Nintendo DS Question...

[TMcDwyer]

We are getting my son a DS for his birthday on June 5. He will be six and I am not sure which version I should get, what accessories he needs and what games would be good for him.

(I know this is totally off-topic, but you all always have great advice!)

HELP!

 

[luke]

Can you still get DS's pre DSI? I know in most places here in England you can only get (new) the DSi and DSiXL

 

[SoScary'09]

You'll want to get the DSi as it's a more updated version of the DS. (I have a DS and it's starting to get a little outdated)

 

[MommyJack]

I have a 9 year old techy and I asked him.

There are basically three choises... DS lite - an older system, but plays both ds and older gameboy games. Then there is the DSI - has a built in camera. And then there is the DS xl -- same features as a DSI but with a larger screen. This is the newest of them, also the most expensive.

As far as accessories - a case, extra stylis, and maybe a car charger. They have kits that come with a bunch of stuff, but from my experience (DD & DS both have one) they don't use it all.

As for games - I know the boys are into Pokemon. DD, who's 5, likes Mario Party - which she "borrowed" from her brother. They come out with a game for almost every popular movie, so you could get him a game from a movie he really liked. If you have a game stop nearby, you may just want get him a gift card and let him shop for his own games. They sell both new and used games, as well as taking in trades. You may also want to check their website, I think they may have a bundle deal going. Walmart usually has bundles as well.

 

[Madi100]

Personally, I would get the latest version to come out. Of course, with that said, my friend just bought her 5 year old a DS, and she doesn't understand the difference, and she is fine with it. We have the DSi, and it was worth the upgrade. Can't remember if you said girl or boy, but Super Mario Bros is a great game as is Princess Peach.

 

[LilGMom]

My two DSs (ages 4 & 8) and they both have the DSi. The DSi XL is just like the DSi but with a slightly bigger screen. I would go ahead and buy the DSi XL since it is the latest and I don't believe that there is much of a cost difference between the DSi and the XL.

 

[FairyGodmotherJen]

My oldest two - DD 8 and DS 6 - each recieved a DSi for Christmas from their grandmother (in preparation for our drive to Orlando in a little over a month). They love them - we really have to restrict their time on it, or they'd be on them all day! DD loves the camera features - she's constantly taking pictures with it and then messing with them. DS just loves to play - he's a Star Wars nut, so he has a Jedi game of some sort (sorry, DH is the SW expert and he's not here!). He also got a Mario and Luigi game for Easter that he enjoys. DD got Mario Kart, and the two of them can somehow connect their players and race together.

Hope this helps!

 

[simonkodousek]

I would go with the DSi, and use the money you would save by not going with the DSi XL to get a case and whatever other accessories you might think your son would like.

 

[Joshua_me]

Yes, the DSi XL is the "latest and greatest", so I'd recommend that one if it is within your budget. But, there's certainly nothing wrong with the DSi, either...

Also, remember to check both Craig's List and eBay for *great* buys on used games... I've seen some *amazing* deals on the units themselves as well...

 

[disneydreamgirl]

My son has the DS and I got advice from techies before I bought it. What I was told was that the internet access on the DSi can be really slow at times. Also, since my son already had a very good digital camera with video capabilities that feature wasn't really necessary for him. Ask for advice at a EB games or some other gaming store. My input is a good six months old, so it may no longer be relevant!

As for games, Pokeman, Lego Indiana Jones, Super Mario, are his favourites.

 

[Disney Dad Canada]

I have twin 6 year olds, and my DS XL is too big for their hands. I bough it for myself, as the biggr screen helps with my eyes getting older.

If you have any older Gameboy games (from an older sibling), then I'd go with the DS lite, as it can play the old games. Otherwise I'd go with the DSi. My 10 year old son and 6 year old twins both love them.

 

[BC Disney Lover]

My son is 5 and loves his DS and plays his brothers DSi when he can get his hands on it. He doesn't really use the all the features on the DSi yet. Him and my 9 yr old are loving the game Scribblenauts, it's a great game for them. I was annoyed the first while having to spell stuff for the 5 yr old but I was soon amazed at how many words he can now spell thanks to the game.

 

[audeodream]

My DS is 10 he had a Gameboy at 6 so the DS was a good choice so the money I spent on all the Gameboy games would not be wasted. He moved up to the DSi in October and loves it. His friend has the DSiXL but according to him there isn't enough about it that makes it different enough to want it. He loves the camera and the ability to change your voice and record videos on his DSi. You cannot play the old Gameboy games on the DSi and we found out the hard way at Christmas that none of the Guitar Hero type games will work on the DSi either because they don't have the same slots as the DS.

 

[HillPete]

As far as accessories go, I highly recommend the Nerf Case! My boys have them and they were the best investment for an expensive toy! My 7 y/o has dropped his a bunch of times and the nerf case kept it super safe. I'd also get extra styluses (styli?) and screen protectors. They come in one pack for about $10.

--H

 

[disneydreamgirl]

Another recommendation for the Nerf case here!

DS had many Gameboy games and that was for sure a big reason, that I'd forgotten about, in opting for the DS in his case.

 

[Splat25]

We have 2 kids and 2 different systems.

The 3 yr old has the DS Lite with a Nerf case. He can't really read it, but he sure has fun with some of the more basic games such as Diego and Hamsters.

The 7 yr old has the DSI and plays Pokemon quite a bit. She really like training and collecting them. The DSI has a camera and I'd say better sound as well. She got the new Mario one and didn't seem to care for it too much. I know she wants the new Pokemon one, but that won't happen until she finishes her old one first.

The new DSIXL looks like a cool system since the screen is larger, but that will have to wait until my 3yr old outgrows his in several years.

Hope that helps....

 

[Mr. Disney 652]

Santa brought one to my 6 yo son, the DSi. It is great and he loves it. There are a lot of good educational games too.

 

[TigerTown]

We have all three versions and my personal recommendation would be the normal DSi. I'm not very enamored with the internet feature as it is very cumbersome and more annoying than useful but the kids love playing with the camera. I have the DSiXL and while it sounds like a good idea to have the larger screen the graphics are not as good in my opinion (looks like DSi graphics that have been enlarged and lost resolution)

As for the games, definitely go with any of the newer Pokemon games. They are a lot of fun.