Is Nintendo DS too young for an 8 year old?

[castleview]

What are your thoughts? I also have a 6 year old that wants a Spyro dragon game. Is asking them to share a DS crazy? TIA

 

[BelleBoo&AmisMum]

My five year old started playing at three or so. My three year old started playing with help at two. We have multiple DS' so they don't have to share!

 

[Potato Chip]

Have you thought about getting each child the DS? (Perhaps the Santa present?)
There are a lot of E rated games for the DS. Games like Animal Crossing, Catz/Dogs, Backyard Football, Spyro, etc. are all rated E.

 

[snap]

The younger the better !

 

[kbkids]

My kids got theirs last Christmas, ages 9 and 5. It was well worth spending the extra money so they didn't have to share. They routinely are playing with them at the same time, and it sure makes for a quiet house!

 

[piglet too]

I don't think they are too young to play with a DS. However, asking them to share may be a bit much.

 

[JawsCPA]

I think your kids are the right ages.

Nintendo has the most "young" and "family" games of the game manufacturers. You will find many "E" rated games along with sports.

If you can afford it, get them each their own.

 

[Rachie0507]

DD got her Ninetendo DS for her 7th birthday. She doesn't play with it as much as we expected but she's more of a reading/crafts kind of kid. She is asking for more games for Christmas. Santa will be bringing my 5 year old boy a DS for Christmas along with a few games. He is dying for one but I told him he needs to be reading first. He is just starting to read so the timing is perfect I expect him to play with it more than his sister. He has practically worn out his Leapster.

 

[GJM]

My DS will be 8 and is getting this for Christmas. He has had his Gameboy for a couple of years now.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Not too young. Sharing is tricky with the DS. Alot of the times a game is customized to the person. You would need your "own game".

 

[T. Lynn]

My daughter will be getting one for xmas. She will be 8 in January. She is very good with all her toys so I have no worries. She just outgrew her Leapster, which she use to play all the time, so I just took the next step up.

 

[hlbtimes2]

Are you asking if your child is too young to play DS or if the DS is aimed at younger children? The way I'm reading your question, you are asking if the game system is for younger children, but everyone else is reading it the other way!

To answer your question- your children are the right ages. There are games for all age groups. My kids are 5 and 9 and have had NDS for about 1 1/2 years. We bought them the older style, used at the game store. They each have one and are able to link them together for some games and can also "chat" on them with each other. My 5 year old can't read, so they draw pic's for each other. There are also games for older people. I love the brain age games, and I typically HATE video games.

 

[DisneyTeacher]

I think 8 is a great age to get one but I wouldn't expect them to share one. My son uses his in the car a lot and if you have 2 kids they are both going to want it at the same time.

 

[momof3disneyholics]

All three of my kids have one. My twins are 7 and love theirs. There really are alot of games out there for kids.

 

[chewtd]

We have a DS(10) and at age 8 she rec'd her SP. We thought this one out for a long time, then spoke with my cousin who is a gamer for Nintendo and his feeling was that the DS has more "E" games as others have stated.

Though I didn't see this mentioned above many of the games they can invite each other in to play with the other (certain distance). We have done road trips with other families and the kids will be playing as we drive down the road.

You may also want to check out your local game store (Game Stop, DB Games) as they may have refurbished ones. It is also a good place to trade games that your children have out grown or or bored with.

 

[poohandwendy]

Not too young. Sharing is tricky with the DS. Alot of the times a game is customized to the person. You would need your "own game".

I agree. I would try to get both their own games, if possible. It will make your life a whole lot better, LOL.

 

[TinkerBelle2992]

8's not too young at all! I'm 15 and I still play mine! Hah. My neighbor's shared one for awhile, and it was bad. They all have their own now. But, I think 8's the perfect age.