My Kids Take a Pass on the New 3DS Nintendo
Apr 11
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My 6-year-old son, who lost his DS Nintendo about six months ago, is celebrating his birthday this week. For a short while I pondered getting him the new 3DS Nintendo as a gift. It’s new, it’s fun, it’ll keep him busy on long car trips. But after some research, I realized it’s also not really for kids.
Here’s the scoop on why:
- Price. The new 3DS has a hefty $250 price tag. The same cost as a brand new iPod Touch (which, by the way, is what my son would prefer). While there abounds plenty of parents sucker enough to spend that kind of dime on their kids, most of us understand that a kid who loses his boots in the middle of winter cannot possibly keep track of a gadget the size of a chocolate bar.
- Age. When the new hand-held device finally arrived, Nintendo offered a stern warning to parents against allowing kids six years and under from playing their newest version. Apparently, it may cause developmental vision problems. My son is turning 7, so he’s good? Hmmm, not a chance I’m willing to take.
- Technical challenges. To properly view the 3D graphics, the device must be held 30 cm from the eyes. No, not there. There… Wait, no… down a bit… up a bit. Now there! (Get the point?)
- Free trial? While other video game platforms are available to try at most electronics and toy stores, the 3DS Nintendo remains hidden from view. I asked at EB Games and Toys R Us for a chance to see what this new technology was like. They didn’t even have one out of a box to show me. For that price, I think most parents would like to try before they buy.
- Headaches. The latest news on the 3DS is that it causes headaches among users if used for even a short period of time. Enough said.
- Lame-o factor. Remember the first time you saw a 3D film? How about the most recent time? Not so impressive, right? The more kids view 3D graphics, the less they’ll be impressed with boring old regular flat screens. (Remember how cool you thought the special effects were in Clash of the Titans – the original film?) I’m not sure I want to hear my kids tell me how lame every show is after playing 3DS for two weeks. I would prefer to keep 3D as something special, rather than every day.
I’m sure the 3DS Nintendo is really cool, at least for a while. But this is one high-tech gadget that my kids will do without.
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