Kids choosing Apple iPhone over Nintendo DS for video games

NPD's survey of more than 4,200 kids ages 2 to 17 found that 26% play games on iPhones, up from 11% in 2011. By comparison, 25% of kids surveyed play games on Nintendo's DS devices, down from 37% two years ago.

The survey also found that 21% of kids play games on Apple's iPad, up from 5% in 2011, and 19% play games on the iPod Touch, up from 18%. Some 23% play games on Android smartphones, a device category not measured two years ago.

[iamnsuperman]

Well the market is shifting. I can see in the next 10 years (well even less than that) we won't have handheld consoles. Just too expensive to make them stay relevant (if the machine is dedicated to playing games). Phones are getting a lot better with their games and specs but also are sold at a manageable price with contracts (compensates the large price tag) which is why they have some appeal. I can see in a couple of years time our tablets will be doing a similar function to what the Vita and the PS3/PS4 does now with remote play and (well not yet but shortly) cloud gaming.

[Anon1974]

I'd noticed a shift when visiting friends who had kids around that 6-10. There was a time when we'd get together and they'd all pull out their DS's when the adults got together. The last year or so I noticed whenever we'd get together the DS's are completely absent, replaced with iPod Touch's or Android devices, and even 3-4 year olds are playing with titles like Zoodles that provide activities and videos while locking out other device functions that can get them into trouble.

Of course there's still a market for dedicated gaming devices like the 3DS and Vita but I've only seen one 3DS out in the wild in the past year or so and one Vita (mine!). Mind you, I'm hitting 40 soon so it's not like I'm hanging out around schools or anything where these devices would show up - I'm just saying it ain't like it used to be. When 3-4 year olds are using tablets it doesn't take a marketing genius to predict that they're going to remain popular for some time.

[darthv72]

Considering that most (not all) schools have a ban on video game devices (gameboy's, Ds, PSP...) it makes more sense that kids are switching to using phones and tablets.

Those arent banned (yet) at schools. Teachers obviously prohibit the use of them during class but when you are on lunch you can use your phone to text and game as much as you want.

Even at my house, my kids are constantly asking to use my phone to play a game and yet they have their own individual ds's and a slew of carts to choose from.

the market for the dedicated portable is shrinking due to convenience in the form of mobility with smartphones and tablets. Soon, the console market will be at risk but that is why sony and MS (and to some extent nintendo) are making their home consoles capable of more than just games. they too need to stay relevant in the changing conditions.

[miyamoto]

IMHO never trust NPD
they are in accurate and fishy

[Spinal]

No you have it all wrong.

What will happen is handheld systems will soon adopt mobile features calls texts an what not an I'm not talking skype I'm talkin about it accepting ur SIM card. The Xperia play is a shoddy but shining example of the future of these dedicated handhelds.

Tablets will never replace consoles. Never ever. Tablets have a market of their own an it's comfortable there. A tablet owner an a console owner never cross paths when planning to buy one or the other. Two separate activities entirely.

[darthv72]

As much as we would all want to believe the "never ever" part....it is happening sooner or later. Even a company like sony is capable of developing a mobile device that can double as a console when docked to a tv.

If you feel strongly in the convergence of portable devices taking on the mobile features then you have to be just as receptive of a mobile device taking on console features as well.

[Donnieboi]

Ummmm...I think the kids like it because they don't have to beg their parents to buy them games--since games are free on phones. Kids don't have credit/debit cards. And even if their parents gave them a card, i'm sure it wasn't so they could blow their money on $40 3ds games. So phone games make for convenient and free quickies. Simple, really.

[Drummerdude41]

Well most kids nowadays grew up with angry birds and words with friends as apposed to our generation with pokemon, kirby, mario and dragon warrior. It's sad to me to see the market shift to a platform that respects the income from games over the creative outlet and visions from developers looking to create something that is truly an experience. This is just what i see happening and if i end up being wrong i will gladly eat my words as i feel all kids should have the kind of nostalgia with games as our generations did.

