Nintendo DS or DSi?

[Trish]

We had decided that we wanted to get Aden a Nintendo DS for his birthday and now I see they have come out with the DSi. Does anyone know if there is a big difference between the two?

[Jayne]

The DSI also works as a mp3 player and can take pictures. We are getting it for Tylor for his birthday but he will be 14. I don't know if it is something I would get a 7 year old or that he would need

[Dennis]

The DSi also has a bigger screen.

[Amy05]

I bought myself a black DSi the day they came out (April 5th) and I love it. Both of my kids have regular DS's and they work great for what they use them for (just playing games) The battery life on the DS is better and has a GBA slot. The DSi has an internet browser, 2 cameras (thatI don't use but the kids find fun), can play AAC music files, a sd card slot, a bigger screen (that isn't that noticeable), ability to download games over the internet from DSi ware with nintendo points (there are only about 8 games out to download) a faster processor and more RAM and doesn't have a GBA slot. ETA DSi's speakers are better

Most of the things that the DSi can do I can do on the regular DS with a flash cart. With the flash cart you can watch movies, play music, read text files, load an internet browser and play backed up DS games.


http://www.wiiloveit.com/Home/featur...our-days-to-go

System Specifications

DS / DSi comparisons
Screen size: DSi: 3.25 inches; DS lite: 3 inches
Processor: DSi: ARM 133MHz Processor; DS lite: 67MHz
RAM: DSi: 16MB; DS lite: 4MB
Battery: DSi: 840 mAh (up to 14 hours on low brightness) DS lite 1000 mAh (up to 19 hours on low brightness)
Size: (width - depth) DSi: 5.40x0.74 inches DS lite: 5.20x0.85 inches
Stylus: DSi: 92mm DS lite: 87mm

Audio format: AAC files with an extension of .m4a, .mp4 or .3gp; Bit rate 16-320kbps;
Image format: JPEG
Camera: 2x VGA resolution cameras (640x480 – 0.3 Megapixel)

Storage: 256MB (built in); SD / SDHC card support for further memory and data transfer for media files
Region locking: DSi exclusive software (TBA) and DSiWare games only – DS games will still be playable when bought from anywhere in the world
Screen details: 260,000 colour display; 256x192 pixels

Internet compatability
WEP / WPA / WPA2 wireless security compatible (DSi exclusive features); WEP security ONLY for non-DSi exclusive DS games
802.11 Wi-fi capabilities
Wireless frequency - 2.4 GHz Band

Pre-installed programs
DSiCamera (and photo editing software)
DSiSound
DSiShop
Pictochat
DS Download Play (single-cart multiplayer)

More details
The console will have a matte design on the lid of the console as well as the inside, meaning there will be no more finger-print smudges for everyone to see
The power button will take you to the main menu to switch applications or change game at any time, but when held down for a few seconds, the console will switch off fully
The DSi’s volume button is now located on the left hand side of the device, and the power button is positioned just underneath and to the right of the D-Pad
The SD card slot will be positioned where the power switch used to be on the DS lite (the right hand side of the console)
The DSi will not include a Game Boy Advance game slot, meaning that rumble pak and Guitar Hero On Tour are not supported here
The DSi will launch in black and white around the world, except in North America where a light blue is available instead of white
On the main menu, game cartridges can be switched around without having to switch the console off
The Nintendo DSi is the first handheld Nintendo console to feature parental controls, although these won't work for DS games, just DSi exclusive features and Pictochat
Pictochat will feature both black and rainbow coloured pens

[Clare]

I'd get the DSI. Personally I would go with the newest technology. Emily has a DS but her best friend has the DSI and she is so jealous! She wants to save up to trade in her DS for a DSI now.

[Trish]

I really only wanted one for him to play games on, because he doesn't need the camera, web browser, etc., but I also don't want to buy him something and then have the thing become obsolete in a few months? I'm torn.

[Mandi]

There are way too many games out there for it to become obsolete anytime soon. Micayla just got a DS (regular) for her birthday a few weeks ago and IMO it's totally fine for what she uses it for (games).

[Amy05]

I would go with the DS lite. There aren't even any games out made just for the DSi yet except for the 8 on DSiWare. If you go with the DS lite and want to get black or white you might want to go ahead and get it because I read that Nintendo stopped shipping Black and White units to USA. Nintendo blamed lack of sales in those 2 colors but I also read somewhere else that those were the top 2 selling colors in the USA. I think they are just slowly phasing out the DS lite.

[Jayne]

I would totally go with the DS then (Lite) We got that for Alyssa for her 7th Birthday and it is perfect. We can play old games on it (So you can buy used games from the store!!!) and new games. It seems perfect for this age and very durable..considering Charlotte likes to play our Nintendogz with it LOL!

[pfisher]

After reading through this, I think DS Lite is the way to go for me. I still have a few GBA cartridges that I haven't gotten rid of it. Our GBA was stolen during our burglary. The DS Lite will be perfect if it plays the GBA cartridges.