DS, DS Lite XL Etc Who Knows About This S***

I would go with the 3DS but mostly because it is the newest technology. If you want to save some money go with Gamestop or someone that sells them used. It only saves around 40 dollars but hey! its 40 dollars. :)

Forgive me for not reading the posts.... i have an idea. My 8 yr old just bought herself a kindle fire with her communion money. There are so many free games and books. As well as many inexpensive and fun ones. I know it is very different from what you are looking for, but it is really nice. There is an app that you can get for weather. They can click on it and see whether it will be rainy or hot etc. They can get their summer reading books... all kinds of things.

Hope i helped a little :)

Maybe buy it when older?

My daughter, has a DS lite. From my MIL. She got it when she was about 7.
The DS lite, is an older but perfectly good model. And my daughter prefers this one, to the newer models.

The difference with the newer models is simply that the screen is bigger, thus the gadget is bigger/thicker, and some now have a camera or 3-D capability. Which, for 5-6 year olds, I don't see why a camera is a needed thing... and which it will cost more.

Then, the games, also cost money.
Unless you buy it used.... from Game Stop or other places.
www.gamestop.com is a good place to see the costs of things and about the games.

As I said, my daughter has one and a few of our friends.
But, their kids play it, sometimes. In phases.
But they can carry it around, hence it being "useful" for if/when you have long drives with the kids etc. or need them to be quiet in a waiting room etc. or on a plane.

BUT... my tip would be: CAN your children, read well? Because, many of the games, have reading to do in it. To a certain extent, the games are intuitive... meaning, the kid can just point and click on things to figure it out and how to use a game. But they also need to be able to read. ie: the directions or things on the game.
If they cannot read, then *you* will be having to be next to them, as they play it, to read the directions to them as they try and play it.

I think, it is better for older kids.
And as you said, money is tight.
You would need to buy 2 .... because, the 2 kids won't want to share it.

Buying it used, is cheaper.
Most gaming stores, have used one's.

If this is their first one - DS. Let them get used to it. I would buy a used one from Gamestop, ebay or craigslist before I bought a brand new one for them. Especially at 5 and 6.

A DSi - has internet access and a camera - I believe.
The DS XL - has a bigger screen (4") better graphics and is a tad bit bigger than the DSi and has better sounds and playback from the camera, has networking capabilities and can support a Memory card.

I would TOTALLY avoid the 3D - as it gives MANY children headaches. Yes, you can turn the function off - but it's not the same.

The DS would be the most simplest for them to learn and play with first. i would see how much they like it first before going BRAND NEW.

Hope this helps!!

Good luck!

We love the 3DS for my son, he can take it with him to grandma's to watch a movie or play a game (access to netflix). You can lock the 3D feature so they can not use it until they are older and you can buy it used and buy DS games used for it. They have all sorts of games from adult to PreK

Diego, we have 2 or 3 of these
Cars
Toy Story
Tetris
Farm Frenzy
I can't even remember the other games we have gotten - we use gamefly to try out a game and then buy it used if possible it works out well for us. Please keep in mind we ARE a family of gamers. If you are not a DSi would probably do well or DSiXL, so the girls can take pictures too! Feel free to PM me with any questions you may have as well.

We just went through this with my son, and found a much better deal on a used DS than what you can find at gamestop. You'll have a lot more options with color and it's usually sold with some games or accessories.

I just got my daughter who is turning 5 a DSi since we got her brother one. I got hers from Walmart.com. They had a bundle with the DSi, 2 games and a case for $130. I've noticed since the DSi is an older model, you can find some games for very cheap. I got my son a game feel. A store called Five Below for only $5. Its called My Sims Kingdom and I was able to get him a Lego case for $5 that included 2 cases to carry extra games and an extra stylus for the DSi.

Before buying from Gamestop, check out the prices at Target.The DSi was just $99 last week and i think that is the new low price now. My son saved up for a DS lite at Gamestop. They are used after all and we got the insurance. We ended up paying almost as much as a new one, and one of the buttons got loose so he could not use it for one of his games. The insurance did not cover. Totally get the games there though. And get the Nerf case for the DS. You might have to go online for it though.

