Nintendo DS or DSi

[starann]

Other than price can someone tell me the difference between the 2?

My mom is looking to get them for my boys (ages 5 and 6). They've had Leapsters but they are about dead, so rather then get another Leapster, we want to get DS.

 

[2littleprincesses]

On the DSi you can take pictures, make a slideshow with the pictures, record your voice and change it. You can't on the DS. My girls love the pictures and voice thing so much they use it almost as much as the games. HTH

 

[robin09]

Other than price can someone tell me the difference between the 2?

My mom is looking to get them for my boys (ages 5 and 6). They've had Leapsters but they are about dead, so rather then get another Leapster, we want to get DS.

The Dsi takes pictures, and is wifi. You're able to morph the pictures that you take. That's the biggest differences. Hope that helps!

 

[Mickeypooh99]

You can log onto the internet with the DSi. Anywhere that has wifi. We have them password protected so my boys can't just log on anywhere they choose. They have to ask us to put in the password.

Also the camera thing is super cool. My kids love it. I wouldn't bother with a regular DS if you can get the DSi. My kids just sold their old DS's on craigslist for $60.00 each.

 

[ElizabethG]

My kids love the sound and picture functions too. The screen sizes are also different. My kids have the dsi XL, which is the newest version. It also has a couple of onboard games.
screen size: ds Lite 3", dsi 3.25", dsi XL 4.2"

 

[cjnix29]

Walmart just had a great deal on a bundle, it came with a selection of games...and good ones too. Not junk. Saw it on slickdeals.com.

 

[scootch]

On the DSi you can take pictures, make a slideshow with the pictures, record your voice and change it. You can't on the DS. My girls love the pictures and voice thing so much they use it almost as much as the games. HTH

My kids love that feature too..... if you buy one buy at Toys R us as they have a warranty that covers anything, even kids dropping it. We used ou warranty twice! Well worth it.

 

[pilesoflaundry]

The ds plays gameboy games, the dsi does not.

We have one dsi and 2 ds systems and all the kids want to play with the dsi. They love watching the little videos on there or taking pictures and playing with them. The ds only gets used when they want to play a gameboy game or one of the other kids is already using the dsi.

 

[labdogs42]

So then, next question -- Dsi or DSi XL? Is the XL good or bad because it is bigger (and heavier)?

 

[Mad4Mickey]

My Nephew just turned 10 today and I gave him a a DSI for his birthday and he just old me.

. " Aunt Boo this is super cool way better then my friends DS cause it takes pics "

I have no idea what the difference is but his sister just old me " Aunt Boo I so need one of those for Christmas"

 

[Mickeypooh99]

So then, next question -- Dsi or DSi XL? Is the XL good or bad because it is bigger (and heavier)?

One of the boys I babysit has the DSi XL. I don't like it for the kids. It is awkward to hold for little hands. It is too big and heavy. I think it would be better for teenagers or adults. My boys have no interest in buying one.

 

[ElizabethG]

So then, next question -- Dsi or DSi XL? Is the XL good or bad because it is bigger (and heavier)?

It is too big and heavy.

The size difference isn't that much:
Dsi: 5.3 x 2.9 x .74 inches, .47 pounds
Dsi XL: 6.3 x 3.6 x .83 inches, .69 pounds

My kids are 6 and 8. My DD is the 6-year-old and she is small for her age. They don't have a problem with it. The weight is a non-issue (.22 pound difference is not noticable). They are both much lighter than leapsters. The XL is a little larger. My kids like the bigger screen (they had the Ds Lite before). You really can't go wrong either way.

More info and a visual comparison:
http://www.nintendodsi.com

 

[splash5]

If you are still debating whether or not to buy them, i suggest waiting for the 3DS to come out early next year. It displays 2D and 3D games without the need for glasses.

 

[WindyCityDisney]

We love the DSi. We bought Nerf armor to protect them and they've even survived being dropped down a flight of stairs.

 

[Brancaneve]

We don't have a smartphone, so we use our kids' DSi to check email, weather, etc. while traveling if a computer is not available. It's an added bonus to you!

Also, there is a new "game" that has 100 classic books loaded onto it. You can now use the Dsi(with a bigger screen than DS) as a Kindle. There are even classic children's books on there as well. You simply hold it as if you were holding a book! Can't wait to buy it!

 

[labdogs42]

If you are still debating whether or not to buy them, i suggest waiting for the 3DS to come out early next year. It displays 2D and 3D games without the need for glasses.

Will that one be out before Christmas?

 

[DISdreamin']

Just another thumbs up for the camera and voice record on the DSi. My son had a DS, but it stopped working (for the second time...had it fixed a year ago and I refuse to throw any more money at it) and so we bought a DSi with a warranty plan that covers any damage, even accidental.

When he first got the DSi it was literally DAYS before he even put a game in it. He has SO much fun recording voices and changing them, and also editing pictures (cute little overlays - facial hair, glasses, etc). Despite being leary of spending the extra money for the DSi, I think it was totally worth it. He's had it for a while now, and the novelty of recording things and taking pictures hasn't worn off at all.

FWIW, he takes it to his daycare with him, and he now takes his own pictures of his projects he makes there with his friends. He loves to show me when I pick him up, which I love!