Nintendo DS games are one of the most asked-for gift items amongst people of all ages. They're perfect for birthdays, the holidays, or just the occasional "I think you're awesome."
But unlike some other retail items, the price of a game isn't indicative of its quality. You're going to end up paying about the same amount of money for a high-quality game as you are for a hack job. If you don't keep up with the games press or community, how can you know which DS games would make good gifts?
Here are some tips that will keep your purchase from ending up as an expensive coffee table coaster.
But unlike some other retail items, the price of a game isn't indicative of its quality. You're going to end up paying about the same amount of money for a high-quality game as you are for a hack job. If you don't keep up with the games press or community, how can you know which DS games would make good gifts?
Here are some tips that will keep your purchase from ending up as an expensive coffee table coaster.
Don't be intimidated by the different iterations of the Nintendo DS
There are several builds of the Nintendo DS that span back to the handheld system's launch in 2004. If you don't know anything about video games, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Relax: It's hard to go wrong. With very few exceptions, any Nintendo DS game will run on any iteration of the system, including the original style Nintendo DS, the Nintendo DS Lite, the Nintendo DSi, and the Nintendo DSi XL. Visit Which Nintendo DS Should You Buy? to narrow down the functions and differences between each model.Consider the recipient's hobbies and interests
What kind of hobbies and interests keep your special friend enthralled? Do they like brain teasers? Do they have the gaming experience and dexterity necessary to enjoy an action game? Do they enjoy long stories and myths? The Nintendo DS has some fantastic RPGs, which usually feature deep stories and hours of gameplay. Puzzle games are always a popular choice, and you can't go wrong with a high-quality family game.Strike gold with non-traditional games
These days, there's more to video games than chasing ghosts and eating dots. This holds especially true for the DS! The DS can help people exercise, plan their day, cook, and even read. Seek out well-received games that zoom in on active pastimes, like Let's Yoga! by Ubisoft, Personal Trainer: Walking by Nintendo, Personal Trainer: Cooking by Nintendo, or 100 Classic Books by NintendoTake age into consideration
The ESRB reviews most games sold at retail and as downloads, and issues a letter rating based on potentially offensive content. Follow its guidelines carefully. If you buy a game that's rated "Mature" for your six-year-old nephew, he might appreciate it, but his parents probably won't.The ESRB's ratings also serve as a rough guideline for the recommended age a player should be before playing a certain game. For instance, a game that's rated E10+ is meant for "Everybody 10 and Up," and might require more reading or dexterity than a five-year-old has command of. Note that an E rating ("Everybody") doesn't signify that a game has childish content. Rather, it's appropriate for all audiences.
Don't default to brand name recognition; review licensed games carefully
One of the most frequent traps inexperienced game buyers fall into is the siren song of easy recognition. If you're buying a game for a youngster who enjoys Dora the Explorer, he or she will love a game based on her adventures. It's a no-brainer, right?Not always. Games based on licensed properties (including popular movies) are often churned out quickly and can be buggy, frustrating, and generally boring as a result. That's not to say every licensed game is a dud, but research a title before spending money on it. Check out Metacritic's video game scores for critiques on a certain game.
