Fun for "Kids" of all ages (5-100)

My kids (aged 8 and 12) had been asking for a Nintendo for quite a while before I relented and let Santa bring them each one last Christmas. I should have done it sooner! My concerns were mainly that it would curtail physical activity (we are in the age when kids spend more time in on computers and TV than outside on bikes) and that it would isolate them from friends and each other (being a single handheld). I was wrong! They interact with each other while playing the same games, challenge each other in competition and are able to connect and play together thanks to the wireless connection included in the game console. There have been times when friends have been over (with their own DS units) and we have had four or more girls sitting together while playing and interacting the entire time.

I do have to limit the amount of time they play on it or my first fear of doing nothing else could happen. However, more often than not they are a great thing to have in many situations -- at home, in the car on long trips, when having to sit in waiting rooms, I have even let them take them to dinner in restaurants when my husband and I want to have time to talk while they are entertained. The sounds is adjusted with volume, so they are not a problem in public places.

Overall I have been very impressed with the system. The games are not as expensive (although not cheap) than games for bigger game consoles and are easy to carry around. I do suggest getting a backpack or other case to help keep the games, console and charger all organized. The small game units can be easy to lose. My only complaint (and it is not the game's fault) is about how many stylus sticks my girls have lost! There is handy spot on the console to hold the stick when you are not using it, so I think this has been thought out well on Nintendo's end...but my girls just don't seem to remember to put it in there.

I myself have sat down with my younger daughter to help her figure out a game and have found myself enjoying it far more than I thought I would. Although I think the Nintendo DS (and most of their games) are geared towards children between the ages of 7 to early teens, I could see older kids (and some adults) enjoying some of the "classic" games on it such as Mario.