Pixtar vs Game boy for 6 yr old?

[kimbac3]

I'm not exactly sure of what a Pixtar is and does. Is it a quality item or is it cheaply made/designed? I have a 6yr old DD and I don't want to get the Pixtar if it's too babyish. My mom is already buying her a game boy and I bought the princess game and Monsters Inc.. But I'm concerned she won't be able to play the game boy.So I thought of the Pixtar.
Any suggestions from someone who has one or both?

Thanks,
Kimba

 

[turnlisa]

Being the mother of a 3 year old and a 7 year old, I would go with the GameBoy. My DS who is 3 plays the GameBoy. Now he may not always understand what is going on but he can't read yet. As long as you stick to fairly simple games she should be o.k. The Pixter, from what I understand, is mainly drawing, etc. My DSs wouldn't be interested in this since there aren't a lot of games for it.

 

[TammyAlphabet]

Definitely the gameboy!! Great for car trips and standing in line at Disney World!!!!

 

[vicb]

I too sing the praises of Gameboy!

 

[Mike Bartenhagen]

You might want to look at the Leapster. It is made by Leapfrog and has a lot of educational games that go with it. It has a big colorful screen and has a "pen" that the kids can use to interact with the game. I have girls that are 5 and 7 and they both got one last Christmas and really enjoy it. I am all for video games (we have an X-Box, Playstation 2, and a Gameboy) so I am not just suggesting this becuase of the educational value but because I think your child would really enjoy it.

I looked at the Pixter but I didn't think it was as nice as the Leapster. It had a smaller screen that wasn't nearly as clear as the Leapster.

Mike

 

[campingcorgi]

I, too, would do either the Leapster or Gameboy. We have those two and a Pixter, and the Gameboy is used most, then the Leapster, and only occasionally the Pixter. This is a 4 year old girl, by the way.

 

[pandamom]

My dd6 has a gameboy sp and the color pixter -- loves them both. Your dd should have no problem w/the gameboy (dd has had a gameboy color since she was 3 and switched to the sp when it was released). Lots and lots of games available that don't require any reading. Pixter has many expansion cartridges available also and is lots of fun. We are bringing both for our trip to/from disney (14 hours each way) and I have several new games for each to suprise her with.

 

[llp479]

GameBoy now has video cartridges that you can buy as well. Each one is about 40 minutes and come in a variety of programs such as Rugrats, Fairly Odd parents, Stawberry Shortcake.

 

[mermaidfan]

Did you see the new Princess game for the Leapster? They're also releasing a Finding Nemo cartridge on Oct. 1.
--Ronda (lurker w/ a little info)

 

[beaubeau8853]

Definetely look into the Leapster...it is awesome. My 5 year old son loves it, and we have friends who have a 6 and 7 year old who also enjoy it.

It is more educational than the others, but the kids don't realize they are learning - each cartridge has about 3 levels to it so there are many modes of play!

As someone posted earlier they have a Dora the Explorer, Spongebob Squarepants and Disney Princess cartridge out now (among others) with the Nemo one coming in October. They also have a Junie B. Jones cartridge coming sometime before Christmas.

 

[Lollipop Mom]

Just another vote for the Leapster! My 4 year old LOVES this thing! When we first got it he would play it for up to 4 or 5 hours a day. Three months later it's now at least an hour and a half to 2 hours every day. He's learned a bunch from it too. There are plenty of games available for the 6+ crowd too. It was definitely worth the investment. My DH sort of balked at the $75 price tag for a 4 year old but several friends have them and had said how much their kids loved them that we took the plunge and have been very glad we did. He plays it in the car and occasionally at restaurants too. He'd do it more often there but his 2 year old brother isn't strapped into a carseat at a restaurant so there is a battle for it even though the 2 year old doesn't quite understand it. I like that the games are educational too. I don't mind him spending hours with his nose in that thing when I know he's doing a phonics game or a math skills game.

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

Just wanted to say thanks for the info on this thread---now I know what to get my two DS's for Christmas this year!!!

We're going with the Leapster--and will definitely bring it on the trip to WDW.

 

[kimbac3]

I realized after reading all your replies that the Pixtar is probably going to be dull for my DD. Especially since it's not in color. The Game Boy Advanced that my mom got her is in color, I also found a Disney Princess game for it too. She has a Leap Pad and we looked at the Leapster. She didn't say she wanted it (that says alot for a 6 yr old!) . Also her 8yr old brother and 12yr old sister will both be getting Game Boys too. So that's another reason to go with Game Boy. (No...."Can I play with yours?").

We will have a 18 hour drive to WDW and not alot of room (we have an Avalanche - pretty truck...but I need a Suburban - three kids and a Doberman just don't fit well! ) so I told them the couldn't bring the Leap Pads, I like that Game Boys are so compact. Now if I could just convince them we don't need three of each game

Thanks everyone for your replies! If you have any more tips or suggestions I'd love to hear them!

Kimba

 

[turnerx5]

Make sure you buy the Gameboy SP - it has a backlit screen so your child won't go as blind playing games. Nintendo just lowered the price to $79. Good luck!

 

[mom4hunter]

Don't buy multiples of games . If you buy a link up connector (less than 15 dollars) you can link 2 game boys together and play one game. They recently game out with a pokemon fire red game that comes with it's own connector, for that game you do need 2 copies ( but only if they want to trade pokemon.) You can also buy used games at allot of the game stores cheap. Good luck.
Game Boy is wonderful, my little boy takes it everywhere we travel and he is never bored.

 

[mrsmom]

My kids love their gameboys! make sure you get the sp one.
Kim