My 6 yr old daughter has expressed an interest in a DS (thanks to another kid at Summer Camp). Currenlty she only has a Leapster 2 with learning games. I told her we would put it on her birthday and Christmas lists (her birthday is Dec 4th so we were thinking of it being a birthday gift from us so everyone would know that games are an option for Christmas).
I like the idea of the XL because of the screen size but only know people with the DSi. Can any of you moms tell me if the larger screen is only available in the 3D option? I have heard the 3D seems to be triggering more seizures (even in those not previously diagnosed).
Recommendations?
**I just want to add that while her current games are educationally based, they are fun for her (she loves them). I do prefer the educational games but am not looking for just educational game options. Also, I don't really care "what everyone else" does or has. (as in we don't subscribe to the "keeping up with the Jones" mentality like some others we know). Just looking for guidance on the DS options, though I appreciate the feedback on better alternatives so we can make an informed decision.
Thank you to everyone who responded. I started looking into all the alternatives and then I talked to my daughter and asked if she could have a DS or an Ipad or Ipod Touch which would she want and it was a definative DS! Since she has access to my laptop but wants a DS, and it will last her a good amount of time, I think that we are going that route for her birthday. I prefer the XL because of the screen size. I have done some more digging and found that the 3DS XL can play ALL the DS games but the others can not play ANY of the 3D games. So, I am keeping my eyes open for any good deals as they become available between now and Dec (Dec 4th birthday).
My kids have the DS and DSi. We were in Game Stop the other day and they mentioned that games are no longer being made for either of those, only for the 3D. So don't bother. Good luck.
I'm with Christy Lee. Your daughter is on the cusp of being "too old" for the DS and wanting an iPod Touch 'like everybody else'. While they are fragile, they do make Otter Boxes or Survivor Cases which make them much more durable for a 6 year old.
The alternative to the iPod would be a Kindle Fire.
While texting and chatting with friends seems like a long ways off, it really isn't.
One thing to keep in mind when buying a DS is that the games are not backwards compatible. Most (maybe all) of the new games are being made for the 3DS which means they will not work on the previous DS/DSi versions. However, all of the older games will still work on the 3DS. You might want to see which games she is interested in (or which ones you are interested in her having). If any of them are made for the 3DS, then you should seriously consider the 3DS systems.
As far as the 3D goes, it can be turned off with a lever on the side. My kids have the 3DS but very rarely turn the 3D on. If they do, it's only for short periods of time. But they (my son especially) like playing the pokemon and Mario games and the newer ones are being designed for the 3DS, so we have the 3DS.
Don't do it. Seriously. The DS is a moneypit.
I strongly recommend getting her an iPod Touch and putting it into a Otterbox case to keep it from being busted or scratched.
The iPod Touch has SOOOOO much more capability. She can read books on it using the Kindle app. See the weather. Use kid-friendly internet. Games are, on average, $1. She can watch movies and shows on Netflix. Can send iMessages. Keep a calendar of birthdays and holidays and whatever else. Take pictures. Make videos. Listen to music. And LOTS more.
The DS....not so much. And once you add up the cost of the DS, a case/accessories, and a couple of games....you have the cost of an iPod touch. In the long run, you'll get more bang for you buck with the iPod.
I agree with Chrsty Lee! Don't buy a DS! Kids grow tired of each game so fast and games are soooo expensive. Even if you go to Game Stop and buy used games, they are still expensive or not the ones she'll want to play. Plus, the games are small (like a SD card) and can easily be lost. Some of my kids have a DS and they never play on them anymore. It was a waste of money.
Christy suggested an ipod Touch. I have one and my kids use it but the screen is small and they do complain about that. I would actually look into tablets. That's what we have done with our kids. My two boys (6.5 & almost 9) used their own money and each bought a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (7" screen) for $179 at Best Buy. The capabilities are endless. There are so many FREE games to download, 1000's of them. Plus, they can watch Netflix on there as well. My older son also uses Skype to talk to his dad that lives 3 hours away. They also have a camera on the front and back and they love taking pictures or making videos with their tablets. My step kids have tablets as well that their mom has bought them. My 6.5 year old step daughter has a Nabi 2, which is a child's tablet. You can get them at Walmart or Bestbuy for $179. They have parental controls and a big bumper that goes around it to protect it. But you can download all the same games and she can also use Netflix too. We do feel the Nabi 2 is not the best choice for us, but I wanted you to know that it's out there. My older stepkids have Kindle Fires.
I really think a DS is a thing of the past, now that tablets are out there. Do yourself a favor and research some before you make a decision! Good luck!
A friend of my boys had the DS 3d - HATED it. Gave him headaches. He traded it about one month after he got it at GameStop for a DSi. He didn't go for the XL. Haven't heard anything about the 3D giving seizures...guess you would have to have some neurological disorder to have those.
Both of my boys (11 and 13) have DS's. they took them on the plane to go see their grandparents and play them when they aren't busy doing other stuff!
There are plenty of learning games - Brain Games, Strategy, etc.
Hope you find one that works for you.
By the time my kids were 6, they outgrew, their Leapsters.
A DS is fine now for your daughter.
My daughter, got one as a gift from my MIL, and it is a DS lite.
She is 10 now and still uses it.
And she says, there is no need for a DS 3D.
The DS Lite is perfectly fine.
She does not like 3D things.
3D does not mean, it is better.
BUT we also have, an iPad and iTouch etc. and a Nook HD.
It is ours, and my kids have the Nook HD which they got as gifts last Christmas.
So, versus the DS type handheld things, my kids use their Nook HD and iTouch devices, and our iPad, a LOT more.
DS games, cost money.
Apps, are either free or don't cost as much as DS game cartridges.
We have the regular 3dsi's. They are nice. The kids love playing on them and enjoy the games.
If you want only educational stuff then do something else. Hand held games are more for entertainment and not so much learning. Sometimes kids just need to have fun.
My son who is 7 has a DSi XL (not 3D). He enjoys it, and the screen is quite a bit larger. Plays same games as the regular DS lite and DSi. He got it a 6 years old.
I'd get the 3ds (3d is only an option to use it is not mandatory at all) only because it is able to use BOTH 3ds and regular D's games. The newer games only come for the 3ds. I play the 3ds and so does our daughter and we both play with the 3d off I personally do not like the 3d my boyfriend does though we have the Xl and Its nice. BTW the other D's systems only use the Ds games can not use any 3ds games
We got my son a DSi XL a few years ago. I like it. We have not connected to the internet.
He has quite a few games. Got some at garage sales and mom2mom sales. Also as gifts. We rent them from the library, too.
I had heard mixed reviews for the 3D, and my students at school (6th grade) recommended NOT to get the 3D (THey are WAAAAAY more tech savy than I am, so I asked them for advice!), but that was also a few years ago. Maybe they have improved it? Don't know.
Even with it being an XL it is still a great size for traveling, doctor's office, etc.
ipod touches SUCK to try and read books on. My son has one and we ended up getting him an ipad for reading. Yes thats pretty much all he does on it, and plays math games. He also has a DSi XL, and its perfect for that age range. You can take pics on the DS, my son will have loads of fun taking random pics and distorting them, add stickers or what ever to them. Also if her friends have DS she could game swap. You could also get used games pretty cheap at gamestop. The ONLY downside is cases are super hard to find for the DSi XL...ADDED they are still making games for the reg DS, we bought my son Lego Batman 2, and Marvel Heros, both are new games
There is an XL in both the DSi and the 3DS. Thing with the 3DS is you can turn off or down, the 3d part. None of them are going to cause seizures unless you are prone to them.
