BWTK portable Game Consoles

[BERT]

I want some in formation about portable game consoles as I'm thinking about getting my 6 year old son one for xmas.

Please bear in mind I'm an old fart and have little knowledge of these new fandangled thing so your help will be appreciated.
He like playing games on my ipad and we are going to New Zealand in February so it should help kill flight and drive time for him.

The three I know of are
Play station portable
Nintendo DS
And I think the ipod touch could be useful for games and such

Can the PSB collective make reccomendations and let me know the pro's and cons of thewe (or suggest others) so I can make an informed decision.

Thanks

[stoner]

For a 6 year old, nintendo DS. Widest range of games, a psp can appear to be a bit technical and an ipod touch isn't being utilised fully because its not playing music

[Stoneville]

As Toner said, NS heaps of games and you can pick them up fairly cheap when they go on sale. My nearly 8 year old G/daughter inherited one from Bendito and she loves it though no doubt it will be replaced pretty quickly with the iPad I bought her for Xmas

[SilentBob]

I own several PSPs. Ergo wise I found it the nicest for my mittens. And it has the games I want to play.
For a kid - Go the Nintendo DS. Kid friendly games, built to be robust.

[Drasius]

+1 to a DS (or 3DS if you want to give her headaches). They'd have the widest range of games suitable for him as the PSP is mainly targetting older kids. Having said that, if it's not meant to be a surprise, as him what games he would like, if there's some on the PSP, get that, but otherwise, I'd say the DS would be the way to go. Battery life is probably the best on the DS as well, so a bonus there.

Also, is he into pokemon ( I have no idea if that's still a thing, I'm now officially old)? If so, a DS is the clear winner there.

Edit 'cause I can't read and additional info.

[Roger Explosion]

DS.
No one does kids games quite like Nintendo.
Also, Mario kart.

[Gothchick]

Definitely agree with the DS. Good battery life. Great range of games and good prices too. Also, because of his age. Think PSP and ipod are a bit technical for a 6 yo and by the time he is old enough to use these ones properly, they will be obselete for the next "best thing"

I have three boys, 14, 12 and 10 and our clear winners have been the Nintendos. I have just upgraded them to the newer models when they have become worn out and they have had a Christmas or birthday present due. The games have all still been compatable with the newer models, although when he gets used to it, check out the trade in system at your local game shop. My guys are really getting into this now.

[BERT]

Thanks everyone, looks like the DS gets the go ahead

[D'Artagnan]

+1 for DS and a Cyclo. Even if your don't use it for downloaded games, not having to worry about loosing game carts etc is a huge bonus. Keep the originals out of harms way. Makes it easier for the kids as well.

[rc_sam]

Yep, DS FTW.

[Tamika]

Definitely DS, if you decide to go the 3DS its got some nifty inbuilt stuff like a 3D camera, plus it will play DS games too.

[Skut]

Definitely DS, if you decide to go the 3DS its got some nifty inbuilt stuff like a 3D camera, plus it will play DS games too.

Yes, having the cameras and the VR style gaming makes it a bit more interactive and sociable when appropriate. Another left-field option is a cheap Android phone without sim card, just download free games via wireless, no cards to lose....

[PBF]

Get the original donkey kong. Split level screen, variable speed gameplay and music to match.