IPod Touch Vs. Nintendo DS for Kids

I recently had to decide between the Nintendo DS game system or an Ipod Touch. This was to be a gift for my son, 5 years old but I believe that this discussion will apply to kids between 5 and 12 years old so do not think that this is only about very young kids.

First, I will tell you about the similarities of the two systems. Both systems have a lot of potential and are fun for kids. Both systems are portable and can be taken on car trips, to friends houses, or used while waiting in doctor’s offices, etc. On both of these systems, you can play games and both even have educational games if you are up for that. There are a ton of fun, non-educational games as well. Both use a touch screen, at least in part. Both devices contain rechargeable batteries.

The Nintendo DS is somewhat bigger than the Ipod touch though it is still very portable. It comes in a variety of colors and there are even a few variations such as the DSi and the DSi XL. In this discussion, I am talking primarily about the DS version. The DS has 2 screens and both are used in play in different ways. One of the screens is a touch screen and a stylus must be used on it. While the game system does have a place for the stylus to be when not in use, I have to say that the stylus’ often get lost. Additionally, one must purchase game cartridges to play them on this system. The cartridges are small and often get lost as well. Each game costs between $15 and $30 with most of the “desirable” games coming in at the higher end. This gets very expensive!!! There are a lot of parts to carry around too, including the system, the game cartridges, and the styluses. The games are fun and good quality and there are a lot of them available. There are puzzle and word games and games with favorite characters from Dora the Explorer to Spongebob and many others.

The IPod Touch on the other hand, does not need a stylus to use it. One simply uses the touch screen with one’s finger. All games are downloaded via the “App Store” and thus no individual cartridges are needed. Additionally, I have found that the games are much less expensive. I have found good games for FREE! Other games run from 99 cents and higher. I have personally not downloaded any game that was more than $4.99 and I have a LOT of games on my son’s IPod Touch! He has games that are educational and those that are just fun. He has games with characters like Bob the Builder and Sesame Street. In addition, with a wifi connection, one can access the Internet on the IPod Touch (which is a positive and a negative depending on your needs and the age of your child). And, of course, there is the original use of the IPod, playing music! I have loaded my son’s IPod with lots of music including kids songs, songs he likes from the radio, and I have also loaded it with lots of books on CD that I borrowed from the library.

Overall, both systems have a lot of great things. In the end, I decided that the IPod Touch was a better device for my son. Even though it was initially more expensive, I do not have to buy the EXPENSIVE games that are needed for the DS. I do not have a lot of little pieces to get lost (as they surely would with a young kid). And, best of all, my son is so happy to have a “big kid toy” and loves his IPod Touch. He has used it for a lot of great educational games and for fun as well!!!! It turned out to be a great buy!