What do I really need for the Nintendo DS?

[eyeheartgoofy]

I have the following for DD8:

Nintendo DS game unit
3 games (LPS, Tinkerbell, Kit Kittredge)
Carrying case

Do I need anything else? I see packs with screen protectors, extra stylus pens, ear buds, etc. I'm not sure what I actually need to get and hate to throw away money on accessories I might not actually need.

Thanks for your help!

 

[ncmickeyluvr]

You really don't NEED anything. The unit comes ready to go, as is. My kids got them last year for Christmas and other than games, all we've gotten is a car charger ( for long carrides to WDW ) and a few extra stylus. My friends says she wishes she could buy stylus in bulk because her kids lose them constantly, but mine still have the originals they came with...depends on the kid. We have a pair of earbuds but they never use them...they just turn the volume down real low. The screen protectors are horrible and last about a day...waste of money. Depending on the age of your child, you might consider a nerf case. I'm sure DS7's unit would never have made it through the year without the protection.

 

[allyphoe]

The screen protectors on DD6's DS are really nice, so I highly recommend them. If I had to pick a Nerf case or screen protectors, I think I'd go with the case, but the screen protectors are cheap.

DD has lost 1 stylus in 6 months, and I think that was because the stylus storage in her carrying case isn't very good, and it fell out of the case while not being used. The original one is still with her DS. Your kid may vary.

Car charger gets lots of use on Disney trips (we drive), but otherwise not.

 

[DisneyMOM09]

As mentioned above, car charger! Seems my DD is always forgetting to charge it until we are on our way somewhere! also extra stylus, and we like the little cases for the games.

 

[torinsmom]

I would definitely get a screen protector. Once the screen is scratched, you can't unscratch it. You can get packs of several on ebay for cheap. Same for packs of stylus' for whoever mentioned that. I never got a car charger, but then we have a contraption that lets you plug in 3 things with AC in the car(forget the name)

Marsha

 

[Alexander]

Would suggest car charger and extra stylus.

 

[treboats]

I second the nerf case it is worth the $10-15. My son is 5 and lost his first stylus within 48 hours of getting his DSi.

 

[Astro Orbiter]

Something to store the cartridges in. We have a little cartridge thingy that holds 6 of them that we keep inside the little storage bag we have. I much prefer it to the cartridges being loose in the bag. She pulls it out, picks the one she wants, swaps, and puts it back. No fumbling around with loose cartridges.

We also have gotten some extra stylii - we're still on the first one, but I'd hate to need one and not have any. We keep 1 in the carrying case at all times.

DD's been gifted with a hand-me-down pair of earbuds so she's got them when I say she needs them!

No car charger for us - she's never drained a full charge while driving. She also doesn't have a skin, and she's had it for 2 1/2 years. She uses it while sitting, and the rest of the time it's in the carry case.

Deb

 

[Astro Orbiter]

Something to store the cartridges in. We have a little cartridge thingy that holds 6 of them that we keep inside the little storage bag we have. I much prefer it to the cartridges being loose in the bag. She pulls it out, picks the one she wants, swaps, and puts it back. No fumbling around with loose cartridges.

We also have gotten some extra stylii - we're still on the first one, but I'd hate to need one and not have any. We keep 1 in the carrying case at all times.

DD's been gifted with a hand-me-down pair of earbuds so she's got them when I say she needs them!

No car charger for us - she's never drained a full charge while driving. She also doesn't have a skin, and she's had it for 2 1/2 years. She uses it while sitting, and the rest of the time it's in the carry case.

Deb

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

Thanks for the advice!

 

[SandrA9810]

You can usually buy the screen protectors with an extra stylus or two. I think they sell for about 5$ at gamestop. I highly recommend the screen protector, but make sure you do it in a dust free area of your house. Especially if you have pets, it makes it difficult. You have to make sure there's no dust stuck between because the DS will think you're touching the screen at two spots at once. If you've ever used touch screens, I'm sure you know what I mean. We usually end up going to a friend's house that is pet free to avoid that problem.

The nerf case is great for any kid that likes to toss thing around, or easily drops things. if that's not a problem, than a simple silcone cover should work just fine to keep it nice and shiny.