My kids want DS-s for Christmas. I know nothing about this stuff - I’ve never touched a DS, Gameboy, Playstation, Wii or any other gaming toy. It’s just not my thing (or my husband’s), but I think they’re old enough now to enjoy it and be semi-responsible about it. We’re looking for something small and portable, so we’re not interested in game things that hook up to the tv.
So, school me. I know that there’s a DS Lite, a DSi and the (newer?) DSiXL. I think we want to get two DSi-s. My kids are 4.5 & 7.5. I guess what I want to know is…
[ul]
[li]What do we need to start out (accessories, etc.)? [/li][li]Where’s a good place to find a deal?[/li][li]What’s a good price to pay?[/li][li]Amazon has a bundle DSi for $149 that includes a game. Is that a good deal? Could we get one bundle and one not bundled and use the game on both?[/li][li]Is there some reason we should get the XL instead?[/li][li]Any other tips or information that I need to start shopping?[/li][/ul]
When I bought the ones in my house I paid $129 for the DSs and $189 for the DSis, but that was when they were both newer. Unless I am really mistaken, the DSi for $149 is a pretty good deal. I didn’t look through everything it came with but all you really need is the DSi and a charger - as long as you have a game, you are ready to go. I really prefer the DSi because it’s just more fun to play with the camera and you can play games against other players online if you have wi-fi. I have no idea how that works because my nine year old hooked it up, but he was on his DSi talking to his cousin a state away as they played pokemon.
I also highly recommend a bag to keep it all together. Usually you can get a kit with some sort of storage and replacement stylus and screen protectors for anywhere from $15 to $30.
We don’t have the XL but I know of a couple nieces that are saving up for one. It’s strictly a personal preference. I like the size of the regular DSi better.
If you have a Wii you can use it to broadcast games to the DSs and everyone can play together even though you don’t have the physical game cartridges. It’s pretty cool.
ETA - I shopped around and all the places I went had them for the same price. Sam’s, electronics stores, Toys R Us, didn’t matter. Unless you find a better deal online, don’t spend too much energy going to store to store.
It depends on the game. Some require mulitple game cards while others can play off multiple systems with just the one card. As for your other question…
What do we need to start out (accessories, etc.)?
Everything you need comes in the box except for a carrying case and games.
Where’s a good place to find a deal?
The DSi is the same price everywhere.
What’s a good price to pay?
That price is $149
Amazon has a bundle DSi for $149 that includes a game. Is that a good deal?
Sure, you’re getting the game for free.
Could we get one bundle and one not bundled and use the game on both?
The game in the bundle (Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story) is a single-player game. Each kid could play it on their own time, but they won’t be able to play it together at the same time.
Is there some reason we should get the XL instead?
No, at 4.5 and 7.5 your kid’s hands are probably too small to use the XL for long periods of time.
Any other tips or information that I need to start shopping?
The 3DS (the next generation Nintendo handheld) will be released in March. It’ll retail for $250-$300 (a final price hasn’t been set yet) and it’ll be backwards compatible with DS games. The 3DS’ main selling point is that it offers games with glasses-free 3D effects. Early reports say the effect is awesome.
I know the standard DS has some wireless capacity because my son uses his to trade Pokemon and can build up his Club Penguin account with some Club Penguin DS game. Last time I reset the wireless router at home, he was in the room ten minutes later asking if I knew why it stopped working and I had to re-enter the password into his DS. I prefer that his access is limited to trading Pokemon and playing CP than any “real” net acess but I don’t know how much the DSi affords anyway.
My stock DS advice is to invest in Nerf Armor for it. Keeps it safe (safer anyway) from drops, knocks and whangs. Also, if the DS hinges break as they did on both my son’s and my nephew’s before we got the armor, the armor holds the thing together.
Also, some DS games broadcast on their own (without a Wii or a DSi). If one kid has Mario Kart, others can race with him on their DS’s without everyone having a copy of the game provided the DS’s are relatively close to one another. Obviously it varies from game to game which ones can do this.
Oh yeah, the quietest I’ve ever seen a room full if kids was when they had six playing Mario Cart off one cartridge against one another. The ones that can play two or more are really fun when you have more than one kid. For your kids ages the Mario ones would be good. They are about the ages of my kids when we started the great electronic acquisition.
I would love to get the 3DS but honestly, my kids have been incredibly spoiled with multiple electronics and I’m having to out my foot down. Otherwise I’d already be on a waiting list.
My son had a nerf protector but didn’t like it because it was so bulky. Now we have no protectors on them. But I’m also the same kind of person that doesn’t have anything on my iPhone either. My gadgets are all naked!
You can get a separate web browser cartridge and it works pretty well for checking email or light web surfing at wifi hotspots. It’s no iPhone, but it’s better than most simplified web browsers on most cel phones.
Once you get your DSi, make sure you check out DSiWare! These are smaller games that you can download directly onto the DSi, and they cost between $2 and $8. No cartridge necessary. A few of the games/applications are even free.
This. So very much this. Mario Kart on the DS is a great game, though it can be frustrating playing online as some people cheat it with constant skid boosts, but getting a group of kids and having them all play together with just one copy of the game is great. The only problem is those without the game card are limited in what characters they can select and that garners some complaints, but yea, I’d highly recommend the game
Aside from that, I’d recommend buying a carrying case or at least a place to store games so they’Re not just in a bag or something, and an extra stylus as those can get lost. You can buy multi-colored stylus three packs for just a couple bucks if I remember correctly
I’ve ordered the DSi-s! My husband asked if we could play with them until Christmas. Looking at some of the games available, I’m tempted. We might have to make a rule that the games stay in the living room after bedtime.
The DSiWare games look like a great option for us, too. I was looking at them and there seem to be a lot that would be appropriate for little kids. One or two regular games and a bunch of things like Chess would keep my oldest busy for awhile.
I’ve also notified the grandparents and I’m going to let them know all your suggestions about accessories, games, etc. Christmas shopping…done.
