DS or DSi

[mbear]

(if youve read my last thread, ATM she aint getting nothin !!!!)
Looking at getting DD#1 (6yrs) a nintendo DS or DSi for xmas - all she wants, she talks about it allllll the time. I know the DSi has an inbuilt camera...and is $100 dearer - but which one have you bought for your child ?? ive laybyd the DSi , but a girlfriend i spoke to today thinks the DS would be better - not as advanced.....just after some advice.

[Marlene]

My 14 year old DD has the DS..I am getting my 9 year old DS the DS for xmas. I really don't see the point of paying an extra $100 for an inbuilt camera. They have both said that the DSi is cool, but neither of them want it. They are happy with the DS.

[bjrose]

I layby'd a DS lite, but I'm thinking I might swap to a DSi. There are a few bundle packages with the DSi ATM.
Hard decision. Mine will be 8 in April. She hasn't mentioned it at all, but I can't think of anything else to get & she as been begging for a similar thing my mum has.

[[M]umma[M]ia]

New Interface: Like the Wii Menu, the DSi Menu has the same layout

Built in Browser: The DSi has a built in web brower, don't expect youtube videos on it, on the DS, you have to buy it as an expansion

2 Megapixel Cameras- The DSi has 2 cameras built in, one outside of the DSi and one inside the DSi

DSi Store- The DSi has a DSi Store, similiar to the Wii Shop Channel, instead of Wii Points its Nintendo Points (i thinks its called)

Bigger Screen- its got bigger screen, although you can hardly tell the difference

No GBA (game boy advanced) Slot- this is one of the biggest modifications of the DSI, the GBA slot is gone, meaning you cant play GBA games anymore and DS games that use the GBA slot such as Guitar Hero: on Tour and Pokemon D/P

More battery power- The DSi about probably 6 hours depending on the brightness settings

On/Off button- instead of a switch on the side like the DS lite, its now a button the the bottom right of the the touch screen, similiar to the old DS but positioned differently

Region Locked- No imported games can be played on the DSi, the DS however can play any imported game

SD Card Slot- You can insert an SD Card into the DSi, used like the Nintendo Wii, the SD card can be used to save data/pics, and play music/videos.



The DSi can generally can do everything the DS Lite can do, only better. It has larger, better quality screens and higher quality speakers. You don't need to turn it off to change your settings or switch cartridges, and if it floats your boat there's also a built-in camera and web browser. The DSi also has access to games via DSiWare which are not available on the DS or DS Lite.

However, if you want to play Gameboy Advance games, you will only be able to play them on a DS or a DS Lite. The DSi doesn't have the Advance cartridge slot, which means that you can't use a lot of DS accessories like the Rumble Pak, MP3 player, or the 'Guitar Grip' for the DS version of Guitar Hero. The DSi also has a shorter battery life than the Lite.

Cosmetically, the DSi is smaller and prettier, but it isn't available in as many colours as the Lite. The launch of the DSi has made Lites a little bit cheaper and you might be able to get a deal on a used one

[bjrose]

Hmm...well I think I made the right decision for DD. I like the idea that the lite has the game slot, more choice that way I think.
She has no need for a web browser, or even a camera yet really.

[Trillian]

You really don't need the DSi for a child that age. I brought DS1 a lite for Christmas last year then 6 months ago they brought out the DSi and I am stumped as to why a child would need all that crap they added onto it. I think it was a marketing ploy to introduce the interactive functions to keep older kids interested so they didn't grow out of it so quickly kwim? Plus not being region locked is a HUGE plus because the games are frikken expensive so I have brought quite a few now from Hong Kong and china for a fraction of the cost and never had a problem with them. plus I'm not comfortable with what is essentially a children's toy marketed to children having a web browser.