Nintendo DS games suitable for a 3.5 year old??

[AlCrowley]

OK don't flame me... I have bought myself a new Nintendo DSi but I know DS, he's bright and into everything and after being on holiday with his cousins last week and seeing them with thier NDS's, he's going to know what it is and want a go.

Instead of saying "No" all the time or hiding it whenever he is around, I thought I would see if anyone knew of any games that might be suitable for him to play - very occasionally and for very short periods of time obviously :)

Any recommendations would be great. Thank you

I bought my DD, who was 5 at the time, a Peppa Pig game for Christmas. She's played with it loads as has her little sister aged 3.5. Don't know if boys are into Peppa Pig as much as girls are though.

Mario kart

my 3.5 yr old tries to play mario kart on the wii - hes obviously completely crap but he thinks he is lewis hamilton

Oooh, DS would love to be Lewis Hamilton :)

My DD (3.8) has got her own DS. In fairness, she does an awful lot of sitting around waiting for her bigger sister to do things (like gymnastics lessons) and we use it only when she is in this situation.

DD likes Peppa Pig, I did it mum (they do boy and girl ones) and grown up mini games like touchmaster.

HTh

Seeing as his reading probably isn't up to much hows about a simple but addictive puzzle game like Meteos or a platformer like one of the Lego series, (Star Wars, Indiana Jones etc) or Kirby Superstar Ultra (not Power Paintbush that game would be too hard for him).

If his reading is up to scratch you can get him Pokemon.

Hi there.

I might be able to provide some help as I am a huge games fan and run a business dedicated to Nintendo games and such!

For a 3-5 year old I would reccomend:

Pokemon Heart Gold ( www.roystoys.net/index.php/pokemon-heart-gold.html , £35) - Pokemon is a classic kids game which requires only some basic reading comprehension to be able to play. Pokemon is a world inhabited by hundreds of cute, colourful creatures to capture and befriend. It's quite a complex game for older games but younger ones will have fun just finding and catching the Pokemon.

Pokemon Ranger ( www.roystoys.net/index.php/nintendo-ds/nintendo-ds-games/pokemon-ranger-shadows-of-almia.html , £23) - A spinoff Pokemon game which involves capturing Pokemon by using the touch screen to circle them. Another bright, colourful game that is a bit more interactive and less number based than Heart Gold.

Mario Kart DS ( www.roystoys.net/index.php/nintendo-ds/nintendo-ds-games/mario-kart-ds.html , £23) - Mario Kart DS is a simple racing game using Mario characters, so it's perfect for kids. Each character gets plonked in a variety of karts and race each other around various tracks using simple but fun powerups. It can actually be quite challenging if you get good but at lower difficulty levels it's perfect for young children.

Kirby Superstar Ultra ( www.roystoys.net/index.php/nintendo-ds/nintendo-ds-games/kirby-superstar-ultra.html , £30) - Probably my recommendation. Kirby is a bright cute pink ball who ingests his enemies to gain their attacks. It sounds awful but it's really not - the world is bright and cheery and is tailor made for younger kids. It's a simple and easy platformer that is practically made for children. It's not very difficult but is very, very cute!

I hope this helps!

Thanks. I am slightly put off the Pokemon games as DS was watching his cousins playing them while we were away on holiday last week and has now learnt the word "kill" which he repeats over and over and over and which sounds awful coming out of the mouth of a 3 year old.

The Mario and Kirby games sound good though.

Hi there AlCrowley. I can assure you that your won't have picked that up from the games directly. It's a common interpretation that when you beat a Pokemon you 'kill' them but in actual fact the in game text states that when you beat a Pokemon you 'knock them out' and they 'faint'. No Pokemon actually dies or is killed during the course of the games.

My son is 4 yrs 2 months and can play Peppa Pig, Diego's Dinosaur Adventure, and Carnival Games independently on my DS. I am going to ask for a DSi XL for Christmas and give him my (5yr old) DS for keeps.

Pokemon Ranger is awful, it's just a rubbish spin off if you do get a pokemon make it a proper one of the core series.