Questions about Nintendo DS

[Holly]

I don't know anyone who has a NDS so I thought someone here might be able to help me - my son wants one for Christmas and I'm not sure if it's a good idea or not!

Firstly what's the difference between the DS and the DS Lite - is there any apart from the obvious?!

Can you play GBA games on the DS? Also are the cartridges for the two exactly the same size (ie will DS game cartridges fit GBA cartridge cases when not in use)???

And finally - if you've already got a GBA SP is it worth having a DS? Is it a lot better??? My son is Pokemon fan and I've already spotted that there are several Pokemon games only available on DS - are there any other reasons for getting him one for Christmas???

Many thanks in advance for any info ;-)

Holly

[boxcar3]

listen, i bought a ds and then like a month later the ds lite came out. what really made me mad was that the ds lite cost the same amount of money that the ds used to cost. So if i had waited about one month i would have had the much better ds lite( well not that much better, but still they are the same price!)

Anyways

Yes, the ds and ds lite play game boy games. The ds lite is lighter in weight than the ds, you can adjust the light on the screen to avoid glares, it is more portable, and it has a thicker and easier to hold stylus. But the best thing is THEY'RE THE SAME PRICE! So I'd definately buy the ds lite over the ds.

[Zane]

1) The Lite has a brigher screen, longer stylus and obviously the layout and design of it is better. If you're buying a DS or a Lite for the same price, get the Lite. If you can get the regular DS for more than, say,

[Holly]

Thanks you two - fast advice indeed!

The only problem is, if I get him one, I'll probably want one as well (when he got his GBA SP a couple of years ago I ended up being so impressed I bought one for myself as well ;-) ).

Which reminds me - another question - can you link up with other DS consoles like you can with the SP? That's something my son and his friends do a lot.

Cheers

Holly

[boxcar3]

No they can play game boy color games , i thought. But i don't have any game boy color games so i wouldn't know.

[Zane]

No, I'm pretty sure it's GBA games only.

The DSs link up wirelessly. Useful. And cool. And fun. Get 2. ;-)

[boxcar3]

On the main menu you press download play and you can download the game that your friend has and play multiplayer with them.

[Holly]

The DSs link up wirelessly. Useful. And cool. And fun. Get 2. ;-)

LOL - my son will be glad I'm getting advice from you :-P

Holly

[Lost Viking]

Yep, Zane's right the DS only plays GBA games. And seeing as your son likes Pokemon games, here is a list of all of the games currently available for the system-

Pokemon Dash! - Available Now

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team - Available Now

Pokemon Trozei- Available Now

Pokemon Ranger- Available Nov. 1

Pokemon Diamond- Available in 2007

Pokemon Pearl- Available in 2007

These are all American release dates.

[Kikuichimonji]

The DS can only play GBA games and DS games. Older Gameboy games can not be played.

As for Pokemon...LV gave 6 titles. I only find the last 2 to be interesting since they are the good old RPG's. The rest ist spinoff junk not worth a look (at least not for me).

[Lost Viking]

Well Mystery Dungeon looks good to me, but I have seen bad reviews. Ranger looks great, it is also an RPG and I think it will get some good reviews when it comes out but who knows? We'll see when it comes out.

But overall, I recommend Pokemon Diamond/Pearl. The only bad thing is that the game is coming out next year. But their is a lot of other good games available now like Mario Kart, Animal Crossing, New Super Mario Bros. and a lot, lot more, but if your son insists on a Pokemon Game, get him one of the two above, or a GBA Pokemon game he doesn't already have.

[Holly]

Thanks for the further advice (especially that list of Pokemon games). I'll go for one (or maybe two) of those that are/will be out at Christmas (he's young and certainly doesn't mind "spin-off games") and he can save up for Diamond or Pearl when they come out (he has a birthday in April so that will be about right).

Just out of interest, when you play GBA games on the DS what happend with the second screen? Is it all on one screen like the GBA?

Cheers

Julie

[Zane]

The GBA game comes up on one of the two screens, while the other screen is just turned off. You can choose whether you use the top or bottom screen.

[Jipay]

Not only you can link up many DS consoles to play together, but if you have a wifi connection at home, you will be able to enjoy the online gaming with titles such as mario kart DS.

Get it twice : one for you and one for your son *sweet*

[Holly]

but if you have a wifi connection at home, you will be able to enjoy the online gaming with titles such as mario kart DS.

I'm not entirely sure what that is - if it's an ordinary wireless broadband connection then yes, we have one?!

Holly

[Zane]

I think that's it, not entirely sure. You have to tune your DS into it to play. But that's not too hard. If it doesn't work, go to a PC or game store and ask for help.

[Starwars4J]

Actually, you have two options.

1. Buy the nintendo WiFi dongle. Be careful as these have a tendancy to break and randomly stop working. Not worth your money.

2. Buy a Wireless Router. This is the best option. They're not much more expensive than the dongle, and can be used for a variety of reasons, and are much sturdier. You don't actually need to adjust or tune anything! Just have it on, and the DS will automatically detect the wireless internet.

[Kikuichimonji]

I've never had any problems with my wifi dongle actually. Not like I use it that much. Sometimes it can be a pain to get working, but that's because my firewall or anti-virus holds it back.

[Jipay]

Yes, most of the wifi problems are coming from the wifi connection, not the DS. So Holly, what did you do ?