Whats a good system for a casual gamer?

[Skyone]

Hmm, now that I'm thinking, I'd say Game Boy (original) and N64. I usually play Pokémon Puzzle league on the N64 with my dad, brother and sister about 20 minutes a day. It gives us a chance to relax and talk - screw the family table! I don't do portables much, but I'd say the Game Boy because it has so cool games like Pokémon (Red, Blue, Green, Yellow) and Super Mario Land (1, 2, 3 (Wario Land)).

[HotDog-Cart]

Dreamcast man. I sit down by myself, and play Tokyo Bus Driver (Japanese Import), and Sonic Shuffle. Maybe even a little Crazy Taxi 2, or Street Fighter.

[Reaperman@home]

not too many game systems designed for casual audiences do well--they're called casual gamers for a reason and don't make great repeat customers. Ignoring the wii, I'd say your best casual bang for the buck is the gamewave. If you can find them at Toys R Us, give them a scan, you might be happy.

I got mine for $20, not just with the pack-in game but my choice of another game from. I brought it in to work and left it. At least with 4 IR controllers, we won't have that trouble with dead remotes on the DVD player again for a very long time.

and honestly, lock5 isn't half bad...

of course before gamewave isn't the first (or best) casual gaming DVD player. For a little bit more on the ebay you can pick up a NUON--which had a small mix of casual and hardcore games, including Tempest 3000, which is one of the best video games I've ever played. If you go this route, I recommend the Samsung N501 model and Warrior controller if it doesn't come with one.

gamewave's graphics are closer to DVD menus, while nuon generally pulls 3d slightly above n64 quality.

[Dr. KillGood]

OMG OMG GET A COMPUTER THEY copulate OWN ANY CONSOLE EVER!!!!

[bicostp]

I vote build yourself a HTPC.

Why?

• It's made the way you want, not how the company makes it.
  You can run emulators, movies, music, and of course PC games.
  Most of the software (besides Windows) can be downloaded for free.
  It can also be a server if you don't use all the space on it.
  Add a TV tuner card and you get a DVR without subscription fees.

Why not?

• They aren't as easy to set up as dedicated game consoles.
  if you want modern console style gaming, they're more expensive.

I built one from a barebones kit from Tiger Direct for less than $300 and I'm completely happy with it, and it sees more use than my consoles do.

[Skyone]

I vote build yourself a HTPC.

Why?

• It's made the way you want, not how the company makes it.
  You can run emulators, movies, music, and of course PC games.
  Most of the software (besides Windows) can be downloaded for free.
  It can also be a server if you don't use all the space on it.
  Add a TV tuner card and you get a DVR without subscription fees.

Why not?

• They aren't as easy to set up as dedicated game consoles.
  if you want modern console style gaming, they're more expensive.

I built one from a barebones kit from Tiger Direct for less than $300 and I'm completely happy with it, and it sees more use than my consoles do.

I've made 2 of them, and I personally say they aren't casual at all. I end up loading tons of games and movies on them, and only play like, 1 - once in a while - and that's Super Mario Bros. Takes too much time to set up and stuff anyways.