The Big Nintendo DS FAQ/Thread/Support Group (NDS, DS Lite, GBA, etc.)

[NewEnglandDisney]

Hey Everyone!

Well, it seems as if every day we have a new convert...er, wonderful, budget minded-shopper who has a question or concern about buying/playing/using those addicting Nintendo DS and DS Lites. With the holidays approaching, not only will more people be looking for them but I'm sure there will be questions after people actually get them out from under the tree and start playing.

So I have started this thread for people to ask questions, share experience, etc. I've played most of the DS games out there, so I'm always happy to help, and there are lots of other DS players around as well that I'm sure have some great advice.

First, let's put up a few links :

GameFaqs - This is the one site you need to make sure you bookmark, and once you get the hang of it you will find yourself using it a ton. This is a fan-maintained database of FAQ's, walk-throughs, cheat codes, and tips that really is the best on the web. I've linked directly to the DS section here, but they cover all systems (yes, you can even go back to old 80's games) and you will find out just about every thing you ever wanted to know about any game. Just go to the game, look for the FAQ/Walkthrough/etc., and find your place and get your tip. Sometimes this can mean a bit of reading (some of them are very long), but using text search through your browser it's a bit easier. (If anyone has any problems finding something there post here and I'll try to help.)

You'll also want to open a free account at Nintendo.com for several reasons (under 13 requires a parent to sign up for you). First, it allows you to quickly register your games and systems and have them all in a central account. Most consumer electronic products I wouldn't send back to a manufacturer, but Nintendo is very different. They actually stand by their stuff and fix problems. Second, signing up your games (there is a code inside most games to register on the website) gets you little freebies on their website (the desktop wallpapers are my favorite - they are amazing looking). Finally, if you register at least three Nintendo products you get a free three-month subscription to Nintendo Power. My recommendation is to register your DS itself, and two games, to get the free subscription, and then hold off on registering the other stuff (save the cards for the ones you don't!). You never know when Nintendo is going to have some promotion and entering codes will get you more free stuff (I'm hoping this happens with Wii downloads!).

Next up, here are some recent DS threads. We've had some good discussions, and these may help.

NDS and Voice Recognition (accesability discussion)

Good Deals on DS?

NDS - Which Pokemon Game?

Help! Confused about DS Games

Nintendo DS Lite - Worth it?


Well, here goes, guys. I hope someone can find this useful! I'll be checking back, and maybe posting some other DS information I think might be helpful.

Happy gaming!

NED

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

(Reserved for future use)

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

(Reserved even more for future use - hey, ya never know!)

 

[Xcited4Disney]

I'm your biggest fan!

I must subscribe for those "future references" I'm sure I'll need by the time the wrapping paper comes off.

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

Aw, shucks, this must be how Mickey Mouse feels, LOL!

Glad to be of any help!

NED

 

[Kramer]

Wow... great idea for a thread!

I have a question... comparing the GBA to the DS - what is the difference in the size of the screens if any?

I know the DS has two screens, but I was wondering if anyone knows how the size of just one DS screen compares to the GBA screen?

Thanks!

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

I have a question... comparing the GBA to the DS - what is the difference in the size of the screens if any?

I know the DS has two screens, but I was wondering if anyone knows how the size of just one DS screen compares to the GBA screen?

The GBA screen is 2.9" diagonal, and the DS screens are both 3". So not a huge difference in size. However, the DS runs at 256 x 192 pixels, whereas the GBA is 240 x 160, so when you play GBA games on the DS there is a slight black box around the image.

Hope this helps!

NED

 

[elf]

Thanks for starting this thread.

I just bought two DS' for my 2 dd's. I'm wondering what games to double. Like I bought 1 Nintendogs with dalmations, should I get my other dd the same one or a different nintendog. Could they play together if they have different type dogs?
What games should I double. I bought one Avatar and one animal Crossing. I'm thinking about the Princess Peach one, as dd's are 7 & 9.

Any opinions welcome, thanks!

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

You are SO awesome, New England Disney!

 

[CRPDISFANS]

We are considering getting two of the GBA for out kids DD 10 and DS 7, can you play against each other with this system or just DS? TIA for any help! They just seem so much more reasonabbly priced than DS, and I am sure there will be something else as they get older that we can get then, that they would appreciate more for the $!

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

Thanks for starting this thread.

I just bought two DS' for my 2 dd's. I'm wondering what games to double. Like I bought 1 Nintendogs with dalmations, should I get my other dd the same one or a different nintendog. Could they play together if they have different type dogs?
What games should I double. I bought one Avatar and one animal Crossing. I'm thinking about the Princess Peach one, as dd's are 7 & 9.

Any opinions welcome, thanks!

What a great question, cause the answer will save you money. Let's go one by one.

