Need parental opinions... dsi or dsi xl for kids?

iheartdisney

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Mar 24, 2005
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Putting together my Christmas lists, and I know my kids want a DSi... I was wondering if the DSi XL would be a good choice for them.
I think the larger screen is awesome, they won't have to hold the game an inch from their faces. I also think the bigger stylus is a plus, but you can buy those by themselves. My main concern with the DSi XL is how the bigger console handled in smaller hands.
I know I can always turn to the DIS family board for experienced answers!
 
I was under the impression the DSi XL was made for older people who have a hard time seeing the screen and want to play Sudoku, etc. Kids shouldn't have a problem I don't think.

The one thing I noticed was a lot of the games from before the XL looked stretched on the XL compared to the DS I own. I don't really think it looks as nice. Think of a grainy youtube video put in full screen. Looks fine when it's normal, but blow it up to full screen and bleh. Maybe you or your kids won't notice as much but that's what I thought.

The other thing is, I'd look into what kinds of cases and stuff you can get for the XL. Oftentimes it's nice to get a little case they can hold it and a few games in or something, and I feel like there are more of those for the normal sized DS's, plus its smaller to take along. The normal one is comfy for me to use and I have pretty small hands. Have you tried an XL in the store? It might give you a better idea of what size to go with. Because if your little ones can't even reach the buttons, that's no fun either.
 
My DD ( 9) has the DSI XL and hates it. She wants to get the smaller one. She says it's to bulky to carry around. My son (10) has the DSI and loves it!
 
This is a perfect question! I'm planning to give my DD10 & DD5 each a DSi. I had wondered if the XL might be better for DD10, but was also afraid of the grainy graphics. So, I can't wait to hear the responses from others on here.
 

My dd8 asked for the dsi for cmas, she specificall said not the XL. Apparently around here the XL is for babies, since it is big and "babyish" looking (or at least that is what the 8 yr old set is saying).
 
Ugh. I have this question, too. My 5.5 year old insists that he wants the XL. I think he just likes the way it sounds! But, I did go buy him the special edition Mario XL yesterday. I hope he likes it! I couldn't find any store that has them out to see what the graphics look like. I wish they would do that. I'll be bummed if the games don't look good on it!
 
I bought my DD(11) the XL. Maybe I should have read these reviews here first. I did open the box and held it in my hands and it did NOT feel too clunky.

The reviews on Amazon are pretty good.
 
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This is a great question. I hope more people give their opinions. I was going to get my DD the xl, but now I don't know!:confused3
 
We bought our 7 year old daughter the DSi XL back in June. She had the regular DSi first. She loves the XL. She has never complained about the graphics not being good.

My older sons have PSP's and even they seem to enjoy playing with her XL on occasion.

We don't regret our purchase at all.
 
I have the XL and DD has a regular DS lite. She wants a DSi for Christmas and specifically asked for a DSi, not an XL. She's 7 and it's too big for her hands; she says it's too heavy when she's borrowed mine. The XL also doesn't come in pink which apparently is very important and I haven't been able to find Nerf Armor for it, unlike the regular DSi.

I'm really hoping for a Gamestop promotion to trade in the DS lite for credit towards a DSi in the next few weeks or a really good deal on Black Friday since they're bringing out a new system in the spring.
 
Thanks for the replies!
i figured the graphics resolution really, in the long run, won't matter to a 7 year old, but I thought the screen size might. My DD had a DS last year, but it was stolen from the car. i remember watching my DS play it, and he was always holding it, literally, at the end of his nose.
i hadn't thought about reaching the buttons though... we might have to go do some recon at Toys R US!
 
If anyone finds a store where you can actually hold a DSi XL in your hands to try it out, let me know. That would really be helpful to me! Although if it turns out that my kid doesn't like the big screen, I could always trade him my DS Lite fot eh XL! I'm sure I would like the bigger screen! :thumbsup2
 
The 3D version, Nintendo 3DS, will be available in late March 2011. So you might want to wait.
 
We have all 3. My 5 year old has the XL and has no issues holding it. I don't find it bulky at all. The 10 year old likes his XL too.
 
If anyone finds a store where you can actually hold a DSi XL in your hands to try it out, let me know. That would really be helpful to me! Although if it turns out that my kid doesn't like the big screen, I could always trade him my DS Lite fot eh XL! I'm sure I would like the bigger screen! :thumbsup2

Best Buy, we were thinking of getting the DSi XL buf after seeing it and talking to a sales representative, we bought the DSi (regular one). XL seemed to big and bulky to us.

DS7 & DS4 enjoy them a lot!
 
Around here, the XL is the cool machine to have because the screen is bigger and it's slightly more expensive.

I think the bigger screen on the XL is worth the money. DH has a regular size DS and I don't like it as much. Both of my sons like their XL.

I couldn't get a Nerf case for the XL, though, which was disappointing.
 
Went to Best Buy at lunch and held the XL again (I opened the XL I already got my DD a few weeks ago). The XL seems thinner than the DS Lite.

I bought her a case. I did see that Best Buy online has the nerf ones for the XL but I didn't see those in the store. I did see them in a Game Stop store. My kids aren't crazy about the nerf ones-they would rather hold the Nintendo without the extra bulk.
 
My 8 y/o really didn't like the xl he said the dsi fits his hands better- fwiw, he tried them both out before he decided (we went to game stop)
 
I had decided on the XL. Now I am questioning my decision. I think I will take him to a store to try it out first.
 
I just got my dd 8 a DSiXl and she loves it.. DS 6 is jealous as he has the DSLite... so my vote is for the XL version
 

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