Games are easy to find. Nintendo is very family oriented, so it has less adult games and more children's games. Here's a list of cool games:
1. Nintendogs - Some of the cheaper versions of this game just are not as good and realistic so make sure you buy Nintendogs instead of Pets. The DS lite used to come with it, but I don't know what game they come with now. You can get different versions of Nintendogs with different dog breeds to choose from. There's a Lab, Beagle, etc. Its a really cool virtual dog you raise from a puppy and enter him/her into dog contests.
2. Cooking Mama - Don't know what the hype is, but my niece loves it.
3. Mario party - Lots of short fun games in one game, just like going to a party.
4. Any game that is related to a move they like are always good. We have Lemony Snickets, Monster House, (I've got a boy.) Toy Story, etc.
5. They do have educational games, but they are hard to find and sometimes kids just want to take a break from learning and just have fun.

Any of the stores you have listed are fine, watch for sales though. Sometimes they have "bundles" or at least a free gift card w/ purchase so at least you are saving some.

As for which one to get, they each have their perks and unless they have specified, I am sure they will be thrilled with whatever you get. I believe the DS has 3D capabilities (or at least there is an option for it) and the XL has a larger screen (so that is my preference). I was told that the XL is going to be start 3D capabilities soon but I don't know if that is available yet.

As for which games...depends on what they like but I know they have a lot of options. If you do a search on Toys R Us' website you can search based on age to bring up options. Then click on any one to read about the game.

I know you aren't asking for my type of advice, and I hope you won't fuss at me for giving it. But could you wait a couple of years to buy them one? There is SO much that they need to learn that is not part of the electronic world. Books, stories, manipulatives, nature. SO much! Playing electronics is addictive and really sets you up for some hardship if one or both of them has a bit of a difficult personality. Crying because they don't want to "lose" their work, they have to keep playing until they "save", losing interest in earlier fun things because of wanting the DS.

I've seen it so much, and I had that trouble with one of my kids as a 2nd grader. It wasn't pretty. There is all the time in the world to give them this. Now is just too early.

Thanks for letting me say my piece (and hope you don't mind too much.)

Dawn

Hi,

My kids are going into 5th grade and have had their Nintendo DS for a few years. My son is saving his allowance for a DS 3, but my daughter wants to use her savings for an ipad.

I'd suggest going into Gamestop because they really know what they are talking about. They've always been SO helpful. I also like that you can return used games that you buy if you don't like them. (as long as you do so within a week and you would get store credit.)

I just learned about the Nexus 7 and it's right around $200. There are so many free apps that you can put on it and over 20,000 free songs. You can also purchase songs and games. I am pretty sure youtube is on it, too. I might be doing my own question on Mamapedia about info. on this product. It sounds so good for the price. (you can get a small one or a tablet.) I don't know how much $ it would cost monthly for the online service, though. But... I know I wouldn't have to be running to Gamestop a lot to buy/trade games.
So I am thinking about asking my kids if they'd like to buy this product instead of their other choices. Here's the link in case you'd like to consider it too: https://play.google.com/store/devices/details?id=nexus_7_....

Just a thought -- It looks like the DSs run around $130, whereas an iPod touch is around $170. Games for the DS are around $25 and purchased at a store, whereas games for the iPod touch are free or 99 cents (typically) and purchased anywhere you have wifi. I'm considering a device for my kids at Christmas this year -- I have both a ds and an iPod, which they borrow from me. If I purchase, it will be an iPod, not a ds.

Plus, the iPod can also be used as a camera (I know the ds can, too, but I think the pixels are better on the iPod) and can be used for downloading movies, e-reading (think kindle, nook, etc.), music, books on tape, etc., Much better value in my opinion.

My boys (now 7 and 9) were 5 1/2 and 8 when we bought them DSiXL's. XL means it's a larger screen. The "i" means it's "internet ready", although we have that (for the most part) turned off, and we have to enter a pin for them to play over the WiFi. One thing - your girls REALLY need to be able to read in order to play most of the DS games.
As for purchasing them - one place is as good as any other, check prices/deals/etc. I used games at GameStop for about 1/3-1/2 the price. If you want a game the first month or so it's out, it will cost you more than if you can wait a while. We also subscribe to Nintendo's magazine (with DS's and a Wii, it's worthwhile) which reviews games, and lists games by genre, so I know that if my boys like this game, they will probably like that game.
HTH
L.