Wii Vs DS Lite?

Mackleton

Hey all, so Im toying with the idea of getting either a Wii or a DS lite. As I haven't played either but have gotten good feedback on both from friends Im a bit conflicted. I haven't yet gone out and priced either but I imagine there would be a significant price difference what with all the trappings a Wii involves.

Also, I am learning Japanese and there is apparently some decent language learning software to be got for the DS.

Even as I write this Im pretty much convinced the DS is a better idea for me but I will defer to your superior knowledge of such things and ask where I should start when looking for one that wont break me.

Cheers in advance.

o1s1n

They're a bit too different to do a VS to be honest. However, if I could only have one, it would be the DS.
The Wii is great and all, but the DS is one of the best consoles I've had in a very long time. Such a great library of games.

Mackleton

Yeah Im pretty much sold on the DS, funny really when Ive only really messed around on one for a few minutes.

Playability wise, (Ive only used a language program not an actual game) how does one control characters and so on, is it by means of the pen coz I imagine that would make game-play a bit one dimensional and boring but Im probably wrong? Also where are the best deals to be had price-wise?

o1s1n

Mackleton wrote: »

how does one control characters and so on, is it by means of the pen coz I imagine that would make game-play a bit one dimensional and boring but Im probably wrong?

Different games have different controls. Some use the D pad like a standard console, some use the touch screen and stylus. Some use a combination of both. It's far from one dimensional, actually it's what makes the console so good.

Couple of examples of great stylus use are Zelda Phantom Hourglass and Ninja Gaiden Dragon sword. After playing for a few minutes you'll be wondering why you ever used a D pad

Mackleton wrote: »

Also where are the best deals to be had price-wise?

Now that I haven't a clue. I bought mine in New York for about €90. But I think the standard going price over here is between €130 and €150. Check Adverts.ie actually, might be someone selling one there.

Mackleton

Cool, thanks for your help!

FruitLover

They're very different systems of course, but I reckon I'd go with the DS over the Wii if I had to choose.

Mackleton wrote: »

Also, I am learning Japanese and there is apparently some decent language learning software to be got for the DS.

Yep, check out play-asia.com for several Japanese language apps. One of my favourites is "正しい漢字かきとりくん" ("tadashii kanji kakitori-kun") - it's a kanji-learning 'game' aimed at Japanese highschoolers, so it's handy for a foreigner.

Another handy one is "漢字そのまま楽引辞典" ("kanji sonomama rakubiki jiten"), where you can get readings, translations and examples for kanji that you draw in using the stylus.

thebman

Don't know if its a good deal but it is in the clearance section on gamesnash:
http://gamesnash.ie/catalog/product_info.php?pName=ds-lite-crimson-nintendogs-game-case-bundle&cName=clearance-sale&osCsid=f617db14e890c2f65c41f7a1c47bb3bb

Maybe someone else knows of a better deal.

corcaigh07

www.videogamesplus.ca ds selling for 93 euro plus shipping. dont know how much shipping is but im sure overall itll still be cheap.

corcaigh07

and get a R4DS for you know, homebrew and stuff!

Mackleton

corcaigh07 wrote: »

www.videogamesplus.ca ds selling for 93 euro plus shipping. dont know how much shipping is but im sure overall itll still be cheap.

Yeah I checked this out and including shipping its €117 which seems like a decent price to me. Id wonder though if being Canadian, the adapter would be the American style one?

o1s1n

Mackleton wrote: »

Yeah I checked this out and including shipping its €117 which seems like a decent price to me. Id wonder though if being Canadian, the adapter would be the American style one?

One of those pin adapters works fine. Or go to www.dealextreme.com and buy an Irish DS charger for it. They're really cheap too. That's what I did with my American DS. Works perfectly fine.

witnessmenow

Pin adapter wont work unless nintendo have changed the plugs in the last few months. American charger accepts exclusively 110v , compared to our 220V system. Get teh charger off dealextreme

valleyoftheunos

Shop around for DS, they aren't too cheap. I saw a deal somewhere of a DS lite and any game for €179:eek: you are within touching distance of an Xbox 360 for that.

