Is there a difference between a DS and a DS Lite and are they a great gift for a 7 year old or the root of all evil?

[Sugarmagnolia]

Just wondering

Game wise they are identical. Physically they are different slightly in size. July 2006 DD (then age 6) got a DS still going strong. Christmas 2006 DS (then age 12) got a DS Lite , 6 months on the hinges kind of exploded. Still under guarantee so it was replaced with a new one. 5 months later the microphone stopped working, still under guarantee so it was replaced with a new one. This one is about 3 months old is no longer under guarantee, so far it's still working and fingers crossed it will be fine.Given the choice I would pick a DS as they seem more robust. And yes they are a perfect gift for a 7 yr old, my DD loves hers and is always playing Barbie, Bratz or one of her vet games.Hope this helps.

Ohh they are Satan's spawn, you should buy one immediately!
Nah they're great but, don't try playing them yourself, you'll never let the dcs have it back if you do!

They are great - your child will be mega chuffed. But we do have to restrict usage.

They are the root of all evil and a brilliant present - just depends on how you use them

On Sunday, mum with stinking cold/flu and hubby away, let her boys use it pretty much all day (with the occassional food break) and then of course DS1 couldn't sleep till nearly 10

But mostly its controlled, half an hour, an hour here and just in replacement for other screen activities like TV or computer time.

Useful if one child has to accompany you to another child's activity. DS is only allowed to use his on weekends - Fri eve - Sun eve. Because we had a busy weekend he had had two games as he announced mournfully at a very late bedtime on Sunday. We compromised and let him play Monday morning once he had had breakfast and got ready for school.

thanks, v. helpful!

Message withdrawn

We have a not after 7pm rule in this house too. Practically speaking, they only use them at weekends. But great for long car journeys or when they have to wait around for someone else to do something. And Nintendogs are very sweet.

LOL they're great especially for long car journeys - no more are we nearly there yet??

However my DD8 the little minx had been hiding it under her pillow and it took me a couple of days to work out why she was so tired after being so good at going to bed at 7.30!! So now there's a not after 7pm and a it satys in parents room overnight rule! Oh well guess I used to hide under the duvet with a torch reading a book at her age.