Game Boy for a 5 year old boy? Good games for that age?

[Rock'n Robin]

Is my 5 1/2 year old too young for Gameboy Advance? I got DD#1 her first gameboy when she was 8 (for our first WDW trip) and got her GBA last Christmas. This year DD#2 (who is now 8) is getting GBA SP. But I've noticed DS also likes to play GBA, even though he has no concept of the rules (if he makes it past level one without dying he thinks he has won and starts over).
He mentioned gameboy today as a possible gift. What he really wants more than anything is a Capt. Hook pirate ship at TDS for $50--but last year he got the Treasure Planet ship, and DH and I don't think he needs two different pirate ships.
Is GBA OK for someone his age? And are there good games? I noticed a "PEter Pan" game but it looks like it's based on the new live-action movie--there are also Treasure Planet and Return to Neverland. Anyone have any suggestions for games for kids his age? We only have a handful of GBA games--Super Mario, Finding Nemo, DD#2's game comes bundled with Donkey Kong, and DD#1 is getting super mario 4 and Harry POtter chamber of secrets for Christmas.
Robin M.

 

[debster812]

My mom gave DS a GBA for his 6th Birthday. It took him a while to really get the hang of it, but he has really enjoyed it since day 1. Lots of games. Right now he only has 4, (Crash Bandicoot, Tony Hawk, Tonka, Toy Story II.) He is getting 3 more games from Santa and various relatives for Christmas.

I think just about anything rated E for Everyone would be great.

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

We are giving our DS 5 1/2 a gameboy SP for Christmas this year.
He started playing his sister's GB Color about 6 months ago, and now he is asking for a GB SP. We got his bundled with Super Mario, I bought him Rocket Power, and Crash Bandicoup (from the playstation games). He plays mostly Donkey Kong and Super Mario on the GB C.
He is pretty good with the GB, not as good as DD8, but loves to play in the car. Therefore, I don't think they are too young at that age. One thing is I have to limit his time with it as he would sit there and play all day. They actually catch on really quick.
Also, if you do a google search for Gameboy Games, most of the sites will give you reviews on the game, which would help to see which games are appropriate.
Have fun!

 

[BarryHom]

The Mario games are pretty good.

My favorite GBA game is Puyo Pop, a Tetris-like puzzle game. You might even take away the GBA to play it. It's addictive!

 

[tiggerlover]

I think it is a fine age to get a GB. My own DS was 5 when we got him his first one (Color) and within 6 months he was asking for Advance. Luckily we held out because GBA SP came out and that is what we bought him for his 7th birthday. That was 6 months ago and I have to say it was a great investment because he loves it. His favorite games are Pokemon and Mario. For Christmas I bought him Sonic 2 (he asked) and Pokemon pinball. When he was 5 he enjoyed Monsters Inc., Dragon Tales and Bob the Builder. I wouldn't get Monsters Inc. again because he had troubles with some of the moves, but the others were well used in our house.

 

[Lorix2]

May I ask which Mario you start with? Is there a "beginner" version? I bought my DS6 GBA SP also, but have only bought a 4 wheeler racing game so far.

Thanks

 

[believe]

DD received her's at age 5. She loves it. She enjoys the Mario games, her other games are mostly girl games.

 

[JESW]

Just a heads up...

There is a new gameboy called the sp and it comes with it's own backlight so the kids can play in the dark. It also has a rechargeable battery so you are not spending $$$$$ on batteries all the time. It flips over so the screen gets less scratches. The sp is aorund $99 and the gb advanced is around $70. Both are good games, but if you think it is something your DS will really like it might be worth your $$$ to get the sp. Just a thought..

We got DS the gb advanced for his 8th bd and the sp for his 9th. He also has several old gameboy colors we found at yard sales. He uses a cable link so he can play the games together.

DS is a BIG Pokemon fanatic so he likes those games the best. I know that there are a lot of games for the young kids - lots of non-violent ones too.

Another heads up - check around to see if you have a local store that buys/sells used games and systems. We have a store called The Game Stop where we've bought several gb cartridges for low prices. All the gb color and advanced games will play on the sp. We have also bought some at yard sales.

DD will be 5 in jan. and she has been trying to play one of the old gb colors. The disadvantage she has is that she can't read yet so she doesn't always know what to do and gets frustrated.

The gb's are certainly something that can grow with the kids - different levels of games.

Good luck with what you choose!

Jill

 

[mbb]

www.ebgames.com Used games and accessories at good prices - they ship fast, too.

JMO, we'd buy the Gameboy SP...you have to buy a light for the regular Gameboy, so that you can see it, and batteries too...our kids were 4 when they got their GBAs...we stuck to games like MarioKart64...have fun!!

 

[browneyes]

My 7 yo loves his Pokemon game for his GBA. He also likes the combo game I bought for me to play on it when he lets me have GBA time. It's got Pacman, Dig Dug, Galaga, a racing game and another game like Galaga (I think it's called Galaxy). What kind of shows does he like? They have a Sponge Bob game he might like.

 

[RUDisney]

Here's what I do. My kids really don't insist on any particular games, so that makes it easier for me. I go to www.half.com and search on game boy games to see what's available. I also go on ebay for games. I bought 2 GB color games for this Christmas for under $20 total from ebay. By doing this, I don't feel as bad if they aren't hooked on the game because it didn't set me back $50.

When my DS was 6, my sister bought him the GB. We bought an Elmo ABC game to help him learn his alphabet, especially since he didn't speak English then. He still plays with that game. Also bought him a Pokemon game and a Mickey Racing game. I couldn't tell you all that he has today.

 

[shep]

Donkey Kong Country(specifically for GBA)..
I always play it when i'm at wal-mart...

 

[Lewski709]

It looks like everyone likes the idea. I'm opposite. Whatever works for you is what's best.

ME.................I am not going to introduce games until asked. There are a lot of other things my DS is interested in and the gameboy, gamecube, sega, nintendo, blah blah blah will come soon enough.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

When my son was around that age he loved the Pokemon pinball game.

No reading was required or ability to follow the map in the guidebook.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Thanks for all of the ideas so far. I will definately go with the SP since that is what DD#2 is also getting. Hers, however, was bundled with Donkey Kong Country for free--good because now we have it, bad because I can't find any bundled games anymore (that one was at Target--an ugly green, but hey, a free game!)
Lewski, I am still fighting the good fight with video games, or at least I think I am. Unfortunately since DD#1 has a GBA, he has already seen it and likes to play with it. He also plays checkers on DH's palm pilot! But we have successfully resisted PS2, gamecube, etc. and I hope we can continue to do so. We have friends with nintendo (I think) and they spent $200 on games and accessories for their sons ages 11 and 16--that was about 1/2 their Christmas budget!
Robin M.