Benefits of a Nintendo DS?

[WoodysGirl]

Ok, so I got a request for a Nintendo DS as a gift even though the kid has a NOOK. What's the benefit of getting a DS when the kid has a NOOK.

Or should I look into getting one of the other consoles?

Edit: This gift is for a 6yr old

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

DS as in the hand-held device? That thing is like pure gold to kids. Mario, Zelda, Pokemon, you name it. Apples to Oranges when looking at that vs a Nook. Nook has no games that would even come close to the DS and DS is certainly no reading device.

I would not go with another handheld for a kid younger than ten. The Sony handheld has more teen-centric games with more violence and such. Your six year old would be incredibly limited in what you would allow.

 

[Idgit]

From my experience, the gaming systems at that age are tied pretty closely to whatever's popular in the kid's peer group. The platform itself is less important. If his/her friends are mobile and on Nintendo, then you go with Nintendo.

You sure it's a DS and not a 3DS that's being requested?

Either way, the various DS units we got for our little one were some of the best money we've ever invested. From After School to sleepovers to road trips. We used ours until the hinges fell off. Other posters are right, though, they're different animals from readers like the Nook.

 

[WoodysGirl]

She specifically said Nintendo DS. I honestly don't know the difference, but she asked for it last Christmas and I got her the Nook. The Nook really isn't used for anything but games.

She has a couple of learning apps, but that's about it.

But if it's a good buy and something that'll be used until the motherboard goes out, then I'll go ahead and get it.

 

[Idgit]

She specifically said Nintendo DS. I honestly don't know the difference, but she asked for it last Christmas and I got her the Nook. The Nook really isn't used for anything but games.

She has a couple of learning apps, but that's about it.

But if it's a good buy and something that'll be used until the motherboard goes out, then I'll go ahead and get it.

Bear in mind that my kid is, predictably, a giant nerd. But, man, he played two of those units (we had to replace the first after a couple years because he used it so much) until the buttons wore off.

Nintendo DS also was the backdrop for one of my favorite raising-my-kids stories of all time, but that's for another day.

FYI, you can get old used DS games from Gamestop for a song, too, if you want to be extra-generous. From $2 on up, depending on the game. Most of them aren't in-demand games, but there are some pretty fun old games out there that are good to have for a change of pace. The cartridges are small and end up going through the wash more often than you'd care to expect, too, so a little variety can come in handy.

 

[WoodysGirl]

Bear in mind that my kid is, predictably, a giant nerd. But, man, he played two of those units (we had to replace the first after a couple years because he used it so much) until the buttons wore off.

Nintendo DS also was the backdrop for one of my favorite raising-my-kids stories of all time, but that's for another day.

FYI, you can get old used DS games from Gamestop for a song, too, if you want to be extra-generous. From $2 on up, depending on the game. Most of them aren't in-demand games, but there are some pretty fun old games out there that are good to have for a change of pace. The cartridges are small and end up going through the wash more often than you'd care to expect, too, so a little variety can come in handy.

I'm sold. It's on my santa list for sure now

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

Ok, so I got a request for a Nintendo DS as a gift even though the kid has a NOOK. What's the benefit of getting a DS when the kid has a NOOK.

Or should I look into getting one of the other consoles?

Edit: This gift is for a 6yr old

they can play in the car, it is handheld, can take it on playdates, on team trips etc,

 

[Kevinicus]

Original DS - Old and won't play the newest games (but has a big library of old games), probably the cheapest. Comes in several versions, the original fat one, DS Lite (smaller), the DSi (adds a camera), and the DSi XL (The XL is just bigger). Approx. cost - $100

3DS - Newer system that has glasses free 3D (adjustable slider) and plays the newest games. Also plays the older DS games. Comes in 2 versions, original and XL. Approx cost - $170-200 (XL).

2DS - Basically a 3DS without the 3D. For this reason it's cheaper. Approx cost - $130

 

[WoodysGirl]

Original DS - Old and won't play the newest games (but has a big library of old games), probably the cheapest. Comes in several versions, the original fat one, DS Lite (smaller), the DSi (adds a camera), and the DSi XL (The XL is just bigger). Approx. cost - $100

3DS - Newer system that has glasses free 3D (adjustable slider) and plays the newest games. Also plays the older DS games. Comes in 2 versions, original and XL. Approx cost - $170-200 (XL).

2DS - Basically a 3DS without the 3D. For this reason it's cheaper. Approx cost - $130

Do you have a particular preference? My natural cheap..er.. frugalness would lean towards the cheaper version.

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

Do you have a particular preference? My natural cheap..er.. frugalness would lean towards the cheaper version.

I believe 2DS plays old and new games (3DS), whereas the old cheaper DS cannot play the newer 3DS games. That might limit what she can play especially when it comes to those "latest and greatest" games that the other kids might be playing. My son seldom uses the 3D on his 3DS. Once the novelty wore off he just stuck it in 2D mode and played.

 

[Kevinicus]

Do you have a particular preference? My natural cheap..er.. frugalness would lean towards the cheaper version.

The old me would have been 3DS (XL) all the way. Whatever was the best as long as the cost wasn't extreme. As it is, I am more frugal now and not as much of a gamer. I still have the old original fat DS from 2005 and never got any of the new ones. There is a game coming out this month that will make me upgrade, but I'm still deciding between the 2DS and 3DS. Generally the 3D wouldn't matter to me, but I might like it in this instance, so I'm a little torn. But if I didn't have anything and I was picking something, I'd say the 2DS was the best bang for your buck.

 

[WoodysGirl]

I believe 2DS plays old and new games (3DS), whereas the old cheaper DS cannot play the newer 3DS games. That might limit what she can play especially when it comes to those "latest and greatest" games that the other kids might be playing. My son seldom uses the 3D on his 3DS. Once the novelty wore off he just stuck it in 2D mode and played.

Gotcha... and at 6, I don't see her caring about 3D after awhile.

The old me would have been 3DS (XL) all the way. Whatever was the best as long as the cost wasn't extreme. As it is, I am more frugal now and not as much of a gamer. I still have the old original fat DS from 2005 and never got any of the new ones. There is a game coming out this month that will make me upgrade, but I'm still deciding between the 2DS and 3DS. Generally the 3D wouldn't matter to me, but I might like it in this instance, so I'm a little torn. But if I didn't have anything and I was picking something, I'd say the 2DS was the best bang for your buck.

That makes sense. I'd hazard a guess that 2DS is probably the best bet right now since this is her first.

The cheapness in me hates to buy it, tho, because then I know that NOOK will never see the light of day. But it makes for a good buy long-term so I guess in the end, it'll be worth it.

 

[WoodysGirl]

Ok so I've changed my mind. Gonna go with the Nintendo 3DS. Just like the look of it better than the 2DS. It's a little more than the 2DS, but it's less than the 3DS XL.

However, I will be stalking all Gamestops for their $2 sales.