I'm a lifelong Nintendo gamer, but I've never done handhelds.
My daughter will be 7 soon, and she asked her grandparents for new games for her Leapster. She doesn't understand that basically, she's outgrown her Leapster...she has all the games she would enjoy, and they're too easy for her, anyhow. She does well at most of the games I play...Mario, Zelda, etc. So I told my parents I thought it'd be better to surprise her with a Nintendo DS.
Now, I know nothing about these things...I know they have a DSi (don't think that's necessary) and a 3DS (too expensive.) So, is the DS becoming obsolete? Are they still making games for it? If you have one, do your children like it? Etc etc? :)
***Oooh...also, what kind've batteries does this use, and can you get some sort of rechargable thing or how long do batteries last, etc?
Hmmm, maybe just skip the whole hand held game phase all together and go for an IPad or some other tablet? Then soon she can use it for other things as well.
:)
My son (8) hasn't touched his DS since the iPAd/iPod Touch arrival.....
My friend bought a Samsung Galaxy for her 8 year old--same thing--no more DS for him.
p.s. The DS will have an AC adapter charging cord.
My kids got the DSi XL for Christmas and they love it! I love it, hubs loves it - he wants one too :) It's got a large screen, rechargable batt built in, it takes pictures, records sound, you can draw on it and make it into little comic things. It gets online, so you can buy games online like you can for the Wii. I think it's just great. Didn't want to go with the 3ds because I heard it's bad for kids eyes and just don't even want to risk that. yes - I know you can turn if off, but then what's the point and I'd have to monitor the kids so closely and make sure they didn't turn the 3d back on.
Spring for the DSi, takes pics, better graphics. It has a rechargeable battery, and we've had the DS and DSi for 5+ years and never have replaced a battery.
Gamestop sells used games, and DS games work on the DSi. Good Luck!
My kids have a DSI xl, and we like it because it has the bigger screen and it makes a huge difference. But, before you buy go check out the different systems at Best Buy. The DS is great, but they have some new stuff out that is touch screen through the back for a whole new way to play (i think it was by playstation).
We all love my 11 year olds dsi. She loves the camera feature. Since she's older now and has a touch screen phone, she doesn't play with it as much anymore, but me and my 4 year old still play on it. It has an adapter for charging it.
Ok....I have an answer for you....Look into finding the DSiXL. They do make bundles which include a game....check at Best Buy. It also has built games/activities and a built -in camera. The DSiXL is larger than the DSi..the screen is bigger. I have heard many bad things about the 3DS....it is not good for their eyes. Plus, it is the size of the DSi. I just saw bundles for the DSiXL at Best Buy around xmas......the bonus is it comes with a plug-in charger...no batteries. Plus you can buy a car charger too. Our kids love theirs. Boys....6 and 9. Invest in a travel case....just to keep it all together. I hope this helps......SHE WILL LOVE IT!!!!! All the DS games can be played on the DSiXL except for the 3DS games. Good Luck.....I ended up buying my 6 year-old the DSiXL Mario Kart Bundle on Amazon...because his BDAY was in October and they did not come out with the new Bundle until xmas time. Good Luck!!!
I have a DSi and my parents gave my 5 year old a 3DS for Christmas. I just want to add that the 3D is blocked, because this can damage his eyes, since they aren't fully developed until about age 8. He loves that he can make Mii's on his 3DS, and he has a Spongebob game he enjoys, but his favorite thing to play on is my DSi, because he can take silly pictures, and record fun sounds/songs he sings. I get a kick out of going through my DSi and seeing what he's been up to!
my daughter has a dsi (shes 4). she loves it. she plays hello kitty, pinkalicious, my little pony, sqinkies, and i spy. my daughter likes the dsi because she can take pictures with it ;)
My 7 y/o has a DSi and loves that thing! My 3 y/o even likes to play it (when brother is feeling generous and lets him), but can only play one or two of his games b/c the rest are too difficult.
The DSi doesn't take batteries ~ it has a wall charger. I think Ty charges his up every 3 or 4 days.
Ditto the idea in general. My kids have both had DSlites for some time now. I think my son got his when he was 8. Since then, we have added digital cameras, laptops, a Flip (HD video recorder), Wii (including the balance board), ipods and the latest... the PS3 move.
My son STILL wants something else. We call it "the 10th commandment problem" around here...(Thou shall not covet). Which basically means not to be discontented with what you have. In America, everyone is all about getting the next best thing... even before it is available. Once they get it, they are usually let down and want the NEXT thing... and on and on it goes, lol.
Anyway, he wants the new PSVita (not gonna happen). BUT, he had put away his DS for a while---been too engrossed with his Ipod and PS3. He had been talking about trading his DS in at Gamestop to put towards a PSGo (?).... When he pulled it out a few weeks ago, he started playing it. And the words that came out of his mouth: "Wow! I forgot how much fun this is! What was I thinking ..wanting to trade it!? "
And no they don't need anything extra as far as batteries. They come with a power cord to plug them in for charging, and my kids have never had an issue with reduced battery life or anything like that. BTW, my son is 13, and has had his DSlite for 5 years. MOST of which time, he was using is fairly regularly.
