Need nintendo ds help and psp!

gracie1

DIS Veteran
Joined
Apr 5, 2009
Messages
3,906
Ok you tech savvy moms!! I need your help. I just bought a used nintendo ds (about 3 years old) for my nephew. My question is, when you buy games, the games for nintendo ds work in all the ds versions?? I know this one has two slots in it, one for the ds games and one slot for the gameboy games.


Now for the psp game system, how does everyone like that? I am thinking of buying a used one of these also, but wondering what your review is??
 
The DS games go on the top slot, the little one. I believe it has a "Slot 1" label on it, though its molded into the plastic and can be hard to see depending on your color. Any DS can play any DS game, though that will change when the 3DS comes out in a few months, so if you are buying games for your nephew pay attention to the packaging, as a normal DS will not be able to play a 3DS game.

The bottom slot plays games for the Gameboy Advance only. These can still be found used at Gamestop and other places that sell used games.

For both types of games I recommend reading game reviews from reputable sites like gamespot.com. A subscription to Nintendo Power could also be good as they cover both upcoming games and give good reviews of ones that are out. I recommend this because there are a lot of companies that make very cheaply made games with cute covers that look appealing in the store but are a waste of money once you go to play them. Just a quick googling of the game's title should give you a clue if it's worth your money or not.

As for the PSP, I suppose it depends on the age of your nephew. Honestly I am under the impression the system was a flop. I will preface this with the disclaimer I do not own one, but I've had the impression its fragile, has a massive screen which scratches at the drop of a hat, it has very poor battery life, and there are nearly no good games for it. There were two games ever I wanted, and neither was good enough to warrant my purchase of it. A lot of what is popular is older gamers buy rereleases of old games they played on their PS1's, but I imagine your nephew isn't old enough for that to matter. I really wouldn't recommend it though. If you still think you want to give it a go, I wouldn't get it for a kid under 9 or 10 or so, depending on how good he is with taking care of his electronics.
 
We have the DSI XL and the PSP and for a 3 yr. old or anyone under ten I'd recommend staying with the DSI. The DSI XL also does not have a slot for the Gameboy games so that is something to consider if you have a lot of them or are looking at getting them. The PSP has some really great graphics but the games tend to be more advanced or for the more advanced and older player.

HTH
 
We have the DSI XL and the PSP and for a 3 yr. old or anyone under ten I'd recommend staying with the DSI.

HTH
I disagree. I think ages <10 will be fine with a DS lite. I don't think the added benefits of the DSi (camera & internet) justifies the increased cost for younger kids. YMMV.
 

Myself and my DD14 have a DS Lite, she also has a DSI, both of my boys just got the PSP for Christmas. I think they are both very different systems. the PSP gives me a headache watching it for too long but I like some of the games. The games are more advanced or vary plain, for the younger set I would prefer the DS since it has more kid friendly games on it. PSP has a lot more first player games and more reading which gets complicated at points.
 
I disagree. I think ages <10 will be fine with a DS lite. I don't think the added benefits of the DSi (camera & internet) justifies the increased cost for younger kids. YMMV.

I was trying to say, in my opinion, that the DSI (Lite, DSi or DSi XL) is ok for practically any age but that the PSP is more for kids over ten years old.
 














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