If he has an iPod Nano already, probably a DS(i). Does he like Super Mario Bros. or Pokemon?
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iPod touch iPod Touch vs. Nintendo DS
- Thread starter Scott549
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Best current deal would be the Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story DSi Bundle. Same price as the standard DSi but you've got a free game included.
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After not buying any portable electronics for 3 years I bought the iPod touch, I have the DS Lite and the PSP 2000 so I didn't see the need to pick up the redesigned models of the systems when I already had both of them. The whole redesign thing is getting old for me, especially when its just mainly a cosmetic change and doesn't actually include features that are good enough to use or that I will use, its not enough to make me spend like $200 on something I already have. I honestly have enough long RPG's to last me a very very long time between the DS and the PSP. I don't want to sell my DS either (really I would never do that) because I am a pokemon fan and there are still 2 more games coming out that can play on the DS Lite.
If you play only Mario or only one series, you will get bored with the DS, or any console for that matter. With all consoles you have to keep either loading games onto it, or buying games for it or else you will simply be bored and it will sit and collect dust. There is a point where you finish a game too, and become bored of it, then its time to buy more games, or your console will surely sit collecting dust. The thing about the iPod is it does more than games so it doesn't sit collecting dust. The DS makes a perfect companion to the iPod touch or iPhone, if I want to play a long RPG I go for the DS or a home console, if I want a quick game I go for the iPod. Although most of the iPod games I tried I ended up playing for much longer than just a few minute session!
The biggest problem with the DS is lack of some kind of way to try games, demo's are limited and only available through the Wii console, not in stores anymore (didn't ever see anyone actually using that service besides myself). If devs on the app store can put out a demo or a lite version of a .99 game, then Nintendo should be able to give us a demo of a game that costs.. a lot more. For me I really need to try a game before I buy it, it may look good in videos and screenshots but I won't know until I try.
I also like the fact that online games on the iPod are actually active. With the DS, none of the games are active, unless you get a really popular title like Mario Kart or Pokemon. As someone who has played the DS a lot, there are a ton of games I would have loved to enjoy online with other people, but opponents were no where to be found. There is also a lot of cheating in DS games, which can really ruin things (see Animal Crossing, Mario Kart).. I don't think iPod has the cheating problem, unless I am unaware of it.
The thing I figured out about DS games is even if I buy them at rock bottom prices, play them and resell them at the highest price point I can, I am still losing money. You just can't sell them for equal to what you pay. I figure with the money I was losing on DS games, I could buy a few apps on the app store every month, and be breaking even, plus saving myself a whole lot of work, which in turn, gives me more time to play games. With the iPod I also don't have to worry about running into bootleg games, which is a big problem with DS and Game Boy advance games.
Many people have said they have both and now use the iPod more. Nobody, however, has posted saying "I bought a DS and never used it and wish I got an iPod Touch instead". Nobody has posted saying anything like "I was given an iPod when I wanted a DS, my reaction was ..."
Also, look at everyone who posted saying "I (or my kids) had a DS but don't use it so much after getting an iPod". I'm not surprised, since they had already used the DS a ton. It's not surprising the new device gets the most attention.
If you're buying your son both, he might neglect the DS for the iPod (eventually). Since you're not buying both, talk to his brother, and get what he wants, not what you think he should want.
If you didn't post a similar question to a Nintendo DS forum of 11-year olds then take the advice here with a grain of salt.
Also, look at everyone who posted saying "I (or my kids) had a DS but don't use it so much after getting an iPod". I'm not surprised, since they had already used the DS a ton. It's not surprising the new device gets the most attention.
If you're buying your son both, he might neglect the DS for the iPod (eventually). Since you're not buying both, talk to his brother, and get what he wants, not what you think he should want.
If you didn't post a similar question to a Nintendo DS forum of 11-year olds then take the advice here with a grain of salt.
My vote goes to the iPod. More games, more features, and cheaper with free software upgrades. Just my $0.02.
The DS has a much better quality game library. Say what you will, the DS has a lot of solid, well designed games, while the iPod has a lot more casual, low-depth games; IMO, games with depth are actually very good for mental development and stimulation.
Games like Metroid, for example, are essentially extremely complex Sudoku puzzles with platforming elements. While the DS doesn't have a good Metroid title (Metroid Hunters doesn't follow the traditional formula well), the Zelda games are pretty similar games that require a lot of exploration, and there's a lot of strategy games and adventure games on the DS that involve problem-solving skills.
Such games blow the pants off of most casual iPhone games.
They also cost more...$25-30 as opposed to the $5-10 on the iPod Touch.
Really depends on usage.
The iPod is more expensive, but has a lot more media features. Gaming? Get a DS, or wait for the 3DS in March. Multimedia? iPod.
Also, saying the iPod library is bigger is a misleading. It's like saying that a Plan Nine From Outer Space + Manos: Hands of Fate + Baby Geniuses 2 + Star Wars Episode 1 package for $10 is a better buy than Hotel Rwanda, The Empire Strikes Back, and Casablanca for $20.
That was probably a ridiculously bad analogy, but you get my point.
Games like Metroid, for example, are essentially extremely complex Sudoku puzzles with platforming elements. While the DS doesn't have a good Metroid title (Metroid Hunters doesn't follow the traditional formula well), the Zelda games are pretty similar games that require a lot of exploration, and there's a lot of strategy games and adventure games on the DS that involve problem-solving skills.
Such games blow the pants off of most casual iPhone games.
They also cost more...$25-30 as opposed to the $5-10 on the iPod Touch.
Really depends on usage.
The iPod is more expensive, but has a lot more media features. Gaming? Get a DS, or wait for the 3DS in March. Multimedia? iPod.
Also, saying the iPod library is bigger is a misleading. It's like saying that a Plan Nine From Outer Space + Manos: Hands of Fate + Baby Geniuses 2 + Star Wars Episode 1 package for $10 is a better buy than Hotel Rwanda, The Empire Strikes Back, and Casablanca for $20.
That was probably a ridiculously bad analogy, but you get my point.
No, it's a very good analogy. The second package is a better buy, especially if you want to buy Casablanca.
To the OP, if the kid is specifically requesting a DS, there's probably specific titles he's interested in that the iPod won't have. Additionally, I'd also imagine his friends might have a DS if he's asking for it, so the ability to play multiplayer is an additional bonus. Just additional thoughts that occurred to me.