Video game system for a 5 year old? Yay or nay?

My DS's bday is coming up and he would like a Gamecube. He's played it at my nephews as well as others systems and apparently this is the one he seems to like. He only got into playing video games - he has a Leapster which he loves and will play games on the computer sometimes (nick.com or nickjr. com type stuff)

My DH is 100% for it. He thinks it will be a good thing to use as a reward incentive and can also teach him to have to wait to do something he wants (play videos) until after he does the stuff he doesn't necessarily want to or has to work at (homework, good behavior like doing chores or listening to us, etc.)

I am against it bc he's only 5. He has the Leapster, which is educational vs. Gamecube, which I'm sure has a lot less educational games than games that are purely for fun. He gets very absorbed in the Leapster already so I can only imagine him with a Gamecube. Of course we would limit it as we see fit but he does enjoy doing physical stuff, I don't see the point of making one of his options being one that allows him to be glued to a television.
DH thinks it would also help him work on self control - he use to get very mad when you'd tell him it was time to put aside the Leapster or share the computer with his sister. He's gotten a lot better with that so DH thinks that the video game system would be another way for him to have to learn to accept limitations.

No, my DH is not a video game fanatic looking to have another toy for himself He does seem to raise some good points, and it's not always easy to teach them things on your own terms and it could be helpful. I'm not against him having something he likes but I'm just wondering if the cons outweigh the pros.

Any thoughts?

TIA

Re: Video game system for a 5 year old? Yay or nay?

i think it's fine in moderation... my kids have the game systems.

Re: Video game system for a 5 year old? Yay or nay?

Re: Video game system for a 5 year old? Yay or nay?

4.5 yo DS has had his own computer since about age 3. Leapster since about 3.5. He'll probably get a Wii as soon as I don't have to wait on line for an hour or more

None of these are in his room, so we have final say in if and when, and how long he can use them. As long as he doesn't have free range to the devices, I think they are OK.

Re: Video game system for a 5 year old? Yay or nay?

It really depends on your child. I say this because I would totally feel comfortable letting Andrew play some games once in awhile as a reward, but on the other hand, I see how my 6-year old nephew is from all those games he plays (way over active!). I got Andrew the Smart Cycle by Fisher Price for Christmas, so that will be our first attempt to see how he does, albeit the games are all education at the moment.

I have a Nintendo GameCube I am selling on ebay right now. Let me know if you are interested.