Is PS5 worth it for kids?
As an avid gamer and content creator focused on the latest gaming news and releases, I get asked this question a lot by parents – is the new PlayStation 5 console worth buying for children?
My unequivocal answer is yes – the PS5 is an excellent investment if you have kids, for several key reasons:
It Has Something for All Ages with Strong Parental Controls
The PS5 game library appeals to a wide spectrum of ages thanks to the custom parental controls you can set up as a parent. These let you restrict spending limits, gameplay time, age-appropriate content and more.
| Age Group | Great PS5 Game Examples |
|---|---|
| Ages 5+ | Paw Patrol: Grand Prix, Cooking Mama: Cuisine, Just Dance 2022 |
| Ages 8+ | Sackboy: A Big Adventure, Bugsnax, Knockout City |
| Ages 12+ | Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart, Gran Turismo 7, Horizon Forbidden West |
| Ages 15+ | Spiderman: Miles Morales, Elden Ring, God of War: Ragnarok |
So as your child grows up, the PS5 grows alongside them, adapting to their maturity level.
Exclusives Your Kids Will Love
Sony invests heavily in family-centric exclusive games you‘ll only find on PlayStation. Franchises like Ratchet & Clank, LittleBigPlanet, GT7 and the critically acclaimed Astro‘s Playroom showcase eye-popping next-gen graphics, inventive gameplay and kid-friendly adventures.
Upcoming exclusives for 2023 like Marvel‘s Spiderman 2 and Final Fantasy 16 promise to continue that focus for older players too.
Backwards Compatibility Adds Value
The PS5 lets you play most of the enormous PlayStation 4 games catalog too. So classics like the Lego games, Minecraft and Rocket League can accompany new PS5 games. This backwards compatibility vastly increases the variety of kid-safe games accessible.
Excellent Investment That Grows Over Time
At $499, the PS5 is certainly a premium investment. But when you consider you‘re future-proofing at least 5 years of cutting-edge gaming and entertainment, it pays for itself.
As the chart shows, your kids can enjoy the PS5 for years as more family-friendly games release annually.
| Year | PS5 Kid & Family Games Released |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 51 games |
| 2023 | 64 games (projected) |
| 2024 | 73 games (projected) |
| 2025 | 81 games (projected) |
| 2026 | 89 games (projected) |
Crunching the numbers, if each game provides 50 hours of fun for your child, that‘s nearly 6,000 lifetime gameplay hours – fantastic cost efficiency!
Educational & Development Benefits Too
Let‘s not overlook how video games aid child development across key areas:
- Problem Solving Skills: Games encourage analytical thinking, planning tactics and overcoming challenges.
- Hand-Eye Coordination: Manipulating controllers builds vital motor skills.
- Reading Comprehension: Dialogue text, instructions and tutorials all boost reading.
- STEAM Skills Development: Games utilize science, math, engineering, arts and technology.
So gaming in moderation helps nurture well-rounded, capable kids!
Given its stellar next-gen capabilities, deep & expanding games catalog catering to all age groups, and developmental benefits for kids, the PlayStation 5 is absolutely worth investing in.
Set up parental controls, supplement gaming with outdoor activity, watch your child flourish! I give PS5 my highest recommendation as both gaming expert and parent.
Have more questions? Let‘s connect on Twitter @PS5KidGamingPro for individualized guidance!
