Nintendo DS vs DSi -- Worth the $$???

[NYCDiane]

My daughter has had her DS for a year. Of course, Nintendo just HAD to come out with a newer better version, the DSi (DS, DS Lite, DSi... what's next? Super DSi?).

Since her 2 BFFs have the DSi, now she wants one, too. I just can't see how this new one is worth the extra money? So you can take pictures with it? You can go online with it?? Can't you do this with your phone, camera, computer???

I just don't see the allure about it, especially for the extra cost --- $170 for the DSi compared to $99-$130 for the DS Lite.

Anyone have any info on this??? I'm not going to buy it for her --- she can get along just fine with her DS ---- I'm just wondering what's the big "to do" over this ?

 

[Wilsonfamily4]

I also could not see the pull. i bought my kids the DSlites when they were on sale last month for 99-$10.00 code. They both already have some sort of camera, can use our computer whenever they want. And with the computer I can regulate which sites they use. I am one of the few that really did not like the idea of a DSi for a 5 or 7 year old. Now if it was for me maybe I would splurge and get it.

 

[Newcastle]

We bought our daughter a DSi. Actually, what she uses it most for is the camera option because you can distort the pictures and add all kinds of icons/symbols. I realize that you can likely do that on the computer (not sure about the distortion option) but she's only 5 and not particularly technologically saavy. She certainly doesn't use the online capabilities but there's also another feature that you can use to record and distort voices and she loves that as well. She has gotten many hours of enjoyment out of her DSi and she doesn't even play the games!

 

[Duchie]

We had the same question for our oldest son. I did some research and all of the information kind of said the same thing. If your child has one of the older versions of the DS (the bigger ones from when they first came out), then it is worth it to upgrade to the DSi. However, if your thinking about upgrading form a DS Lite, then the extra features aren't worth it.

 

[luvmy3]

We had the same question for our oldest son. I did some research and all of the information kind of said the same thing. If your child has one of the older versions of the DS (the bigger ones from when they first came out), then it is worth it to upgrade to the DSi. However, if your thinking about upgrading form a DS Lite, then the extra features aren't worth it.

I guess that really depends. My dd upgraded her DSLite to get the DSi. She traded it into Gamestop and used her own money to pay the difference. Having the camera, and all the things you can do with it and having internet on it was definitely worth it for her.

 

[solfan68]

Not to mention, no GBA slot on the DSi. So no GBA games, or accessories, such as the Guitar Hero for Wii Fret Board. DS7 and I will be sticking with our Lite, thank you very much.

 

[caribear]

I just gave my DSlite to my DD7 and bought a DSi for myself. The camera option is fun and my DD loves to play with it, but the quality is not great. There are some nice features, but for my DD7 the DS lite is all she really needs. The internet option is nice and has parental controls, but the browser is still Opera and has it's limitations. I bought my DSi through Dell.com when there was a 15% discount code and free shipping....came to about $153 with tax.

 

[disney_family_1247]

I wouldn't rush out and replace the DS if she already has one. I have a DS and my kids both received DSi's from their grandparents. I have to admit that they are pretty cool If you were asking which one to buy for the first time, I'd say go for the newer version, but your daughter's DS is still a great device. My kids adore the camera and silly editing features, and they have both downloaded some neat free games to it. When it comes to actually playing store-bought games, though, there is no difference.

 

[disney_family_1247]

I wouldn't rush out and replace the DS if she already has one. I have a DS and my kids both received DSi's from their grandparents. I have to admit that they are pretty cool If you were asking which one to buy for the first time, I'd say go for the newer version, but your daughter's DS is still a great device. My kids adore the camera and silly editing features, and they have both downloaded some neat free games to it. When it comes to actually playing store-bought games, though, there is no difference.

 

[solar]

one of the features my son enjoys on the newer version is he can buy nintendo pts...you buy a card at say Gamestop for 20 bucks, and you can download games to your harddrive (internet connection needed, obviously), but so even if he's always trading his games in for new ones, he has some that are always there

He likes that each week there's a new download if you have the pts for it