Should I get A Ds?

Jokerman

So my dad's been asking me what I want for christmas and I've got it narrowed down to either a new cellphone (my current one was KIA) or a DS. I know there's a pretty strong fanbase for the DS here, so should what would be the pluses of getting one vs. having a cell?

Smug Duckling

Well, having a cell is more "important", but if you already have a functioning one then a DS is pretty damn fun.

So, take that as you will. They're not really directly comparable things. I'd say get a DS if you're content enough with your current phone.

EDIT: Oh... I thought KIA was the cell phone brand, not "killed in action". In that case I'd say get a cell phone.

Malyonsus

I guess it probably depends on how important your cellphone is and what you use it for. A DS really just does one thing and that is plays video games. So that's a constant. What do you use your cellphone for? What new features would you be getting on this new one over the old one?

For example, for me, I use my phone for one thing: getting and receiving calls. I don't need it for text messaging, I don't need it for cellphone games or to play music. So a DS is a no-brainer for my situation.

Sight unseen, I'd say there'd have to be some really kickass features on a new phone for it to be more appealing than a DS.

Edit: I misread. You are currently without a phone (KIA-Killied in Action, yes?), so if it's critical for your daily functions, you probably want to get that. On the other hand, basic phones tend to be pretty cheap (unless your dad is also willing to go in some money for the plan), so if you can get a DS gratis, you could probably buy the phone yourself.

Dunadan019

i got a DS lite for all 3 of my brothers this year but if you don't have a cellphone and are still paying for the service than you need to fix that. if you aren't paying for a plan then you can probably get a free one by signing up for a plan.

if you just want a track phone or pay as you go then go with the DS lite

eternalbl

Ask yourself honestly if you'd USE your DS. If you aren't away from home, it can be pretty gay playing on a tiny screen when you could be gaming on.. well, a 27" CRT or probably better.

I guess it'd also depend on your work situation. Working 8 hours a day, and getting old, I don't have nearly the same amount of time put into gaming as I used to, so I have a backlog of about 15 games, not including the DS games I haven't started for mainly the above reason.

Basically, if you'd have a specific time that you'd fill with it, there's some sweet games available. And if there's some specific games for it you want to play, then go for it. But if you wouldn't be away from any of your main consoles enough to pull out your DS and give it a play, or are just looking at it for the gear factor, you'd probably be better off getting one of the tonnes of wicked games that are out for the consoles you already have.

mts

i play my ds a lot at home but that is more so my wife doesn't have to watch me play wii all the time. and its handy for when she watches a show i am not interested in

Idx86

I'd probably go with a phone as well. You can't call chicks up with a DS.

duonguyen

YES YOU CAN.

(with wifi+ skype :P)

Orestes

Idx86 wrote: »

I'd probably go with a phone as well. You can't call chicks up with a DS.

I beg to differ!

But yeah, phone if yours is not working. I'm gonna say that a phone is more practical in this situation.

Kate of Lokys

Ask for a DS, then after Christmas, spend $40 on a basic pay-as-you-go phone. Best of both worlds!

Seriously, if a cell phone was a big deal to you, you would probably have a new one by now. Some people consider it to be well worthwhile to spend $300 on a phone that has a built-in camera and GPS navigation and an MP3 player and a battery that actually shrinks tumours on contact. I've never been such a person, and it sounds like you aren't either. So, why waste a Christmas present on something you don't really care about? A dirt-cheap prepaid phone will work just fine for occasional utility use. And DSes are awesome.

Lindsay Lohan

Depends - if you can get a free phone by renewing your own cell contract I'd just go that way and get a basic free phone. Personally, I only use my phone for making calls so bells and whistles really don't matter to me. That way you can feel free to get the DS.

Otherwise you may want to go with the phone - I'd just hate to see you take as a gift something you could get yourself for cheap/free.

JaysonFour

They're coming out with a new model of DS pretty soon. It'll have a built-in camera and its own internet browser. I'd say get the phone and spend christmas money on the new-model DS when it comes out.

Jurg

How old are you? Old enough to have a job?

CarolinaBBQ

I gotta saw boo to the new DS model coming out. Isn't the current design of it sort of in the way of playing GBA games (castlevania double pak ftw) and other programs of a more home brewed nature?

Get the DS, don't buy 2 games you want and instead buy a cell phone with the savings. Can get a no bells and whistles phone for fairly cheap.

That all being said, I rarely play my DS but when I do, I'm very thankful to have it there. Next time you get sick, The Phantom Hourglass can be your nurse.

Denada

Here's how you answer these sorts of questions:

Make a list of all the games on the DS that you want to play. If that list is more than a handful of games, go ahead and get it. If not, replace your phone.


This also works for "which system should I get?":

Make a list of the games you want to play on each system. Buy the one with the longest list.

Hypatia

Which one are you less likely to purchase for yourself?

Pick that one for him to give you as a gift.

This might be a weird psychology, but I always kind of think of gifts as "stuff that I'd like that it'd be nice to have but I'd never buy for myself" because then I can have something I appreciate but wouldn't spend money on for myself.

I mean, hey, if it's on your "list of crap to get" then all it'd really be is just shortening your list instead of something you'll appreciate for its uniqueness of "I'd never have this if it weren't for so-and-so giving it to me"