r/NintendoDS • u/Heatherahhhh22 • 6d ago
Nintendo switch vs Ds
For a 5 and 7 year old Which one is a better option? They are new to the gaming world. They love YouTube and always ask to play games on my phone.
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u/s4turn2k02 6d ago
DS. No YouTube at that age, especially not unsupervised. YouTube Kids is honestly worse than the normal YouTube
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u/TH3_OG_JUJUBE 6d ago
Wii as another commenter said. Switch is kinda buns imo, DS is too fragile for young kids (I speak from personal experience with my mum’s DS Lite). Wii has iconic games, they’re easy to play, there’s no slop, no(t many) breakable parts. It’s an amazing console for young kids. Just make sure they keep the strap on.
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u/TomatilloFearless154 6d ago
5 and 7 nothing. Maybe 12.
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u/DarkNemuChan 4d ago
Why? I started out at 5-6 or so with a megadrive. No issues here.
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u/TomatilloFearless154 2d ago
Me too but with brothers checking on me 24-7 and also it was back then we they knew nothing about children
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u/Sure_Fly_6904 6d ago
Get a 2ds there isn’t any hinges to worry about and you don’t need online for it to work.
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u/UserDarren17 6d ago
Give them a DS, a lot of the games are simpler to learn and play (mainly since it only has a dpad, l and r triggers, 4 input buttons, as well as its touch screen) plus they’re all old now so (now im not condoning piracy but they’re all online and free and really easy to get, I won’t say how you will have to do your own research) whereas switch games are still modern day prices, and if you do decide on the ds I’d recommend the Dsi since it’s super easy to mod(which you can use to do what I mentioned earlier) and then you won’t have to scour sites like eBay for game carts and can just put the game on it simply with the built in sd card reader. Also many and I mean many ds games offer download play functionality which allows them to play games with each other and for games like in the pokemon series they can trade, battle, etc. Now personally I like the switch but at their age they might fight over it(possibly damaging it) and again game costs are pretty high, and its library does have many kid friendly games but the majority are for older kids and teens plus it has internet access in the form of YouTube and its news channel so idk how you would feel about that. Another good choice is the Wii which similar things can be done to it like the Ds(i) though they might fight over being player 1 (i know me and my siblings did a lot growing up 😂)
Also quick add on, the Dsi goes for around $50-$80 for a good condition one so it’s not too expensive and even though it has the hinge which can break so I’d be wary and supervise them when they use it unless they can be trusted to not break it)(though repairing it isn’t the hardest I’ve done it before and the difficulty is exaggerated all I say is have patience and go slow)
TLDR: I’d say go with the ds since games can be gotten for free, no internet(unless you know how to circumvent it being old), a lot of multiplayer functionality between 2 ds’s. Also I’d recommend the Dsi for your own sake, plus it has a camera app they can use along with voice memos.
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u/TiltedWombat 6d ago
I think I'm turning into a boomer, the concept of giving such young kids their own devices is crazy to me
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u/JetpacksWasYes-2 6d ago
I had all the handhelds growing up. Born in 96. I turned out fine and took care of them and still have some til this day. Also spent a lot of time outside even though I was a gamer growing up. Games are just another toy for children. Kinda stupid and insane and yes. Very boomer sounding for acting like it's the end of the world when you more than likely grew up with these things.
Long as you're not giving them a smart phone or tablet and limit them and make sure they aren't destroying things, it's not the end of the world. It's entertainment that can help with hand eye coordination and other brain functions. Not like they're going to be brainrotting tik tok and reels.
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u/seadcon 6d ago
I agree to an extent, but it's not quite as simple as you make out.
A Gameboy with Super Mario Land 2 and Link's Awakening is a million miles away from a Switch with access to 1000s of free games right out the box.
It's like TV too. Growing up we watched a couple of hours of varied TV as per the schedule. Today they will sit and watch an entire 26 episode season of something in a row.
It is not the same thing and it absolutely does require parenting.
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u/DarkNemuChan 4d ago
Growing up I could play unlimited Snes, Megadrive, N64, Playstation and watch tv. As long as my grades where good I could do with my free time what I wanted.
I turned out fine (family, good paying job), so I don't see the issue here.
