Game boy?

[Spinning]

My kids are 6 and 8. Which I know is the perfect age for a game boy but they never really showed and interest or asked for one.
My DS has started asking about one and wondered if Santa would bring him one. I am not opposed but just wondered how your kids play with them.
They do play computer games but that is it. We have no TV game. My kids are big outside kids. Up early and want outside. I would hate to see this change. So what is your take on them?
I can see the perks, we do long car trips frequently, activities for rainy days etc....but I love the fact we are out side a lot!

 

[soccercruiser87]

i think game boys are a great idea, your kids can use them on your car trips you go on, vacations, or just around the house. They are fun to have.

 

[SC Minnie]

DD got one for Christmas last year (she started asking for it in July ) Anyway, she plays it in spurts. If she is playing it or on the computer and it is a nice day I make her turn them off and go outside.

Like anything else you have to monitor what games they play on it and the length of time they play it.

 

[eeyore65]

We (and I do mean we) love the gameboy. My DS(5) uses it on car rides and long plane trips. It also comes with some TV shows too which has been helpful when we travel to places with no TV in english.

I find it becomes an obsession when he gets a new game and then wears down.

We usually play together. I know way more about Pokemon and their habits then any almost 40 year old women should! But it is actually quite fun. He also plays chess and checkers and I spy on it and I do think these are somewhat educational.

 

[gr8tpanther]

My DDs are not one to take CARE of things, so last year SANTA brought them each a Gameboy. Now, this was an EXPERIMENTAL Gameboy, meaning, older version from the pawn shop to see how it would go.

I found that DD10 took rather GOOD care of hers, while DD11 can't find hers and has since lost DD10s as well, SO, DD10 will be getting the newest Gameboy this year for Christmas with a lock box so DD11 can't steal it.

Point... if you are not sure it will be worth the money, go cheap and work you way up...

 

[welovedisneyx4]

GOOD NEWS!!!

The price has come down $20.00!!!!

I noticed on the ads in Sundays paper that they were 79.00 instead of 99.00. I asked in a video store if that was permanant and they said yes!!!

I am thinking of getting DD8 one for Christmas.

 

[JetMom]

I would have to agree with the majority here. Gameboys are great in moderation. My DS's all have them and they are great for long car trips, doctors' waiting rooms, and the like. They very rarely play with them at home.

 

[wendyl]

Look at prices on EBAY before you buy new from a store. You can buy them in mint condition on ebay for cheaper. You might even get one that already comes with several games for the price of a new one w/out.

 

[piglet too]

I think they can be a great thing. My oldest DS taught himself to read so he could play his Pokemon game.

If you do decide to get one, go with the GameBoy Advance SP. They are the ones that just got marked down to $79.99. It comes with a rechargeable battery, ac adapter included, as well as a real good built in light. It works so great you can litterally play the thing in the dark.

I personally would not go with E-Bay, just because you do not have the warranty then. Nintendo offers a one year warranty, and you can get an extended warranty from most places you would buy it. At my work, it is only $8.99 and gives you a one year full replacement warranty after the one year from Nintendo.

If you have any other questions, let me know as this is the department I work in. (the video games - PlayStation, X-Box, GameCube)

Oh yeah, Nintendo is coming out with a new version of the GameBoy, hopefully for this holiday season. In your case, I would not recommend it. I feel it would be a bit more complex for first-time users of GameBoys. Go to their website to see what it is about. They are calling it GameBoy DS.

 

[JESW]

DS9 is BIG into his gameboy, especially since Pokemon just came out with two new games. (I am also a Mom who knows waaaaay too much about Pokemon! DD5 has one but only plays it once in a while. They are great to have on the plane for Disney trips.

Just a suggestion...ONLY buy the gameboy sp's. They have come down from $100 to $80. Worth it from the advanced since the SP has a recharger - which saves you a fortune on batteries. It also has a neat screen. Now there are shows you can buy and watch on the sp's - DD got the cartoon network one and DS got one of the Pokemon ones for our last Disney trip.

