( 
)
A portable gaming system is ideal for kids. It can keep them busy on long trips or car rides, or even just sitting at the doctor's surgery or in the supermarket. Better yet, it doesn't tie up the TV like the large games systems. The price is also right; they're usually far cheaper.
But picking the right one can be tricky; there's a lot of choice out there! This guide will provide a short outline of each system, and its pros and cons. I'll start with the two most recent - the Sony PSP and the Nintendo DS.
Nintendo DS
Nintendo have a long and successful history in handheld gaming, and this is their most recent efforts. The DS can be recognized by its use of two separate screens, one on the system itself and one built into the lid. The lower screen is unusual in being touch-sensitive - you're provided with a little stylus to use, although many games also use the standard built-in buttons. Despite this unusual dimension, the system's controls are very simple to learn.
The DS comes in two editions - the older, original DS, and the new DS Lite. The DS Lite is much thinner, and the screen is brighter - however, it's slightly less resilient than the older, bigger DS. That said, both editions are great for kids, because they can withstand being dropped - and the screens are protected by the closing lid. You have to be a little careful with the lid hinges on the new DS Lite though. Both systems come in a variety of colours (including pink for the little princesses!). The older DS retails for about $100 (though you can find it much cheaper on here), and the DS Lite weighs in at about $130. Nintendo games are usually $35 new, and third party games are $30. Some of the older games now retail for $20 new. The games come as little cards, which aren't vulnerable to getting scratched like CDs.
And it's the games that really make this one of the best consoles for kids. Almost all the games that have been released are suitable for all ages, and also very easy to learn - the graphics are excellent but also simple, and the gameplay is easy to learn. Some of the most recognisable gaming brands have found a place here, and Nintendo have a great reputation for quality games. Look out for games released directly by them, since they are almost always excellent.
I'd recommend the following for any child over 6:
Other popular games include The Sims 2 (sort of like playing doll house), Yoshi Touch & Go (a very cute and simple action game), FIFA Soccer, and Metroid Prime Hunters (an action game, probably better for older kids due to more complex controls and the shooting)
Many TV and movie tie-ins are also released for the DS - Pokemon, Star Wars, Tony Hawk skating, Spongebob, Spiderman, Shrek, etc.
Sony Playstation Portable (PSP)
Sony are most famous for their Playstation consoles, and this is their first attempt at a handheld. The PSP only has the one screen, but it's more powerful than the Nintendo DS and can handle much better graphics and sound. That said, I probably wouldn't recommend this for kids. It's something best given to a teenager or adult, who'll appreciate the more mature games and the ability to use the PSP to play music and watch movies. The PSP is a lot more expensive than the DS (typically it's over $200, more if you want a bigger memory card to store music), and a lot more fragile - the screen is not protected, it doesn't hold up to being dropped, and it reads small CDs that can get scratched. The controls are also more complicated, with more buttons and two control sticks. Don't get me wrong, I have one, and it's great! But it's probably not a good choice for kids. Games are slightly more expensive, typically between $30 and $40, though some are dropping in price.
Games wise, you have to be more careful than with the DS. There are many more mature games out there - for example, Grand Theft Auto, The Godfather, and several violent fighting games. For older kids, I'd recommend the following:
Gameboy Advance (GBA)
This is Nintendo's older handheld, which came out before the DS. It comes in several variations. The original GBA is basically a screen with controls either side. This is the oldest, and really quite cheap these days (as little as $30 or $40 used). The GBA SP is newer - it has a brighter screen, protected by a flip lid. The controls are a little more cramped though. The newest variation is the GBA Micro - very tiny, fits easily into a pocket! All three models are durable and survive being dropped. The GBA and GBA SP both play games made for the original Gameboy and the Gameboy Color, which creates a much wider game library - bear in mind these games aren't really available in shops any more though, so you have to buy them used. Actual GBA games are easy to come by though - EB Games and Gamestop both stock a good selection. New games sell for between $15 and $30; used games without boxes can go as cheap as a few dollars.
The original GBA uses batteries, but the GBA SP and Micro come with a adaptor; plug it into the wall and it charges the system for a good few hours.
