Author Topic: Family Friendly Computer Games  (Read 1287 times)

Offline BobbyB

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Family Friendly Computer Games
« on: December 15, 2022, 12:51:44 PM »
We are getting a new PC for the family and as the kids get older we would like to get them some computer games so they stop bouncing off the walls. As a kid I played all the 90's classics Oregon Trail, Command and Conquer, Wolfenstien, Madden etc. But nowadays, I cant find games that don't require internet access and I don't want this computer to have web access.

Can someone help make recommendations?  I would like to categorize them into 3 buckets. 1) Educational 2) Not Harmful 3) Mommy Wont Be Happy But It Could Be Worse.

Thoughts anyone?

Offline aygart

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Re: Family Friendly Computer Games
« Reply #1 on: December 15, 2022, 01:16:05 PM »


we would like to get them some computer games so they stop bouncing off the walls.

It will help for a short period and then they will be just as bored with computer games as anything else.
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Offline BobbyB

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Re: Family Friendly Computer Games
« Reply #2 on: December 15, 2022, 01:23:57 PM »

It will help for a short period and then they will be just as bored with computer games as anything else.

SO I guess that would be a category 3 suggestion.  ;)

Offline ExGingi

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Re: Family Friendly Computer Games
« Reply #3 on: December 15, 2022, 01:33:45 PM »

It will help for a short period and then they will be just as bored with computer games as anything else.

If you can get them into arts and crafts, music, or anything creative it will be much better and with longer use than any computer game. And you will also have the advantage of multiple people being able to be occupied simultaneously.
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Offline BobbyB

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Re: Family Friendly Computer Games
« Reply #4 on: December 15, 2022, 01:46:33 PM »
If you can get them into arts and crafts, music, or anything creative it will be much better and with longer use than any computer game. And you will also have the advantage of multiple people being able to be occupied simultaneously.

Duly noted.

Offline Jojo202

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Re: Family Friendly Computer Games
« Reply #5 on: December 15, 2022, 01:56:26 PM »
We are getting a new PC for the family and as the kids get older we would like to get them some computer games so they stop bouncing off the walls. As a kid I played all the 90's classics Oregon Trail, Command and Conquer, Wolfenstien, Madden etc. But nowadays, I cant find games that don't require internet access and I don't want this computer to have web access.

Can someone help make recommendations?  I would like to categorize them into 3 buckets. 1) Educational 2) Not Harmful 3) Mommy Wont Be Happy But It Could Be Worse.

Thoughts anyone?

I have plenty of great recommendations. First off. Best website to buy the games is gog.com
Lot of good oldies. They don't require Internet connection unless specified. DRM free, So you can even download it on a different computer and then transfer it to the computer you're using and install it.
(when downloading choose to bypass the GOG Galaxy Client and just select the offline backup installer)

First off is the humongous entertainment series: (in order of ascending difficulty/recommend age)
Putt-putt
Freddi Fish
Pajama Sam
Spy-fox
All quite fun and entertaining and somewhat educational.
Some of them have different puzzles each time you play, which adds to the replay value.

Another great game is roller coaster tycoon 1 & 2. If you have the old disks, you can use open RCT to play, or you can just buy the GOG version, install and play.

As long as you don't first get your kids into weak minded smartphone no effort smartphone games, they'll be perfectly happy with real good games that you played as a kid.

I have tons of more ideas, but telling me more, the type of game you're looking for and the age range would help narrow some more down.

Offline Euclid

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Re: Family Friendly Computer Games
« Reply #6 on: December 15, 2022, 02:04:56 PM »
I feel like this is @Randomex time to shine

Offline Jojo202

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Re: Family Friendly Computer Games
« Reply #7 on: December 15, 2022, 04:07:08 PM »
I feel like this is @Randomex time to shine
I really feel like I am the expert here, but if anyone has some good suggestions, go ahead...

Offline mevinyavin

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Re: Family Friendly Computer Games
« Reply #8 on: December 15, 2022, 04:26:18 PM »
Would you give us an idea of the ages of the kids? This matters some.
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Offline BobbyB

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Re: Family Friendly Computer Games
« Reply #9 on: December 15, 2022, 06:00:45 PM »
yeah I shoulda mentioned the ages. 12-11-9.

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Re: Family Friendly Computer Games
« Reply #10 on: December 15, 2022, 06:19:08 PM »

Putt-putt
Freddi Fish

roller coaster tycoon 1 & 2.
Wow, what memories! I also remember a driving game called Stunts, and later a driving game called Driver.

These and Pokemon contributed to so many wasted hours of my childhood that I wish I had back...  :-[

Offline Jojo202

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Re: Family Friendly Computer Games
« Reply #11 on: December 15, 2022, 07:24:16 PM »
yeah I shoulda mentioned the ages. 12-11-9.
You can literally buy almost any game on gog.com and just download the installer and transfer via USB and play fully offline, so now it depends on what type of games you are looking for...Strategy? Action? Racing?

Offline Definitions

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Re: Family Friendly Computer Games
« Reply #12 on: December 15, 2022, 10:03:28 PM »
I can give some suggestions but I'm not sure if you buy some older games on eBay if it'll be playable.

You're best source would likely be looking for E rated games

Sports i.e. NBA/NHL/MLB
Need for speed
Pitfall
Backyard baseball
Typing game (i.e. Mavis beacon)
Spiderman (the Neversoft one from 2000 - I liked that game and I think it's ok)
Roller coaster tycoon
Frogger
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Offline mevinyavin

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Re: Family Friendly Computer Games
« Reply #13 on: December 16, 2022, 02:31:48 AM »
If you want something more up to date, my friend's family spends hours with American Truck Simulator and Euro Truck Simulator 2.
These don't require much of a computer.
However, if you will install Steam as a launcher, make sure you don't save the CC so they can buy more games.

From Gog there is a great space sim - Freespace and Freespace 2.

Consider emulators if you want to get ROMs for them from the murkier areas of the net. Virtual Boy Advanced can play all Gameboy, GBC and GBA roms.
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Offline Definitions

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Re: Family Friendly Computer Games
« Reply #14 on: December 16, 2022, 12:40:57 PM »
Epic games has free games for the next 15 days. Their game launcher has an offline mode.

Today's game is a racing game https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/horizon-chase-turbo.
I think it's worth it to sign up and get the games.

Plus they give out a free game every week afaik.
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Offline mevinyavin

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Re: Family Friendly Computer Games
« Reply #15 on: February 25, 2024, 07:59:00 AM »
Quote from: ExGingi
Echo chambers are boring and don't contribute much to deeper thinking and understanding!