Some places do reconditioned original DSs for pretty cheap. you can check that out.

valleyoftheunos

Also the two are very different, are you an on the go type of person? Do you have to share your tv with someone? I orignally bought my DS because I was house sharing and couln't possibly monopolize the house TV to play games for hours on end. Also my Girlfriend loved it. She does not love my Wii. Although she doesn't mind it too much.

Mackleton

witnessmenow wrote: »

Pin adapter wont work unless nintendo have changed the plugs in the last few months. American charger accepts exclusively 110v , compared to our 220V system. Get teh charger off dealextreme

Is this the one you're talking about?
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.3650

Can these not be found in irish gaming stores?

o1s1n

Mackleton wrote: »

Is this the one you're talking about?
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.3650

Can these not be found in irish gaming stores?

That's the one. I'm sure you could pick one up in a store here, it's just you won't get anywhere near the price of dealextreme. They're incredibly cheap for electronics. Free shipping... plus the prices are all in dollars.

Mackleton

Im quite lucky to have asked the question about adapters here first, I went into gamestop today and the guy basically told me to buy buy a ds adapter but not the specified voltage one you all told me about.

Bearing this in mind I asked would it damage the console, it not being designed to take our degree of voltage and he shocked me by saying most people buy them anyway although they will eventually fry the machine! Which begs the question why would anyone knowingly do that to their new ds?

Anyway, mine should be here by Monday or Tuesday so Im just wondering how long roughly does Dealextreme take to deliver?

FruitLover

Mackleton wrote: »

Bearing this in mind I asked would it damage the console, it not being designed to take our degree of voltage and he shocked me by saying most people buy them anyway although they will eventually fry the machine! Which begs the question why would anyone knowingly do that to their new ds?

It'll blow the adapter, probably won't damage the DS (although I wouldn't want to experiment, just in case...)

I'd advise getting a USB cable charger as well.

o1s1n

Mackleton wrote: »

Im quite lucky to have asked the question about adapters here first, I went into gamestop today and the guy basically told me to buy buy a ds adapter but not the specified voltage one you all told me about.

Bearing this in mind I asked would it damage the console, it not being designed to take our degree of voltage and he shocked me by saying most people buy them anyway although they will eventually fry the machine! Which begs the question why would anyone knowingly do that to their new ds?

Anyway, mine should be here by Monday or Tuesday so Im just wondering how long roughly does Dealextreme take to deliver?

You picked me up wrong. Sorry!

The DS will take a charger from the US and a Charger from the UK. I linked the one on dealextreme as it was cheap and you wouldn't have to go looking for it. Not because it was a specific voltage. A UK charger from gamestop will work fine. It won't fry the machine. That guy shouldn't be working in a game store

Mackleton

o1s1n wrote: »

I linked the one on dealextreme as it was cheap and you wouldn't have to go looking for it. Not because it was a specific voltage. A UK charger from gamestop will work fine.

Ok so it doesnt matter what voltage I get as long as it has a uk 3 pin plug yes? because someone mentioned that the us version was designed to take a certain voltage and our voltage is higher so it would eventually burn out the machine, no doubt Im wrong here, Im just a little confused

Raemie

I have both (nerd am i) and i would recommed the DS over the Wii. The wii has great potential but it has no bloody games! all the cool games that you see advertised will never be ported to the wii (because of the graphics engine i suspect) and the ones that are available are mediocre - more mario crap (doesnt that guy ever plumb?) and half arsed reasons to wave your remote about. The graphic are really no excuse for bad/no games as they are about level with the ps2, which had great games. The wii had been out for nearly 2 years now with no hint of anything worthwile on the horizon. It can be quite fun to play though, if you only want to play for 20 mins every few months. For that, you do get wii sports included so you can stay in your living room waving a stick about instead of going outside and having a life.


