DS or DSi

[jenseib]

I really know nothing about these. but my 6 yo wants one and has enough money saved up. What is the difference between the 2? Is there a difference?
I guess I need to know what to go in and buy and not look totally dumb. Does it come with a game on it? I guess thats the next thing. We will have to get games for that too.

 

[pad406]

DD 9, recently got a DSi and had a DS for a couple of years, but it died. She loved the DSi. The main diff is that the DSi has 2 cameras whereas the ds had none. You will need games and they're not cheap but are handy presents in future. The other big difference is that the ds supported the old gameboy format and the DSi doesn't, but DD never used it in all time that she had it. I'd go with the DSi

 

[crcurton]

My DD is now 7. She had the DS and now the DSi,,,,they both take the same games, yes you will have to buy them saparately unless you get a bundle with games and the DS/ DSi. The DSi takes pictures and you can access the internet but the screen is so small that it's not useful for us. That's about the only difference that I see. If you choose the DSi, I would splurge an extra $20 or so and get the DSi XL...it has a larger screen. I think the DS is suitable for a 6/7 yr old. That's my technology knowledge,,,,not much,lol!

 

[Fyrefly]

As PP mentioned, a major thing the DS Lite can do that the DSi can't is play older gameboy advance games - its missing the slot to do so. But since your kid wasn't even alive when those were coming out (I feel old...), I expect its not an issue like it is for people like me who have a span of games over 15 years.

If he can wait a few months, I would suggest looking into a Nintendo 3DS, which will be out in April, I think. Here's the official site: http://e3.nintendo.com/3ds/ and you can probably find more about it by googling. The reason I suggest this is because the DS in one form or another has been out for about 6 years, which is very long for a game system so its almost obsolete. When the 3DS comes out, companies will start making games for that and stop making new ones for the DS. It could get hard to find games for a normal DS.

As for games, I would recommend always going to a site such as http://gamespot.com or maybe even getting him a subscription to Nintendo Power magazine. There are a lot of crappy games in the stores that publishers sell to make a quick buck, and I think its important to read reviews so you know you're spending your money on something quality. And bonus points - potential Christmas and birthday presents forever!

 

[DaniB]

Thanks for the link Fyrefly! I had not heard of the 3DS.

My kids are saving up for a DSi (regular or XL) but most likely will not have the money until the summer. I would rather they purchase the new system as well.

 

[Mrsdennison]

I saw something a few weeks ago about the new 3D DS. It said that for kids under the age of 9 that the 3D verizon was going to have a warning because of their developing eyes.

I only briefly read the headlines, so I don't know if it was junk or what. I also saw the listed price for the 3D one was going to be over 200 dollars.

My girls just got DSi consoles for Christmas. They enjoy theirs and I don't think we will upgrade any time soon.

Mrsdennison

 

[Fyrefly]

No problem!

With regards to the eye thing, it seems 50/50 for opinions on whether or not there's any fact behind it. I'm thinking maybe Nintendo is covering their behinds in advance on this. As long as your kid isn't playing for ages at a time staring at the screen without breaks I wouldn't see the harm, but you may want to look into it yourself.

What Nintendo does recommend though is that the smaller ones play with the 3D turned off. So there is no reason you can't heavily restrict the use of 3D or not allow it at all for a bit until they're older if that worries you. It also will play the old DS games so they can mix up the 3D and non 3D.

 

[HHSTigerFan]

I have also heard that the 3DS games are going to be about $10 more per game.

 

[lemonsours]

One other thing to consider is how responsible your child is. You can get a used DS Lite for around $80, but a new DSi will cost around $150. If your child is careless or accident-prone, it may be smarter to buy the cheaper one and save the money for it's inevitable replacement in a year or so when the warranty runs out. A six year old won't really have the capacity to utilize the additional features on the DSi anyway. Neither the camera or internet are exactly easy to use.
Marce

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

The camera is easy to use, my 6 year old daughter who has down syndrome uses hers. Last year she was disappointed when she didn't get a new DS lite like her big sisters. I gave her mine. She loved it!! This year all three girls got new DSi consoles. There are games for preschoolers on up to adults, a good variety. My 6 year old has no problem doing the camera and other features. I have the internet blocked on all of their DS and DSi consoles, no internet is allowed on them. Parental controls are easy and I am happy with this system.

 

[Mrsdennison]

It might be a girl thing, but my 4 (almost 5) year old loves the camera. I think she took 150 pics the first day. It took her about a week and she was figuring out how to add hearts and stuff to the pics.

I would recommend a NERF case for either one you get. That way if they get dropped they are protected.

Mrsdennison

 

[lemonsours]

The camera is easy to use, my 6 year old daughter who has down syndrome uses hers. Last year she was disappointed when she didn't get a new DS lite like her big sisters. I gave her mine. She loved it!! This year all three girls got new DSi consoles. There are games for preschoolers on up to adults, a good variety. My 6 year old has no problem doing the camera and other features. I have the internet blocked on all of their DS and DSi consoles, no internet is allowed on them. Parental controls are easy and I am happy with this system.

Maybe I just didn't let DD6 play with it long enough to figure it out--it was *my* Christmas present last year!

 

[shoney]

My sons traded their ds lites for dsi's a while ago ( actually they have the xl's know). Unless your son plays the old game boys, then I would go with a dsi. The camera and the features keep the kids busy for hours....

 

[momto2inKC]

My kids are older (11 and 13) and just got Dsi XL's for Christmas. They've had all the versions of Gameboys and the XL's are their favorite! They love the camera, internet and the screen size, it's so much bigger than the regular Dsi. So far neither are really interested in the new 3D version coming out.
And like someone else mentioned, get the Nerf armour! That's the first thing I buy when they get a new system.

 

[mom2t]

My son got the XL for Christmas. I decided not wait for the 3D because I assumed the games will be more expensive than the regular DSI games. He has eye problems and I was wary of the comment you do not have to wear 3D glasses - Also he does not like going to the 3D movies. Definitely buy the nerf case. It protects the DSI if dropped which my son did in the 1st 30 minutes on my wood floors. I also bought the accident insurance that is optional at most places.

 

[DaniB]

One other thing to consider is how responsible your child is. You can get a used DS Lite for around $80, but a new DSi will cost around $150. If your child is careless or accident-prone, it may be smarter to buy the cheaper one and save the money for it's inevitable replacement in a year or so when the warranty runs out. A six year old won't really have the capacity to utilize the additional features on the DSi anyway. Neither the camera or internet are exactly easy to use.
Marce

I agree about purchasing a used DS for those very young or careless!

But the camera must be easy to use. A boy on my street (turning 7 in April) received the DSi XL for Christmas and he has a blast using the camera and "weird" features on it. After seeing the camera - that's why my boy (also turning 7 in April) wants to save his money up for the DSi XL!

 

[jenseib]

Thanks for the info. I think the DSiXL is probably the best for my DD.
Her cousin has a DSi, (I think) because I know it has the camera feature, and that was a big selling point to my DD. I guess we'll shop around and see how much they are. I am in no hurry to get one as she has a leapster and cyberpocket and plays both of those.
My DS is 22 and he had an old gameboy, but I think it was one of the originals, and I don't know if that takes the same games or not, Plus, I'm not even sure if those games are still around the house anymore.
Since there is such an age difference betwenn my older tow and my youngest, I have not kept up with al lthe latest and greatest.

 

[labdogs42]

My 5.5 year old got the DSi XL for Christmas and he loves it. The bigger screen is nice and he loves to play with the camera. I'm not sure that the 3DS will be all that cool. If you have to wear 3D glasses to play it, that's just one more thing to lose, IMO!