DS games for DS - advice please?

[isobelle]

We are thinking of a nintendo for our ds aged 5 - he would like mario but are there any other games that you have come across that are suitable, or educational - reading - writing skills - maths etc?? Would be grateful to know.. thanks

The nintendo ds does do a small range of educational games though it will only be a matter of time before the protests start that his friends have got such and such a game, (in my experience anyway). I'd advise you either look at a nintendo wii, as it does keep them active although not necessarily educational if he just wants to start experiencing gaming, (also you can get involved), and if a handheld, go with a leapster type product. That way the only type of games he could get would be educational and will save your ear being nagged off :)

Do the games have to be educational??! Can't they just be games?

There are plenty of games suitable for little kids - look for "E" rating (everyone), here are a few I can think of but you could just pop into Game or Gamestation or wherever and ask the shop assistant, or look on the Nintendo website where you can filter by genre and age range - they have videos of the games too so you can see if they are suitable.

Electroplankton - touch the coloured sea creatures with the stylus to make them play sounds - difficult to explain, very simple but strangely addictive

Dogz/Nintendogs/other variations on that theme - look after a virtual animal, feed, clean, play games, etc.

Various colouring/painting games

Hope that helps!!