DSi v 3DS

Quazzie

Hi. I', just looking for a few questions answered quickly if possible/ I'm about to go buy a DSi for my young fella. He's only 3 but he has been playing his cousins DSi and likes it.

My question is, should I buy a DSi, or spend the extra and buy the 3DS. Will the DSi be defunct this time next year, with no new games etc.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

looking_around

He's hardly old enough to fully understand all the functions in a 3DS.
They are stropping new games for the DSi but there are ALOT of games out there for it. At the cost of a 3DS ..I just don't think it's worth it for a 3 year old.. but then I wouldn't get them a DS at all, Til they were around 5 or 6

IF he's younger than 7 the 3d is bad for him and it's prob a waste if money get him a 2nd hand ds lite plays the same games as a dsi and costs less than 80 euro

martineatworld

Alexander Tinkling Seam wrote: »

IF he's younger than 7 the 3d is bad for him and it's prob a waste if money get him a 2nd hand ds lite plays the same games as a dsi and costs less than 80 euro

If you're going down the preowned route then you can get a preowned 3DS for around the 100 mark.

I really can't see the negatives in getting him a 3ds over a dsi. It will have a few years longer shelf life than the dsi and can still play all the old ds games so you can pick them up cheap still. For the extra few quid, it's worth it.

martineatworld

martineatworld wrote: »

Alexander Tinkling Seam wrote: »

IF he's younger than 7 the 3d is bad for him and it's prob a waste if money get him a 2nd hand ds lite plays the same games as a dsi and costs less than 80 euro

If you're going down the preowned route then you can get a preowned 3DS for around the 100 mark.

I really can't see the negatives in getting him a 3ds over a dsi. It will have a few years longer shelf life than the dsi and can still play all the old ds games so you can pick them up cheap still. For the extra few quid, it's worth it.

It is future proofing yourself a bit but Nintendo said keep the 3d away from someone below 7 it's easy enough to to turn off but your trusting a 4 year old to not turn on the 3d on top of that at that age he won't take care of it I think your wasting money spending the extra few bob cheapest iv seen with a guarantee is 140

Quazzie

Alexander Tinkling Seam wrote: »

It is future proofing yourself a bit but Nintendo said keep the 3d away from someone below 7 it's easy enough to to turn off but your trusting a 4 year old to not turn on the 3d on top of that at that age he won't take care of it I think your wasting money spending the extra few bob cheapest iv seen with a guarantee is 140

He'll only be using it supervised, and if he does manage to turn on the 3D it'll be made perfectly clear that he'll lose access for a week. He's very good with rules and understanding the consequences so I'm not too worried about him using the 3D. What I'm more worried about is buying it and come Xmas I can't buy him some games for it.

I might go down the pre owned route for the 3ds just to be sure.

gubbie

For a 3 year old I wouldn't bother with a 3ds. You shouldn't discount a dslite. The only difference a dsi has over a dslite is that the dsi can access an online store to buy games (and it has a camera). This of course is not a feature worth buying for a kid.

Secondly, I don't think there is one game for the 3ds specifically that is for a young child. The dslite does, probably more then you'd need (or at least enough to keep you going til your son accidentally drops it!).

Then again, if you have the money, and would like to have a play with it yourself, then go for the 3ds.

RobertFoster

There are parental controls that will disable the 3D at a system level, requiring a PIN to re-enable, so you won't have to worry about him touching the 3D slider.

I suppose you'd be future-proofing yourself by getting a 3DS over a DSi/Lite, plus all the DS games (excluding some that need the GBA slot) will work with the 3DS. Even if you choose the DSi/Lite instead, you need not worry about getting to Christmas and not having a game to play - at this stage in the console's life (over 7 years), the back catalogue is huge, so there'll always be a game for him to play.

robman60

I'd pay the little extra for the 3DS.

I presumed one of the parental control settings allowed you to turn off 3D, so that even the slider wouldn't work, but as it hasn't been mentioned I must be wrong.

You'll also be getting a much longer shelf life with the 3DS, and to the person who said there are no games specifically for a kid on 3DS, I must disagree. Although Mario Kart 7 and Super Mario 3D Land aren't specically for children, they're definitely really fun for a kid.

Kinski

You can pick up tons of cheap DS games now, both online and in the high street; the system is being phased out, so most games for it are heading for the bargain bin.

But one thing to consider are downloadable apps from the Nintendo store for the 3DS, which in time should include many cheap, simple games that may appeal to a youngster.

But tbh, three is still a bit young for this sort of thing. If he's gonna be supervised anyhow, just let him play games on your smartphone!

DARK-KNIGHT

Child is 3 ffs don't be silly buying a 3ds but buy him or her a ds lite and see how they get on u will pick one up on adverts for about 40 or 50 euro with a few games and remember shop around for games u will save a fortune..

Can I just say at 3 years old get the child a hobby like soccer or gaa or rugby no need to buy him a console at 3!!

