Thinking of a DS

billybob476 · June 25, 2008, 06:11:42 AM

Hey guys,

I'm going on a week-long cruise on August and I'm thinking of picking up a Nintendo DS. A few questions:

1. Is it worth it? Am I better off getting a PSP? I have a 360 and a Wii atm.

2. How visibile is the screen out in the sunlight?

3. How's the battery life? Now that I think about it I have no idea if it has an internal battery or if it uses AA's.

4. Any particular game recommendations? I'm thinking more along the lines of 'bathroom' games like Brain Age and such. Maybe a platformer or something as well. Nothing too in-depth.

Rico · June 25, 2008, 06:31:28 AM

It's a great little machine. Lynn actually sort of "took" over mine. She likes the little Brain Age games, Sudoku, card games, etc. I'm not sure how well the screen looks in direct sun, but it is pretty well back lit. Battery life is great. It has it's own internal battery. I think the game selection is awesome for the machine and I highly recommend it. There are some nice game packages that group lots of games like classic board games together - I'm kind of partial to the Monopoly, Battleship, Boggle one.

I think you'd really enjoy a DS.

billybob476 · June 25, 2008, 06:34:50 AM

I also found that the price is right!

jedijeff · June 25, 2008, 07:17:26 AM

I have a DS as well. My wife and I actually play a lot of Geometry Wars on it. I also have both the brainage games as well. I am in the same boat as Rico as my wife has basically taken mine over. My wife got a PSP for Christmas, but she does not use it very much. I think the PSP is a great system as well, just havent found the games that we really like for it yet, but it looks like it does a lot. I would probably use it more, but my wife has the menus all in Chinese, so I cant understand where I am on it ;) . I am actually considering buying another DS, so I can play again ;) .

KingIsaacLinksr · June 25, 2008, 08:55:16 AM

I've never owned the DS, but its a great little system. Its definitely got a game that anyone would like somewhere.

Of course, ANYTHING Nintendo releases is pretty solid. My faith was restored in them when the released Wii which imo, is the best of the three systems now.

So definitely get it. I've had a chance to play the DS and it felt solid to me. Just wish I had more $$

King

billybob476 · June 25, 2008, 09:16:33 AM

Question to those who've bought it, what comes in the box? They seem to be selling an A/C adapter seperately. it doesn't come included?

I was going to order it from Amazon, but they don't seem to be stocking any older games (at least in Canada). So I guess I'll be swinging by Future Shop or Best Buy at some point!

jedijeff · June 25, 2008, 09:38:46 PM

When I got my DS, I believe it had an Adapater to charge the battery. It seems like something that is required given that the battery is rechargeable.

Meds · June 26, 2008, 02:10:30 PM

My other half loves her DS. She's got the brain training thing which is fun, Star Wars lego, and Indy lego and she does not put it down. For a portable console its worth picking one up.

billybob476 · June 27, 2008, 04:27:54 AM

Well I picked up a Cobalt and Black DS last night along with Mario Kart DS. It's really cool! I'm going to grab the original Brain Age and probably Lego STar Wars today or tomorrow. Thanks for all the help guys!

billybob476 · June 27, 2008, 09:07:36 AM

Anyone have ideas for a good carrying case? Something to hold the DS itself, a few games and maybe the A/C adapter.

Geoff G.o.B · July 14, 2008, 06:07:14 AM

Amazon and GAME (here in the UK) all sell cases, I bought a GAME own brand for £10, it included a hardwaring case, spare stylus (x2) screen cleaning cloth and screen protectors. I also bought some little game cases, that take the game card only. I walk around with 10 games and cleaning and spare btis and bobs all in once little case.

word of advice, use screen protectors. I meet up with my friends several times a week for coffee during our lunch hours and we play various games via the DS wireless link up. I recently bought Sonic & Mario Olympics and the stylus use seriously scratches my protector, god knows what it would do to my screen. :o

We tend to play games that only require one of you to ahve a game card, Sonic & Mario Olympics, Mario Karts, Worms, Bomberman and soon Gauntlet and Civ Revolutions.

billybob476 · July 14, 2008, 06:11:01 AM

I found a reasonable hard case that holds the DS and a few games. I'll look into screen protectors. The only game I have that really uses the screen much so far is brain age but i can see the screen getting scratched over time.

Geoff G.o.B · July 14, 2008, 08:04:10 AM

It depends on the game to be fair, I've managed to pick two that are heavy screen usage (the previously mentioned Olympics and Tiger Woods). Both require screen screen contact in the same place each time.

Jobydrone · July 15, 2008, 07:22:32 AM

You definitely want screen protectors. They are a bit pricey (ten bucks for two sets I believe at Game Stop) but you can probably find them online for cheaper. The most recent game I played for DS was the Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword, and I really can't imagine playing it without a screen protector as there's tons of swiping and furious stylus shaking going on in that game.

FOr the most part my DS has been gathering dust since I got a PSP for my birthday in April, but as the shine wears off the PSP and it becomes more of a portable movie player than a game machine (omg movies look great on the psp) I'm sure I will find myself gravitating back towards the easy addictive gameplay of many experiences the DS has to offer.

billybob476 · July 15, 2008, 07:40:33 AM

Has anyone played SimCity DS or Civilization? I love these kinds of games and was wondering how well they translate.