Nintendo DS

[claire70]

Can anyone talk me through the different versions of Nintendo DS? I want to buy one for my son but I'm confused by the the variations: lite, DSi, DSi XL.

Also what's a good game to get started with for an 8 year old buy?

Does anyone know if this is the sort of thing that gets discounted in the sales?

Sorry if I am posting in the wrong place, I couldn't find the right place to ask.

Lite is the 'bog standard' one these days
DSi has a camera
DSi XL has a camera and larger screens

Not sure about an 8 year old boy but would think anything Mario or Zelda would be appreciated (problem solving, racing, 'battles' etc).

You may get a good deal if you buy a 'bundle' - the console, games, accessories etc. Check out supermarkets, Game, Gamestation, ebay & Amazon and see who has the best offers on

Thanks iklboo, that is very helpful.
I am not sure he needs a camera.. he can use my digital one if he needs to take a photo and anyway its just something else that can break on what is essentially a toy.

I'm a bit unsure about the XL though... if it has a larger a screen then this could be the standard in a year's time like sat-navs etc. I don't want to buy something that will look dated and need replaced before I know it.

Are the games compatible in all 3 version?

Yes the games are compatible across all three.

Here's the official site if you want more info & specs and a list of available games.

I love my Nintendo DS - and my son plays things on it as well. If you get him one you can always get games for you to play as well when he's in bed

Dsi has 2 funky cameras! He can change the pictures, there's also a web browser (that we can't manage to use) inbuilt inside and a sound recorder so he can change the sound of his voice (lasts 30 seconds though). You can download games for him. The XL is exactly the same but has a larger screen.
You can use games with all of them but the old ds lite will take older nintendo games but the Dsi/xl doesn't.

Lego star wars is a cool game.

Thanks belledechocolatefluffybunny(what a name!!). I'll look out for that game

I need to change it to something shorter!

Mario carts was good aswell, ds is currently addicted to pokemon. They are really useful for journeys, you'll need a time limit though, my son will play on it for hours if I allow him.

I agree with belledechocolatefluffybun.......Mario Karts is great. All of the Mario games seem to be popular and relatively easy to play, though still being enjoyable for those who know their way around a DS!
DEFINITELY agree with limited playing time.....my DD and DS get very irritable if they go on them for too long, and also the games can be VERY addictive......DH has had to tone down his visible frustration with some of the games, to set a better example to DC!!

I would go for a DSi, dslite have a problem with the hinges,

DSi are on offer for 99.99 in Sainsburys at the minute

Didn't know there was a known problem with DSlite hinges PlumBumMum - my DD have gone loose (?) and floppy......very frustrating as it has to be held "just so" to view the screen.

God, I thought ours was just because ds dropped it! (he has 2, we 'upgraded' for his birthday when the Dsi came out, it's sooo much better then the lite) We brought a leather case for the lite so it's not as floppy.

yeap dd1s cracked, 2 of her friends cracked in the exact same place, but dd only had hers awhile and hadn't mistreated it.

when I googled there are loads of pics of the exact same crack on lots of ds lites,
going to send it off to the ds doctor to get fixed to keep for myself give to dd2

ds & dd1 both have DSi's now, fingers crossed so far so good

Yes DSi latest one I think isn't it? Would like one as only have the "older" ds lite one.

Harry Potter Lego Years 1 - 4 is an excellent game by the way. Says it is for 7+ but I am considerably older that and really enjoying it.

With regards to older one. I wouldn't get the ds lite it's the oldest one now, and next year they are bringing out a 3D one, it has been released just isn't on sale yet, is talk it will be on sale in the UK in October.

Therefore ds lite will be 4 generations old.

We've not tried the Harry Potter Lego game yet. Batman Lego is also very good (I road test most of ds's games to 'make sure they work')

Regards to games don't get any of the rabbid rabbit games, some are rogue ones with full swearing in them, game are still selling the ones with swearing in them, and they are very catchy tunes, that your child will learn and would like to repeat!!!

Pokemon gold or silver
SuperMario Kart
Zelda games are good

Normal DSi, £100 most places, Sainsburys for eg.

Dds have the ds lites which they love. They've had them for a good few years now.

I would definitely get a dsiXL if I were buying now though.

Games-wise, my dd's (10 and 7) both have Super Mario Bros which they love!

PlumBumMum - I tried looking online for DSi in sainsburys but couldn't find them. Is this something you need to go into certain sainsburys to get (I don;t think my local sainsburys does consoles at all)

claire70 i have either seen it advertised in papers or tv, will let you know tomorrow

info here

Thanks plumbummum. I called my neareat siansburys and would you believe that the £99 offer was only for three days and it ended yesterday!

The lego games are really good- star wars, batman and indiana jones. Just the right mix of problem solving and action. zelda games are good too, tho he might need help with some of the puzzles...

i bought my daughter (she saved for half of it) the dsi xl as i was worried about her eye site on the smaller ones. she had the ds lite and got loads of headaches now she doesnt moan about them now. the x is really cool