I need you guys' opinion, please

[LinkFanatic]

Next week I have a free paycheck that doesn't have to go to any bills (what a miracle), and I have some game shopping to do. I have to buy a DS for my daughter's 10th birthday with a game so I know I'm out at least $150.00 so far, but for myself I want to get one too. Here's the dilemma:

Do I buy a DSi XL or a DS Lite for myself?

I don't really care about the camera, and I really don't have to go online with it, but I love the bigger screen BUT I also want to play GBA games (mainly Minish Cap). What do you guys' think? I know most of you have had handhelds for a while so I thought I could get some nice insight from you fellows. Any help would be appreciated. (I also have to get a game for my 14-year old stepson's PSP 3000, so any advice in that area would be great too seeing how I know NOTHING of Sony's machine)

[Jogurt the Yogurt]

I'll start with the DSi. Get a Lite. It's cheaper. The big screens are a negative, not a positive... well, it depends on what you care about screens for. If you just want them to be BIG, then it's a pro. But if you want them to be clear and crisp, then it's a con, since you'll notice some stretching, especially on text. The Lite can play GBA games (if you have a GBA or a GBM then that won't matter as much to you).

EDIT: I have a DSiXL and a DS Lite, as well as a GB Micro, so that's where I'm coming from.

PSP game recommendations coming soon.

[LinkFanatic]

Originally Posted by Jogurt the Yogurt

I'll start with the DSi. Get a Lite. It's cheaper. The big screens are a negative, not a positive... well, it depends on what you care about screens for. If you just want them to be BIG, then it's a pro. But if you want them to be clear and crisp, then it's a con, since you'll notice some stretching, especially on text. The Lite can play GBA games (if you have a GBA or a GBM then that won't matter as much to you).

EDIT: I have a DSiXL and a DS Lite, as well as a GB Micro, so that's where I'm coming from.

PSP game recommendations coming soon.

Thanks for the info on the DSi XL's screen. The stretching would aggravate me. Looks like the DS Lite for me as well.

When you give PSP recommendations, I would also appreciate a little PSP 101...like, do I need these memory sticks and what other accessories are you supposed to have for a nice gaming experience. I know absolutely nothing about this thing.

[Jogurt the Yogurt]

For what it's worth, the stretching isn't really that noticeable. I just notice it because I was looking for it / comparing with the Lite. If a big screen really is important to you (it's BIG), then you'll probably dig it.

You'll need a PSP memory card to save basically any game. You should be able to get a 1-2GB card for $10 or $20 though.

[LinkFanatic]

Originally Posted by Jogurt the Yogurt

For what it's worth, the stretching isn't really that noticeable. I just notice it because I was looking for it / comparing with the Lite. If a big screen really is important to you (it's BIG), then you'll probably dig it.

You'll need a PSP memory card to save basically any game. You should be able to get a 1-2GB card for $10 or $20 though.

I DO want to give the DSi Ware service a go, but I also have a lot of GBA games I want to get again....damn, if I just had the money for both...wait, if I get myself a DSi XL and both my youngest have a DS Lite....damn, problem solved. I can use their machines when the GBA bug strikes, and still enjoy the bigger screen with DSi Ware....I don't know why I didn't think of that...JoYo, thanks for all your input....you can lock this now if you want.

Where can I post additional questions for this damn PSP?

[naikou]

Just throwing in my 2 cents here -

The recently announced 3DS (coming out sometime in the next year) will be able to play DSiWare games as well as DS games, but probably not GBA games.

If I were in your position, I would buy a DS lite, but skip the DSi and wait for a 3DS.

[The shoemaker]

Why don't you just get a DSi? It's cheaper and has slightly bigger screens, without the stretching.

[Jogurt the Yogurt]

It sounds like a good mix of all this advice could be for you: Get a DSi instead of a DSiXL or a DS Lite. Use your kid's Lite when you want to play GBA games, and then think about investing in a 3DS when they come out in late 2011.

[LinkFanatic]

That actually sounds like sound advice...thanks guys...that just leaves me with this PSP predicament. My step-son gets ungrounded at the end of April and that will be when I hand him the PSP, but I am planning on buying a game next week. He loved Gears of War 2 and Modern Warfare 2 on the 360, so what games do you think he will like for the PSP? He said something about Army of 2...any suggestions?

[kawaiipikachu]

Originally Posted by naikou

Just throwing in my 2 cents here -

The recently announced 3DS (coming out sometime in the next year) will be able to play DSiWare games as well as DS games, but probably not GBA games.

If I were in your position, I would buy a DS lite, but skip the DSi and wait for a 3DS.

