In an previous post, we listed Jacob's top 10 favourite games for the Nintendo DS. I soon realised that if Jacob had to list his favourite DS games, it would probably contain 50 or more titles. So it occurred to me that there a literally dozens of great games for kids with autism or Asperger's to enjoy on the Nintendo DS.
I recommend the Nintendo DS to all parents of kids with an ASD. It's small, yet durable and easy to use, it's inexpensive and it has the best game cartridges available. Many parents feel that the PSP is a good alternative to the DS, especially if your child is older. But with my son, I'm concerned about his ability to properly handle a disc. So we stick with the DS. Here are 5 more Nintendo DS games for kids with autism or Asperger's.
5. Zelda: The Phantom Hourglass - Many parents probably remember playing this game on the original Nintendo. I know I did. The Phantom Hourglass still uses Link as the main character. This game is in my opinion, the best Zelda game available. It has puzzles, quests and all kinds of battles to engage in. The game is fun and provides many hours of game play. And the controls are easy to use, which is important.
4. Metroid Prime Hunter - This is the first shooter that's been recommended. Metroid is another original title for the original Nintendo. But it's way different. Metroid was originally a side scroller, but this game is a first person shooter. It has lots of level to complete and evil monsters to destroy. This game has some strategy involved, but it's still easy to play and provides many hours of fun.
3. Nostalgia - This is another fantastic role playing game. The difference with Nostalgia is, that instead of travelling by foot, your main mode of transportation is flight. There are tons of air battles, weapons upgrades, character building and dungeon exploration. I'm not sure how many hours of game play there is, but this is a long game. And the best part is, that it never gets boring because there are so many different aspects involved in its completion.
2. Professor Layton - I think there's now 4 of these games available for the DS. We have the first 2 and they're both great. These puzzle games are challenging for everyone, so parents can enjoy these titles too. It doesn't matter which one you pick, I'm sure all 4 are great games. These games too, can provide hours of game play. If your child becomes frustrated easily like mine does, don't worry. It's possible to purchase hints in game to complete each puzzle. These are probably the most diverse educational game available. They promote problem solving and linear thinking.
1. Pokemon Black/White/Leaf Green - This is one of my personal favourites. The creator of Pokemon, has actually been diagnosed with Asperger's. He got the idea by wanting to create a game that involves one of his childhood hobbies; insect collecting. There are hundreds of Pokemon that evolve into new Pokemon, learn special abilities and develop new moves. And each one has to be caught in game. There are hidden characters in the games and some have to be unlocked by trading them to fellow gamers. I have one of these titles and I've spent over 120 hours on it. There's always new creatures to catch and develop so the game play is endless. This game was created by someone with Asperger's, so how couldn't a child with Asperger's love it?
Another thing I enjoy about DS games is that almost all games cost less than $40. And these games are no exception. Most game stores have a selection of used games that are often even cheaper than new releases. Especially with Pokemon, you could actually buy a game that was released 5 years ago, and it would still be great. Another nice thing about these games is that they're not just generic games that offer little to no educational value. All of the games I list, regularly involve problem solving and character building. So even if your child plays the DS daily, you can still rely on the fact that they're still learning something useful.
Be sure to check out my other lists for other game suggestions.
TOP 10 NINTENDO DS GAMES FOR KIDS WITH AUTISM
TOP 5 LEGO NINTENDO DS GAMES FOR KIDS WITH AUTISM
Cool - this is good to know! Norrin hasn't gotten into DS games just yet, I suspect that's next :)
ReplyDeleteThe DS is the way to go. Those things are tough. I've seen one bounce down a flight of stairs and keep working.
DeleteSee, I should have gotten a DS. That i-touch didn't stand a chance against the tile floor. I bet the DS would have just bounced back.
ReplyDeleteI own an Ipod classic and I cringe when Jacob drops it. I think Ipods are made to break because it's hard to believe that a DS can bounce down a flight of stairs and be fine, yet an Ipod 3X as much can't fall off the couch.
DeleteNo problem. We own nearly 100 DS games and Jacob only enjoys a few, so why not share his preferences with my readers. This way, you might not have to buy a new game for $40, that a little one might not play.
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog while looking for DS games for my daughter who's 4 and autistic, I've been having problems trying to find the right ones, that wont continually make her frustrated. As I myself play a lot of RPG type games, it's a bunch of words she doesn't understand and that frustrates her.
ReplyDeleteI didn't mean to publish right there.. sorry about that. I meant to go on and say that I've found her a Backyardigans game that she really enjoys (this has been her favorite show for the longest time lol) that has taught her matching shapes, learning to follow instructions, and basically having a fun time while learning. But this is the extent of her game choices lol
DeleteA good game with low amounts of frustration is Peggle. I have another post listing my sons top 10 favourite games. You should check it out. Just highlight the text below and copy and paste.
Deletehttp://jimsautismblog.blogspot.ca/2011/12/top-10-nintendo-ds-games-for-kid-with.html