Games consoles compatibility with US

[appleblossoms]

It looks like we might be moving to the states before next summer, but I'd like to give DS1 (5) a nintendo ds or something similar for Christmas. Does anyone know whether it would just be a matter of getting a new power pack if we moved? Are the games all universal? I've no idea where to even look to find out so thought I'd just beg mumsnet wisdom! I don't want to buy one if it will be redundant in 9 months! Thank you!

Hi appleblossoms

My two boys have gone through the generations of DS consoles and so I know aaaaaaaaaall about compatibility. We've got a variety of N.American and UK games, and a variety of N.American and UK consoles.

Hope this doesn't end up being too confusing, but here goes...

UK and NA Original DS and DS Lite consoles and their games are not region protected, so they will work interchangeably. You will just need to get a different charger to match your mains voltage. Oh, and get used to the fact that any games that use currency will have $ where you expect it to be in GBP...

The UK and NA DSi & DSi XL consoles can both play any standard DS games, but not the other region's "DSi Enhanced" games. Again, you will need to get a different charger to match your mains voltage (or use a travel voltage transformer.)

3DS consoles from either region can play standard DS games from either country, but only their own countries "DSi Enhanced" or "3DS" specific games. Again, you will need a different charger, too.

Hope that helps?

Thank you! that helps a lot. hmm... maybe it would be better to wait and get one out there.... lots of research to be done!