Nintendo DS or other handheld gaming system help needed!

[mrsw94]

Our DD8 has finally started to outgrow her Leapster, so we are considering getter her a new handheld gaming system for Christmas. The Nintendo DS seems to be what all her friends have, but I honestly don't know too much about them.
So, what can you tell me?!? Is a DS the best, if so, which one?
Thanks!!

 

[mom-n-michaela]

I can't say whether the DS is the *best*, because it's all our kids have (except our DD6 who still is using her leapster) - but I can say our kids love it. They especially like the ability to 'connect' and play games together on their seperate systems. They also have tons of games and seem to be pretty durable. My DD13 has had one for years and it's in great condition still, and my 2 boys (one of which is VERY rambunctious) have had theirs for a year now with no issues - except they are prone to losing their stylus. So my one piece of advice would be if your dd has a tendency to lose or misplace small items - buy an extra pack of stylus pens.

 

[Lovin' Disney]

Another vote for the DS, but the DSi in particular. My DS8 has had his for about 6 months now and loves not only being able to go on the Internet from anywhere in the house (as long as you have a router), playing against his uncle on his DS, and there is a fun voice recording and photo warping program that he loves. This is all in addition to the hundreds of games available for all ages. She will love it!

 

[merekc]

There are (I believe) 3 DS systems available to buy new currently. The DSlite, the DSi and the DSiXL (or something like that). We've owned the first two DSlite and DSi. The DSi has extra bells and whistles (MP3, camera, ability to morph the photos, record sound). The XL one is bigger.

For an 8 year old, I would think it is worth the extra money for the DSi because the kids have a lot of fun taking pictures and playing with them. I haven't looked closely at the XL but am completely happy with the size of the DS/DSi.

My DH has a Sony PSP which the kids play occassionaly, but the DS has more kid friendly games (ie. Mario games).

I've also heard of people buying iTouchs for kids and then they download free/cheap games for them. This way there is no keeping track of little games. My thoughts are the kids are getting harder to buy for the older they get. I will save this idea for when they are a little older.

 

[LilGMom]

Out of the PSP or the DS (any of the DSi's) I'd vote for the DSi XL. The PSP is a great handheld gaming system but, I feel, lacks in games geared towards younger kids. The DS, DSi, & DSi XL have some really great educational games, allows kids (in the older models) to connect (wi-fi if you will) to other friends that also have the game system. The biggest difference between the DSi and the DSi XL is that entire system is a bit bigger and the screen is a good bit bigger which is easier on the eyes. I think they might have also My two boys (5 & 9) had the DSi's and used birthday money this year to upgrade to the XLs since I saw no real reason to upgrade. The games from the Gameboys, DS, DSi's are all interchangeable and you can often find cheap used games at places like Game Stop. I don't believe that the cost difference between the DSi and the DSi XL is that much but that bigger screen is a huge plus in my opinion.

HTH

 

[binab]

DD(7) has an original DS and now a DSiXL. She begged for a DSi for Christmas last year and then again for her birthday. I resisted as long as I could, but finally relented at her birthday this summer. (I kept reasoning that it couldn't be that much different than the original DS; plays the same games, etc.) She loves the picture morphing and the sound functions! I limit her ability to use the Internet right now, which annoys her, but too bad. I also sprang for the Super Mario Bros game, which she LOVES. I enjoy that we can play games together now - although she always makes me play on the old one.

We gave up on the stylus' and she just uses a retracted pen as her stylus now. Works as well, does not scratch the screen and I don't care if it gets lost...

 

[cheap traveler]

My DD will be 7 in January, and she is getting the DSlite for Christmas this year. She is also outgrowing the Leapster, so all her games will be passed down to her sister (4).

I only chose the DSlite because of a tight budget - got it brand new on e-bay with a bunch of games pretty cheap. I also ended up getting myself a DSlite so I can resist stealing hers all the time lol.

I never even considered the PSP because Nintendo has the market in kid-friendly games, plus they have the old Mario games I loved when I was a kid! Now I have to do some research to see if I'll be able to connect with her so we can play together.

 

[mrsw94]

Such great advice! Thank you all! I'll probably try to find the best price I can on either the DSi or DSiXL. She has an old Fisher Price camera and loved playing with that, so I think she'll like those features.
Now to try to fit it into our budget!!!

 

[Parksfamily5]

My son who is 5 has his sisters hand me down DS. He loves it and plays it all the time. We are going on a cruise for Christmas this year so I am looking for small sized gifts to give them. I just pre-ordered the DSi-XL 25th anniversary addition through TRU . It is red and comes with Mario and Brain Age pre-loaded on it. I think the release date is November 7th.

 

[bjscheel]

We have 3 DS's (me and 2 DDs) and love them. At this point you might as well get the newer version (DSi). My advice is to get screen protectors and use them at all times, replacing them as they get really scratched up. Also, I bought a batch of like 50 stylus on eBay really cheap. They came from Hong Kong, but they fit good and we never have to worry about losing one- we have plenty. Our original ones were actually getting really loose in the holder. Now the kids can choose from a multitude of colors.

 

[riley2008]

e finally bought a pack of about 50 styluses on eBay for about $3.00. I pulled the pink and lavender to give to a friend and kept the rest. We never run out now!

 

[Fyrefly]

I play my DS more than anything else I own, I love it. If your DD would have fun with the camera or you think you want to buy downloadable games, go for a DSi. Otherwise, the DS Lite works just as well and is cheaper.

Be aware that around Aprilish next year, there will be a new system, the 3DS. It's supposed to deliver actual 3D gaming without needing glasses and the reviews from people who preview it says they actually work. If you think she may want to upgrade to that, I would suggest getting a DS Lite or something cheaper used to hold her for the next year or so, then upgrade. Since an IOU from Santa probably won't fly for an 8-year-old.

Make sure any games you want to buy, go to a reputable site like gamespot.com and read reviews. DS is where you get lots of "Shovelware", companies making knock-off virtual pet games, dress-up games, etc. hoping to get little girls to buy them based on pretty covers. Don't do it, they are crappy. Stick with good games by real companies that get good reviews, and you'll do fine.