To Nintendo DS or Not?

Counting_Pennies_2

Hi all,

I wonder if you can give me some advice, I don't want to spend the fortune that is a Nintendo DS if it isn't suitable, or make the wrong purchase.

My DS is turning 7 this month, and he has begged since reception for a DS, we always said not before you are 7.

So now his birthday is coming up, the deadline has been reached.

Before we purchase it, I just wanted to be sure it is worth the money, if there are any purchasing tips you can give me, and if there are different versions, what the differences are.

Also, I don't want him getting into the violent start of games, and have had problems with Ben10 Games at friends houses, I feel they are too aggressive. Can you recommend some good games that are suitable for him

As ever, thanks very much for your guidance

LillythePink

I can't comment on the games as I have a daughter, but she has had one since she was 6 or 7 and loves it (she is now 11)

There are different ones ie 3d or xl - xl is bigger screen - but I don't know about the 3d version - a bog standard one is fine.

There are loads of games to get - you just need to have a look through

I have one and so does my OH - they are not just for the young!

Teen_Princess_Talia

Hi
I'm actually 14 and a girl but I've been told my taste in games is very boyish (Hmmm......)
Anyway I love the Super Mario Games, they're really fun and pretty simple to use (You also don't have to worry about appropiateness as I know mums are big on that front)
Here are a few examples
Super Marios Bros
Mario and Sonic at the olympic games
Lego Batman
Kung Fu Panda
Animal Crossing (Love this game!)
Mario Kart
Pokemon Pearl
Drawn to Life (quite a bit of reading on this, but I suppose thats good for his english?)
Mario Party (great with friends ds's)
Kirby Canvas Curse
Lego Ds Games - Quite a few (Indianna Jones. Star Wars
Hope I've helped:)
P.s i know quite a few young children with DS's and it always seems to be the lites that are breaking, maybe you could start him off with the simplest one (nintendo ds original) as this is sturdy by my standards and I've washed at least 3 mobile phones!

Kimberley82

my kids have a ds, they can only use them at set times and they live in the front room so they cant be played in bed etc.

My daughter loves dancing and animal games, my son loves mario and sonic ones like mario kart, mario and sonic at the Olympic games.

But I would sa the wii is far better as when ever they play they are jumping up and down, even on games they dont need too lol

mirrorimage0

my two have them , they are now 8 and 11 but hadthemfor around 4 yrs now, we set rules from the start thoughon time limits. unless they are in the car on long journeys then they can have it for as long as they want, stops them being car sick lol

there is the ds, the dsi, the ds xl or the 3ds which is the newest not yt out but you can preorder at the moment. there i so many games it depends on what he is into, my boysloved the puppy training ones and you can get math games ones but there is loads

pigpen

oh yes definitely..

scribblenauts.. very silly but works on spelling
Dora games.. little puzzles, very simple.
You can get a junior brain training and professor laytons are good.
ClubPenguin is another they like

A lot of the disney ones are good just as games, nothing remotely educational but sometimes just fun is good!
.. Madagascar is funny, I like that.

My boys like the lego games.. they do loads but they are very like the books they are based on.. Harry Potter/Star Wars for example.

And no DS is complete without at leas 1 pokemon game.. they are totally dull but my lot go mad for them.. and worryingly.. my OH

They like mario as well.. equaly dull.

meritaten

the wii is good but the DS is more personal in a way! a couple of my grandkids have one (each) and its great for when they need to be sat quietly but could get bored (think hospital or doctors appts and the long wait). They arent allowed them in their bedroom - unless recovering from illness and then they were a godsend! there are plenty of age appropriate games and you can get preloved games (and preloved DSs) at Gamestation, and in many computer stores.
I dont have a problem with young kids playing on these as the younger they are the easier it is to instil good gameplaying practice (no longer than half hour, only at certain times etc).

Sublime_2

You've had loads of great suggestions. Don't forget the interactive books that are available. DD has the Faraway Tree tales, by Enid blyton.

andthethreebears

the new 3d ds comes out 25/3/11
if you wait till then you will no doubt be able to get a standard ds at a greatly reduced price as it will be an outdated model
( btw the 3ds has warnings for kids as the 3d can be bad for their eyes)

onlyroz

Yes, a DS is absolutely worth the money. You can't go wrong with Mario, Zelda or Pokemon.

LilacPixie

OK i'm 30 but i love mario and professor leyton for the DS... yes I am a big kid!!