Conference rusure::nintendo

    Re .0:
    
    > - What is the "average" cost?
    
    I'm not sure; I think I got mine for around $130, including the gun and
    robot.  I don't recommend the gun.  The robot is more than just a
    gimmick, but only has two games, one good (as opposed to great like
    many Nintendo games) and one so-so. 
    
    > - What is the "average" cost of a game cartridge(?)?
    
    The good ones seem to be running $32 to $35.  The best is $40, and some
    are cheaper.  You can probably get a few dollars off by looking around
    and possibly waiting. 
    
    > - How would you compare this one to the Atari series (and Coleco-
    >   vision for that matter)?  Better, worse, comparable?
    
    (Choking sounds)  Excuse me while I regain my composure.  (Hysterical
    laughter)  Comparison?  What comparison?  The Atari 2600 is a JOKE
    compared to the Nintendo.  I haven't seen the 5200, and only
    Colecovision for a short while from a distance, but the Nintendo is
    better than the 7800, judging by a store display.
    
    Nintedo has better graphics.  Better speed.  Better strategy.  Longer
    and deeper games (although some are shallow).  It's just plain more
    entertaining.
    
    > - Is the game readily available, or is it hard to find?  What about
    >   the cartridges?
    
    You should be able to find it in Toys 'R Us and a number of other
    stores.  Toys 'R Us and Kay Bee Toy & Hobby carry all or almost all
    games; other stores carry some.  I can always give you the name of a
    mail-order place. 
    
    > - Does it appear that a committment has been made to keep coming
    >   out with new games for this system?
    
    Nintendo was marketed in Japan before being introduced to the United
    States.  There are plenty of games out and we know of more in the
    works.  Nintendo has opened up the market to other companies which are
    producing good games.  There are at least 300 Nintendo games in
    existence, although I don't know how many will make it to the American
    market.
    
    
    

    Re:.0
    
    Well, I picked up my Nintendo system at Toys R Us, in the Shoppers
    World, Natick.
    
    I grabbed the Castlevania video at the same time.  My total cost
    was $110.00 (the game listed at $70 - the cartridge at $35).
    
    The game is excellent (and this is just the basic game - NO gun
    or robot).  The graphics and quality are great!  The controllers
    are a little annoying, though, but nothing you can't handle.
    
    The only thing about the system that turned me off was - the high
    price of cartridges!  $35 is a little steep.  Though, I've seen
    them around for $15-$25.
    
    I owned an Atari 2600 once.  It's like comparing a VW (Atari) to
    a Ferrai (Nintendo).
    
    
    Galv

    
    re: .0
    
    I think both the robot and the gun are a waste of time.  The robot
    would probably entertain small children, and is kinda neat, but
    not very useful.  The light-gun is a very cheap design.
    
    Compared to the Atari 7800 the Nintendo does seem to offer better
    sound, graphics, and a better controller.  The Atari cartridges
    are geared more towards arcade-style games, if that is your interest.
    The Atari games are also *much* cheaper ($10-$12 for many!)
    

    
    	I'm a potential owner also, and my brother, who is 14 is of
    course deeply involved in this. I remarked that I was going to buy
    one for my son, and he told me not to bother and buy a so called
    Sega system. 
    
    	Now I have not seen this, but he says its greater graphics,
    and its cheaper. Cheaper I can verify, how good it looks I toss
    this to you listeners out there...
    
    rgrds,al  (will buy either way before 11/29/87, son's birthday!!!)
    

    Re .4:
    
    The Sega does have better graphics, but the Nintendo graphics are still
    excellent and it has at least one important advantage over the Sega:
    There are more games for Nintendo.  The games are also different, but
    this may or may not be an advantage, depending upon what type of games
    you like.
    
    Nintendo has opened up the market by letting other manufacturers
    produce games for their system.  Sega seems to have retained tighter
    control.  Sega's games tend more toward action, shoot-em-up type games.
    Nintendo's best shoot-em-up games aren't as good as Sega's best, but
    there are also chase/evade games and adventure games that are better
    than Sega's.
    