Take his advice seriously .
The DSi is just merely a modified DS .
While i know you not intreasted it the camera's but i make a point of it anyway .
A few years ago a japanese released title released for the DS called face traning which comes with a camera attachment .
The DSiWare games that uses the camera in theory sould with with this attachement .
second point is the DSiware .
The DSi ware is a good idea ibut i would rather have it on something that is on a complete hardware overhaul than buying something the same .

Like when my old lite had its hinge go i just stick to a lite & saved $100 as i knew that nintendo have a propper successor well & truly in devolopment .

[PoisonRamune]

I find it weird how you bash the DSi as being nothing more but the same product with one gimmicky add-on. While you'll practically take a bullet for the Guitar Hero series, which has been pretty much the same game with NO added innovations for the last 5 or so inceptions. I'm not criticizing you, but am more confused as you can hate on one but not the other.

[Jogurt the Yogurt]

Originally Posted by kawaiipikachu

Take his advice seriously DSi is just merely a modified DS know you not it the but make a point of it anyway few years ago a released title released for the DS called face which comes with a camera attachment DSiWare games that the camera in theory with with this second point is the DSiware DSi ware is a good idea would rather have it on something that is on a complete hardware overhaul than buying something the same when my old lite had its hinge go just stick to a lite & saved $100 as knew that have a successor well & truly in

What...?

[sponge]

id say get a ds lite and wait for the 3ds. just my opinion though.

*looks up specs

is that 1/2 inch of screen worth 40 - 60$ to you?

plus the loss of GBA game slot and 3-5 hours of battery life per charge....

the camera isnt even a good camera from what i can tell. neither is the browser....

seems like an expensive step sideways. with the 3ds announced, i dont think i would buy a dsi or dsixl right now. personally.

[Betagam7]

DS-Lite for me. Not just for because the big screen is totally unecessary but because as you say you get the most important things, the GBA slot. The GBA library easily beats that of DSiware imo.

Also, this may or may not be of interest to you but using homebrew apps on the DSi is currently not possible as far as I'm aware. Stuff like the CycloDS is incompatible with the new hardware.

Then there's the fact that with the money you save getting a DS lite you can buy another game!

[LinkFanatic]

Yeah, I had an epiphany last night. I weighed my options and at first was going the route of the DSi for me, then having my kids with the Lites, but this morning I was going through the available DSi Ware games and I was totally turned off on that idea. Since DSi Ware is useless, and I have no use for the camera (have one on my cell phone that I don't use...3.1MP), the Lite seems to be the way to go. Besides, by doing that, I can get Bowser's Inside Story along with Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks.

Separate question though...do I need to play Partners in Time to be able to understand and not be lost in Bowser's Inside Story?

[enigmaopoeia]

Originally Posted by LinkFanatic

do I need to play Partners in Time to be able to understand and not be lost in Bowser's Inside Story?

Not really. Though I would suggest some knowledge of the storyline in Superstar Saga may help you understand Bowser's Inside Story better. But it is not necessary.

[The shoemaker]

Originally Posted by LinkFanatic

Yeah, I had an epiphany last night. I weighed my options and at first was going the route of the DSi for me, then having my kids with the Lites, but this morning I was going through the available DSi Ware games and I was totally turned off on that idea. Since DSi Ware is useless, and I have no use for the camera (have one on my cell phone that I don't use...3.1MP), the Lite seems to be the way to go. Besides, by doing that, I can get Bowser's Inside Story along with Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks.

Separate question though...do I need to play Partners in Time to be able to understand and not be lost in Bowser's Inside Story?

Playing PIT isn't nessicary. There's a few cameos in the game but that's about it. I assume you know what the aliens look like right? If you do you'll be fine. But yes, play through SSS, it helps the story, although you can get by without it. Personally, I like playing them all because it's interesting to see how they've all progressed, plus they're all fun.

[Kreegs]

Inside story was my first game in the series and I am thoroughly enjoying it without any prior knowledge of the Superstar Saga. Its really a cool game. Totally worth getting.

[sponge]

Originally Posted by Betagam7

Also, this may or may not be of interest to you but using homebrew apps on the DSi is currently not possible as far as I'm aware. Stuff like the CycloDS is incompatible with the new hardware.

you can use homebrew on a dsi, for sure.

[Betagam7]

Originally Posted by sponge

you can use homebrew on a dsi, for sure.

Not via the CycloDS you can't

[LinkFanatic]

Homebrew does not interest me, btw....And I owned SSS when I had a GBA, so I know that storyline already...cool...didn't realize they were tied together...Fawlty in Inside Story, too?

[The shoemaker]

Originally Posted by LinkFanatic

Homebrew does not interest me, btw....And I owned SSS when I had a GBA, so I know that storyline already...cool...didn't realize they were tied together...Fawlty in Inside Story, too?

Yeah, Fawful's the main villan.