Another suggestion....when you buy games check to see if you have a used game store in your area. We have one called The Game Stop and kids can trade in and buy used games - a cheap alternative to always buying the new ones. Also check yard sales and ebay.

DH and I were always dead set against buying the kids gameboys but broke down for DS's 8th bd. It has worked to our advantage. Now we have something to threaten to take away from him if he doesn't do his homework or whatever else.

Also helps that now family members can get him something (games) for his bd or Christmas..or a gc to the game store.

Jill

 

[Missy1961]

I had a Game Boy (yes, I am an adult, but I didn't have a computer then) My nephews who were then about 5 and DID have a computer would play with my Game Boy while I played computer games! go figure.

 

[DIZNYFAN]

My oldest DD 7 got one for her B day last Sept. She didn't use it to often but over the last 4 months she has started to use it more she now plays with it after she gets done her homework every night while DW and I are getting the other 2 in bed. We have an original gameboy (mine) and advance and my oldest has her Advance SP.

 

[tjmw2727]

My girls got them for Christmas last year and they have been GREAT. We often take 2-4 hour car trips on weekends to camp or visit relatives and they are a lifesaver. I think one thing that keeps them a lifesaver is that they don't use them every day and they are still fresh. They have used allowance for a few new games but we haven't tried the movies/shows yet.

I don't really limit the amount of time they play but if it got to be more than 1/2 hour in a normal day I would "encourage" them to do something else, so far I haven't had to do that.

I would recommend the SP as it has the battery recharger, my youngest has the regular advance and it EATS batteries.

Have fun
TJ

 

[elgerber]

Another vote for the Advance SP. The built in backlight is worth the money!!! My kids love them (and my dh, he played it all the way to Orlando on our last trip), and they can come in very handy. A couple of weeks ago I dragged my dd shopping, and thank goodness we had it, as I ended up in the dressing room at the Gap for half an hour. She just sat happily playing her game (actually it was a Gameboy Video she was watching) and never complained once. Try that without one. The $20 price drop makes them a good deal now. I also would not try e-bay for used, I might even do Best Buy, they have a $10 warranty, and if anything happens to it within 2 years, you get a brand new one or can trade it in for a different system and get credit for the amount you paid for it.

Erika

 

[MagicalMom]

I think the price of the SP is dropping b/c a new unit is due out before Christmas. I would consider holding out for Playstation's new portable game. My kids are already asking for the new playstation 3 or whatever it's called. I'm not even sure when it is coming out.

 

[DIZNYFAN]

The new unit has 2 lcd displays on it and is set to compete with the new Sony handheld. My mom works for a software developer and I have seen them both kinda cool actually. I still like the GB better than the new Sony.

 

[MagicalMom]

Oppps, sorry. I don't think the Sony is going to be out anytime soon.

 

[DIZNYFAN]

I wasn't given a release date for teh Sony but I did get to play with the developer model used for game design it had a nice size and a good feel but I found it a little large for many kids. This may be due to it being used for the developers. I do know the PS3 is not supposed to be out till after the new handheld that was from teh Sony rep I talked to at my moms shop.

 

[robsmom]

Count us in the "we love gameboy" club. DS5 probably plays too much and I have been trying to watch that but in general it has been a great help. We take it with us if we go out to dinner and it keeps him entertained if mom and dad want to linger. only rule, gameboy off while eating. DH and I confess to loving Mario as well. I can't explain it but it is the easiest yet hardest/frustrating game. Takes no understanding to start but just gets harder and harder!

Have some strict rules on locating it each night, because it is easy to lose. I confess that I took it from DS and couldn't remember where i put it. After 2 weeks, I had to buy DS a new one since it was my fault. 2 weeks later, DH found the lost one so now we have a pair so DS and DH never have to fight over it.

 

[shortbun]

Get an SP because the screen is much more visable.
DS plays with his whenever he needs a diversion. otherwise,
he has Gamecube and computer games.

Reading is a prerequisite to playing video games are our house.
Sometimes he forgets and just keeps reading.