    I made a VHS video tape for just this purpose.  Video games do not tape
    perfectly, but it is enough for you to compare the play of the games.
    You can borrow it if you can get to ZKO.  It has 20 Nintendo games and
    10 Sega games, four minutes of each. 
    
    
    				-- edp 

    You'll definitely find a much wider variety with Nintendo, and more
    than a few companies keep coming out with different games for the
    system.
    
    Now here's the plug...  I'm selling my nintendo set and I have quite a
    few cartridges also.  If you decide to buy one and want to go used, I'm
    selling my basic set with 2 controllers for $50.00.  I have quite a
    few games with it a lot cheaper than you'll find in any store.  If
    you're interested see note 3.641. Also, the price has come down since I
    wrote the note.  Thanks.

    We are thinking of getting the Nintendo Action Set for our son for
    his birthday.  Could anyone voice their opinion on how well they
    think this system is and how long the unit itself lasts before you're
    out buying another unit?  We would appreciate anyone who responds
    that may have a five year old now playing the game.  Thank you in
    advance.

    Hi!
    I have a 5 year old (and a 2 year old) and Nintendo ....  As far as the
    physical reliability, I can't see what there really would be that would
    'break' if treated properly.  We simply don't let the kids touch it. 
    We change cartridges/controllers and all that good stuff, and it's
    HANDS OFF to them - if someone's gonna break this, it better be me! (-:
    
    As far as playing - I think it's VERY dependent on your child.  If
    you're trying to teach him patience - bad idea (ask me how I know).  If
    you're looking for some entertainment and eye/hand coordination I think
    you'll be happy.  IF I were to be buying something like this for a
    child, I think I'd first rent it, as well as rent some cartridges and
    see how well he does.  I think that 5 is a questionable age, and it
    REALLY depends on the kid.  Don't expect that they'll be happy with
    just the 'kids' games - they'll want to play the hard ones as well,
    which can be very frustrating for them.  
    
    I like it, and I think my son's gained some confidence with himself,
    and has definitely picked up something of his alphabet (Sesame St
    ABCs), which makes it worth its weight in gold!  
    
    If you want to know how happy he'll be, you'll have to decide what
    you're expecting out of it, and judge your child's patience and very
    fine motor skill levels (jump a second too late and it's too late!).
    I will add one plug .... if you *DO* get it, you might want to consider
    the power pad for it - there's only 2 games for it that I'm aware of,
    but it's GREAT for exercising - especially for a little boy on a rainy
    day. (run in place, jumps, hurdles etc - competing against someone else 
    or the computer, with adjustable 'handicap')  It's neat because it can
    be VERY competitive between parent and child - and they think that's
    the best! (Look, I beat Ma is the race!!)
    
    Good Luck!
    Patty

I have a 6 yr old and a 3 yr old.. they both have free run of the 
Nintendo... with a little instruction, they can handle it just fine 
without breaking it.... I don't like the "hands-off" policy unless 
it's something that can hurt them... they do a fine job of turning it 
on/off, changing cartriges, plugging in/out controllers, etc. Just 
spend a little time to show 'em the right way to do it...

Matter of fact, I prefer that they have the independance of doing it 
themselves... builds self-confidence.

Arlan

    I also have a three year old that enjoys the Nintendo, I also let him
    change the cartridges himself.   He plays every game, and even though
    he can't "win" the games, he still gets a couple levels before dying.
    
    If you fand the games too hard, you can consider "The genie", there is
    a entry on it...it allows you to better the charactures for any game...
    
    The only thing that I would suggest is that you don't buy the Nintendo 
    with the power pad, or the robot.  These items don't have many games
    for them, and the games aren't that great.  
    
    We've had our unit for 2 years now.  No problems with it.
    
    Ron.

    I have seen both the Sega system and the nintendo system. I have a
    nintendo, and I don't think that SEGA IS ANY BETTER! If you a good
    system, Graphics 16!! It has the better graphics of Sega & Nintendo 
    put together!! It's more expensive, but in the long run you'll probably
    use it more than your son.