craybox Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 Looking for some advice from people/parents out there. I have resisted buying my boy any PSP, DSi e.t.c until I felt he was ready for one and understood the responsibility of have a games machine. It will be his 8th birthday at the end of this month and was going straight down the route of a Nintendo DSi, but then I thought for the same price I could get him an iPod Touch? as far as I can see there are few pros and cons... iPod Touch For - loads of apps/ games that are cheap Against - is it a bit too flashy for an 8 year old ? Nintendo DSi For - lots of good games ( so the other kids tell me ) and educational apps/games Against - Price of games ( although having one game for three months might teach him value for money ) What do you lot think ? Have I missed something ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Dick Montage Subscriber² Posted October 8, 2009 Subscriber² Share Posted October 8, 2009 DSi Main reason? Much more able to withstand knocks and bumps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ironman273 Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 My son is now 9 and he has a DSi (and previously a Lite). The DSi is obviously newer but he's had the Lite for a couple of years now and it's pretty durable. When we're out together he asks me for my iPhone to play some games and I cringe hoping this won't be the time he drops it and breaks the screen. My friend gave his 12 year old a Touch and it was broken within 3 months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun N. Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 I would say DSi, My 5 year old has a DS lite and loves it. My daughter used to play on my iPhone (when it was alive) and she got bored with that quicker than the DS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mega Goatlord Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 Looking for some advice from people/parents out there.I have resisted buying my boy any PSP, DSi e.t.c until I felt he was ready for one and understood the responsibility of have a games machine. It will be his 8th birthday at the end of this month and was going straight down the route of a Nintendo DSi, but then I thought for the same price I could get him an iPod Touch? as far as I can see there are few pros and cons... iPod Touch For - loads of apps/ games that are cheap Against - is it a bit too flashy for an 8 year old ? Nintendo DSi For - lots of good games ( so the other kids tell me ) and educational apps/games Against - Price of games ( although having one game for three months might teach him value for money ) What do you lot think ? Have I missed something ? Go for the DSi. My sons each have one (age 5 and 7) and they are durable as hell. Only downfall is the games are small and are easily misplaced. Upside is...and I know this from experience...the games can go through a washer and dryer cycle and still work fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John S. Veteran Posted October 8, 2009 Veteran Share Posted October 8, 2009 iPod Touch, it's capable of so much more than a gaming (internet, music, apps) and you don't have to worry about keeping up with cartidges. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
what Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 DSi is also a lot more tactile which I think kids enjoy more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gigapixels Veteran Posted October 8, 2009 Veteran Share Posted October 8, 2009 DSi for sure. Game quality is infinitely better and it's much more durable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sethos Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 DSi, I wouldn't give an advanced piece of kit, which the iPhone is to an 8 year old. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t0mbi Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 Man, go the DSi way.. if cartridges are a problem (carrying them around) get a r4 and backup them up. DSi is way more durable than the iPhone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimplySchizo Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 Voted for DSi. Can be used as a learning tool for your child. I'd say is the most important factor overall considering your kid's age. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pheee Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 DSi gets my vote, my almost 5year old plays the DS, I would not get an iTouch for him until at least getting to his Teens, but by that time there will be something else. DSi also has the games they want to play like Ben10, disney games their favourite super heros etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.Neo Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 I love my iPod touch but for an 8-yo I'd go with the DSi. It's more durable and probably easier to operate for a kid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craybox Posted October 8, 2009 Author Share Posted October 8, 2009 WOW thanks for all the feedback really helpful. Durability definitely a concern which I overlooked.... Thanks again @pheee - Oh and Ben 10 games for DS my boy would love that :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craybox Posted October 8, 2009 Author Share Posted October 8, 2009 well the DSi it is. any recommendations on cases to increase that durability ? TIA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Menge Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 I own a DS and an iPhone: DSi wins hands down in game quality and general fun. Get him scribblenauts as well :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Decryptor Veteran Posted October 8, 2009 Veteran Share Posted October 8, 2009 well the DSi it is.any recommendations on cases to increase that durability ? TIA You'll want something thick and rubbery (like silicone) to absorb most of the impact force if it's dropped, apart from that it's pretty durable as it is (although try not to let the screen go past 180 degrees, since it won't be attached any more then) Oh, and get a backup pack (or two) of stylus's, my cousin (she's 7) continuously loses hers. Edit: Another vote for scribblenauts, that'll help the vocabulary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Teej Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 I'd also get it insured. If you get it from GAME, you can get this one time insurance policy called GAMEcare. It'll last 2 years and only costs ?20, even covers accidental damage. For an extra ?10, you can get it covered for 3 years. More info here: http://www.game.co.uk/lowdown.aspx?lid=712...e-_-moredetails Oh, and get a case to carry cartridges in, they're very handy, especially when he'll probably leave a couple around the house from time to time, and you can't find the actual cas:p:p Plus, they're handy for trips and what not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Dick Montage Subscriber² Posted October 8, 2009 Subscriber² Share Posted October 8, 2009 I also suggest NOT giving an 8 year old child an internet connected device without any real form of parental controls or monitoring (iPhone). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimplySchizo Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 I dont think durability is an issue. Unless you dont want it scratched, i honestly wouldnt worry about spending anymore $ on any type of protective case. They really CAN take quite a beating. My son's 4yrs old and has had his DS for over 2 years now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DomZ Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 Doesn't the iPhone/Touches have parental controls anyways? I've seen it on my iPhone buy for obvious reasons haven't looked into too deepyly, so that's not really an issue, but I'd probably suggest a DSi as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Frank B. Subscriber² Posted October 8, 2009 Subscriber² Share Posted October 8, 2009 Doesn't the iPhone/Touches have parental controls anyways? I've seen it on my iPhone buy for obvious reasons haven't looked into too deepyly, so that's not really an issue, but I'd probably suggest a DSi as well. Yes, they do come with parental controls. I still wouldn't give an 8-year-old an internet-enabled device like the iPod Touch. As has been mentioned before the DSi wins on the durability front as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craybox Posted October 8, 2009 Author Share Posted October 8, 2009 dont worry they don't get any internet access without OpenDNS on Maximum setting e.t.c. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KoL Veteran Posted October 8, 2009 Veteran Share Posted October 8, 2009 Another vote for DSi My nephew (4 years old) have one DS Lite and he like it a lot. He doesn't play a lot of game just Mario Kart and New Super Mario Bros. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mokthraka Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 get the DSI there are some things on the Iphone a 8 year old shouldnt have. when ever I went to the app store. there was always something called bikini something or other on the most downloaded. not really *bad* but an 8 year older shouldnt see it. not to mention there are more games for his age on the DSI. does he listen to music though? not really sure what the heck little kids listen to but that might be a factor in choosing what he gets Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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