Nintendo DS question from clueless parent!!

mushypeas77

My nearly 6 yr old is looking for a Nintendo 3DS for Christmas but I might be able to get away with a 2DS instead. My questions are as follows:
- does the 3 mean its in 3D and would this be bad for his eyesight if playing too much
- which version is best for his age group
- what games would you recommend
- where's the cheapest to buy them

Sorry so many questions, but really need help!!

Thanks in advance

Gunmonkey

The 3 does mean 3D, but it can be switched off. Ive never used it, its a nice gimmick but not vital for using the system.

As far as games go, cant go wrong with Pokemon, and there is a bundle of a 2DS and either of the newest ones just out (Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire). Couldn't tell you the cheapest place personally.

Yawns

Brand new off amazon.it they are about €160. Can be picked up about €100 - €13- 2nd hand. 3DSXL that is. Best version I think.

The 3d option can be switched off and played in 2D mode.

Mario Kart 7 is a great game for kids. Can't go wrong with it. Pokemon might be too advanced. More suited to an 8yr old I think.

Banjo

My daughter is 5, nearly 6, loves any Kirby game she's come across (Triple Deluxe, Magic Mirror on VC), Mariokart, Marioworld, Mario Bros and Nintendogs. Not so keen on Shovel Knight, but sure what does she know?

I'd agree that Pokemon is asking a lot for someone that young. It's good to encourage them to read but pokemon games are very text-heavy. All the action? Text. All the plot points? Text. All the instructions telling you where to go next? Text. When they say "Daddy! Help!" it's a lot easier to jump over a goomba than it is to figure out you need to go back to that desert you passed 2 towns ago, take the Jewel Key to the 3rd idol on the left and then go inside with a level 50 or higher Gorgorak in your party unless you were paying attention when they told you to do it.

(That doesn't actually happen in pokemon, but I've played it in japanese, which is the same as being 6 and playing it in english - there are a lot of times you just don't know what the **** is going on, and you can't google it because you don't know what any of the words are)

Mr E

I got Pokemon Black for my 8 year old nephew a few months ago. To be honest, he just kept pressing the button to skip the text - then he'd ask his Uncle (me!) to figure out what he's supposed to be doing!

I'd stay stick with the Marios and Kirbys to start off with...

Tomo.Murphy

My friends and I played Pokemon Red and Gold when we were around 6-7 and had few issues with them, and the Pokemon games were a lot harder then than they are now.

Apart from that, the Lego games are fun for all ages, Mario Kart or any of the Mario games really. I haven't played the new Yoshi's Island, but the original one was good (well, apart from the crying of Baby Mario). There are lots of great games for kids on it.

gubbie

Ok, the kid is 5, he's definitely too young for a 3DS XL!

Go for a 2D. There's little difference between it and a 3DS and as said, many people don't use the 3D anyway. The 2DS is also sturdier because it doesn't have a hinge.

The Lego games are a brilliant idea. I'd suggest Batman, Lego Movie, Harry Potter, Star Wars... to be honest there's a ton of them, if he likes a theme, go with that and I'd say you could get them all fairly easily for a lot cheaper then their original price. They can be gotten on either the normal DS or a 3DS. Either version will probably suit if they're on a 2DS

Tomo.Murphy

I'd agree with the 2DS. You'll find a new one much cheaper (even in a bundle with some games) than a 3DS XL. The only reason I picked up the XL was because I wanted the larger screens. It's not recommended for young kids to use the 3D function. I can't use it myself without getting a headache. If you do get a 3DS though and are worried about this, you can turn off the 3D function in the parental controls menu.

The only inconvenience with the 2DS is that it doesn't fold, but I guess that just means that there are no hinges for kids to break.

CiDeRmAn

Thing about the 2DS is that the screens are vulnerable to damage and almost impossible to source replacements if one breaks.
I'd nearly watch for a cheap launch 3DS model at this point.