Quazzie

DARK-KNIGHT wrote: »

Child is 3 ffs don't be silly buying a 3ds but buy him or her a ds lite and see how they get on u will pick one up on adverts for about 40 or 50 euro with a few games and remember shop around for games u will save a fortune..

Can I just say at 3 years old get the child a hobby like soccer or gaa or rugby no need to buy him a console at 3!!

I always hear this argument when I talk to people about buying him tech stuff (he got a tablet from Santa) and my comeback is always the same. I can't decide that he likes. He likes what he likes. I'd never allow him to become inactive or unsocial because of his interest in computers but I certainly won't deny him anything he shows a passion in.

In the end I got a good deal on a DSi in Gamestop and Mario bros. He loves it, and played with for a bit yesterday evening with his cousins. They played against each other, which I couldn't figure out what to do, but my 7 year old niece could.

caspa307

Quazzie wrote: »

I always hear this argument when I talk to people about buying him tech stuff (he got a tablet from Santa) and my comeback is always the same. I can't decide that he likes. He likes what he likes. I'd never allow him to become inactive or unsocial because of his interest in computers but I certainly won't deny him anything he shows a passion in.

In the end I got a good deal on a DSi in Gamestop and Mario bros. He loves it, and played with for a bit yesterday evening with his cousins. They played against each other, which I couldn't figure out what to do, but my 7 year old niece could.

thank you so much from someone that has played games from the age of 2, i never had an interest in sports, and was never forced into it my mum and dad (despite being persecuted buy pretty much everyone) always encouraged me, from the age of 14 ive been playing in tournaments, and 2 years ago was able to get my mum and dad a new car. so thank you for encouraging your son. and i hope he moves on from his ds to bigeer and better games

DARK-KNIGHT

Quazzie wrote: »

I always hear this argument when I talk to people about buying him tech stuff (he got a tablet from Santa) and my comeback is always the same. I can't decide that he likes. He likes what he likes. I'd never allow him to become inactive or unsocial because of his interest in computers but I certainly won't deny him anything he shows a passion in.

In the end I got a good deal on a DSi in Gamestop and Mario bros. He loves it, and played with for a bit yesterday evening with his cousins. They played against each other, which I couldn't figure out what to do, but my 7 year old niece could.

A tablet from Santa?? Now please say its a leapfrog tablet or fully educational one??

Can I just say I have a 3 year old absolutely tech mad and believe me all kids are At that stage if you gave him a ball or train or any toys from Santa he would be delighted with it!! So at 3 your child has a tablet, gaming console now too? That's madness tbh you can hide behind he is tech mad all you want the fact is he is 3 not 13.

How would u be denying him of his interest in something by not buying him high priced unnecessary tech items? Let your child be a child...

Sorry for rant but I feel really strongly about this!! What's for Christmas coming?? His own iPhone???

And believe me you won't have control of console gaming or tech turning him anti social gradually u will see him become more recluse believe me!!

Not just my opinion either am in a playcenter here in Naas with 5 other families and parents and we are discussing this and all are saying same as me.

Word of advice outdoor all the way or activities to burn energy off rather than giving a child a ds!!

Btw this isn't criticising you but way as a nation we have become completely fixated on material things and our kids are being influenced by technology it's silly whatever happened to kids playing make believe etc?

DARK-KNIGHT

caspa307 wrote: »

thank you so much from someone that has played games from the age of 2, i never had an interest in sports, and was never forced into it my mum and dad (despite being persecuted buy pretty much everyone) always encouraged me, from the age of 14 ive been playing in tournaments, and 2 years ago was able to get my mum and dad a new car. so thank you for encouraging your son. and i hope he moves on from his ds to bigeer and better games

I played games from 8 I reckon at a stage that I could ask my parents for a console my decision fully, at 2 or 3 it's the parents that
Make decisions about gaming or anything like that Caspa.

caspa307

DARK-KNIGHT wrote: »

I played games from 8 I reckon at a stage that I could ask my parents for a console my decision fully, at 2 or 3 it's the parents that
Make decisions about gaming or anything like that Caspa.

oh while i understand and agree im just pointing out that its good to see a parent not discouraging gaming if that makes sense

DARK-KNIGHT

I agree encourage Caspa but let kids be kids a ds has no place with an infant

Nollog

I'd buy him the 3DS, and use parental controls to disable the 3D.
When he's 8 there'll be a great selection of games for it, the DS and the DSi.

Banjo

DARK-KNIGHT wrote: »

I agree encourage Caspa but let kids be kids a ds has no place with an infant

As owner of such an infant I can tell you now, no one explains that to them. She will not leave my 3DS or my smartphone alone. You've never seen raw animal need till you've watched a 3 year old jonesing for a go of Talking Tom.