Now the DS.. Like the wii, the DS has slightly different gameplay then we are used to, in this case a touchscreen. There has never really been a habit of porting games from other handhelds (eg PSP), so DS games are designed for the DS, and they use the touchscreen in interesting and fun ways, as well as the traditional buttons. It doesnt feel like an afterthought like most of the remote flailing on the wii and adds to the game without dominating it. Most of all, however, there are actually decent games for the DS, ones that arent rehashed tripe from the 80's, but things like Pheonix Wright (Objection!). Plus, you can take it around with you and not be stuck in one room preventing other people from watching the telly while you wave your arms around like a twat.

to summerise: DS = fun, wii = infuriating

Does this help? : )

corcaigh07

Raemie wrote: »

I have both (nerd am i) and i would recommed the DS over the Wii. The wii has great potential but it has no bloody games! all the cool games that you see advertised will never be ported to the wii (because of the graphics engine i suspect) and the ones that are available are mediocre - more mario crap (doesnt that guy ever plumb?) and half arsed reasons to wave your remote about. The graphic are really no excuse for bad/no games as they are about level with the ps2, which had great games. The wii had been out for nearly 2 years now with no hint of anything worthwile on the horizon. It can be quite fun to play though, if you only want to play for 20 mins every few months. For that, you do get wii sports included so you can stay in your living room waving a stick about instead of going outside and having a life.


Now the DS.. Like the wii, the DS has slightly different gameplay then we are used to, in this case a touchscreen. There has never really been a habit of porting games from other handhelds (eg PSP), so DS games are designed for the DS, and they use the touchscreen in interesting and fun ways, as well as the traditional buttons. It doesnt feel like an afterthought like most of the remote flailing on the wii and adds to the game without dominating it. Most of all, however, there are actually decent games for the DS, ones that arent rehashed tripe from the 80's, but things like Pheonix Wright (Objection!). Plus, you can take it around with you and not be stuck in one room preventing other people from watching the telly while you wave your arms around like a twat.

to summerise: DS = fun, wii = infuriating

Does this help? : )

harsh. theres a reason why mario galaxy was selling out before christmas. because its an excellent game!!! i dont regret buying the wii at all even if galaxy was the last game made for it.

that said, the ds is very cost effective and got great games and new ideas. both are going to be around for a long while yet.

thebman

Which ever console you get, Trauma Centre FTW!!

o1s1n

Mackleton wrote: »

Ok so it doesnt matter what voltage I get as long as it has a uk 3 pin plug yes? because someone mentioned that the us version was designed to take a certain voltage and our voltage is higher so it would eventually burn out the machine, no doubt Im wrong here, Im just a little confused

The US charger is designed to take the lower voltage. Not the DS itself. If you were to plug a US charger in over here then something would fry.

The DS is made to accept both voltages. So using a standard UK charger will work fine.

I hope I finally made some sense

Mackleton

No you're dead right Im just a bit of a technical tard so to speak. Thanks:p

mailblaney

corcaigh07 wrote: »

www.videogamesplus.ca ds selling for 93 euro plus shipping. dont know how much shipping is but im sure overall itll still be cheap.

i've been mulling over this site for ages now. looks pretty good. i just wanted to know will you get charged custom duties or tax by the government? i heard that you don't get charged on software but just wondering what was the story with a DS? Is there a chance you could just get lucky and not be charged!!

