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Original poster

Single mum. Son. Desperate to surprise with handheld game thingy but no clue!

35 replies

Workreturner · 05/12/2018 15:12

My son, 8.5.

I would love to surprise him with a handheld game thing.

I don’t have any idea about these sorts of things. He won’t be hung up about branding or the latest thing whatsoever.

So I’m just looking for a handheld fun device. No more than £100

Ninetendio 2ds?

Be gentle!

Many thanks

OP posts:
gamerchick · 05/12/2018 15:16

A DS is fine if that's what you want.

I would also advise getting something like this also. Gives it extra protection if dropped I've found.

www.amazon.co.uk/Assecure-Controller-Attachment-Nintendo-Handheld/dp/B00BBLDTPK?tag=mumsnetforum-21

gamerchick · 05/12/2018 15:17

That's for a 3ds though. But there should be something similar for a 2ds, I can't remember the difference in sizes.

OlafLovesAnna · 05/12/2018 15:34

My son got a 3ds at around the same age and loves it. He has pokemon games and Zelda and still plays on it regularly.

I did prime grandparents etc and they gave him accessories such as a case, games and headphones to go with it.

Original poster
Workreturner · 05/12/2018 15:44

Thank you
What is a Ds?

I’m sorry!

And 2ds good? £79.99 on amazon

OP posts:
Original poster
Workreturner · 05/12/2018 15:45

An alternative?

OP posts:
gamerchick · 05/12/2018 15:58

It's what you're looking at. They're all ds, a 2ds is 2 dimensional and a 3ds has the 3d bit that you can turn on and off. Mine has a 3ds because there more games available.

gamerchick · 05/12/2018 15:59
  • there is
gamerchick · 05/12/2018 16:00

Alternatives cost more. It's a decent machine on its own. Mine plays with his switch more than his 3DS but he still plays on it because it has video and other features he likes using.

Original poster
Workreturner · 05/12/2018 16:23

Brilliant
I’m going to go with the 2ds

He will be over the moon!!!!

OP posts:
Original poster
Workreturner · 05/12/2018 16:28

Last question

Other than pride, what’s the difference between ds2 and a switch?

OP posts:
Original poster
Workreturner · 05/12/2018 16:28

price

OP posts:
whatsthestory123 · 05/12/2018 16:38

Get it from john lewis,same price but 2yr guarantee and accidental cover is only £10 for 2yrs

whatsthestory123 · 05/12/2018 16:40

You can play the games o the 2 that are made for the 3

HeyListen · 05/12/2018 16:41

The switch is the main nintendo console, it can be played in handheld mode but also on the tv, it is bigger and a lot more powerful.
I think a 2 or 3ds is a good choice :)

Original poster
Workreturner · 05/12/2018 17:14

Thank you

Very last question

Do I go XL?

OP posts:
bookmum08 · 05/12/2018 17:21

Go to the shop CEX. I got a secondhand Nintendo 3DS as an up grade from the 2DS for £60 and the games there can be good bargains. Anything Super Mario or Pokemon seem to be favourites in my house.

BollockingBaubles · 05/12/2018 17:29

Xl just means a bigger screen.

I prefer the extra screen space and teen dd prefers the xl too, but it's not essential and if it was a normal size or nothing she'd be more than happy with normal.

The difference between a switch and a ds is that the switch can be played through the tv like a regular console but also on a screen that deprecates from the console unit and can be takes out and about in the same way a ds can too. It's like a two in one. I got a brilliant deal on mine and only paid £100 for a preowned one that was only three months old and used only three times.

I personally would not buy pre owned on eBay or Facebook type stuff but you might find an even cheaper 2ds somewhere like cex where you'll be covered by a guarantee. Pre owned game shops are a good place for buying games too.

BollockingBaubles · 05/12/2018 17:30

Cross posted with bookmum about cex

BollockingBaubles · 05/12/2018 17:34

Also I think the 2ds doesn't close whereas the 2ds xl does.

Single mum. Son. Desperate to surprise with handheld game thingy but no clue!
whatsthestory123 · 05/12/2018 17:34

Today ive just bought 2ds xl from john lewis

Original poster
Workreturner · 05/12/2018 18:18

@whatsthestory123

Did you buy a case?

OP posts:
whatsthestory123 · 05/12/2018 18:52

no i didnt but will,didnt think of that but did get some second hand games from CEX

2 pokemon new would be £70ish

2 i got from cex was £38 all with case and instructions

my sons bday is on the 19th and got him a cromebook of john lewis and already bought him 2 xbox gamed new so got the DS ones from cex second hand

whatsthestory123 · 05/12/2018 18:57

ha ha also opened a credit card with John Lewis and if i spent over £290 in 90 days i get £30 in vouchers in FEB took minutes to apply and get accepted

ive already spent over that so pleased about the vouchers and you can also spend in Waitrose

also john lewis electrical guarantee is 2yrs and accidental damage policys are cheap and free delivery

i love john lewis

Original poster
Workreturner · 05/12/2018 19:57

@whatsthestory123

Me too love JL!

Only problem is that for £5 extra i can buy amazon prime in green and black and pre loaded with mario brothers

OP posts:
PavlovianLunge · 05/12/2018 20:02

Can I piggy-back your thread, OP?

I have a DS, and play Pokemon Go on my phone, which I enjoy, though I’m not much good at it. I can catch better than I can battle. Can anyone suggest whether or not I’d enjoy any of the DS Pokemon games?