Portable Video Game Systems

Ask any kid what he wants for Christmas this year, and chances are good that the words "video game" will pop up somewhere in the conversation. Video games are an everyday part of life for most kids these days! Chances are, your child or the child on your Christmas shopping list would love a video game this holiday season.

Before you start to worry about turning your child into a couch potato, keep in mind that video games can not only provide fun and entertainment for your kids, but they can also be educational tools as well. In addition, they help to develop hand-eye coordination as well.

Video games have come a long way in recent years, and no longer do kids need to plop themselves in front of the TV to enjoy a video game. There are a number of portable video game consoles available on the market today. These are perfect for keeping the kids entertained during cars, flights, or any other situation in which they'll be sitting for long periods!

Portable video game systems come with a variety of features. Some of them are basic models that will only play games, while others can play MP3 music files and movies designed specially for the smaller system, so kids can watch movies as well as play video games on them.

Our Reviews
Because there are a number of different portable video game systems on the market today, each with a variety of different features, it can be difficult narrowing them down to just one. We've compiled a list of portable systems and listed their features and advantages, making it easier to decide on the perfect portable system for your child!

• Sony Playstation Portable ($200.00 and up on amazon.com). The Playstation Portable, or PSP, is a great handheld system for children, teens, and adults who want to play video games on the go! It has a larger screen than most portable systems and can also play movies made specifically for the PSP. Games start at $30 each, while movies run about $20. It can also play MP3s.
• Nintendo Game Boy Micro ($69.99 on amazon.com) The Game Boy micro is an advanced version of the earlier Game Boy and is a good budget portable game system. It plays all games from the Game Boy Advance, its predecessor, and tiny size and small controls make it a better choice for little hands than some of the larger, more expensive portable game systems on the market.
• Leapster L-Max Handheld Learning Game System ($79.99 on amazon.com). This educational handheld portable system is designed specifically for little ones aged 4 to 10. It features dual screens and multiple skill levels and plays all Leapster games as well as L-Max games. This is a great educational and fun portable game system for younger kids.
• GameBoy DS ($119.99 on amazon.com) The Game Boy DS features dual screens, allowing kids to reference maps and see other perspectives while playing their favorite games. It comes with an attached stylus, similar to that of a Palm Pilot, and also allows kids to write messages. The Game Boy DS also has a built-in microphone for voice prompts and communication with other DS players. It comes in a variety of colors, including pink, blue, and silver.

Handheld video game systems are a perfect gift choice for kids on the go!