Buying a handheld for my son, which one?

[XJnine]

My son has his 8th birthday coming up next month and I was going to get him a handheld like a gameboy or PSP.

I think I have decided on a Gameboy Advance SP. Seems like it should be easy enough to use for an 8 year old, there lots of games out there for it, and it's cheap enough that if he loses it or breaks it I won't strangle him.

I wanted to get your opinion on what I should get though. Does anyone have experience with a PSP or a Gameboy DS? Would one of those be a better choice? He's going to be doing the gaming on it so I need something that's not going to be over his head.

Thx for your input!

[Scott]

I would get him the DS. Zac got one for Christmas and it plays the new DS games plus the older Gameboy Advance games. You kind of get best of both worlds there.

[BlackStar]

I agree: Get the DS instead of the Gameboy Advance SP. The DS also has built in Wi-Fi, so if you end up getting 2, or one of his friends has one, they can play against each other wirelessly.

I'd also spring for screen protecting films and a carrying case. Cheap insurance against damage.

We got two DS for my 8 and 10 year olds. They have a blast with them... Almost to the point where we may have to limit the time spent playing.

[digitalwanderer]

I got my son a PSP for his 8th birthday and he loves it, but he doesn't play many PSP games on it...mostly old emulated stuff. :)

He also just loves it to pieces for putting viddy's on, I can load it up with a dozen or so "Ed, Edd, & Eddies" on a 512Mb stick and him and his sister are good to go anywhere for a bit. :)

That said, they both also have SPs and like 'em a lot.

[shanewu]

I'd go with a PSP and steal it from him every chance I got! :)

[XJnine]

Hahahaha, Nice Shane.

Thanks to everyone for their input. After doing more research and listening to you all I decided to go with a DS instead of the SP. Luckily ther are a bunch of Presidents sales going on right now so I can grab one on sale.

Thx again!

[s_gibson]

Got my son the DS and it is amazing. The WiFi does great and the dual screen has a ton of potential. The touch screen works well.

I don't know anything about a PSP, but the DS is pretty cool. Spend the couple extra buck and get the DS over the SP. It will play the Advance games also.

[BlackStar]

Unfortunately, you really need two, so you can play against your son.

There are a couple of other kids we know with the DS and we get together the kids all play Mario Karts for a while, then go play something else.

The other good news is that you don't have to buy copies of the games for everyone. One DS can be the host and all the others can download the game via Wi-Fi and play as long as the host stays up. That feature makes the whole thing worthwhile right there!

[tomato]

Good choice with the DS for your son.

I have a PSP and love it, but there aren't really any games for your son's age... plus being as young as he is, he'd have the precious screen all messed up in no time! :cry: (unless you purchased one of the various screen protectors)

You're safe with the DS, what with the vast Nintendo kid-friendlier games library... and GBA backwards compatibility is a nice bonus too. :)

Hope he enjoys his DS!

[Mendel]

Good choice with the DS though I fear you might feel a bit cheated when you see the new Lite version appear in stores soon. If you got a nice deal for it though then its not that bad.



I recommend the following games:

Advance Wars: Dual Strike.

Excellent turn based strategy game, the most addictive DS game so far. Has good tutorial kind of start so I think it won't be too hard for your son.



Mario Kart.

Nice single player game, excellent fun internet game if you have wireless network setup or can buy the Nintendo ds wireless usb plug.



Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time

Great way to get into rpg world, fun battles and the excitement of level ups. Some of the oldskool nintendo jokes might get past your son though.



Games to avoid at all costs:

Burnout Legends

horrible port, totally underwhelming, not any fun at all.



Pokemon Dash

I actually like Pokemon games, and even used to watch the anime TV show. But this is one to avoid. Highly repetitive, gimmicky game. NOT the "fast action fun!" game it is advertized as.

[digitalwanderer]

DS plays GB advanced games? :?

Damn, I really wish you hadn't told me that...my daughter has wanted one just for the new Kirby game on that platform...

[Gray]

IMO, if he looses **** like I did when I was eight.
I would get him a calculator. lol.
Seriously at his age I LOST EVERYTHING.......!

The DS is cheaper, he looses it or brakes it, he can get another.
Although Shane had a good point.
I don't know why I am thinking like a parrent, I know I am married but far from having kids.

[XJnine]

Hopefully he won't lose it or break it too soon. It's sitting wrapped up downstairs waiting for the birthday party.

I'll let you know how things turn out.

Thanks for the game suggestions Mendel, I'll look into those.