Nintendo DS vs DSi (or something else?)

[Green Eyed Stranger]

Okay, so our oldest is having a birthday in a couple of weeks, and succumbing to peer pressure, we're considering a gaming system for him. We've looked at the Wii, and it seems interesting, but several of his classmates have DS'. So looking into that, I discovered there is a DS and a DSi, but I'm not clear on what the differences are. Further, they don't seem completely compatible (that is not all DS games will play on the DSi).

Stepping back, what would you suggest for a soon to be 8 year old boy? A couple of things to keep in mind, I've never owned a gaming system. I went from playing games on a TI-99 4/A (get off my lawn) straight to PC games. Also, we have two younger children (5 and 3) that will probably either inherit or share what ever we get.

Thanks for your help.

[Hampshire]

Differences between DS and DSi:

DS:
-$129
-Plays DS and Gamboy Advance games

DSi:
-$170
-Thinner than the DS
-Slightly larger screen than the DS
-Plays ALL DS games. Does not play Gameboy Advance games.
-Has dual cameras.
-Plays DSi games (games that make use of the cameras).

An 8 year-old will love it.

[Ferret Herder]

I just bought a DSi about a month ago (here's my PSP vs. DS(i) thread with lots of advice).

DS - or DS Lite, these days, the DS was the older model - will also play Game Boy Advance games, which may or may not allow for a lot more gaming options. It also, unlike the DSi, will play the Guitar Hero game for DS - the DSi lacks a certain connector port that the DS has.

DSi has a little bit bigger screen and a couple cameras, a web browser, and access to an online game store where you can buy games.

I would go with the DSLite; you might get a very disappointed kid if he decides he wants to play Guitar Hero or gets hold of some GBA games.

[Red Barchetta]

Originally Posted by Green Eyed Stranger

Stepping back, what would you suggest for a soon to be 8 year old boy? A couple of things to keep in mind, I've never owned a gaming system. I went from playing games on a TI-99 4/A (get off my lawn) straight to PC games. Also, we have two younger children (5 and 3) that will probably either inherit or share what ever we get.

Thanks for your help.

Hmm, tough question between the Wii and DS...the Wii can be great fun for not just him, but the whole family (my parents, who had never played a game before, love the damn thing). On the other hand, if all of his friends own DSs, I might suggest going that route. It can be a very socially engaging device (perhaps contrary to common belief) and has a ton of great games.

As for the differences between the DS Lite and the DSi--well, you asked the right place as I used to work at Nintendo

So here's the deal: fundamentally, they're near identical. They can both play the exact same library of games (with a few exceptions I'll get to in a moment). The DSi is just a slightly upgraded (and more expensive) version. Here's how the DSi is different from the Lite.

• Larger Screens
• Two Cameras (one front, one on the back)
• Able to download DSi-only games
• Cannot play Gameboy Advance games

So the main differences are that it can take pictures (which can be uploaded to Facebook) and can also access the DSiware Store and download small games between $2-10 each.

Technically speaking, the DSi is superior in most ways. Honestly, most of these DSiware games (at least, for now) are lame and aren't worth the purchase of a DSi alone. And the cameras also aren't really essential--only DSiware games currently use them (and not particularly well).

Now the DSi cannot play old Gameboy Advance games, which the Lite can. So if you have any older games, it may be worth purchasing a Lite for. Also, since it lacks the GBA cartridge port, the Lite also can't play the DS version of Guitar Hero--which is honestly not a big deal, as that game's painful to play. It can play virtually every other DS game just fine though.

So basically, if money's not an issue, I'd get the DSi. But if you want to save some money, the Lite will serve your son just fine. Both the Lite and DSi can play wirelessly with each other, so it doesn't matter which version your son's friend so own.

[BomTek]

Originally Posted by Red Barchetta

Now the DSi cannot play old Gameboy Advance games, which the Lite can. So if you have any older games, it may be worth purchasing a Lite for. Also, since it lacks the GBA cartridge port, the Lite also can't play the DS version of Guitar Hero--which is honestly not a big deal, as that game's painful to play. It can play virtually every other DS game just fine though

Jesus, could you have made this more confusing for Green Eyed Stranger with this paragraph? The DS Lite can play Guitar Hero. Easy typo to make, though, when you're dealing with so many variations of essentially the same thing.

DS (original, fat, phat, whatever): kinda chunky, as the nicknames imply; has a Game Boy Advance slot, so it can play Guitar Hero. You won't find one of these in stores now, as it's been replaced by DS Lite, but eBay will have them cheap
DS Lite: brighter screens, better stylus, better form factor than DS... does indeed have a GBA slot, allowing your kid to play GH. Sold alongside DSi in stores
DSi: bigger and brighter screens than DS Lite, cameras, web browser, downloadable games. Doesn't have a GBA slot, so your kid won't be able to play GH

An important thing to know, though, is that no matter which version you get, your son will be able to play DS games with his buddies, as they all work with one another wirelessly.
In my opinion, you're best off with DS Lite. The GBA slot might not matter that much to you since it's doubtful you have any GBA games, but I think 1) GH would be worth picking up if your kid likes the GH games, and 2) the GBA was one of the greatest systems ever, and has a TON of great games available dirt cheap on eBay. GH is a pain (literally, it hurts my hand), but I suspect your son with his smaller mitts won't have as much trouble with that, and if you can stand the pain for a short playing sessions, the game itself is pretty good considering the potential limitations of the platform.
Hope we've helped a little bit and happy shopping. Let us know what you decide!