I would not buy a kid that young either a DSi or 3DS. I'd buy a 2nd hand DS lite for as little as humanly possible because it's going to get broken by accident. negligence or curiousity (It looks like a square butterfly! Can it fly like a butterfly?) - they can't help it, they're kids and they are curious about their world, especially at 3 when you're testing every boundary you bump into - and you want to be able to use it as a life lesson for the kid but not feel like it's one for yourself as well, ya know? A kid breaks a €150 quid console over a 30-60 quid one, it's hard not to get angry with them. Also, there's not much difference between the DSi and a DS lite other than stuff you probably won't let him do on his own anyway so why pay the extra?

As already said, there's tonnes of games out there for the DS and a 3 year old is too young to give a monkeys about graphics. If you want to upgrade in a few years, get a 2nd hand 3DS or whatever is current then - the price of the two second hand consoles should work out less than buying a 3DS or 3DSXL new now.

Oh, I'm too late. Well enjoy

Quazzie

DARK-KNIGHT wrote: »

A tablet from Santa?? Now please say its a leapfrog tablet or fully educational one??

Can I just say I have a 3 year old absolutely tech mad and believe me all kids are At that stage if you gave him a ball or train or any toys from Santa he would be delighted with it!! So at 3 your child has a tablet, gaming console now too? That's madness tbh you can hide behind he is tech mad all you want the fact is he is 3 not 13.

How would u be denying him of his interest in something by not buying him high priced unnecessary tech items? Let your child be a child...

Sorry for rant but I feel really strongly about this!! What's for Christmas coming?? His own iPhone???

And believe me you won't have control of console gaming or tech turning him anti social gradually u will see him become more recluse believe me!!

Not just my opinion either am in a playcenter here in Naas with 5 other families and parents and we are discussing this and all are saying same as me.

Word of advice outdoor all the way or activities to burn energy off rather than giving a child a ds!!

Btw this isn't criticising you but way as a nation we have become completely fixated on material things and our kids are being influenced by technology it's silly whatever happened to kids playing make believe etc?

I understand where you are coming from, but not why you feel so passionately about it, but I'll try to explain myself anyway.

When he was just over two he used to sit on my knee before he settled into bed and we'd watch some cartoons. Inevitably I'd go on my phone and browse a bit of boards/facebook. Because of this he became very interested in it, and loved playing around with some apps that I downloaded for him. After awhile my iphone broke (speakers and mic packed in) and was replace under insurance so I kept the old one for him. He was 2 years old and has his own iPhone so reading your post made me laugh when you mentioned it. He only ever played with it, for them 5 minutes most nights just before he went to bed, as a way I suppose of settling down and relaxing. Just before Xmas last year the phone eventually kicked the bucket and ceased working at all, and he missed it terribly, so Santa brought him a tablet. Again he uses it in similar circumstances to the iPhone, except maybe a bit longer now (max 15 minutes). We also have some of his favourite movies and programs on the tablet which he enjoys watching on Saturday mornings as he lies in bed with us.

Recently his two cousins, who are a year and 3 years older have been showing him how to use their DSi, and he loves it, thats why we bought it for him. You say you are worried about him being stuck inside a lot. He isn't, but we do enjoy going away at the weekend as a family and we find the tablet helps entertain him on long drives. Yesterday for example we went to the beach, and because we are from the midlands it's a 2 hours drive. On the drive there he spent approx 30 minutes playing with the DS, and the rest just chatting singing songs, or playing iSpy. When we got to the beach he ran around for a solid 4-5 hours. I don't know where he gets the energy, but he was full of life. On the way home he got the DS for 15 minutes and the rest was just relax time, as he was wrecked after a long day.

We're living in a GAA mad town, so he won't grow up without his GAA mad Grandad making him play, and I hope myself to have him playing Soccer aswell, which he has already shown a good interest in playing, even if he doesn't like watching it. I also hope to get him guitar and drums lessons when he is older, because I feel music is equally important for a child to learn to try broaden their horizons.

I know the idea of a console with a child might sound bizarre, but to me I believe its a good stepping stone to introduce him to computers, which I believe will be a big part of his, and all our futures whether he wants it or not.

Kinski

Quazzie wrote: »

I also hope to get him guitar and drums lessons when he is older, because I feel music is equally important for a child to learn to try broaden their horizons.

Whatever about a DS or iPhone, there's one present you'll regret. I always try to get my nephew noisy toys, preferably ones with destructive potential, just to bug his parents...one of these days I might mature beyond that, but I'm beginning to doubt it.

On a side note, how much cooler are kids' toys these days compared to the 70s/80s? I played with a remote controller helicopter last Xmas; those were expensive "executive" toys when I was a kid.

leannejoshua

Cant believe they are not selln d dsi nemore ! wanted to buy 1 for my son nd was told no longer available !:(

Quazzie

leannejoshua wrote: »

Cant believe they are not selln d dsi nemore ! wanted to buy 1 for my son nd was told no longer available !:(

Gamestop have them second hand for €99 with a 12 month guarantee. Then they have discounts on games when you buy one with the console.