DS Lite vs DSi?

Lindsay Lohan

Quick question for anyone who has owned both - is the DSi worth paying the extra $$ from a DSLite? I'm replacing my busted DSLite in the next few days having decided that I'm really not interested in the investment in a 3ds until at least next year and was trying to figure out if the extra features really add that much over the Lite model.

tehmarken

For me, it basically just comes down to camera vs GBA games. I love my GBA games, so DSLite always wins out for me.

Deusfaux

DSi can do WPA wi-fi connections....


but then if the game was made before the DSi, it forces you back onto WEP anyways?!

Lindsay Lohan

How are the downloadables on the DSi? I understand there's a store with apps and games and web browsers and such that I've never had. Is any of it any good? I seem to recall a flip book program being popular?

Zxerol

I only recall like a couple of DSiWare downloadables that are actually worth playing. Especially with the 3DS dropping soon and support likely to switch to that, it's a very marginal factor in selecting which DS to get.

curby_f

I had a DS Lite and traded up to a DSi XL. I really don't use any of the DSi only functionality, but I heart the larger screens of the XL with an unhealthy passion.

It's not as pocket friendly, but I never put my DS Lite in my pocket so that was a moot point.

apotheos

In my books the DSi XL is the only DS. I also ignore all the DSi functionality.

Vegan

apotheos wrote: »

In my books the DSi XL is the only DS. I also ignore all the DSi functionality.

As a new XL owner, I can get behind this opinion. Both sentences.

Though I still keep a Lite around for GBA and GBA-based DS peripherals (paddle controller for Space Invaders and Arkanoid, and that Slide Mag Kid or whatever game).

UncleSporky

Here's a list of DSiware games sorted by review score. Lots of screens and videos on the site.

There are some pretty awesome games on the service, I own most of these:

Shantae: Risky's Revenge - like a really great GBA platformer, a bit on the short side
Mighty Flip Champs! - a tough but awesome puzzler by the Shantae crew
Art Style: AQUITE - fun colored square puzzler with a deep sea theme
Art Style: PiCTOBiTS - fun colored square puzzler, gradually assemble pixel art of Nintendo characters
Flipnote Studio - awesome flipbook animation program, and free to download
Dark Void Zero - retro style side scrolling shooter, similarities to Metroid, really fun
X-Scape - retro style first person 3D shooter, similar to Star Fox or a fast-paced Battlezone
Soul of Darkness - Gameloft's Castlevania ripoff that is actually quite competent
Cave Story - man it's Cave Story, it's fantastic, a bit too expensive though
Zenonia - port of the lauded iOS action RPG
Ivy the Kiwi? Mini - a weird yet charming game; not all that "mini" really, it has 50 levels
Dr. Mario Express - man it's Dr. Mario, it's awesome, though only 1 player
Dragon Quest Wars - simplified turn-based strategy with a Dragon Quest theme
Photo Dojo - used to be free, now $2, well worth it for the silly novelty of putting yourself in a fighting game
Pinball Pulse: The Ancients Beckon - a single pinball table, but realistic and quite entertaining
Viking Invasion - a neat little tower defense game
Rayman - a pretty good port of the original Rayman

Cantido

I thought I had wasted my money when buying a DSi XL... Then I downloaded Shantae. It made the whole thing worth it, and I'm going to be going through a wide array of titles before switching to 3DS

Lunker

apotheos wrote: »

In my books the DSi XL is the only DS. I also ignore all the DSi functionality.

It is the Cadillac Escalade of handheld gaming systems. I didn't think I would like it as much as I did, but I couldn't go back to the other systems after trying it. Though there are a handful of good DSiWare games, as Sporky points out—I liked Art Style: Aquia and PictoBits a lot. Always wanted to try Shantae.

Taya

The 3DS will be able to download DSiWare games, so if you're planning on getting a 3DS eventually you might be better off with just a DS Lite right now.

In the meantime I've downloaded quite a few DSiWare titles and I'm pleased with the service, but I feel it could be better.

Magic Pink

apotheos wrote: »

In my books the DSi XL is the only DS. I also ignore all the DSi functionality.

Yup yup. Big screens is nice screens.

maximumzero

As someone who owns a DS Lite, DSi, and XL, I'd say that the DSi is definitely the way to go.

The XL is a great system only if you don't plan on taking it anywhere with you. It's certainly not pocket friendly.

Unfortunately I didn't have the foresight to put protectors on my XL screens and now they look like shit.

Kadoken

3DS? Which comes out soon? (Or is already out)

UncleSporky

He said no to that in the OP.

However, taking that into consideration, the price difference from XL to 3DS is what, $70-80? They're not too far apart, Lite should be far cheaper. If you do want to get a 3DS sooner rather than later, a cheap Lite might give you a good boost toward saving that money.

Darlan

The GBA library runs laps around the DSiware library, there's really no competition at all in my book.

Phoenix-D

I'll be the counter-point here- I couldn't stand the DSi XL. The screens were very noticeably pixelated, and it drove me nuts.