I Touch or Nintendo DS XL

[jstbcuz]

My son will be 7 in January and one of the things on his CHristmas List is a Nintendo DS. I want to get him what he really wants, but I am torn because I am not ready for him to give up the educational games, which are hard to come by with the DS. I know he would love the DS, and feel it is better suited for his age............but I dont want him to become a video geek.........and atleast if he has the touch..........he can play educational games.

Whats your opinion?

 

[mom2t]

My DS has a DS XL and is getting an I for Christmas. I went to set it up tonight and download the apps he wants. I was surprised that an adapter to charge it up is not included. I expected to buy a car charger but not the other. An extra $20 tonight at Apple tonight. I am glad I did not wait until the last minute to set it up.

 

[dsneprincess]

I would prefer the DS at age 7. I think the touch is usually older kids, especially with Safari. I don't especially like the itouch & the constant "extras" are annoying. I know the apps my DS wants are never the free ones, and he is usually asking for a new app more frequently than a new DS game. Plus, you get the "But MOM, it's only 99 cents!"

 

[dsneprincess]

I would prefer the DS at age 7. I think the touch is usually older kids, especially with Safari. I don't especially like the itouch & the constant "extras" are annoying. I know the apps my DS wants are never the free ones, and he is usually asking for a new app more frequently than a new DS game. Plus, you get the "But MOM, it's only 99 cents!"

Edit to add, also the DS is more " interactive" since they can play with other people by linking the DS through DS download. Some don't require you to buy multiple copies of the game to do this. I like the Mario series for this reason & usually so do the kids. DS & 3 friends have played MarioKart with 1 cartridge on a car trip & had a blast! Don't think you can " share" apps on an touch.

 

[pyrxtc]

I think age 7 is great for a DS. My DS9 has one that he got for Christmas last year and loves it. He asked for an Itouch but his brother, DS11, will be getting one this year and I think it's a little too advanced for DS9. We do let him use our old phones which have android on them but he gets bored with it easily.

 

[riley2008]

I'd go with a 3DS. Next year can be an iPod. I always hated when I got something I really didn't want, even if was better in my parents' eyes.

I'm also not sure that your DS will prefer the educational games - his friends are talking about the "fun stuff".

You can incorporate the DS into education and studying. My boys write their spelling words and send them to me - lot more fun than writing the words on paper. You also just have to limit the time.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

If he wants the device for gaming, the Nintendo is the better choice. Plus, it's what he wants. As a parent, you can limit his play time if you are afraid he will play too much.

 

[wannagoback]

My DD6 and DD8 both have a DSi and we have two old iPod touches. Once I got my iPhone, the iPods basically became theirs and they rarely play with their DS anymore. There are benefits to both but I think an iPod touch is much more versatile, especially if you have any other iDevices. Mine are getting new iPods for Xmas and I will load them up with their favorite movies, shows, music, and apps that we already have, plus a few more. Also, we use Hulu and I am planning to cancel cable and get Netflix and my kids like to watch shoes on both of those apps too.

If he really wants the DS, I think it's still a great device! Maybe if he decides to switch to an iPod touch later he can sell the DS.

Maybe a DS for him and an iPad for the family?

 

[Madison'smommy]

I am really surprised... My daughter got her itouch last year at age 6.5. It has been THE BEST gift she has ever gotten. She has hardly even touched her DS since she got it. I hate to even think about how much I paid for DS games! She has tons of apps that she has gotten for free. The ones we have paid for have been like a dollar or so. I am not sure what the person is talking about not getting the adapter to charge? It charges with the usb that should be in the package.

 

[wannagoback]

I am not sure what the person is talking about not getting the adapter to charge? It charges with the usb that should be in the package.

The 5th gen iPod touches come only with a usb cord, no wall adaptor. You can charge from a computer or a wall adapter that accepts the usb cord. We've already got several from our existing iDevices, plus an non-apple 2-port usb wall charger and my car also has a usb port that will charge. So, you don't NEED to buy an additional adaptor if you already have something that will work. But if you do not have one, you'll need to buy one or charge exclusively from the computer.

