[Lurking Lawyer]

I'm thinking of buying a DS for my wife's birthday and would appreciate some guidance from you hardened Nintendo gamers. Whilst I have plenty of PC, PS2+3 and Xbox gaming experience, I haven't as much as touched a DS!

She is, at best, a casual gamer. I'll most likely buy her Professor Layton to go with whichever console as that's the kind of game that appeals to her.

Is it really worth spending the extra cash to get her a DSi rather than a DS Lite? She's probably not going to use the cameras so that's not a selling point. I suppose she might eventually use the online DSi shop, but I doubt that's a determining factor either.

So, for someone who isn't a gadget-head and isn't a hardended console gamer, is the DS Lite going to do the job just as well? I don't mind spending the extra for the DSi but don't see much point if the additional functionality isn't going to get used.

Guidance appreciated!

Ta.

[matttr6]

I was in a similar position to yourself. In the end I went for a DSlite as I couldn't justify the extra £60 a DSi would cost for what is, basically minimal function ( I have a laptop for online use and a digitalcamera)

You can get DSlites pre-owned (from a shop) for about £80 or brand new for £95. Currently my DS is putting my Xbox360 out of use, I'm that impressed with it. Girlfriend even got a DS after playing on mine.

Be interested to hear what you think of Prof Layton as I'm thinking of getting it for the girlfriends birthday.

[cas398]

Personally I don't think it matters. They're basically the same. The DSi obviously has more features, and future games will make use of those features so it might be worth getting.

It's only an extra £50 so if you can afford it for the best DS model then why not?

Get yourself a flashcart. If you don't really know what that is I'll be happy to pm you with details. Amongst other things, take the DS Lite, for example, it allows you to put in a Micro SD card and play music, homebrew games etc. You can get these for the DS lite and DSi at similar prices anyway (under £20).

I got the girlfriend a DS lite at christmas knowing the DSi was coming out and to be honest we haven't been inclined to upgrade. There's a huge catalodue of DS games, a lot are for the casual audience anyway (if not all). Depending on how good the console makes future games is another matter.


You can get the DS lite from under £100 from Play with a free games. Don't forget the 5% RAC offer and Quidco: http://www.play.com/Games/DS/3-/308963/2-/Promo.html

Keep your eye on Hot UK Deals (if you don't already) because they often get posted.

You can get your flashcarts from Dealextreme amongst other places. Dealextreme I find are the cheapest though, reliable, but delivery can take up to 2 weeks. Again let me know if you need more info about that.


Edit: p.s. Layton is very good yes. I've had a decent go and the girlfriend has completed it and really enjoyed it.

[captainff]

TBH a DSLite would suffice but there might always be the thought that the DSi has the potential to do more.

Additions Direct has this red DSlite for £99 but, for new customers, 30% off ALL PURCHASES with the code XX057.


Layton? Great game!

[cas398]

Originally Posted by captainff

TBH a DSLite would suffice but there might always be the thought that the DSi has the potential to do more.

Additions Direct has this red DSlite for £99 but, for new customers, 30% off ALL PURCHASES with the code XX057.


Layton? Great game!

I could be wrong but hasn't the code expired?

Sorry I was looking at the wrong page.

Chance of getting the DSi for about £105? I would do that.

[StigsWife]

Originally Posted by Lurking Lawyer

I'm thinking of buying a DS for my wife's birthday and would appreciate some guidance from you hardened Nintendo gamers. Whilst I have plenty of PC, PS2+3 and Xbox gaming experience, I haven't as much as touched a DS!

She is, at best, a casual gamer. I'll most likely buy her Professor Layton to go with whichever console as that's the kind of game that appeals to her.

Is it really worth spending the extra cash to get her a DSi rather than a DS Lite? She's probably not going to use the cameras so that's not a selling point. I suppose she might eventually use the online DSi shop, but I doubt that's a determining factor either.

So, for someone who isn't a gadget-head and isn't a hardended console gamer, is the DS Lite going to do the job just as well? I don't mind spending the extra for the DSi but don't see much point if the additional functionality isn't going to get used.

Guidance appreciated!

Ta.

Your wife sounds very much like me.

My fiancee bought me the pink ds lite and a dstt card and i was very pleased with it as now i can play any games i fancy whenever i want.

I'm not a hardened gamer and i'm not to interested in all these gadgets and stuff, so i think if she's the same she'd be just as happy as i am with my ds lite.

I did thought about the dsi but you cant use the dstt with the new dsi so i'm just happy with the ds lite i dont need no cameras to please me im happy with something simple.

Hope that helps.

[planetse]

Purchased the wife a pink DS Lite a little while ago but that soon got upgraded to the new DSi, well worth the extra money. Bigger screen, better sound, brighter screen all round better than the old DS Lite.

She’s on it as I type this, never takes a book to bed anymore; just spends hours on the thing. Playing some homebrew game she down loaded earlier on her flash card.

[Lurking Lawyer]

Originally Posted by captainff

Additions Direct has this red DSlite for £99 but, for new customers, 30% off ALL PURCHASES with the code XX057.

Thanks for the heads-up on the offer but unfortunately it doesn't seem to want to let me use it on the DS in the link (or the DSi I tried, for that matter)

Thanks to everyone who has posted. I think it has tended to solidify my original view that the DS will do the job nicely. She hasn't even heard of the DSi so she won't know that I took the cheap route anyway!

[cas398]

Originally Posted by StigsWife

Your wife sounds very much like me.

My fiancee bought me the pink ds lite and a dstt card and i was very pleased with it as now i can play any games i fancy whenever i want.

I'm not a hardened gamer and i'm not to interested in all these gadgets and stuff, so i think if she's the same she'd be just as happy as i am with my ds lite.

I did thought about the dsi but you cant use the dstt with the new dsi so i'm just happy with the ds lite i dont need no cameras to please me im happy with something simple.

Hope that helps.

You could get a new flashcart like the AK2i etc. You'd just have to change the firmware on the microsd and you'd still have all your files.

Just a suggestion in case you didn't know about it..

[StigsWife]

Originally Posted by cas398

You could get a new flashcart like the AK2i etc. You'd just have to change the firmware on the microsd and you'd still have all your files.

Just a suggestion in case you didn't know about it..

Hi there,

any chance you can give me a link so i can read up on it and find out more info?

Thanks

[cas398]

Originally Posted by StigsWife

Hi there,

any chance you can give me a link so i can read up on it and find out more info?

Thanks

Kotaku - Acekard Announce First Fully Working Dsi Flash Cart - Homebrew

Products and reviews on Dealextreme. I think all the ones that end in "i" are compatible, looks like there's even a DSTTi but I'd personally go for something lik ethe AK2i.
DealExtreme: Nintendo DS Accessories (Page 1)

There's chat in the flashcart sections but you might need to scroll through the pages.

http://www.avforums.com/forums/ds-ds...ms-piracy.html

http://www.avforums.com/forums/ds-ds...ms-piracy.html

Even if you enquire in the buying thread I'm sure someone with a DSi and a compatible flashcart will be able to assist and know more than myself.