A father of two has described a surprising shift in his children's gaming habits, as they have moved away from Roblox and Fortnite towards the Nintendo 3DS and cosy games. The reader, writing under the name Catcave in a Reader's Feature for GameCentral, notes that his 13-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son have recently developed a strong interest in older Nintendo hardware and more relaxed gaming experiences.
A change in gaming preferences
Catcave, who has previously written about the challenges of getting his children to play traditional games, explains that for a long time Roblox and Fortnite dominated their playtime. His daughter had moved away from Animal Crossing because all her friends were playing Roblox, using it as a primary means of communication. Games like Grow A Garden and 99 Nights were staples, but the children would frequently switch between titles.
In January, his son announced that Fortnite was no longer popular among his friends. Despite attempts to interest them in Mario Kart, Wii Sports, Gran Turismo 7, Final Fantasy 7, Donkey Kong Bananza, and F-Zero 99, there was little engagement with consoles. The father expressed relief that Fortnite, while not his ideal from a gamer's perspective, is at least better than what he calls the 'slop' on Roblox.
The unexpected appeal of the 3DS
The turning point came when his son asked to use his 3DS after expressing interest in a Game Boy. The father reports that his son is now obsessed with Mario Kart 7 and Pocket Jockey, and has declared the 3DS the best gaming system ever. The dual-screen design and the ability to close the console and put it in a pocket seem to be key attractions.
In a related development, the father purchased Pokémon Pokopia hoping to reignite his daughter's interest in cosy games. While neither child has played it, he has personally invested 20 hours and loves it. His daughter, meanwhile, asked about Tomodachi Life, which he bought for a holiday journey. She now enjoys creating wacky characters and environments, and shares this experience with friends despite the lack of multiplayer.
Cosy games and imagination
The father reflects on the appeal of cosy games, noting that they are never-ending but allow for exploration and creativity. He admits to feeling stressed about ensuring everyone is happy in Pokémon Pokopia, but finds the storytelling clever. For his daughter, these games provide a platform to explore her imagination and create a world she is proud of, interacting with friends as they develop characters together.
He also observes that graphical fidelity is not the be-all and end-all for younger players. As his son put it, the 3DS has decent graphics comparable to Roblox, but the games are 'way cooler'. The father concludes with a sigh of contentment and hope for the future of gaming, as his children swing back towards console gaming and away from what he calls the 'infernal and dangerous place' of Roblox.