You really can't get much simpler than the controls for the GBA - just a few buttons and a control stick. Plus, since it's been around for 4 or 5 years now, there's a very large library of games available. There are 5 or 6 Mario games, 2 Zelda games , and a whole bunch of tie-ins to popular TV shows. Dragonball, Pokemon, Yu-gi-oh, Naruto, One Piece, Spiderman, Barbie, Nicktoons, Powerpuff Girls etc.
Almost all the games are suitable for all ages. I'd especially recommend:
Other Choices
The GBA, DS, and PSP are the big three. You can still pick up the original Gameboy and the Gameboy Color, but these aren't really worth it these days; the games can be hard to come by. Same goes for the Sega Game Gear (not to mention it eats batteries!). The Neo-Geo Pocket Color was a good system, but there are hardly any games. Stay away from any less famous systems too, like the Gizmodo; typically these have almost no games available for them. Also beware of cheap systems with games built-in - they may seem like a bargain, but you can't buy new games, so when the kids get tired of them, they become expensive paperweights.
Conclusion
Hopefully this guide has been some help in navigating the handheld console market. Ultimately, I'd recommend either the DS or the GBA - durable, and a good selection of games even for very young children. If you have a teenager (or a games loving adult friend!), consider the PSP, which can be used as an MP3 player as well as a games system. Good luck! :-)
But picking the right one can be tricky; there's a lot of choice out there! This guide will provide a short outline of each system, and its pros and cons. I'll start with the two most recent - the Sony PSP and the Nintendo DS.
Nintendo DS
Nintendo have a long and successful history in handheld gaming, and this is their most recent efforts. The DS can be recognized by its use of two separate screens, one on the system itself and one built into the lid. The lower screen is unusual in being touch-sensitive - you're provided with a little stylus to use, although many games also use the standard built-in buttons. Despite this unusual dimension, the system's controls are very simple to learn.
The DS comes in two editions - the older, original DS, and the new DS Lite. The DS Lite is much thinner, and the screen is brighter - however, it's slightly less resilient than the older, bigger DS. That said, both editions are great for kids, because they can withstand being dropped - and the screens are protected by the closing lid. You have to be a little careful with the lid hinges on the new DS Lite though. Both systems come in a variety of colours (including pink for the little princesses!). The older DS retails for about $100 (though you can find it much cheaper on here), and the DS Lite weighs in at about $130. Nintendo games are usually $35 new, and third party games are $30. Some of the older games now retail for $20 new. The games come as little cards, which aren't vulnerable to getting scratched like CDs.
And it's the games that really make this one of the best consoles for kids. Almost all the games that have been released are suitable for all ages, and also very easy to learn - the graphics are excellent but also simple, and the gameplay is easy to learn. Some of the most recognisable gaming brands have found a place here, and Nintendo have a great reputation for quality games. Look out for games released directly by them, since they are almost always excellent.
I'd recommend the following for any child over 6:
- New Super Mario Brothers (everyone knows Mario!)
- Mario Kart DS (a Mario driving game - you can also connect to a friend's DS and race against them)
- Animal Crossing (a very unusual game....no violence or enemies, just a town where you can fish, talk to other animals, and decorate your own house)
- Super Princess Peach (a platform game - and instead of Mario rescuing the Princess, the Princess goes to rescue him!)
- Warioware (lots of very quick mini-games, like drawing shapes, inflating balloons, etc)
- Nintendogs (raise your own puppies!
Other popular games include The Sims 2 (sort of like playing doll house), Yoshi Touch & Go (a very cute and simple action game), FIFA Soccer, and Metroid Prime Hunters (an action game, probably better for older kids due to more complex controls and the shooting)
Many TV and movie tie-ins are also released for the DS - Pokemon, Star Wars, Tony Hawk skating, Spongebob, Spiderman, Shrek, etc.