[ZenBeam]

I, too, would recommend the DS lite over the DSi, based on its ability to play GBA and GH. As BomTek suspected, my kids don't have an issue with GH on the DS (the buttons are a bit cramped for me). But you might want to find out if his friends have the DSi or DSlite.

Whichever, get screen protectors for the touch screen.

[Kamino Neko]

Originally Posted by Hampshire

DSi:
-Plays ALL DS games.

It's been said before, but can't be stressed enough - no it doesn't. The GH games use the GBA slot for the controller, so they can't be played on the DSi.

Also, multiple DS games require a GBA game in the slot to unlock different functions (the Pokemon games, for instance, get 'mons that can be captured in the GB/GBC/GBA games but not DS via the Pal Park, as well as unlocking the ability to capture several gen 3 during the game itself by having the right gen 3 game in the slot).

[Red Barchetta]

Originally Posted by BomTek

Jesus, could you have made this more confusing for Green Eyed Stranger with this paragraph?

I'm sure I could if I tried. Sorry, I was in a hurry and my whole post was kind of messy; I was just so excited to share my vast bank of near-worthless knowledge!

[Bosstone]

I vote for the DS Lite for the reasons BomTek mentioned. Losing the GBA slot was a criminal offense in my opinion. The GBA library is simply excellent.

[BomTek]

Originally Posted by Red Barchetta

I'm sure I could if I tried. Sorry, I was in a hurry and my whole post was kind of messy; I was just so excited to share my vast bank of near-worthless knowledge!

Hey, no worries! I just wanted to make sure we got the Straight Dope out there.

[cactus waltz]

The difference in price between the DS and the DSi could get a couple of decent games.

To my understanding, the bigger screen of the DSi actually has the same resolution as that of the DS. So the screen of the DS Lite might actually look a bit better. Haven't compared them in person though.

Also, the brighest setting on the DS Lite is really bright. I've actually used it as a weak flashlight. You don't ever need brighter than what the DS Lite has to offer.

[Green Eyed Stranger]

Thanks for the replies everybody. I don't think Guitar Hero will be a problem, but my son has mentioned Pokemon, so that might be a consideration.

Is it worthwhile to buy the GBA games from scratch, or was it more of a consideration if you already had an extensive library before buying the DS (lite)?

[Kamino Neko]

Originally Posted by Green Eyed Stranger

Is it worthwhile to buy the GBA games from scratch, or was it more of a consideration if you already had an extensive library before buying the DS (lite)?

Mostly it's a concern if you already have a good selection of GBA games. BUT, a) if you're getting the kid one of the Gen 4 Pokemon you should have at least one Gen 3 game (Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Leaf Green, Fire Red) - not only for the Swarms it unlocks, and the Pal Park, but because they are, IMO, the best games in the series - and b) depending on the genres your kids like, there might be other series that they like that are available on both handhelds, so it'd be worthwhile picking up the GBA installments, as well.

[YogSosoth]

Originally Posted by Green Eyed Stranger

Thanks for the replies everybody. I don't think Guitar Hero will be a problem, but my son has mentioned Pokemon, so that might be a consideration.

Is it worthwhile to buy the GBA games from scratch, or was it more of a consideration if you already had an extensive library before buying the DS (lite)?

You also....ahem....download them illegally....but you didn't hear that from me. I don't think a library of games will be your problem.

[ZenBeam]

If you your son finds a game series he really likes, he may want to buy earlier games in the series for an earlier system. My son has been buying GBA games for the Legend of Zelda and Metroid series. This summer, he even bought a Game Boy color game (needed a GameBoy Advance for that one).

So it's not just for libraries you already own.

[TBG]

If you think he'll enjoy the camera, and the extra cost doesn't bother you, go with the DSi. If you think he won't care about the camera, or he already has a camera on some other device, maybe stick with the Lite.

DSi's screen might be slightly bigger, but not really bigger enough to matter. If size is really a consideration, there's a new model, the DSi LL, coming out with a 4.2" screen. But as pointed out upthread, the resolution is the same on all models, so things might look a little more pixelly on the bigger screens.

[Meeko]

Originally Posted by Red Barchetta

On the other hand, if all of his friends own DSs, I might suggest going that route. It can be a very socially engaging device (perhaps contrary to common belief) and has a ton of great games.

Yes, You could be standing on line one cold November night at your local Best Buy waiting for the latest shippments of Wii to come in, and realize that you, and the three people behind you all brought their DSs and Mario Kart DS.*

I don't know, having read up to Red's post here, I'm not sold on the DSI. I honestly don't see the point in it. Then again, I bought my DS fat [Original DS] the day it came out. I also own a Ipod Touch. I have no real need for the DSI.

If the kid is 8, and we are indeed going with a DS or a PSP , go with the DS / DS Lite. Cheaper, more family friendly, and yes, more games on it.

* Actually happened to me, a month after the Wii came out. We must have easily played for an hour, all linked up and in the same race. They nearly wanted to kill me later on when I brought out my PSP.

** I was in line the night the wii came out, but I was 21st in line for 20 units. I could have gotten in line a LOT sooner, but I had tickets that night for Blue Man Group.

[Meeko]

Originally Posted by Green Eyed Stranger

Thanks for the replies everybody. I don't think Guitar Hero will be a problem, but my son has mentioned Pokemon, so that might be a consideration.

Is it worthwhile to buy the GBA games from scratch, or was it more of a consideration if you already had an extensive library before buying the DS (lite)?

I'm not sure if Nintendo still makes new games for GBA. You can still find some on occasion in stores. Then again, you might can get lucky at a yard sale or Ebay.