Aaaargh! I am so confused and need help please! First Nintendo DS for DS(7)

[taffetacat]

We have finally capitulated to DS(7) about getting a DS. Santa is looking into it. We have no gaming here at all, no Wii, PS's or aything and I know zip about them.

I need lots of advice please. In three areas:

• Consoles: Will a DSLite do or does he nee a DSi? I want him to be able to play puzzle type games that are age appropriate. All he's said is he wants a white one.
• Games : Any recommendations? I really don't want ones with violence. I understand the Prof Layton ones are good but that he's a bit young. Looking at MN reviews it looks like Animal Crossing and some of the Lego ones might be good? I used to play Civilization about 10 years ago but am hopelessly out of date, will I need tio be savvy to help him? He's a bright child but hasn't had much exposure to computer games.
• Restrictions: How do you manage your DC's time on it? Do you allow a time limit? Once homeweork/reading done etc? I don't want it to cause probs before we even begin.

Finally, any extras? Covers etc worth it?

Any help much appreciated.

bump?

I don't know about lite / i as a choice, but Nintendogs is good, a Mario game, and Lego Star Wars, maybe?

Ds is self-limiting on his, we have never attempted to impose rules about it's use and he plays it as and when, and not excessively at all - but I know some do.

Ds got a dslite on his 7th birthday in March - I think it is more than adequate for his requirements.
I think a case is essential as it protects the ds when he is not using it, if he takes it out etc and he can tuck spare games in the lid. DS has a Ben 10 one which came with some spare sticks and a screen cleaner.
There are plenty of games with no violence. he has junior brain training which he enjoys (haven't pointed out it's educational he just thinks it's good fun!) Various Lego ones, SuperMario Bros and he wants Animal Crossing for Christmas.
As far as restrictions go start as you mean to go on. Set a time limit (I use a kitchen timer), tell him he can't play til he's done his homework/read for 15 minutes/ got dressed and made bed/cleared his plate - actually it is a brilliant reward to get him to do alll things he has to do with no fuss. Also an excellent threat to withdraw ds privileges for bad behaviour.

Thank you both for this. I think I've decided on a DS Lite, he said he wants a white one. Can I find one anywhere now? [grr]

Argos, Game and Gamestation all sold out. Aargh. As he's football mad, I think I may go for FIFA 11 and ask someone else to get him Animal Crossing, although the Junior Brain Trainer sounds good too.....!

We use the kitchen clock atm for computer games on my laptop, he has one hour a week, which he normally splits up into 3 x 20 minute slots. I may do similar with the DS but allow a little more time perhaps.

Ds really comes into its own on journeys or if ds has to wait anywhere - while dd has her skating lesson, if they have to wait in the docs surgery or at the hairdressers etc.
I actually find it is quite self limiting (after the initial novelty). It's just another toy to play with - so he still plays with lego, play mobile etc.

As far as i can tell you can only get a ds lite in red, i tried to get one for ds in anything but red as dd has a red one and i ended up getting him a dsi, Junior Brain Training is good i would second that, i am going to get ds a racing game as he loves mario kart for the wii.

Also (from apurely selfish point of view) it doesn't take up much room and it is something you can add to by buying games for birthdays and xmas etc.