Need Input on the Best Nintendo DS Games

Hi! I have 9yr. old and 5 yr. old daughters. They both have DSes... Brain Age is a great game... entertaining, challenging and even educational. Also NintenDogz( for both genders), Babyz (more girly) Carnival (either boy or girl), and Mario Karts (more boyish but could be for either). Don't forget to go to places like GameStop and GameCrazy... you can get used games that are guaranteed and look and perform exactly like the new ones at about 10 or so dollars less! Hope this helps!

Good luck and have fun!

--L.

The DS is an awesome gift! We gave my neice one two years ago and she loves it. My 5yr old adores his too.

Find games that mirror their interests. Lego Star Wars is big right now, Nintendogs is a classic for boys or girls that love dogs, any of the imagine series (chef, vet, designer) are great too. Mario Kart is great too and is multi player, and of course any of the Mario games are classics for us as well as the kids.

I also have to plug the wii. Instead of buying each a ds you could invest in the wii and it's great for the whole family! We play ours all the time. My son loves Mario Kart and the wii fit (which I love too!) and my son is getting my husband the Lego Batman game for it for Christmas, we also have boom blox which is so much fun! The wii is much more interactive then a ds and gets mom and dad involved as well.

The biggest thing to remember is to read reviews closely, and do as much checking as you can into the games. As long as you know what your kids are playing, and play with them games are a powerful tool in your parenting kit.

We love the DS too. I have no idea on boy games, but my niece has a game called "Smart Girls Playhouse." There are a bunch (12?) of little games on it.
There are some that are taking care of an animal (like a vet), plan a wedding, design clothes...

Hi, C.. You can purchase some great used games at Gamestop for less than the new price, and Gamestop will let you return used games for up 7 days for full refund/exchange. This is great for my son, who knows within a day or two whether it's a "keeper" or not, and he can try out a lot of other games w/o losing the money if he doesn't like them.

Hi C.,
Congrats on getting a jump on your christmas shopping.Thats great! My kids have had the nintendo ds for 3 years now and love them. They are ages 12 (boy) and 8 (girl). They love the Nintendogs games. Nintendo has 3 on the market and any will do. The best part is that you only need one game cartridge and they can both play it on their own Ds as long as they are sitting close. It tells you how in the instructions or ask a salesman at toys r' us or any other gaming store. When we go to dinner with a certain family to our favorite restaurant it is great. With 5 kids all playing their Ds's together we can actually carry on an adult conversation un-interupted! They just love them. They also told me to tell you that they like Mario Kart. My son says they can race each other. Well, enjoy your shopping. Good choice to me getting the Nintendo Ds. Have a great holiday too! M.

Here is a link on ratings for games and what they mean(from 'Game Stop'):
http://www.gamestop.com/Ratings

Game Stop, the store and online... is a place we get a lot of games from... they also have 2nd hand ones that are CHEAP. Lots of "kid" games too. If anything, they have always been helpful when we ask questions. There are lots of "educational" type games too, that are fun.
Here is an example of their "kid" games and even 2nd hand ones:
http://www.gamestop.com/browse/search.aspx?N=0&Ntk=Ti...

Your daughter is 6 years old, and your son is 10 years old... this is a wide spread in age, to me. So get games that would be suitable for their ages. Not just clumping them together.

We have an XBox.... my hubby got it for himself, and now the kids play on it too, their own "kid" games. My hubby likes it. But his friend likes Playstation.
BUT, each person is different.

Here is the link from Game Stop on Nintendo DS:
http://www.gamestop.com/browse/search.aspx?N=0&Ntk=Ti...

I guess the thing is, if you want a "hand-held" type game thing, or something you can play at home on the tv.

Or, there is the "Wii" gaming system too.... and adults can also get accessories for themselves too, like the "Wii Fit" things which is real popular. But yes, these things are expensive.

Or, maybe try Ebay... they might have some good deals... but you wouldn't have the same return/exchange policies as an actual "store."

Good luck,
Susan

Nintendogs is a cute game.

My daughter loves...
Super Princess Peach
Nintendogs
Zoo Tycoon

She said that Pet Vet and Imagine animal doctor are a little confusing. She has one about dolphins that she says is difficult. The pet fashion designer and gourmet chef on on her xmas list this year.

My son loves....
Lego Star Wars
Lego Indiana Jones
Mario Cart and anything with Mario

I work at a school and Yoshi's Island and Mario Olympics is very popular too. Just get anything that is rated "E"

I second the Game Stop advice. They sell used as well as new systems and games. Used games are returnable for full value up to 7 days after purchase. Which makes it great, to try and return if needed.
We have a DS I bought there used last year, it still works fabulous. Its mine, but the kids have games for it as well.

For your 10 year old - Lego Star Wars is the big deal right now.
For your six year old - I would say the doggie games that have her "care" for and "raise" a dog. My daughter loves them

L.

For your girl: Nintendogs, Kirby games (Kirby Super star ultra, Kirby Squeak Squad), If she is into Club Penguin they have a new DS club penguin game, ditto for Littlest pet shop if she likes that toy. My 5yo has a cute coloring game called Crayola Treasure adventure that he loves, it may be a bit "young" for a 6yo? Not sure but if she likes to color, this is the only ds game I know of that has pictures that you color with virtual "crayons". For the boy: If he is into Pokemon (?) then Pokemon Diamond or the newer Pokemon Ranger are good, everyone is is into those around here, bonus is they require some reading to move your character around. Of course, Guitar Hero on tour is the must have right now! Super Mario Bros. is fun for all ages (hint: your hubby?) and, as well as Super Mario Kart racing if he likes car racing games.
That should be enough games to think about! Some other tips: Go on Amazon to look at customer reviews of any of these games. You can get a good feel for what's good for what age and just if the game is any good or not by reading those. Also, shop around online and in stores to see if anyone has a package deal going that comes with the DS plus a game or two or sometimes they do a package with the DS and a carrying case or something. BTW they will probably need a car charger so they can play it in the car without running out of juice.