ds vs ds lite vs dsi.... help

john1963

kids are looking for these . dont know which to buy. can anyone help?? please

animaX

Do NOT get the old DS, its ugly, its big and the screen is horrible.

The only difference between the ds lite and the dsi is that the DSi has a camera (probably just a gimmick) and a memory card slot (for downloading games over wifi).

RobertFoster

Yeah, steer clear of the original DS (if it's even still being sold anywhere). I went from DS to DSi (skipped DS Lite) and the difference is huge. But, the difference between DS Lite and DSi isn't big enough to warrant the extra cost.

The only benefit of the DSi is the slightly larger screens (6mm...) and the free internet browser. The cameras nor the card slot aren't useful, and the DSi specific games haven't been great.

I love my DSi, but I'm certainly glad I skipped the DS Lite and didn't upgrade from that.

If you're buying for more than one child, save yourself money and get the Lite over the DSi.

john1963

thanks folks, great help. just one question. the memory card slot, do i take it that the ds lite doesnt have it. does that mean that you cant download games?

Mr E

Correct. The DSi Store is only accessible from the DSi.

another difference is that the dsi doesn't have a gameboy advance cartridge slot. This means that there is no legal means of playing gb advance games on the dsi.

milltown

Also, in case you don't frequent the Bargain Alerts forum, Harvey Norman's are selling the DSi in black or white for €118 at the moment. As far as I know, Smyths are charging the same for the DS lite. I got one the other day and I'm chuffed. The price sticker on the box said €189 :eek:

Dman001

I already have the origianl DS but I'm very tempted to upgrade to a Lite, even though the DSi is cheaper. It sounds stupid, but the Lite looks so much nicer with its glossy casing, and it has a GBA slot and it is slightly smaller than a DSi.

superconor

My mum and Brother said they were buying me a DS this xmas...because I travel so much (12 flights this year and 100+ train/bus journeys). To join this debate, does the DSi have any features to allow it to be used as a kind of organizer? Does it have internet access, email access, can it download txt files or ebooks? The price seems to be €160 for DSlite with game or €180 for DSi on its own...

_sparkie_

harvey normans are selling the dsi for 160 with any new release game (usually 40€ so the dsi in only 120) or any 2 selected games (all terrible). i bought one at the weekend, the guy said he could give me that deal because they forgot to take the sign off the window so im not sure if they are still doing it.

superconor

superconor wrote: »

My mum and Brother said they were buying me a DS this xmas...because I travel so much (12 flights this year and 100+ train/bus journeys). To join this debate, does the DSi have any features to allow it to be used as a kind of organizer? Does it have internet access, email access, can it download txt files or ebooks? The price seems to be €160 for DSlite with game or €180 for DSi on its own...

to get decent organiser features you'd really have to get an r4 type card and use homebrew type organiser features. the ds is not great for ebooks to be honest - it doesn't support the formats from sony and amazon and the screen is not big enough and doesn't have the "e-ink" capabilities of the dedicated readers.
internet browsing on the ds is not great.
if you want games (really good choice now and much cheaper than ds), good internet browsing, organiser features and more (video podcasts, good mp3 capability etc.) you'd be better off going for an ipod touch. disadvantage of a touch is that battery life isn't as good as ds. but you could but one of those battery pack charger things.

niallon

Obviously it's easier financially to buy a DS Lite but I personally think that if buying for children, you will wind up upgrading to DSi regardless. Not sure of the time frame but at some stage the huge releases such as New Super Mario Brothers will have counterparts released on the DSi that will not be Lite compatible, makes the most sense for Nintendo. Simply put, by next year the DSi will have a firm foothold and the games will start to flow, I know it's selling like hot cakes from us, a lot of which is people upgrading.

milltown

_sparkie_ wrote: »

harvey normans are selling the dsi for 160 with any new release game (usually 40€ so the dsi in only 120) or any 2 selected games (all terrible). i bought one at the weekend, the guy said he could give me that deal because they forgot to take the sign off the window so im not sure if they are still doing it.

Are they not still doing the DSi on it's own for €118?
When I got mine the guy said they'd be doing that offer until Xmas at least.

Dman001

milltown wrote: »

Are they not still doing the DSi on it's own for €118?
When I got mine the guy said they'd be doing that offer until Xmas at least.

No I saw an ad on TV saying it is now €138.

milltown

Still not a bad price. Glad I bought a spare though:D

_sparkie_

milltown wrote: »

Are they not still doing the DSi on it's own for €118?
When I got mine the guy said they'd be doing that offer until Xmas at least.

everybody in the shop seemed a bit confused. while i was in the shop i asked for help from 3 different staff members. one said he could do the dsi and zelda for 160, the next one said it would be 180 (normal 140 for the dsi + 40 for zelda) and the last person told me that the dsi was sold out and that they wouldnt get any more in until after christmas. i went went back to the first guy because he could give me the best deal, i think he might have been the manager.

o1s1n

If I were in the market for a DS right now (And didn't have to get one for kids at christmas etc) , I'd hold on and wait for a DSi XL which'll be out early next year.

_sparkie_

i think the dsi xl is too big. the ds is ment to be portable, to fit in my pocket. from what i have heard the xl is aimed at older people who need the bigger buttons,screens and stylus.

o1s1n

It's bigger than a DSi but it's not a feckin Sega Nomad/Atari Lynx. You don't need a nuclear power station/truck to carry it about on. It still has a small enough form that should fit in a pocket/be easily concealed in a bag.The depth of the thing is more or less identical to the DSi.

When you break it down I am sure you probably spend 80% of your DS gaming time sitting on the couch at home anyway. (Especially if you're playing a Zelda title) Why wouldn't you want as big a screen as possible?

As for the oldies comment...LOL! The XL is aimed at anyone who wants a DS with a bigger screen/stylus big enough to actually hold. The buttons are the same as far as I can see. It's just bigger screens/stylus. What's not to like?