Differences in Ds and Ds Lite Etc...

Updated on November 16, 2009
T.M. asks from New Haven, MI
11 answers

We are looking at getting our children ds hand held games for christmas. I've been looking on-line at them and have no idea what the difference is between them? If someone could help me out and point me in the right direction. We plan on getting them so they can take them on a car ride to Florida with us that we are planning in April.
Thanks

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K.M.

answers from Detroit on

ok well my kids have the ds they bought them last year one of my daughters friedn got the dsi. From my understanding the dsi can do more and you need to download the game to it. If you have a game cartridge for a ds it won't take unless its for s dsi the cartridges are different from what my daughter says I hope I helped plus one other thing to consider. Do you want something that is more up to date or something thats older and may be out in another year or so. I don't know. Good luck

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D.K.

answers from Detroit on

My 8 and 6 yr. olds each have a DS lite. We have around 6 different games, all costing $20- $30. They think they are all boring. So therefore they hardly ever play with them. About the only time I can get them to play with them is in the car when there is nothing else to do. Or the doctors office. The games we have are My Sims, My baby girl, cooking mama, brain age, That's so raven, & rock star. I just refuse to buy anymore. It all has been a pretty big waste of my money. I guess I learned an expensive lesson. My kids don't have any other video game systems, maybe that's why. Good luck!

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K.S.

answers from Detroit on

Hi T.! We are BIG fans of the Nintendo DS in our house. I would recommend the DS vs. the DSi for children younger than 10. The DS games are fantastic and there are plenty, plenty, plenty of things that the DS can do. They can even play WITH each other as the DS communicates with another DS! (so they can actually play the same game!) The DSi has more bells & whistles (phone, music player etc.) and is VERY cool....but definitely not necessary for anybody under 10. Good luck!

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J.D.

answers from Detroit on

I'm sorry. I have no idea what the difference is, but my 10 year old daughter does have a DS and loves it. Keeps her very occupied when necessary. Great gift idea!

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M.M.

answers from Lansing on

T.,

Jennifer F explained pretty well. I just wanted to let you know that I researched this last year. This is what I found out. The Ds is pretty much obsolete. The only place you may be able to find it is on the internet. The screen was to small and to hard to see so Nintendo fix the problem and came up with the ds lite. The lite has the dual screen.

the DSI came out right after Christmas and it can do cool function like a camera that can do fun things with a picture and you can play music and much more. hope this helps.

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A.S.

answers from Detroit on

Hi T. - my six year old has a Nintendo DS and absolutely loves it. He has also got a hand-held Leapster, which is more educational - but I think I would go with the Nintendos as the kids seem to love them (expensive though when buying three). I'm not absolutely sure about the 10-year-old but I think she would like it too - there are lots of girl games too. There are newer Nintendos, I think DSi which has a camera I think, but I would only get that for the older girl - good luck - Alison

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D.S.

answers from Grand Rapids on

T.; my son said, the ds and ds lite are the same , the ds lite is thinner, and smaller, but more expensive, they play the same games, function the same, according to my 15 year old son, ahahah hope it helps, have fun on your trip, i personally would love a ds, but i hear they are more fun with two or more, they can talk to each other with them, kinda like email, but more fun, they can share things on it, and play games together, so it would be a good purchase, D. s

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M.G.

answers from Detroit on

My son will be getting the ds lite for Christmas. The reason why I chose the lite is I didn't want him to have access to the internt, phone, etc. The lite is plenty for him now and he is still young (5 if Feb) I went ahead and got it for Christmas because we travel a ton and he is growing out of his Leapster!

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K.C.

answers from Detroit on

the DS is the original and you can't find very many accesories(like skins and things) for it it still plays all the games, the DS Lite is a slightly smaller version (the screen is the same size as on the DS just a smaller "box") and now you have the DSi that has a camera and some of the games incorporate the camera into them...the DS Lite and DSi are both in the same size "box" but you will have to pay attention to the accesories you buy to make sure they are for the correct system because the DSi has the camera there would need to be a hole for the lens in a skin and the chargers have different plugs on the systems.....I would suggest buying the DSi because it is the newest and will therefore give them the most play (if yu buy the DS lite they will want one of the games that needs the camera, always happens)....I know the DSi is about $40 dollars more but watch the ads "tis the season for bundles"....there are plenty of educational games for the DS.....I have also noticed that most people will call their DS a DS even if it is a DS Lite or the old DS, so be mindful of this if looking for second hand systems......hope this helps, I love my DS and I make you daughter practice her math on it :-)

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J.F.

answers from Lansing on

There are 3 DS models.
The original DS
The DS Lite
The DSi
The difference between the DS and DS Lite is primarily the size and screen brightness. My kids got DS Lites becasue they usually play in the car or on a plane--there is less problem with glare from the sun/windows and they can hold them and reach all the buttons easier with the smaller console. They both let you play the same games and there are no other real differences in the two. Another big upside is that if you have more than one child playing DS or DS Lite at the same time they can share one game cartridge. The systems are able link wirelessly to play a lot of great games and it is nice not having to buy the same titles for multiple kids.
Some people are comparing the DS and DS Lite to the newer DSi. The DSi DOES NOT allow you to play Game Boy Advance games, which is a major reason my kids do not want to get that model. The DSi DOES have built-in Internet browser, Built-In Music Player, 2 Cameras, Upgraded Memory. Hope this helps.

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