On the issue of DS vs Wii. Having played both, but forced to choose one, i'd go for wii. Serious fun to be had palying local multiplayers. Mario Kart in paticular.

corcaigh07

i think if the value is over 150 euro,you get charged, i could be easily wrong there though. if there are a nice bunch, ask them nicely to write Gift on the package.

valleyoftheunos

Raemie wrote: »

I have both (nerd am i) and i would recommed the DS over the Wii. The wii has great potential but it has no bloody games! all the cool games that you see advertised will never be ported to the wii (because of the graphics engine i suspect) and the ones that are available are mediocre - more mario crap (doesnt that guy ever plumb?) and half arsed reasons to wave your remote about. The graphic are really no excuse for bad/no games as they are about level with the ps2, which had great games. The wii had been out for nearly 2 years now with no hint of anything worthwile on the horizon. It can be quite fun to play though, if you only want to play for 20 mins every few months. For that, you do get wii sports included so you can stay in your living room waving a stick about instead of going outside and having a life.

Load of Tripe, v unhelpful,

If you dont like Mario and Mario type Games why buy nintendo? If you like the games that are on other machines and you know they will never be ported why buy Nintendo?

You should have bought an Xbox, go trade in your Wii and stop your moaning.

Star Lord

Raemie wrote: »

I have both (nerd am i) and i would recommed the DS over the Wii. The wii has great potential but it has no bloody games! all the cool games that you see advertised will never be ported to the wii (because of the graphics engine i suspect) and the ones that are available are mediocre

You have both? If so, what games have you got/played for the Wii? There are a load of cracking games out for the Wii.
Also, graphics card in the console =/= graphics engine. A graphics engine is code that is part of the game that dictates how the graphics are put together and displayed.

The wii had been out for nearly 2 years now with no hint of anything worthwile on the horizon. It can be quite fun to play though, if you only want to play for 20 mins every few months. For that, you do get wii sports included so you can stay in your living room waving a stick about instead of going outside and having a life.

So which console is it that involves going outside and having a life? The 360? The PS3? Great way to slander a home console :pac:

Most of all, however, there are actually decent games for the DS, ones that arent rehashed tripe from the 80's, but things like Pheonix Wright (Objection!). Plus, you can take it around with you and not be stuck in one room preventing other people from watching the telly while you wave your arms around like a twat.

The Phoenix Wright games are REMAKES of GameBoy Advance games... :pac:
And again, which console is it that allows other people to watch the telly while you play? Handheld =/= console...

witnessmenow

o1s1n wrote: »

The US charger is designed to take the lower voltage. Not the DS itself. If you were to plug a US charger in over here then something would fry.

The DS is made to accept both voltages. So using a standard UK charger will work fine.

I hope I finally made some sense

Not really right!

The DS doesnt accept both voltages! It accepts only 5.2V DC.

Each charger converts the local power to that.(As in the american converts there 110V AC -> 5.2V DC, and the irish/uk converts 220V AC ->5.2v DC too)

Thats why there is no problem using an american DS with our chargers here, its because its recieving the exact same voltage as it would with an american charger in the US

o1s1n

witnessmenow wrote: »

Not really right!

The DS doesnt accept both voltages! It accepts only 5.2V DC.

Each charger converts the local power to that.(As in the american converts there 110V AC -> 5.2V DC, and the irish/uk converts 220V AC ->5.2v DC too)

Thats why there is no problem using an american DS with our chargers here, its because its recieving the exact same voltage as it would with an american charger in the US

I didn't want to confuse the poor fellah with more technical jargon...

doonothing

Go for the DS I always thought I'd get more use out of the wii as more titles came out, but it's the DS I keep coming back to!

Mackleton

o1s1n wrote: »

I didn't want to confuse the poor fellah with more technical jargon...

This poor fellah happens to be female, but I spose its my own fault for calling myself Mackleton. Anyhoo, so you all can rest easy in your beds I have followed your sage advice and bought a DS lite which should be coming in the post any day now.

Games wise I've bought Professor Layton and the Curious Village and Crosswords DS which, again should be arriving any day.

Im wondering if I got a bargain or not, for the two games I paid 42 euro incl. shipping. I feel its a decent price bearing in mind you cant get Prof. Layton in Europe yet. What are your thoughts?