"Super Princess Peach" is a linear, single-player platformer. There is no multiplayer, so no need to buy two. There are three "save spaces" in the game, so both your daughters can have their individual progress saved on the same cart with one left over (for Mom to try, LOL). They just can't both be playing it at the same time and will have to agree ahead of time who uses which save slot (i.e. DD7 uses slot A, and DD9 uses slot B).

"Animal Crossing" is one I'd double up on if you are looking to do so. Each cart only holds one town, and there are great advantages to two people playing together (they can visit each others towns on their own DS). I'd also recommend you pick up the Players Guide for AC. I normally don't recommend that for most games and prefer to send people to gamefaqs.com instead, but AC is such a complex and rich game that you really need that to get the most out of it. It really is worth the investment, IMHO.

I'm not a Nintendogs expert, so hopefully someone else can help with that. I do believe that you need one cart per daughter if they are going to share, unless they have the same dog. I have no idea how they connect to other Nintendogs games, but if it works how I believe it does you should be able to play with different versions. Can anyone help out more here?

I have not played Avatar, but you can tell by looking at the back what type of multiplayer it has. I'm going to go and edit up one of the "for future use" posts right now with the icons people can look for on the back of games to tell them what they need.

In the meantime, look at the upper right-hand corner of the backside of a game case. If it says "Wireless DS Single-Card Download Play" you only need one card, if it says "Wireless DS Multi-Card Download Play", you require two cards.

Now, some games (like Mario Kart DS) come with BOTH icons. That means that you can play multiplayer with either. In these cases, you generally can do more together if the person has two cards, but can still play without. Using Mario Kart DS again as an example, you can play head-to-head races, but you can't use EVERY track in the game, and the person who doesn't have the card doesn't get to pick a character (one is assigned to them). These aren't big limitations, though, and IMHO the single-card play is just as fun.

We are considering getting two of the GBA for out kids DD 10 and DS 7, can you play against each other with this system or just DS? TIA for any help! They just seem so much more reasonabbly priced than DS, and I am sure there will be something else as they get older that we can get then, that they would appreciate more for the $!

No, unfortunately multiplayer on all GBA games requires two copies of each game, and for the players to be connected via a cable. That's the big advantage of the DS over the GBA, because many games are "single card download play", which means you can have one person with the game, and one with an empty DS, and "download" parts of the game to their DS which has internal memory. The GBA doesn't have this feature, which in some ways makes the DS a better value when you come down to it - initial higher investment, but more sharing ability. DS games are generally much longer and more elaborate as well; hour for hour, you get more out of a $30 DS game than a $20 GBA game.

However, rest in the knowledge that even if you do decide on GBA's this year, whatever games you buy will be able to be played later in the DS. Since the DS plays all GBA games (but unfortunately can't do multiplayer with them period - there is no cable, and the games can't use the wireless mode) those investments will be able to be used if/when you upgrade.

Good luck everyone!

NED

 

[Xcited4Disney]

bumping because there have been a lot of new questions regarding this on the boards.

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

bumping because there have been a lot of new questions regarding this on the boards.

I'm sorry, I didn't hear you. Did you say "bump"?

NED

 

[HayGan]

Thanks for all the help! It has made my decision to buy one of these systems for each of my boys much easier! I have also gotten great advice on which games to get them so I think they will be VERY happy on Christmas morning!

BTW, I ended up taking back Animal Crossing and Mario & Luigi and getting Princess Peach and Mario Kart instead (given the boys ages and their reading ability) from the advice I have gotten here!

 

[keishashadow]

We're big nintendo fans, have all the platforms but, youngest DS never warmed up to his DS he got last year for Xmas. Every now & then he dusts it off & fires it up.

They were very slow to roll out anything interesting IMO.

Only games he enjoys playing were the Mario branded ones said he just doesn't like the layout of controls. Plays his older versions far more often.

Haven't tried out the new pokemon or new yoshi game though...anyone try them?

 

[elf]

Thanks so much for clearing that up. It gets pretty confusing with this new stuff.

 

[Disneyglobegirl]

Cool thread!! Thanks!

 

[SeeDisney]

Keishashadow -- from another board over at the community --- there's was talk about the Pokemon DS game and which one is the better one.

Well, from what I remember, apparently the kids like the Pokemon Mystery Dungeon one over the other Pokemon games. I plan on getting that one for my DS for his Christmas present.


Hope this helps.

 

[spima3]

Two of my kids have the GBA and two are getting the DS for Xmas.

My problem is I don't understand how The Sims works. My oldest loves this game and she has the original for the Playstation, but nothing for the GBA.

She asked for The Pets version for the GBA, but I'm thinking she would need the original Sims first. Also, The Sims 2 for the GBA also looked interesting.
Can someone explain how this series works for me, and is it dependent on the particular system?

With her sibs getting the DS, even though she didn't request it, I'm thinking if I at least get her the GBA games, she won't end up regretting her decision.
THX,
lori

 

[Worfiedoodles]

I need to subscribe! Thanks New England Disney!