What accessories do you really need for a Nintendo ds?

[minnie1012]

I want to get my daughter a Nintendo ds lite for Christmas. I have been pricing them and I see alot of these bundles. I'm not sure if they are a good deal because one, I'm not sure what it actually comes with and do you really need the stuff in the bundle?

For example BJ's has a Disney bundle with 2 games plus 9-in-1 Starter Kit includes carrying case with strap, neck strap, USB AC charger, USB car charger, DS stylus, DSi stylus, USB charging cable for DSi or DS Lite, finger stylus and a tote bag.

Does it not come with a charger or stylus? I want to get her that nerf armor so I'm not sure I would need the case. Does it make sense to buy it separate. What exactly do you need for it?

Thanks

 

[remyandhollandsmommy]

Ours came with a stylus and charger (not for the car tho). For my girls I deff bought the extra packet of styluses since they vanish suddenly and its good to have extras on hand..also a little case to keep everything in so nothing gets misplaced or eaten by the dumb chihuahua lol. I also got a car charger cause we go on long trips frequently and if it keeps them quiet...well....

 

[EthansMom]

My opinion:

Extra styluses (which disapper with alarming frequency)
A case (DS has the mini folio which I like)

A car charger is also nice, by not an absolute necessity. We've never used any of the wraps or screen covers and haven't had a problem with DS's Nintendo DS.

 

[clori]

My dd9 got a ds lite when she was 6. It came with a home charger and 1 matching stylus. DD still has the original stylus. All you really need is a game and the nintendo is good to go.

You may want a case or some sort of protector and possibly car charger. Unless you want the games that come with the bundle pack (At my local BJs I think it was $40 more for a bundle vs retail price of dsi when I looked at them) I would buy the items you want separately. However if you want the games included in the package they were just $20 per game over the cost of the unit plus the extra sylus, chargers etc. If the games aren't the ones you want it isn't worth it.

 

[minnie1012]

Thanks so much. Hopefully they will just put the device on sale somewhere!

 

[cathyce2]

Both my DD's got DSlites last Christmas and neither has lost a stylus yet (and they've been played with ALOT). I would definitely suggest a pack of screen protectors. We've been through about 3 each since they start looking rough after a while and it's much easier to replace the film than deal with a scratched screen.

 

[mrodgers]

My daughters age 8 and 5 at the time, both got a DS Lite from Mom with her first paycheck 6 months ago. They each also got a package that had a case and pack of 5 stylus.

The 8 year old still has her original stylus. The 5 year old has lost 11 stylus, LOL.

They got the case more for a place to put the game cards rather than protect the DS unit. They have about 8 games between them. 2 are sitting on the 9 YO's desk, 1 on her dresser, 1 I think is still fallen in the couch cushions, one laying around in the kitchen, 1 on the living room window sill, 2 scattered around on the floor in the 5 yo's room..... Get the picture? The cases sit in the rooms empty.

 

[Jockaroo]

I strongly suggest a set of screen protectors. Since one screen in constantly stroked by the stylus, it can scratch and this will affect gameplay. Extra styluses are good to have. I like the game holders that let you travel with 3 game cartridges. I've seen sets of the game holders (3) and styluses (3) in various colors. Around $10 at Target. I also like something to store the DS in when I'm not playing. My case zips. The game system fits on one side, extra games (in the game holder), extra stylus and screen cleaning cloth fits on the other side. If you will be using the DS frequently when traveling, the car charger is nice. Bundles are typically not the greatest deals unless you really want the games included. Most bundles come with "dud" games. I'm sure your daughter will enjoy this gift.

Example of the cases I like:
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.htm...110944&ci_sku=B000GKCHKU&ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001

 

[100%gemini]

My girls 6 and 9 both have the DS and I love the case I found for them that looks like a bowling bag. I bought it at Target and the bottom is separate for the ds with an elastic strap that holds it (this zips closed separately) and the inside has 2 small pockets for the games and then the inside of the bag also holds the regular charger and the car charger. It is all contained except headphones. We make them where them in the car so that we don't have to listen to it. I love this bag because everything is in its place and things don't get lost. Also get colored stylis's because black ones always get lost..

 

[quentina]

$99.00 Walmart doorbuster on Friday.

 

[Ephany]

DD7 uses DH's DSlite so we added Nerf Armor, bought some extra styluses, use screen protectors and use this bag:
http://www.amazon.com/Nintendo-DS-L...4?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1258906755&sr=8-14

We like it because it keeps everything in one place, although we bought ours at Gamestop. We've never used the car charger or ear buds since DD has a pair of headphones already. It comes with a stylus (maybe 2?) and a home charger. One thing I would recommend is to charge it before you wrap it, otherwise they have to play it while it's charging on the first day.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Let's see, how many stylus packs did I buy? A ton. They get lost.

From this thread I guess they are making a fortune off us from styluses.

 

[remyandhollandsmommy]

Let's see, how many stylus packs did I buy? A ton. They get lost.

From this thread I guess they are making a fortune off us from styluses.

I agree lol..have you ever noticed that after a while the "new" stylus doesn't seem to fit as tightly in the hole? It starts slipping out which contributes to its loss...do they shrink or what lol? Because when we put a NEW stylus in the holder after the eighteenth is lost it fits snugly again!! Hmmm...

 

[minnie1012]

$99.00 Walmart doorbuster on Friday.

Thanks for the info but my husband works in retail so he has to work Friday so I have no one to stay at home with the kids. I have never actual been shopping on black friday I have always had to work myself. My company was always open the day after Thanksgiving.

Thanks everyone for the tips I have taken notes on what is good to have!

 

[minnie1012]

DD7 uses DH's DSlite so we added Nerf Armor, bought some extra styluses, use screen protectors and use this bag:
http://www.amazon.com/Nintendo-DS-L...4?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1258906755&sr=8-14

We like it because it keeps everything in one place, although we bought ours at Gamestop. We've never used the car charger or ear buds since DD has a pair of headphones already. It comes with a stylus (maybe 2?) and a home charger. One thing I would recommend is to charge it before you wrap it, otherwise they have to play it while it's charging on the first day.

Great idea to charge it before I wrap, thanks!

 

[nikkistevej]

Check out the TRU deals ending today- it is the DS lite/2 games/accessory kit and case for $155.00 I believe. DH and I went there and got one for DD7 today and we got 2 other games also(they have buy1get1 half off) and it was around $200.00. The deal does end tonight but you can order it online and free shipping. Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[Ephany]

Great idea to charge it before I wrap, thanks!

You're welcome, learned that one the hard way!