My nephew is now 10 and had always known video games as my brother is a real fan of that.

He's got (the nephew) a DS since three years.

I'm quite sad of that. He is always playing with it, or talking about it.
and don't appreciate a nice walk in the countryside or mushrooms hunting or watching for birds or other animals.

He even don't like to read....

But now, it's a great (?) socializing thing as all of his friends has one.....

If I had kid, I would certainly give it to the kid, (I'm also a player...) but be very cautious about *playing time*.