[wishingW3L]

to me it makes sense because that way they feel more like grown-ups, instead of playing Mario and Pokemon on DS they play games on a phone. And we are seeing a similar shift on consoles too with games like Call of Duty and Battlefield, which are games for adults but it's mostly children the ones that play it. And not to mention that they are just following the trends, which is what kids and teens do.

[Arcanine]

Oh well to bad there missing out on true quality games that made what games are now today!

[dark-kyon]

i do not blame them,nintendo is how disney,is to much kiddie friendly what the same children think what is not cool play his games.

[Williamson]

Well then they are missing out on great games on vita and 3ds..phones/tablets cant give the same gaming experiences that dedicated portable gaming consoles can give imo. Since now we can get console quality games on the go with the vita/3ds.

[Foxgod]

I blame their parents for not raising them with quality video games :D

[WeAreLegion]

Finally, we can agree on something. Lol.

This is just sick.

My parents knew nothing about video games, but they bought me Gran Turismo and NFL Blitz at Christmas one year. I imagine someone at the store told them they were good games.

Thank God for whoever that was.

[clouds5]

Poor kids growing up thinking those crappy touch controls are the best thing ever :/
And cheers to all you guys who remember playing Wing Commander/Freespace etc. with a friggin Joystick, feeling like a glorious space pilot.

[airsick7]

I know when I'm on a plane, train, or in public these days I hardly EVER see handhelds. In fact, last time I saw a 3DS was E3... in a grown man's hands.

An 8 year old kid has no loyalty to Nintendo, Sony, Mario et al. They just know that iphones have games, txt, internet... everything they want.

It's sad for an old school gamer like myself, but I guess these are the times. Casual mob rule!

[MASTER_RAIDEN]

Though I realize NPD is only reporting its own survey, im really getting tired of seeing all these articles about how handhelds are on their way out. people have been making the "mobile phone is taking over" argument for like 5 years now, and yet both console and handheld sales have been stronger than ever before. like it or not, mobile phone gaming and handheld can and will co-exist for many years to come.

[level 360]

Common sense and fact - nearly all parents have iphones so..

..after picking up their kids from school/events will hand-over their iphones to their children so they can play inside cars/SUV's or trains and buses while on their way home.

Same at home parties/gathering with parents friends or close families.

[Funantic1]

Smartphones are replacing Vitas and DSs. Now that the new iPhones are 64-bit, graphics will be on a whole new level. Only thing missing is controls which they're working on.

[KonsoruMasuta]

Iphones suck. Get over it. Also, this article doesn't point out the reasons why they are choosing Iphones. How much do you want to bet that the majority of these kids don't want one for the games?

[Concertoine]

im a senior in high school and i streetpass 6-9 people with 3ds' every day, and this is before pokemon releases. i think portables will always have a niche. im sure the 3ds will have at least 75 million lifetime sales and this will render it well beyond profitable and definitely warrant a successor. i hope the same for the vita :D

[Misaka_x_Touma]

DS not 3DS so this survey is irrelevant

[Roccetarius]

Considering that kids are being given and being indoctrinated to use these, it's not much of a surprise.

[klecser]

Truthful title should say: "Kids Being Fed iPhone From Their Desperate Parent By A Statistically Insignificant 1% Margin"

[hellvaguy]

My 9 year old wont touchhis 3ds. Hes got like 15 games for it too. An even more serious crime, he wants nothing to do with console gaming (blasphamy imo). But thats all he and his friends do is Tango call each other, listen to music, watch netflix, or play those cheezy ipad games.

[Misaka_x_Touma]

cause real games are to complex for him

[hellvaguy]

Maybe but mario games really have never been very complex. So I dont I think thats it. I agree with u in reference to fps or some mmo games.

[swice]

Perhaps he may like a 2DS?

[hellvaguy]

The 2ds is a downgrade so that really wouldnt help. You have the option of turning off 3d mode on the 3ds, so not sure of why u think a 2d might be better liked.