Hi All,
The boys (almost 6 years old) are asking for DS's for Christmas. I am not really familiar with them and was just wondering what your opinions are? Pros and Cons??
Thanks so much.
Karen
Mom to my 3 sons
New Year's Day 2004 34 wks

We have the original DSs which are now considered outdated and the kids really want to get the new DSi.
Pro's - kids are entertained in the car and anywhere else they need to wait or sit quietly. I also have some leverage with the game, "no DS until....."
Con's - the games have a way of sucking my kids' brains & attention right out of them, cost of the game system themselves then the games x 3, game cartridges are small and can get lost easily, kids don't always take care of them properly (charging them- my one son's battery went dead since he didn't always charge it fully and since the systems we have are the old ones, it was hard to find new batteries.) The stylus they use on the screen ends up scratching the screen after prolonged use so my daughter complains she can't play the game as well anymore because the scratches interfere with the systems ability to sense what she is doing. I think these things are made in a way that they are considered old after a couple years so you have to upgrade to a new one, and for the price you pay x 3 they should last longer. (Can you tell I am not excited about getting new DSs???) I can't decide if I should upgrade to the DS lite which will be considered old and outdated by this time next year or spend even more money and just get the newest versions. We are already invested into the games, and even thou I have to put strict limits on play time, I like the fact that they are portable and can keep them happily occupied when I really need it to.

Shell~
B/B/G 1/7/2000

I just got the DSi's for my kids for Christmas. They have had the Leapsters for years and have been begging for these. They are super expensive X's 3 IMO! I plan on having limitations on them...as I am afraid of how they will get sucked in! lol After reading Fords post I will be buying the screen protectors.

Another question? What kind of batteries do they take and do I need a charger or 3?


Terri~
12/21/01 at 33 weeks

Fords5 another question for you. What games do your kids love? My SIL got them each a game. I believe they are:

ICarly
Star Wars the Clone Wars
Mario & Lugi (the newest one)


Terri~
12/21/01 at 33 weeks

The batteries that come with the systems are rechargable, and if I remember correctly they all came with their own plug-in to charge with. If they are not charged correctly eventually the battery will no longer hold a charge at all (at least that is what my DH is blaming the death of the battery on.) Thankfully we just found the original DS batteries at radio shack on clearance for $3.00 a piece and we bought the last 3 they had!!! I think to replace a rechargable battery in the new DSs it costs $10.00 or $20.00 a piece, but I am not sure. The game stores around here told us they no longer make the rechargable battery for the old DS so I was happy R.S. still had some. I think in the future, I will hold on to the charger cord and have them give me the game system when it needs charging so I know they won't be killing their batteries.
As far as games my DD loves SIMS Castaway and the Tinkerbell game. She tried the game where you take care of a baby, but she got bored with it very quickly. My sons both like FIFA Soccer 10, all the Kirby games & Zelda Phantom Hourglass. The soccer one is the most popular with the boys right now. They also liked Super Mario Bros. My one DS has Puppy Playtime and he likes it but gets frustrated with it.
I did get the boys camo bags to carry the game system and games in. They are about the size of a lunch bag, have a shoulder strap, and a couple smaller pockets inside the main case. My daughter got a small handbag just for her stuff. I know they sell carrying cases for the games but these were fairly inexpensive and seem to work great. And my DD loves the fact that hers looks just like a purse I would have - more grown-up you know Those games are just so darn little they are easy to lose when they take them places. Heck we even lost a game for a few weeks in the house! We finally found it down in the crack of the sofa cushions.

Shell~
B/B/G 1/7/2000

Thank you for your response and the helpful information! I wish they would still be content with their Leapster and V-Tech stuff -- but I guess they are moving on to the next phase -- and growing up!!
Karen
Mom to my 3 sons
New Year's Day 2004 34 wks

i got our trio the regular ds's for this Christmas.

being in HK things are a little different...i don't buy games i buy cartidges with about 36 different games on them. it's not too expensive, but expensive enough.

on plane rides, the kids will have unlimited ds time.

the kids can either watch television or play their ds's. that's how friends of ours handle the not letting them play too much electronic stuff and it has worked well.

tess
mummy to 7yr old ds & the triumverate born 2004