I did a post a while ago and have been updating, Best Nintendo DS Games for Girls and I keep meaning to do one for boys. I have been “polling” the 8-12 year old boys in all our homeschool groups on their favorite Nintendo DS games the past few weeks.
As I stated in my Nintendo DS Games for girls post- I am NOT gender biased and I have been happy to let my son play Barbie or dress in a tutu if he feels like it- based on my observing and asking tons of kids what they like- girls really do like different video games than boys. Boys tend to like competitive games where they have an opponent or race against time or beat a “level” to get to the next one as well as role playing games. Not sure what Nintendo DS games to get for a boy? here is list- hope it helps!
Top Nintendo DS Games for Boys ( approx 8-12 years old)
I rarely say this- but this game really is a MUST have, Professor Layton and the Curious Village is original and fun. The game is a series of puzzles and brain teaser than is great for both boys and girls- moms too Can’t recommend enough. It is hard to find because it is so popular so if you see it- grab it.
A good bet for most boys is Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings . Control massive armies with your stylus as you battle to defeat evil in the world of Ivalice.
My daughter doesn’t like this type of game that much- but she has leant this out to countless number of her friends- all have been boys.
Still going strong is The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass This JUST came out and is crazy popular. it is the newest in the Zelda series. If your son likes any kind of role playing video games- he will be thrilled with this.
One of my favourite new games this year, manage resources, care for critters, and combat destructive forces that threaten the ecology of Mana Forest- Eco Creatures: Save The Forest
The World Ends With You is an anime-inspired game set in modern day Tokyo, from the team that made Kingdom Hearts.
Mario Kart Very cool- can “race’ others from around the world with wireless feature.
Mario Party DS Another new release. This is good for both boys and girls and if you have more than two kids in your family with a DS- excellent choice.
Luxor: Pharaoh’s Challenge This came out this week and we rented it. Not what I thought it would be- ton of puzzle games set in Ancient Egypt. Great for kids who like Brain Academy, etc. Another good for both boys and girls if kids share games.
Yoshi’s Island DS Considered one of the best games for Nintendo DS. If you are just getting a DS or don’t have- highly recommend.
New Super Mario Bros. Classic Mario Brothers stuff. One of the best games made and very popular. It has been out for a while. Both boys and girls like this one.
Metroid Prime Hunters Very high cool factor - you can play with multiple players with wireless function.
Sonic Rush A newer release- featuring Sonic the hedgehog. . I can’t figure the game out- but the kids LOVE it!
Pokemon Diamond Probably the most popular game ever made for Nintendo DS- along with Pokemon Pearl version ( below)
Pokemon Pearl See above. If getting a new DS and need to get one or two games- make sure you include either this or the Pokeman Diamond version (above) Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin A newer release. Vampires+ castle. What more could you want? Might be too scary for younger kids ( and soccer moms )
If you can think of some “must have” best Nintendo DS games for boys that aren’t here?? Let me know and I will add to the list
Nintendo DS Bundles ( Game Console with game) Nintendo DS Lite Gold with Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (NDS Bundle) These are REALLY sharp looking. The game that comes with ti is excellent- but might be too “old” for very younger players. If you are getting your son a DS Lite- this is the one I would get.
The FreeRice site (FreeRice is a sister site of the world poverty site, Poverty.com.) , has two objectives:
1.Provide English vocabulary to everyone for free.
2. Help end world hunger by providing rice to hungry people for free
The game is sort of like Word Power in Reader’s Digest. Lots of fun!
What so cool about it? Play and for every word you get right- they donate 50 grains of rice to United Nations ( made possible by advertisers on the site). I all ready donated 500+ grains.. this hour
The site is fairly new- but growing by leaps and bounds!
warnng- highly addictive!
Yes- I am addicted to this game- it has reached embarrassing levels. I have a cramp in my index finger from spelling so wildly -defeating monsters, mythological creatures and the undead. My kids LOVE playing along with me- and the game is one we all enjoy. You do need to be able to spell/read to play, thou. My son helps me play by pressing the “attack” key and watching monsters be destroyed by really good words spelled from the tile board.
My girlfriend said she thought of me while watching a recent “Simpsons”
episode- where Marge gets hooked a a PC video game… .
When I got REALLY stuck I used one of the tips below. One of the kids in my homeschool groups also likes to play and he has struggled a bit and used as well- so I thought I would post and share.
Has any one else enjoyed playing this game? Share you “Bookworm Adventures” story with us !
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BOOKWORM ADVENTURES
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Game Created by: PopCap Games ( http://www.popcap.com )
*** THIS FAQ CONTAINS STORYLINE SPOILERS! THIS IS YOUR ONLY WARNING! ***
===============================================================================
SECTION 0. TABLE OF CONTENTS
===============================================================================
Note: To instantly jump to any section of the FAQ, highlight the term you see
inside the parentheses ( ) to the right, copy it (Ctrl+C), do a page find
(Ctrl+F), paste the term (Ctrl+V) in the box, and click to search for it.
1. Copyright Site Listing (sec1copy)
2. Introduction (sec2intro)
3. Game Information (sec3game)
- a. About The Game (sec3about)
- b. Gameplay (sec3play)
- c. Tile Types (sec3tile)
- d. Potions & Treasures (sec3potion)
- e. Status Ailments & Enemy Lore (sec3status)
- f. Lex’s Levels (sec3levels)
4. Adventure (sec4advent)
- a. Book 1: Oedipus Lex (sec4book1)
- b. Book 2: Arabian Knight (sec4book2)
I am actually going to try this! So many tales of 7 year olds enthralled and grown women playing the game and discussing with their teenage sons makes me want to jump in. Anybody else with me Let me know if you try and how you make out. This is outside my comfort zone so wish me luck!
This game can be hard to find- but it is worth the effort- You can also buy online at a pretty good price ( I paid 25.00 for mine!) from Amazon.com-here: SET Game . It is one of those games where you can sit and play in a relaxed many over a cup of hot chocolate and play game will you talk with your child or children. It takes a lot of brain power so things tend to get quiet- the perfect time for a mother and daughter to get reconnected or spend quality time with your kids. It is a matching game of sort- you create SETS based on colour, shapes, shading and numbers. I would say good for around ages 6 t0 adult. It is also one of those games that I find just as fun and interesting to play as other children do. You can try playing SET online , where it is called “Match” but its exactly the same game as SET.
Can’t recommend enough. It is hard to find because it is so popular so if you see it- grab it.
