for 12 year old...ps2....more games...and more games "appropriate" for his age range...(my gawd...i sound like an old man...hehe)

ps/2 plays dvds without having to pay an extra 40 buck or whatever it is ...plus is compatible with all ps1 games...

i'd even look at a gamecube...for a 12 y/o...ya know...those pokemons..mario and zelda...