 

[mom2t]

The 5th gen iPod touches come only with a usb cord, no wall adaptor. You can charge from a computer or a wall adapter that accepts the usb cord. We've already got several from our existing iDevices, plus an non-apple 2-port usb wall charger and my car also has a usb port that will charge. So, you don't NEED to buy an additional adaptor if you already have something that will work. But if you do not have one, you'll need to buy one or charge exclusively from the computer.

We are new to Idevices so we had to buy one. We bought the DS at age 8 and now 2years later the Ipod. I would buy what he wanted.

 

[Jedimom]

I am really surprised... My daughter got her itouch last year at age 6.5. It has been THE BEST gift she has ever gotten. She has hardly even touched her DS since she got it. I hate to even think about how much I paid for DS games! She has tons of apps that she has gotten for free. The ones we have paid for have been like a dollar or so. I am not sure what the person is talking about not getting the adapter to charge? It charges with the usb that should be in the package.

I second this. My three boys have barely touched the wii or their DS's since getting the ipod touch (and 6.5 yo daughter has been begging not for a DS, but for an ipod, which she'll get for Christmas). When I think of all the money spent on wii and DS video games. Yikes!!! At $40-$50+ a pop, it adds up!

Meanwhile, the boys started with a $15 balance on their ipod account early this last summer, and they're only now close to zero. There are soooo many free games, or games/apps for little money. Highly recommend.

 

[Jedimom]

To the original poster, does your child know of the ipod's existence? Does he know what it is, what it does, that it's an option? If he knows of it and is still asking for a DS, get the DS. If not, maybe feel him out a bit more and get this thoughts on ipod?

 

[mjkacmom]

I second this. My three boys have barely touched the wii or their DS's since getting the ipod touch (and 6.5 yo daughter has been begging not for a DS, but for an ipod, which she'll get for Christmas). When I think of all the money spent on wii and DS video games. Yikes!!! At $40-$50+ a pop, it adds up!

Meanwhile, the boys started with a $15 balance on their ipod account early this last summer, and they're only now close to zero. There are soooo many free games, or games/apps for little money. Highly recommend.

Most of my kids have ipod touches (one more to go), and none of them have touched a ds in a couple of years. I prefer the ipod touch - no more expensive games to by and lose!

 

[letsgoreds]

Depends on your kid and your budget. DS7 received his DSi 2 Christmas' ago and loves it (when he is allowed to play it, we highly control this). We have spent (by far) more money on the stupid $30 non-educational DS cartriges in that time. So...this year he is getting an ipod touch that will be 'his' as we have one in the family (coincidentally the 2.5 yo is playing with right now next to me) and an ipad.

I am sooo looking forward to free and <$5 apps, moving a lot of the educational app, music and videos, we have purchased previously onto this before Christmas.

So...at $128 (great deal I found on 16gb 4th gen) + one $25 itunes card, I figure we should be good to go for the next couple of years. I'm sure the DS will be played from time to time, but the ipod touch will take pole position.

 

[DawnM]

My 8 year old votes for the ipod touch. He has both. Ultimately it comes down to personal preference though. My son loves to listen to music and text a few friends with it.

 

[dzorn]

My 8 year old votes for the ipod touch. He has both. Ultimately it comes down to personal preference though. My son loves to listen to music and text a few friends with it.

DD had her option of a touch or upgrading her ds to a 3ds xl

She voted for the Ds

 

[Ginny Favers]

My DD6 knows about the iTouch since my husband has one, and she plays apps on my Kindle, but what she wanted was the 3DS. There are some games she wanted to play that are only available on the 3DS. Maybe she will be more interested in an iTouch later, but right now, she's definitely pro-DS.

 

[MouseEarsForAll]

The 5th gen iPod touches come only with a usb cord, no wall adaptor. You can charge from a computer or a wall adapter that accepts the usb cord. We've already got several from our existing iDevices, plus an non-apple 2-port usb wall charger and my car also has a usb port that will charge. So, you don't NEED to buy an additional adaptor if you already have something that will work. But if you do not have one, you'll need to buy one or charge exclusively from the computer.

Thy also charge on Wiis and TVs with a USB port.