What Consoles Are Doing to Parents

On 08/28/2013 at 11:59 PM by Casey Curran

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Parent: I want to get my son a video game system, which one would you recommend?

Employee: Well do you know what kinds of games he likes?

P: I know he likes Mario and Pokemon.

E: You should go with a Nintendo system then.

P: Which ones do they make?

E: Well for a home console I can either get you a Wii or a Wii U.

P: I know the Wii, but what is the Wii U?

E: It is the new system they came out with.

P: Is it an upgrade like the iPad 2?

E: No, it's a new console which has this controller (Pulls out Gamepad)

P: Oh god what is that thing? No, I don't want to get him that, does Nintendo make anything else?

E: Yes, the Nintendo DS, 2DS, or 3DS?

P: (Sigh) Are these all different systems like the Wii and Wii U?

E: The regular DS is different. The others are more powerful, the difference is whether or not they have 3D. 2DS is coming out this October and will not have the 3D capabilities.

P: So they went from nothing to 3 to 2? Is 2 or 3 the better one?

E: 3DS is the best of them, the XL specifically.

P: XL?

E: Yeah, a bigger 3DS.

P: Is there a 2DS XL?

E: No, but there is a DS XL.

P: This is too confusing, I think I'll just get him an Xbox.

E: Would you like to get him a 360 or wait for the new one?

P: They're making a new one?

E: Yes, the Xbox One

P: To hell with this! I'm signing him up for football instead!

KnightDriver

08/29/2013 at 03:13 AM

I don't know why Nintendo is doing the 2DS. You can just move the slider on the 3DS to make it 2D. They're just confusing people with too many products.

jgusw

08/29/2013 at 08:00 AM

Yep.

Casey Curran Staff Writer

08/30/2013 at 02:19 AM

You two are thinking too much like educated consumers. A lot of parents aren't going to find out there's a slider to control that or be paranoid their kids will still play with that on. Also the cheaper price tag right alongside Pokemon, this is a better idea than it's given credit for. It's just confusing is all.

08/30/2013 at 02:35 AM

Can't fold it up to pocket size though.

08/30/2013 at 02:47 AM

Just because it's flawed doesn't mean it's a bad idea.

Chris Yarger Community Manager

08/29/2013 at 08:09 AM

I lol'ed at this.

gigantor21

08/29/2013 at 08:15 AM

Pretty much this. XD

TheMart22

08/29/2013 at 08:59 AM

Haha this is great!

transmet2033

08/29/2013 at 09:31 AM

I am so glad that I should never find myself in this situation.

Blake Turner Staff Writer

This is kind of great. Most parents are fucking stupid enough without all these numbers to confuse them. They're just like "I want a fucking box that means I don't have to be a parent. Anyone got a box that takes responsibility and accountability out of my hands? I mean I know I should be teaching little jimmy life skills, but the truth is I just want the little fucker to shut up and stop exisiting"

"I plunk the children in school nine days out of ten. I put up with them when they come home three days a month; it’s not bad at all. You heave them into the ‘parlor’ and turn the switch. It’s like washing clothes: stuff the laundry in and slam the lid"

-Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451

Alex-C25

08/29/2013 at 12:54 PM

Thanks for the laugh!

NSonic79

08/29/2013 at 01:41 PM

Makes me glad when I become a future parent I'll be able to talk circles around sales people just to have fun with them.

I know I'm bad and I shouldn't do that but you do raise a valid point. I know having options is good but when the options only offer just slight differences would that be considered a good thing or bad thing. I can understand diversifying one's system offerings but when does it get to the point where I'd rather sign up my future kid for football lessons?

GrayHaired

08/29/2013 at 05:12 PM

Where I work, most co=workers used to laugh at me for playing video games at my age. But Im the first one they run too for info on games and consoles. And even at work its getting to where I say, I only know about the playstation...leave me alone!

Dandichu

08/31/2013 at 10:43 PM

Ahaha well said!

asrealasitgets

06/09/2014 at 04:09 AM

I actually like the idea of the 2DS. I don't travel at all with the 3DS and the small size cramps up my hands when I play too long. I was looking into 2DS because it seems comfier. It is confusing though.

PixlBit