Topic: Game for a 6 Year Old

[sirean_syan]

So, I just learned that my nephew is getting a DS for his 6th birthday. This means a whole new world of gift purchases has finally opened to me (yes, I've been waiting for this day). Now I need to start educating the boy right and proper.

He's already played a few games, so he's probably pretty well on most things in terms of actual gameplay. I know he's played tons of the Lego themed games (Star War, Indiana Jones, probably the Batman one) because my brother plays them with him. He's also played a bit of Zelda: the Wind Waker, although he never got very far in terms of the main quest. Mostly just running around and such. The major limit is he hasn't learned to read, although I suspect that is changing since he started kindergarten last month.

Anywho, does anyone have any ideas of good stuff for him? Most of my favorite games on the system would probably be too much for him at this point. He parents are getting him a Kirby game (I'm assuming the new one), so I was sort of thinking that Yoshi's Island wouldn't be a bad starting point. There is some reading from what I remember, but not a ton from what I remember either. Giving him Contra 4 would ensure proper neck growth, but I suspect he (nor his mother) would be ready for such things.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Edit: Damn it. Why did this have to get canceled?

[idolminds]

New Super Mario Bros
Animal Crossing (maybe too much reading?)
Space Invaders Extreme
Kirby Canvas Curse
Mario Kart
Orcs & Elves
Pokemon (start them young on game addiction)
Worms
Warhammer 40,000: Squad Command (well, he *is* related to you so I assume he'd like it)

[sirean_syan]

Worms could be interesting. I forgot there were the DS versions. So would Mario Bros. I somehow forgot about that too. I'm thinking that'd be a better starting place than Yoshi's.

I think Pokemon and the like are still too much for him. Maybe in a year or two... also no sure if I want to encourage that.

[idolminds]

Plus he'll get hooked on Pokemon as soon as he's in school.

Be sure to check reviews on Worms for DS. I think it had some crappy loading issues.

[sirean_syan]

I'm going to hold off on that as well. Mario Bros seems like the best bet. It's a great game and as far as I can remember the only reading is in the menu. He can quickly learn which option to press.

I was talking to my brother a couple minutes ago and he mentioned something along the lines of getting him the Wall-E game or something similar because it would be simple and is cheap now. My response was along the lines of, "There are plenty of good games that are still simple." My brother's just sorta cheap like that though, so I imagine that's what was driving it more and my nephew would still get something out of it. If he was my child, though, I'd ban games from the house before naughty ones.

[gpw11]

Come on now, some movie games were great.  Like The Lion King and Aladin.

[nickclone]

The second Worms game (Worms Open Warfare 2) is flawless and is an amazing game. I think people still play it online, I've had it on my flashcart for a very long time now even though I don't play it anymore. However, the game gets hard, frustratingly hard. I wouldn't recommend this for a six year old.

Try giving him Mario Kart or Wario Ware.

[scottws]

Jennie's son got a DS from his dad last year for his 6th birthday so I've been through this too.

My suggestions:
New Super Mario Bros.
Mario Kart DS
Mario Party DS
Maybe Cooking Mama

His favorite game is actually some crappy Scooby Doo game, but since I've tried to steer him away from movie and TV show games.

He really liked Metroid Fusion for the GBA too, but he hasn't played the DS Metroid game and nor have I.

[Quemaqua]

Cooking Mama might not be a bad choice.  I don't think there's too much reading, mostly just on-screen instructions.  At least as I recall.  It was a fun little basic minigame thing, more suited to kids than adults.