advice on DS games for young and old?!

00sully

Hi,

can anyone give me a list of the best games to get for 2 young girls aged 4 and 5 and a man aged 50?

I got the DS's as xmas pressies and came with brain training (an obvious choice for the 50 year old) but what games are suitable (and decent!) for young kids? I dont want to get them some garbage that is unplayable yet marketed for young kids!!

Also, aside from the brain/sight/cooking training sims, what other games might an older person enjoy?

Thanks

IsThatSo?

The Lego games are good, Lego Star Wars and Lego Indiana Jones. All the adults and kids in our house played them and loved them

From the kids point of view they are low on frustration levels as you don't "die" you just lose studs (money) and continue on. The Lego Batman is a bit harder, and while its also very good, might be a bit tough for 4/5 year olds. For girls that age I would avoid the Bratz/Hannah Montanah type games as there is a lot of reading. There are also some educational type games for kids (see website below).

For the kids the Kirby games are good (platformers) there is a new one out Kirby Ultra Super Star. Avoid the nintendo produced games for the very young kids if you can, they are great but cause huge frustration.

For yourself, what kind of games do you think you would like? If you are into brain training type games then you might be a puzzle fan. Consider Professor Layton and the Curious Village, there is a thread on this forum about it.

This is the webiste I use, I find their reviews very good, it might be helpful for you in choosing games.

http://ds.ign.com/index/reviews.html

Only the most recently released games are on the front page, but you can look at all games by alphabet or by genre.

00sully

cheers for that! I have read the IGN site alright, but theres a lot to trawl through!

I have a ds myself and my favourite (and only game i play) is bangai-o-spirits - a true gem but an older person or younger person wouldn't enjoy that one!

Kirby looks good for the younger kids alright, seems to be fairly easy nice tip

My older sister (31) wants that detective one ace attorney - man are ds's popular! I got one at release now my whole family (and extended) will nearly have one - crazy

tba

zelda might be a good choice

IsThatSo?

Eek I assumed you were the 50 year old lol.

There are a few Tom Clancy games out. I have never played them but if you read the reviews they might give you an idea if they would be suitable or not

Zelda Phantom Hourglass was excellent and agree with previous poster, well worth having for the 50 year old.

I wouldn't be inclined to start with anything outside of puzzle/light adventure types if the 50 year old is a newbie to DS. Mind you the 4 and 5 year olds will be able to help him/her out

rubadub

My mate had a list of games some girls wanted, not sure of age, nintendogs, bratz babyz, lego starwars, mario kart.

I like bubble bobble revolution.

valleyoftheunos

Nintendogs would be my advice for both 4/5 and 50.

Not a game as such but it involves playing with and looking after cute little dogs, what kid or older person doesn't enjoy that?

jolo

Hi,
I have 2 daughters aged 8 and 11 but they have had their dss for a few years.

Nintendogs is a good one. Both of them loved it at the beginning. My 8 year old loved it dearly at the start and still goes back but Animal Crossing has been her favorite since she first discovered it at about 5-6. It was hilarious listening to her fretting about paying off her mortgage aged 6.
One of her favourites currently is Littlest Pet Shop which is light and fun. Also Imagine Teacher, Baby Pals and Animal Genius.

Lots of the games do require some reading skills though. Super Mario Bros avoids this. Princess Peach another worthwhile possibility.

I agree with earlier post to avoid Hannah Montana and Bratz, not just because they involve readding but because they don't hold any interest. And even though both girls are Big High School Musical fans I'd say they didn't spend an hour playing that.

Cooking Mama is another one they liked. Both of them love Zelda and still go back to it but I'd consider it a bit beyond a 4 year old. I love it myself though.

For 'older' ds heads - Prof Layton is good for puzzles, Phoenix Wright - my favourites. Unsolved Crimes, Animal Crossing! and Zelda!!!!!!!!!!