Recently my kid (4+) got a gameboy as a gift. I'm wondering if any of the forummers can suggest some games that are both fun and educational. Title of the game/cartridge and where to get it from would be most helpful.

Other console + games suggestions are welcome.


My kid loves spending time playing the gameboy but the games are mostly of fighting and beat-em-ups. Maybe the wrong forum here, cause i see more serious gamers discussion.. i dunno.

I'm assuming it's a Gameboy Advance / SP right? (small clam-shell design)

If it was the Nintendo DS (successor to Gameboy Adv), I'd suggest Brain Age 1/2. I have nothing on top of my head that's educational on the GB Adv, sorry.

Thanks. I'll let my kid go thru the Gameboy first then upgrade later to Nintendo DS. I'm also observing if he gets to hook up to the game, then it's game-over lar. Can't let him play console all the time. Kids must run, jump and scream. Nothing beats destroying monsters than real life destruction of cups, remote controls, magazines etc.

Other suggestions?

Super Mario Bros series is so popular for some reason. It's non educational but it's a good game for work out the brain and reflex.

for educational or not, make sure u buy original games...

Agreed, can't buy pirated games (stealing) for the purpose of educating your kids, too unconvincing

Take a look at my thread on the Nintendo subforum. I've got a list of GBA games listed.

Thanks all.

Ooj, took a peak at your stuffs. Looks like fun stuff (especially the donkey kong classic). Brings back memories... but this time its not for me but for the kids.

Can buy the VSMILE console, demos in TRU or JUSCO or PARKSON..... lots of eductional games.

But catridge not cheap, rm80 each

actually, rpg like game such as pokemon is a good start...my nephew is about ur child's age and he can play that game well. (kind of made him want to learn how to read too)..since it has exploration n some mild reading to progress the game.

not so sure about vsmile. i always see games that copy heavily from the mario bro platform. will explore to see if they hv other type of games - thanks laowai.

argh. pokemon. at least its not tele-ufo-tubbies

so far, nintendo ds looks like a good upgrade.

Eheh, I bought one (the V.Smile Pocket), just to play a Care Bears game that I imported from Australia

It's an okay console, impressive how the games on it have more speech than all the DS games I have played to date (although Rock and Roll Racing for the GBA came quite close), but controls is a bit frustrating since movement is quite slow and you can only jump in place (dunno if this is only true for the Care Bears game and the Noddy game I have) and cannot jump forward. The Pocket version also come with outdated Passive Matrix LCD, ghosting and interference quite noticable.

One thing good about the V.Smile, tho, is that it has no region lock.

Either way, DS is also a good choice, if they know how to jaga the console (I notice that my NDSL's hinge is quite fragile). I also agree that the DS also have a fine choice of educational games (i.e. Sudoku, Tetris, etc). If can, get original DS. NDSL quite fragile.

This post has been edited by RAMChYLD: Oct 14 2008, 03:51 PM

NDS not considered educational, 'cos they don't incorporate ABC, 123, spelling, maths, etc..... unless maybe that 'brain' game. If nds is consideration, wii is even better

Vsmile has the above incorporated in all games. But dun expect fantastic graphics, animation etc.. You still see kids always crowding and waiting their turns at the demo sets in dept. stores

Actually, there are butt-loads of education games out there for the DS. Language Coach, Cooking Guide, Brain Age, and together with their Brain Age rip-offs from other companies. Plenty of Sudoku and Crossword games to exercise the brain.

But these titles, as I've mentioned are not popular due to being rip-offs, and also labled as 'rubbish' because there are too many of them

But yeah, Vsmiles incorporation of all of the above, gameplay + education is prolly better.

Hey, even Donkey Kong Math is pretty good.

Interesting recommendations. I'm taking note of it all. I dunno Brain Age, Sudoku, Crosswords, Math is suitable at his age (4), but maybe when he's older.

Any Sesame Streets or such, related games out there?

Thanks v much for the contribution.