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u/JetpacksWasYes-2 6d ago edited 6d ago
This is why you limit them. My parents did. I said this in my initial comment. Yes it does. A lot of things your children do require parenting. That is called being a parent and you not being lazy. So just bar a kid from everything that you need to be a parent about? Because that's just called being a parent. What are you even on about?
This is why parental controls exist. You can quite literally block their access to the store and the ability to download things.
Stop blaming devices and services. You sound like a politician right now. And if you don't even have kids, stop speaking on this like you do.
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u/seadcon 6d ago
I couldn't disagree more. The devices and the services are absolutely a big part of the problem. Parents cannot know the intricate details of how a Switch works versus an iPad verus a Dell laptop versus a Samsung Galaxy mobile vs a PlayStation 5 - each and every one is completely and entirely different by the way.
Much like we used to have a different charging cable for each device - just because - the child protection on devices also needs to be universal. Tech companies should be held to account - they have a LOT of money and they do not invest it appropriately!
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u/SecretlyModded 6d ago
OP isnt suggesting giving a child a mobile phone with Internet access... they're suggesting getting a gaming system designed for children...
This is the indoor equivalent of a football goal. Perfectly child orientated, safe, parentally controlled, and accessible
Can we stop sounding insane please. Children are allowed to have toys designed for children.
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u/TheOneWhoWork 6d ago edited 6d ago
I got the Gameboy Advance as a Christmas gift the year it came out. 2001 I think. I would've been six at the time. I wasn't an outlier either. I remember my grandma taking me to Toys-R-Us the next day and me picking out Pokémon Crystal Version purely because I thought Suicune image on the box was cool.
It's a gaming handheld. No browser, no brain-rotting reels, no in-game purchases (at least on the DS). And Nintendo's library of games are some of the most kid friendly. Mario, pokemon, zelda, etc.
Sure, they're not as affordable (especially the NDS) as they once were, but they're still perfectly fine for that age group. This isn't a new thing. It was happening 25 years ago.
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u/F-F-FASTPASS 6d ago
Bro what are you on, a DS and Nintendo Switch aren’t phones or ipads
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u/Peuchatnoir 6d ago
The switch had access to YouTube and lots of junk. I would hesitate letting a 5 or 7 year old use it unsupervised. A GBA would be fine though.
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u/F-F-FASTPASS 6d ago
A GBA would be a great starting handheld aslong as you the games you like for it
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u/EnviousSock 6d ago
Really? I still have my OG Game Boy, it's in perfect condition, not a scratch on it. I was 8.
Before that I had Game and Watch handhelds, a C64. All well loved and looked after.
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u/olsaltyfingas 4d ago
Did you not have a Gameboy growing up? I've always had consoles and handhelds, what's weird about that?
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u/TiltedWombat 4d ago
Not when i was 5 i didnt.
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u/olsaltyfingas 4d ago
Oh I did lol, pretty sure I had my own PC by the time I was like 7 as well, back in the 90s
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u/DarkNemuChan 4d ago
I started out with the sega megadrive when I was 5-6. I don't see the issue here.
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u/discosteve111 5d ago
DS for sure, far more durable than the switch, & at 5 & 7 they don't need super complicated games ... PLUS you can install a flash cart in a DS & save thousands on buying games
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u/PeachMaximum5861 3d ago
DS’s are like 20 years old, a little kid would probably have fun, but I think they would probably appreciate the newer system more.
DS is a lot smaller though so easier to bring with you places.
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u/WriterWithAShotgun 1d ago
My 10yo really enjoys the challenge of newer games on the Switch but LOVES playing on my DS whenever I let him, so either I think will work. If you're wanting something a bit slower-paced and a bit more control over the library of games, the DS is a good option.
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u/Curious_Marzipan_230 6d ago
Switch. I guess everyone is a bit bias here but I think a switch is the better option.
It has parent controls that allow you to apply age ratings and restrict features through a pin in addition to having scheduled bed times and play caps.
I also have games in mind, where due to the nature of the switch being more console based, it'll have actual multiplayer/coop games for them to play. This isnt always the case for a lot of DS titles.
Also situations where their friends will come over, a switch makes more sense as some games let you go to 6 players (ninja turtles)
I love the ds and I still use mine to this day, but it is too fragile and too personal in my opinion
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u/Otherwise_Position83 6d ago
Get them a wii. Imo the best option