I hope some one can help me with this question. I am considering getting my son and daughter one each of these game thingies for Christmas. They are nine and seven. Can anybody recommend one or the other, or tell me what the difference is between them? I know nothing about these things so any help would be great. Thanks a million in advance!
The DSi is the slightly newer of the two, so it has some (relatively small) additional features. You should also consider the 3DS, which is newer still and not much different in price.
Basically, DSi is faster, comes with cameras and a more robust online capability. However, DSi is retailing for the same price (prices may vary) as the Nintendo 3DS. The 3DS is not an upgrade but the next generation of DS handheld consoles. It has glasses free 3D (can even take 3D photos and video), a growing Ap store (better than DSi), and will continue to have new games made for it for several years. The DS lineup will see fewer new games coming for it as everyone continues to transition to the more powerful system. The 3DS does play all DS games as well (but not GameBoy Advance games or earlier).
If you’re not buying retail, then you should get the DSi or DSLite (since you’re buying 2 of them). However, if you’re going to buy new ones, you should get the 3DS. The only downside to the 3DS is that it has a shorter battery life than either of the 2 DS you listed.
Get them a 3DS instead. The DSi won’t be getting many more new games since the next generation (the 3DS) is already on the shelves. The 3DS is also backwards-compatible and can play any of the hundreds of DSi and DS games that have been released in the last 7 or 8 years since the DS came out.
Recommended games: Mario Kart 7 (they can play together at the same time with only 1 cartridge! One 3DS can broadcast the game to up to 7 more 3DSes as long as they’re in the same room.)
Also, Super Mario 3D Land is an excellent game; no multiplayer though.
If you want to round out their collection with a few titles that are less expensive, consider Pilotwings Resort $20,Nintendogs & Cats $20. Those are both fun, with some replay value, and can be used by more than 1 kid.
Also, if you do buy the kids a 3DS or a DSi for Christmas, be sure and get it “online” very soon afterwards. In the eShop, there’s a free download of a game called Zelda: Four Swords that’s available until sometime in January, and that’s another really fun multiplayer game that the kids will enjoy playing separately or working together.
One difference that others haven’t mentioned: the DS Lite has a Gameboy Advance cartridge slot and the DSi does not. This gives the DS Lite access to a sizeable number of GBA games (most of which are older than similar DS games) that can’t be played on the DSi. I doubt your children will care much about this feature, so you can probably overlook it safely, but I did think it bore mentioning.
Thanks everyone for your thoughtful responses. It seems like the 3DS is the way to go. Now, to live up to my name properly, I have to ask you what is this online business about? Do they play other random people online, or do they just have to be in the same room or what? What else is required for them to go online? My internet connection is just a little hickey that plugs into the side of my laptop (I am embarrassed to admit that I don’t know what it is called). I do not think it is a wi-fi.
Wi-fi is wireless. You would need a wireless router, and if I humbly suggest, a tech-savvy friend to set it up. It’s not that expensive and would allow most devices to connect without that cable.
Unless you are using dial-up internet. You’d need high-speed to get wi-fi going, really.
The 3DS can connect wirelessly in 3 ways.
- Play wirelessly with other 3DS systems. No WiFi network needed. Within a certain range (10 yards?), the 3DS will connect with other 3DSs and allow systems to share info and even play games together.
- Connect to the internet for free at a Nintendo Zone. Nintendo has created a partnership with multiple stores and locations (29,000 in North America) to allow people free access to the Internet. Best Buy, Starbucks, and McDonalds are the most common. You can use this guideto find one close to you.
- Connect to the internet through WiFi. This allows access to the internet in private locations (such as their friend’s house). You could setup a wireless network using your laptop as the hub, but this is probably beyond your capabilities.
Things they can do online:
[ul]
[li]Surf the internet[/li][li]Update their 3DS systems[/li][li]Download games (both old Nintendo games and newer games such as Cut the Rope can be purchased)[/li][li]Play games with other people around the world[/li][li]Receive free 3D videos that will disappear in a week (or purchase later :rolleyes: )[/li]
Probably a lot more that I’m forgetting.
[/ul]