Sony Playstation Portable (PSP)
Sony are most famous for their Playstation consoles, and this is their first attempt at a handheld. The PSP only has the one screen, but it's more powerful than the Nintendo DS and can handle much better graphics and sound. That said, I probably wouldn't recommend this for kids. It's something best given to a teenager or adult, who'll appreciate the more mature games and the ability to use the PSP to play music and watch movies. The PSP is a lot more expensive than the DS (typically it's over $200, more if you want a bigger memory card to store music), and a lot more fragile - the screen is not protected, it doesn't hold up to being dropped, and it reads small CDs that can get scratched. The controls are also more complicated, with more buttons and two control sticks. Don't get me wrong, I have one, and it's great! But it's probably not a good choice for kids. Games are slightly more expensive, typically between $30 and $40, though some are dropping in price.
Games wise, you have to be more careful than with the DS. There are many more mature games out there - for example, Grand Theft Auto, The Godfather, and several violent fighting games. For older kids, I'd recommend the following:
- Mega Man: Powered Up (a platform game, quite difficult but easy to learn)
- Daxter (another excellent platform game, where you play...well, some sort of ferret guy!)
- Loco Roco (fun and colourful puzzle game, where you roll around screen collecting little blob guys)
- Tokobot (puzzle game where you try to help little robots reach the exit of each level)
- Burnout Legends (fast and furious racing game, where crashing is encouraged)
- Lumines (Tetris style puzzle game)
Gameboy Advance (GBA)
This is Nintendo's older handheld, which came out before the DS. It comes in several variations. The original GBA is basically a screen with controls either side. This is the oldest, and really quite cheap these days (as little as $30 or $40 used). The GBA SP is newer - it has a brighter screen, protected by a flip lid. The controls are a little more cramped though. The newest variation is the GBA Micro - very tiny, fits easily into a pocket! All three models are durable and survive being dropped. The GBA and GBA SP both play games made for the original Gameboy and the Gameboy Color, which creates a much wider game library - bear in mind these games aren't really available in shops any more though, so you have to buy them used. Actual GBA games are easy to come by though - EB Games and Gamestop both stock a good selection. New games sell for between $15 and $30; used games without boxes can go as cheap as a few dollars.
The original GBA uses batteries, but the GBA SP and Micro come with a adaptor; plug it into the wall and it charges the system for a good few hours.
You really can't get much simpler than the controls for the GBA - just a few buttons and a control stick. Plus, since it's been around for 4 or 5 years now, there's a very large library of games available. There are 5 or 6 Mario games, 2 Zelda games , and a whole bunch of tie-ins to popular TV shows. Dragonball, Pokemon, Yu-gi-oh, Naruto, One Piece, Spiderman, Barbie, Nicktoons, Powerpuff Girls etc.
Almost all the games are suitable for all ages. I'd especially recommend:
- Any of the Mario games - Super Mario Advance 2 is especially good.
- Legend Of Zelda: Minish Cap (colorful adventure game where you swing a sword around)
- Sonic Advance (another Sonic The Hedgehog game)
- Donkey Kong Country (a platform game starring a monkey looking for his bananas)
- Metroid Zero (a running and jumping game good for slightly older kids, since it's more difficult)
- Kirby & The Amazing Mirror (platform game where you play....well, a little pink blob!)
- Warioware Inc: Mega Micro Games (similar to Warioware for the DS....lots of minigames)
Other Choices
The GBA, DS, and PSP are the big three. You can still pick up the original Gameboy and the Gameboy Color, but these aren't really worth it these days; the games can be hard to come by. Same goes for the Sega Game Gear (not to mention it eats batteries!). The Neo-Geo Pocket Color was a good system, but there are hardly any games. Stay away from any less famous systems too, like the Gizmodo; typically these have almost no games available for them. Also beware of cheap systems with games built-in - they may seem like a bargain, but you can't buy new games, so when the kids get tired of them, they become expensive paperweights.
Conclusion
Hopefully this guide has been some help in navigating the handheld console market. Ultimately, I'd recommend either the DS or the GBA - durable, and a good selection of games even for very young children. If you have a teenager (or a games loving adult friend!), consider the PSP, which can be used as an MP3 player as well as a games system. Good luck! :-)
Guide created: 10/10/06 (updated 08/08/08)
Thank you for voting. If your vote meets our 
