2DS - What age?

ska_lover

Not until they are least 10 or even older than that. Video game addiction is very real and giving video games encourages lack of social skills and isolated play

I would never try to engage a younger child with video games - there are so many better toys on the market

moomoomama27

ska_lover wrote: »

Not until they are least 10 or even older than that. Video game addiction is very real and giving video games encourages lack of social skills and isolated play

I would never try to engage a younger child with video games - there are so many better toys on the market

Sorry but that's absolute rubbish!

If used in moderation, many electronic gadgets can promote learning. Lots of apps and games for educational reasons, and a lot of schools actively encourage learning this way in small amounts!

When I was doing my training, we studied a module just about the benefits of games on iPads, internet and other devices and the rules we should relay to children and their carers.

Now if we're talking COD, and all the other violent stuff, and lengthy times on other games, that's a different issue.

We live in a world where gadgets are essential. Nearly every school I've worked in encourages ICT through many different mediums!

It's all about balance.

eezer

May just be me, but the DS seems a touch outdated now. Games are very overpriced and you'll spend more on a few games than you paid for the thing in the first place. Worse still, kids being kids inevitably lose them as they're quite small. IMO a tablet type thing would be better - bigger screen and tons of free stuff that's just as entertaining.

However, if you're set on a DS, do some research on 'homebrew/R4' cards. Not sure if still available and someone will correct me here if I'm wrong, but think they are illegal to sell, but not to buy if they come from outside UK. They would just be to make a back up copy of games you already own of course, as we all know copying other things is illegal

bluenoseam

ska_lover wrote: »

Not until they are least 10 or even older than that. Video game addiction is very real and giving video games encourages lack of social skills and isolated play

I would never try to engage a younger child with video games - there are so many better toys on the market

I dispute the notion that video games encourage lack of social skills & further to that so do many educated people.

http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2013/11/video-games.aspx

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jordanshapiro/2013/01/29/new-research-emphasizes-gamings-positive-impact-on-psychological-development/

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/280567.php

There are two sides to every argument, the common problem is that as soon as some rocket goes off the rails & shoots someone it's all video games' fault. That doesn't mention the 99.9% of us who regularly play video games without exhibiting psychotic tendencies or indeed those of us who do so while living a bog standard "normal" life.

Little hint for you, the single biggest video game selling today is a game called Minecraft, a game which not only encourages creativity but has spawned an entire social ecosystem of it's own. Sure you can play it on your own, but if you ask most kids who've played it they'll tell you they've spoken with friends about it, consulted friends on what they're building or shared their own "worlds" within the game. That's the power of arguably one of the most simple & basic video games of all time.

Seriously I can't believe that people still subscribe to the scaremongering that video games are ALWAYS harmful when the reality is nothing could be further from the truth.

bluenoseam

eezer wrote: »

May just be me, but the DS seems a touch outdated now. Games are very overpriced and you'll spend more on a few games than you paid for the thing in the first place. Worse still, kids being kids inevitably lose them as they're quite small. IMO a tablet type thing would be better - bigger screen and tons of free stuff that's just as entertaining.

However, if you're set on a DS, do some research on 'homebrew/R4' cards. Not sure if still available and someone will correct me here if I'm wrong, but think they are illegal to sell, but not to buy if they come from outside UK. They would just be to make a back up copy of games you already own of course, as we all know copying other things is illegal

They are NOT legal, they ARE being highly clamped down on and by using them, sorry to sound like an old clich! they're the root cause of people losing their jobs. Nintendo are also one of the more nippy sweeties with piracy of their goods, they are known for taking offenders to task to the full extent of the law.

Not that you're suggesting piracy.

*Louise*

My youngest two each got a 2DS last Christmas, they were 6 and 8.

The 2DS is actually designed to be more comfortable to play. The thumbs sit at a more natural angle when holding it and pressing the buttons (straight instead of bent slightly inwards if that makes sense)

The clamshell ones are more liable to break due to the design, the 2DS is
more sturdy. I bought my 2 matching cases and told them if it wasn't in its case when not being used they would lose it for a week.

Ps- for games, have a look on Amazon. You can buy some of preowned ones for just a few pounds.

PenguinJim

One thing to remember is that 2DS and 3DS games are region-locked. A particularly smart move by Nintendo, because what are the chances you'd ever bring a portable gaming device to another region and want to buy a game? They are geniuses. So: don't buy games while on holiday.

The 2DS is nice, though. Don't buy one in the store - have a look at it with your daughter, and then come back here and ask in the Gaming section for the best price on one. If memory serves, they've been as little as £60 on occasion. The pink one is £85 at the moment from Amazon.

iammumtoone

I have seen these but never knew they could play DS3 games

My ds has the old lite he loves it and has been asking for a 3ds, he is seven so just on the age he could use one, but I wont allow it, as the 3d part can damage eyes, I wont let him have one for a few years yet not because its a games console but because of the risk to his eye development.

However if there is an option that allows him to play the 3ds games but without the 3d, then I might have to inform santa of that

Carmina-Piranha_2

Yes, you can turn the 3D off. My 9 year old has one but never uses the 3D.

nikki2804

My son played my 3ds when he was 3. We got him a 2ds for his xmas when he was 4. Apparently a lot of kids break the hinge on the 3ds so the 2ds is a better option.

He's now 5, still plays his ds.