[xmas] DS for 9 year old?

xenothaulus

I'll get the whole "yeah this is my first post but I've been lurking for years" bit out of the way first. Thought I was registered here too, but apparently wasn't so I only did this morning. Right, that's out of the way. I figure the people here would be the most knowledgeable about the topic (and if this is the wrong forum and should be in games I'm sorry).

So my son wants a DS w/Pokemon for christmas. Is it a smart idea? Are they rugged enough to stand up to the abuse it may go through? He's *fairly* careful with his toys, but he's also nine after all, and I remember (barely ) what I was like then. And a question about the game itself: is there a distinct, or perhaps more importantly, "cool factor" between diamond and pearl? Does it matter at all? I'd ask him, but this is going to sort of be a surprise and that would probably tip him off.

Ohio

1. Yes, they're pretty tough. And if you explain to your son that it should be taken care of, he'll probably be careful enough with it that you won't ever have any problems. Some people have problems with the hinge cracking. This happened to mine and I'm very careful with it. It doesn't affect the DS at all, though, so it's mainly an aesthetic issue.

2. I don't think one Pokemon is cooler than the other. The difference is which actual Pokemon are included with either game. So, Diamond has several (?) Pokemon that are exclusive to it, and Pearl has its own exclusives. Other than that, they're the same game. It really doesn't matter which you get. The point is to get people with different versions to trade with each other, or better yet, buy both versions so you've got them all.

It's very possible that out on the playground, nine year olds have their own code of the laws of Pokemon. For all I know, your son is going to get beat up for owning Pearl (or Diamond, whatever).

Etch

I would say since he's 9 and young boys think silly things, buy him the diamond version because it is a blue box/cartridge and pearl is pink. Other than that though it doesn't matter all that much. I bought pearl because my brother already had diamond.

Trowizilla

My little brother got a DS when he was nine, which was right when it first came out. It's still working beautifully. The only problem is, because it's so small, he tends to misplace it (mostly it falls behind the bed), but he always finds it again eventually. You may want to get him a case or a little bag to keep it in to try to prevent it and all those teeny, tiny games from going astray.

Lindsay Lohan

My niece has one and she's 8. It's my old DS Phattie actually. It does have screen protectors on it (which I put on prior to giving it to her) and a carrying case from protection as well. She hasn't lost a game that I'm aware of, and plays it alot. Obviously, the finish is slightly scratched (the silver was prone to that anyways) but other than that's it's still great.

So yes, get him one, but open it up before you give it to him and put screen protectors on before he even touches it and make sure to provide a carry case.

Argus

I say go for it. The DS folds shut, so it can withstand a lot of abuse without any chance of the screens getting cracked when it's not being played, plus it has a Gameboy Advance slot, so between DS and GBA games there should be of games plenty he would be interested in. On the note of Diamond/Pearl, there's always the blue/pink thing, which as messed up as it may be, will still be weird if you get him the pink one for Christmas; get Diamond to avoid any embarrassing situations with his friends.

Uncle Long

Another vote of support for the ruggedness that is the DS. I gave my little brother mine last year when he was eight. I had a lite and I gave him the fattie. There probably isn't a scratch on it more than there should be from general wear and tear. I think a lot of that has to do with me just asking him to be careful with it though. I'm 22 so to an 8 year old little brother, I'm kind of like God.

Another vote for Diamond; just because...well...schools. Though, and this is just me, I would try and keep him from bringing it to school. If he has friends that play then that's not as big of a deal, I honestly don't know what the playgrounds are like these days, but I know at my school there was only one kid who brought his tank gameboy to school. I owned one, but didn't bring it, because that kid got hells of picked on.

Just a thought, ymmv.

Rubber Duckey

I'll also stand up for the idea of getting a DS. I haven't had my own DS long enough to vouch for its durability, but my old Gameboy's have stubbornly refused to die after swimming with them, dropping them from a second floor balcony (onto carpet), and things of that sort. Just put screen protectors on and get a good case. Don't forget extra stylus... those things can get lost pretty easily. When I was in elementary school about 8 years ago, the gameboy was pretty much the most kick-ass thing you could have (with pokemon on it no less). It's still fairly popular even into Middle School and High School. Most people would be "wow can i play?" instead of picking on the kid.

I did a TINY bit of reaserch before I got my own DS recently, and from what i could tell the cracked screen problems seemed to be more apparent on the white ones. Some guy on a message board said it was a problem with the white ones only, but who listens to people on message boards? Personally I think the crimson one just looks far more awesome any way, and my 10 year old self would agree.

Belruel

the ds is a great lil hardy system that is great for young kids to play on, but i would still suggestgetting some of those stick on screen protectors, and a cool case for it, they sell some with pokeman on them, which he would probably love. i would say get him pokeman diamond, as even my boyfriend went straight for that one, so i had pearl, he said it was girlier.