best ds games for 2/4 year olds

Bad age, start from when theyve done some school! jeez

 

my 2 year old nephew messed up my ds, top screen mirrors both screen now

 

My nephew did the same sort of thing to an old GameBoy; he learned that he didn't play games when he mistreated the systems.

 

I'm bumping this just to say how shocked I am at how judgmental some of the people here are being towards a parent allowing their kids to play the DS. I'm also curious as to how old some of the finger-waggers here are as they talk down to this parent. I came across the page because I, too, am looking for games for my 3-year-old, who recently inherited my DSi after I got a new one. I wonder, do any of the folks telling the TC how to raise his kid actually have any children? Or understand the capabilities of a small child? Because otherwise, it's pretty presumptuous of you to make assumptions about how best to raise a child around technology.

My three-year-old is very clever and when I see how easily he catches on and is able to navigate menus and games I am nothing more than impressed and proud. Most games that are appropriate for this age-group are so because they deal in very tactile concepts - shapes, numbers, colours, following instructions, as well as how to treat the device...I have a hard time understanding where the detrimental part comes in. There are even Leapfrog and V-Tech toys that pretty much emulate cheap versions of a DS with a more durable shell.

My husband and I are both gamers and geeks and it's only helped us be successful in our adult lives. We've both been gaming since a very early age and approve of our son being able to understand not only gaming devices (he's quite good at Wii sports, too) but using the computer as well - a skill that's priceless in this day and age and is only getting more valuable.

Like everything else in life, moderation is key. It sounds to me like there are some archaic clichés about parenting being thrown around without much experience. It's insulting to a parent to folks to jump to conclusions about their decisions but believe me, every case is different. Some - many I'm sure - toddlers wouldn't be able to handle a DS because they're rough with their toys or can't quite grasp the controls. Others may be quite advanced and live in a very technology-infused household (like ours) and be able to handle the responsibility. Nothing is black and white, just remember that.

Geez, you'd think people on a gaming board would be impressed when someone says their toddler plays on a DS, not up in arms.

 

Maybe bob the builder, nintendogs, mario, pokemon, basically kiddy games

 

Get pokemon. I played pokemon blue when I was 5 too. Also I played castlevania and mario that age, but don't play those games. I broke my gameboy like once because I really sucked at castlevania and mario and I use to whine all the time and throw my gameboy against the wall when I constantly kept dying.

 

pokemon is the best rpg for even child can play,,,

but since they're only 2 and 4 i recomended easy games as dora the explorer etc. barbie, mario bross, or some education games,,,

 

I played Pokemon Blue when i was 4.
Of course, i had no clue what i was doing
It was still quite fun though

 

their 2 and 4 give them a cuddly toy let them use imagination

 

My daughter, 4, like to play Mario Party DS. I had to play through the game once to unlock a bunch of mini-games, but she has a great time with the mini games now. After having the game for a few months, she's figured out which menu options to pick to get to the mini games. She can't really follow the logic for the full game, but she still seems to enjoy it (since you can just press buttons and the game advances).

I tried The Legendary Starfy. Nice game and easy controls, but she can't really handle it. She likes to watch me play, but that's about it. Your children might take to it different. I think it's worth checking out.

New Super Mario Brothers was ok. It has mini-games, and she can walk and jump, but that's about it. Could be worth it for the mini games though.

Smart Girls Playhouse was good, but she actually got bored with it. I think there's some smart boys playhouse games too.

I would avoid anything that requires reading. It will just frustrate everyone involved. I would also avoid the Cooking Mama games. They're great, but just require too much step progression to succeed and the kids may get tired of it.

Mario Kart is good and your 4 year old might be able to do it. My son at 6 had a great time with it, but 4 to 6 is a huge jump.

Good luck !

Jim

 

you must have missed why I bumped this thread...

 

he did completely

 

I just came across this thread while I was looking for ideas on what DS games to get for my 2.5 year old and 8.5 year old. I can tell you I am quite surprised if not shocked at some of the comments from some people. I completely agree with buchichu on everything she says.

I've been using a computer as long as I can remember as my dad bought his first computer in the year I was born. I remember playing all sorts of games for fun and education. My 8 year old and 2 year old have been using the computer since they could climb onto the computer chair, I'm talking about 12-18 months of age. They both learned very quickly how to open the internet browser and navigate to their favourite pages to play games.

My brother gave my oldest daughter his DS that he didn't want anymore when she was only 6 years old and it provided entertainment for the whole family. She was a confident reader at the time so had no problems with playing games like Pokemon. My 2 year old has always shown an interest in the DS and doesn't "mash the keys" as some of you have said. She picks up the stylus and touches the screen when the time is right. She is able to play games like Cooking Mama and Tamagotchi Corner Shop with no issues and is confident with using the camera and recording features on the DSi. She hasn't dropped it once. She's only 2.5 remember.

Because they were fighting over it so much we decided to buy her a leapfrog gaming machine that she has dropped on numerous occasions because it's so bulky and difficult for even me to hold.
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I forgot to add that my house is completely FULL of toys and my 2 yr old would much rather do pretend cooking in her cubby house while my 8 year old reads a book. My 10 month old is still a bit too young but has already shown an interest

 

Super Mario Brothers is great to begin with.
Pokémon might be a little too complicated for that age.

 

yeah, pokemon are seriously difficult for those age,,, i can complete pokemon on my childhood only by using walkthrough,,

get some cute games like cute racing (mario etc.) or simple cute combat style (not the bloodier),, kids likes that,, i recommend kirby, my 5 year old cousin really like this games,, or, if they have some kind of sense with rhythm. i suggested rhythm series (heaven, paradise, world),,

though i must say that kids today are so not lucky for not having non-electronic games during their childhood,,, i even still played monopoly at this age,,

 

My favorites games ever!

Pokemon, Ben 10, Mario, Dragon Quest etc...