plan is this:

I don't have a certain age I plan to start him, but whenever he seems to have interest in actively playing games I will introduce them to him in a historical fashion. I'm not so cought up in which specific games he should play, rather how he'll experience video games as a whole.

Maybe the first 6 months are focused on the 2600, Intellivision, ColecoVision. As for games, I'll definitely be careful as to what he gets to play, but there's not a whole lot that's off limits for that era, so that discretion will come into play later. The simple graphics are also much easier for their young eyes to focus on.

After that, we'll move on to NES, 7800, SMS.

Then maybe a year on SNES and Genesis. Anyway, I think I want him to appreciate where all of the current stuff has come from, by somewhat mimicking my experience and path through videogames.

I'd like him to be able to command simpler games at first, rather than subjecting him to multiple menus, submenus and complex control schemes that have become commonplace today, then grow into the recent generations as time goes by. I certainly won't want him to start out in a Ferrari when it comes time to drive; I'd rather he learn the overall concepts of driving on public roads with a little less horsepower to begin with.

Then again, maybe he won't want anything to do with games. I have no idea, he's only 6 weeks old.

[irata]

One more thing Kevin.
Get your sleep now, it'll be a thing of the past come March.

I think I've played 2 games since my son was born. I probably won't have time to again until I'm ready to get him interested.