Nintendo DS for Christmas ????

[TwingleMum]

I plan on getting my twin boys Nintendo DS from Santa. I would like to get them a carrying case. What do you recommend??? There is a nice Nerf one that hold the DS and 6 games but I also saw a backpack one at Toys R Us that looks pretty good. Any must have games??? Thanks alot!!!

 

[EthansMom]

My DS7 had a Nintendo DS backback but it got lost and/or stolen with several games inside (thankfully, his DS was not inside at the time... still out about $150 in games ). Personally, I prefer a case that can carry only a small handful of games and is small enough to stash under a seat in the car or in my purse. I have since bought DS7 the Nintendo DS Mini Folio ($10 at Walmart; http://www.amazon.com/Nintendo-DS-M..._2?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1228578571&sr=8-2) and it works well... it has a pocket for 4-5 games, a spot for an extra stylus, and a carabiner to lock onto a belt loop or the like.

DS7 likes to play Lego Star Wars (the Original Trilogy); Animal Crossing; the Petz animals games (he has Petz Catz 2); Spyro; Sonic; and the My Sims games (he's getting My Sims Kingdom for Christmas). Some extra styluses (they get lost) are also good.

 

[TwingleMum]

Thanks Ethans Mom. I saw that they also have light saber stylus at Gamestop for @ $10. They looked kinda cool. My one twin I'm thinking of getting Disney & Friends and one of the Nintendo dogs maybe the Dalmation one. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[EthansMom]

Thanks Ethans Mom. I saw that they also have light saber stylus at Gamestop for @ $10. They looked kinda cool. My one twin I'm thinking of getting Disney & Friends and one of the Nintendo dogs maybe the Dalmation one. Thanks for the feedback.

You're welcome. I try to check game reviews at Amazon before buying them. Be warned, some games (like Pokemon, for instance) require reading and aren't good games for pre-readers... that's where reading the reviews can help out.

My MIL who has quite a stash of DS games that she lets the grandkids borrow swears by http://www.half.com for buying games. I've had good luck finding good prices on older games at Circuit City. Target and Toys R Us occasionally run some good sales so watch their flyers. I've found several older games for in the $10-$15 price range.

Also, I let the relatives know which games DS7 is currently wishing for when they ask for gift ideas.... $25 or $30 is a good price for a gift from Grandma or Grampa, IMO.

 

[TheGoofster]

My son (11), has a DS, but to be honest, he hardly ever uses a carrying case. He pretty much only uses his DS at home, and in the car, so he really doesn't need one. I suppose, though, that if your children might be using them other places, a carrying case might be a good idea. I would think that a smaller one might be easier to tote around.

As for games, anything that has Mario in it is sure to be a winner.
Here's a couple of resources that can help:

Gamespot - www.gamespot.com - they have a good write up on every single DS game available (as well as GameBoy Advanced games, which also work in the DS). As well as screen shots, and user reviews.
Youtube - www.youtube.com - here you can watch an actual video of pretty much every DS and gameboy game out there. Some times seeing screen shots and reading reviews isn't quite enough, so an actual video can be a huge help.
Amazon - www.amazon.com - you can find literally hundreds of used DS and gameboy games for really low prices (under 10 dollars). Yes, they are used, but normally kids outplay a game fast enough so that the games are still in great shape.
Gamestop - www.gamestop.com - They are also known as Electronics Boutique. They sell hundreds of new games for the DS (you probably have a couple of these stores in your home town).

Unfortunately only you really know which games your kids will like the best (for example many parents love the Sims games, but my son doesn't like them at all), so the best thing to do is to check out which games you think they might like before buying them.
I hope this helps a bit.

 

[TwingleMum]

Thanks everyone. A friend told me Gamestop Stores sell used games and guarentee them.

 

[rentayenta]

Thanks everyone. A friend told me Gamestop Stores sell used games and guarentee them.

Not only that but you have 7 days to try them out and if you don't like them, you can exchange them and try new ones.

 

[vegasnative]

I bought DS's for all 3 of my sons for Christmas for this year, and I was told by another lady in the store that Mario Kart is a good game. So I got that one for my boys and 2 others.

 

[Jockaroo]

I don't know the ages of your boys, but I highly recommend getting the screen protector sheet and applying them to the screens before giving the DS (an adult should do this so you don't get dust or bubbles under the plastic window). The touch screen part is very likely to get scratched if not protected. I have a back pack carrying case, but it is very bulky. I typically travel with my DS in an old makeup brush case with a sleeve of 3 games--but I'm an old lady compared to your boys. If you think the boys will be rough on the game, the Nerf case looks good. Also check to see if there is an insurance plan on the system. Sounds like your sons have been very good this year. I bet they love their gift!

 

[freepixie]

Mario Kart is a must-have I'm also partial to Mario and Sonic at the Olympic games!

(yes, I'm 28, single, and still love my Mario!)