Although consoles like the 360 and PS3 make the barrier to entry seem really high, the truth is that games can be played on machines of all shapes, sizes and (most importantly) prices. Here we take a look at the different available options - everything from free games on your PC to high-tech multimedia gaming and everything in between.

Gaming for Free

Although you may not know it, the average home computer is more than capable of running pretty sophisticated games. While the newest titles (such as Crysis and Gears of War) require high spec hardware, older games and those that run in a web browser can be played on even low powered machines.

Web based games run in any browser that has Flash installed, which is simply a free download from Adobe games. It's a great way to try out playing games with a son or daughter at your PC or Mac.

Gaming for Under GBP 50

If you are happy to spend a bit of money, there are some good ranges of classic PC games. These provide older games at a budget price. For less than ten pounds you can pick up some family friendly gems like Guess Who. What's more, being a little older, they don't require a powerful computer to run them.

Second hand games are also a great way to enjoy games on a limited budget. PS2 consoles can also be picked up for around GBP 50. Better still, most high street game stores have a ‘used' section that includes hardware as well as games. The advantage of buying hardware from a brick and mortar store, rather than from EBay, Amazon Market or Play Trade is that they offer a years warranty. As games themselves are less likely to go wrong, these can more easily be bought online where the prices are also a little lower.

Because they a little less powerful than home consoles, portable games machines like Nintendo's Gameboy are another cheaper alternative to new consoles. You will find the Gameboy Colour, the original Gameboy Advance available for under GBP50 either second hand or discounted new.

Because these machines have been replaced in store with the newer and more powerful models (the DS and PSP) you may have to hunt around for stock. But there are bargains to be had.

Gaming for Under GBP 100

Spending a little more on a gaming setup means you can opt for new rather than second hand. Although GBP 100 is not enough to get you started with the latest generation of consoles, you should be able to pickup a new PS2, DS or PSP.

A PS2 with a copy of Buzz! Junior provides some great quiz show gaming at a budget price.

Finally, a DS with Brain Training packed-in will set you and your offspring up for some educational play. There are then a wide range of games for the system to suite most tastes starting from as little as GBP 10.

Gaming for Under GBP 200

Breaking the GBP 100 barrier means you can join the high end fun of the latest games consoles. Although costing considerably more at launch, many of the new machines have since been reduced in price and can be snapped up for under GBP 200.

The Wii should set you back in the region of GBP 200. This setup provides more than ten different gaming activities ranging from tennis and golf to tank battles and fishing. The only issue here is finding stock as the Wii continues to be hard to locate in stores anywhere near the Christmas period.

The XBox 360 has an entry level Arcade machine that comes with a controller and 5 free games for around GBP 100. If you are able to plug this into a High Definition television it provides some top notch graphics. Even on an older Standard Definition set it still looks impressive, although a little more fuzzy around the edges.

The advantage of both the Wii and the 360 are the reasonably priced downloadable games. Without the need for a yearly subscription you can pay-as-you go for each game you choose, which range from 6 to 12 GBP.

Gaming for Over GBP 200

Head on through the 200 GBP barrier and you start to find a wide array of options open up. The decision becomes more about which features you would use rather than which you can afford.

The PS3 costs a little more than the 360 but provides a built in BluRay player and Wireless access. If you want to watch High Definition films on your games machine then you can pair this with an AV amp (using the optical out of the PS3) for surround sound movies as well as games.

The 360 is a little cheaper to buy initially, although it can't be used for BluRay and needs a Wireless access point if you want to take it online without running cables to it from your computer. In its favour for high end gaming, the 360 offers a larger catalogue of games and a thriving online community that has developed over the last couple of years - although online play currently costs GBP 39.99 a year.

The Wii, although cheaper, should still be in the running here. It offers some of the most unique motion controlled games on the market and undoubtedly appeals to the widest audience. Although one of the cheaper console, to set yourself up with four controllers and a couple of new games will still cost a good GBP 300. Although not as cutting edge as the 360 or Wii, use a component cable to attach it to a High Definition screen and it will still impress.

Overall

Where do you fall into our six categories? Although our groupings are by price, your choice should also be determined by who you want to use it and what sorts of activities and games they would enjoy playing. Like anything, it can be hard to tell this until you have tried it. The cheaper options provide an opportunity to try a few games out without bankrupting yourself. Once you are sure that you and your kids are destined to be gamers you can make a more long term investment in their (gaming) future.

The bottom line is that the barrier to entry today is lower than ever. From the free browser games on any PC or Mac to the intuitive controls of the Wii and DS to the falling cost of newer consoles there really is something for everyone.

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