Mobigo or Nintendo DS

My problem with letting a 5 yr old have a DS is ,
1) easily brokem
2) expensive
3) aren't many educational games on the DS

look into the Leapster Explorer. It's actually educational and now has an e reader function not just hand held game system .
Age range is 4-9
Then at 9 get him a DS that way he's learned to take care of the explorer and can transfer that to the DS.
There are DS games available for a 5 yr old but not many stores actually carry them.

We bought the iPod touch for the kids...used so it was cheaper. Here's why:
the touch does: Movies, music, games -including the "educational" ones plus all the apps that are too numerous to name. And all of the stuff from the iTunes store is cheap compared to game cartridges. Essentially you can buy this and not have to buy a car DVD system, separate MP3 player and a gaming system. GL!

If your 5 yr old can be relied upon to take a little extra care with it, the DS might be alright. If he is a rough and tumble kid that has to be told 19 times not to throw that, drop that, do that, calm down, etc etc.. (you get my drift) then no. He will break the hinge. And once the hinge breaks, the wiring inside that connects the top screen isn't far behind. Nerf holders are great for drops, unless they are open. But there is nothing that it can do to protect the hinge from a child who pushes it too far back repeatedly, which the Nintendo people have told me personally, is the number 1 reason that the hinge fails. Kids push the hinge back too far while playing it. Mindlessly. It is made to "give" like glasses arms with springs. Once too many times, though.. and it will give out and just flap back and forth.

They do have a 1 yr warranty repair/replacement. But, I would just consider how your child will handle the toy itself.

My nephew just turned 4 and I bought him the Mobigo, it is more a learning game than just a playing game. He loves it and doesn't ask for a much help unless it is for the spelling portion. We didn't buy the DS because we didn't want to have to help him and wanted him to be able to play and get the eye/hand thing down. He is excellent at the WII. The mobigo doesn't have a lot of games yet(that is the only downfall). My nephew loves the nascar game, I swear I will have to buy him another before Xmas. Best of luck.

My 6 yrs old daughter has a DS and loves it. We limit her play time on it though, she doesn't play it everyday. I'm not familiar w/ mobigo but the DS can definitely grow with them. They have educational games for the DS.

I haven't heard of the mobigo, but our whole family loves the DS. My 9 year old loves it and my husband and I love playing Mario on it! It'll be worth it b/c he will use it for years and years.

Updated

I haven't heard of the mobigo, but our whole family loves the DS. My 9 year old loves it and my husband and I love playing Mario on it! It'll be worth it b/c he will use it for years and years.

My daughter got a DS for Christmas when she was 5. She's about to turn 7. She loves it!!! I have one, too and love it. There are tons of games. And yes, there are educational games for it. She had the V.Smile Pocket, but quickly outgrew all the games. The DS has been a great purchase for us.

Thanks to all of you!!

As for it breaking easily, you can buy a Nerf cover for about $14 which makes it almost impossible to break by droppin git. My kids (8& 10) have had theirs for about 2 1/2 years and not broken it yet!

My son is turning 5 tomorrow. I bought the Nintendo DS Lite for xmas last year and I noticed his motor skills & thought process improved. His alphabet is in the lines when he does his homework (full-day kindergarten) and when he asks a question or makes a statement you can tell he is thinking to see if it is appropriate to say in front of children and adults or if it a topic that maybe he should ask mom/dad privately. The problem I had was finding games that were suitable/easier for him to use. My cousins have children the same age or a yr older and suggested types of carnival games. I bought him 'Cars', 'Shrek Carnival Craze' and 'Spongebob Squarepants Glob-Doom'. He loves the 'Cars' game and I play 'Shrek' (it is a little addicting). My uncle says it is a good babysitter for his grandson (my nephews are a little hyperactive). Also, not sure when your son's bday is, but in October that start running the pkg deals that comes with the Nintendo case, car adapter, xtra pens, case holders for the games (they can be easy to lose), 1 game and a nintendo t-shirt. The original price was $175.99 or $179.99 at Toys 'r Us, but I applied and use the rewards card for bday gifts throughout the yr and it helped bring the price down.

Don't know anything about the Mobigo, sorry. Plus, he hasn't mentioned it. He uses his Leapster for reading.

I let my daughter get the DS when she was 6. She had to save her allowance for it and I chipped in to buy a carrying case, car charger (which I recommend, if you have long car rides) and the first game. I was also not so sure about my decision, but I can now say that I think it was a good one. Here's the reasons I think was a good decision:
1. Responsibility. This is a very expensive toy and it took her almost a year to save for it (at $3 a week allowance). She is more careful with it than with other toys.
2. She loves it! Way more than her leapster and v-smile games.
3. It keeps her busy during long car rides.
4. I like to borrow it when she's sleeping :)

The downsides:
1. Expect a marathon DS session when you first get it. Most kids get hooked and don't want to put it away.
2. It does not come with pre-loaded games.

General advice:
1. Read reviews of game on Amazon. Other parents will be able to steer you in the direction of age appropriate games. There's not much fun in watching a 5 year old have a meltdown because the game is more suited for a 10 year old.
2. Again, buy the car charger if you plan to use the game on longer rides.
3. Don't let your child take the game to school. I've heard stories of them being lost, stolen or broken. By me, most kids take their DS to school to have something to do on the bus. I said no to that and don't regret my decision!

Hope this helps-good luck!

My kids never touch their V-smile, but they love their DS. My son just turned 5 yesterday and has been playing the DS for almost a year, if you get simple games like the racing ones they can learn very fast how to do it. I do not let them just sit at home and play games, but the DS it great for longer car rides and things like that. For my kids the DS was well worth the money.

As the mother of a 17YO and a 21YO who still buy video games, trust me: either one will be outmoded in a couple of years, so buy whichever one you think fits him the best right now.