want to get a DS, what should I avoid/look for ?

[craybox]

Hi All,

I am thinking about getting my boy ( 7 ) a DS for Xmas with Brain Train, can anyone recommend where I should get one ( UK ) and what one I should get ? I was looking on ebay for one but I'm a little confused by the descriptions....

I hear there is a DS, DSi and a DS Lite ?

Help!!

TIA :)

[Rudy]

what game genre do you like?

[HilariousNinja]

Well I think only DS Lites are available at the moment. I'd say Gamestation if you wanted a good bundle. The normal DS's or like discontinued or something. DSi, is not coming out til after Christmas I think.

This deal looks quite good: DS Lite with Brain Training:

http://www.gamestation.co.uk/DS/Hardware/H...ing/?mid=408879

[craybox]

@rudy - we only want him to have one for educational type games

@rpatel - thanks for the info

[The Teej]

@rudy - we only want him to have one for educational type games

@rpatel - thanks for the info

Well, there's the Brain train series, which includes:

Brain Training

Brain Training 2

Big Brain Academy

Nintendo also do a Maths specific version of Brain Training, called "Professor Kageyama's Maths Training". It works along the same principle as Brain Training, except specifically for maths.

There's also My Word Coach, which helps kids with their spelling and vocabulary. There's also variations of this such as "My French Coach" and "My Spanish Coach", which do the same thing but help kids with the French and Spanish respectively.

Lastly, for a more "traditional" gaming experience which also doubles up as an educational game, there's "Scrabble 2007 New Edition", which I'm assuming you already understand what the concept is :p Scrabble on DS, plain and simple. It's over a year old though, so good luck trying to find it.

The Nintendo DS Lite is the only Nintendo DS around currently (well, for new, anyway). All DS games on the box just say "Nintendo DS", but don't worry, all DS games work on every version of the DS, which includes the DS, DS Lite and DSi (not out yet). Just pick up the box in store and it'll guaranteed work on your DS.

[sundayx Veteran]

Avoid the DSi if you want homebrew.

[Soldiers33]

get the ds lite. amazon sells them quite cheap

[MightyJordan]

Don't go for the original DS. They're the oldest models, and frankly, the worst out of the three. You'll only really be able to get the DS Lite at the moment. The DSi is only available in Japan at the moment. It won't hit European shores until about spring 2009.

GAME are doing some alright bundles at the moment, so check them out.

[The Teej]

Avoid the DSi if you want homebrew.

I doubt he wants homebrew if he just wants educational games for his 7 year old son :p

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

Get a DS, and there are a few "Brain Training" games.

Things I avoid are "multi console" releases - the DS versions usually are crap (eg: Force Unleashed).

[SMELTN]

Great post, we are looking at purchasing a DS Lite for my Daughter (9yrs) this year for Christmas, and I myself am looking for the best deal and games for her