For my daughter's birthday, I thought we would get her a portable video game system such as Nintendo DS. I need your help in deciding what to get. She has had a leapster since she was 4 and loved it. I want to get her something to replace it, one which still has educational games. Also what is the difference between the DS lite and regular DS? Thanks.
My 9 year old daughter has the dsi. She loves it! She takes a ton of pictures on it and you can do funny things with them. They have a TON of games for little girls on there too. Mario is our favorite but she also has a vet game, animal planet games, etc.
I would go with the DS. The difference is between the DSi and the DS Lite. The Lite took the place of the first DS which is not made anymore. If you are going to get one, I would spend the extra money for the DSi just so you don't have to go back and buy another one down the road. (There is also a DSi XL which has a larger screen but I wouldn't buy that for a child). There are several educational games for the DS and DSi but you may have to look online to find them. They don't always carry them on the shelves.
DS lite can play the Gameboy games, and does not connect to the internet. The DSi does not play the gameboy games but does connect to the net and has a camera.
The DSi XL is just a larger version of the DSi.
An 8 yr old does not need a camera or connection to the internet but there are many games that she can play that you can get used at Gamestop or EBgames that she can't play on the DSi. They are also cheaper.
My 9 yr old daughter has both, her favorite is the DSI. She LOVES the pictures she can take and it's rather funny what you can do with most of the pics. I recommend the DSI, the price difference isn't too big anymore like it was when it first came out. Theres a ton of good games out there to choose from, try Game Stop. They usually have good sales on the games, buy two get one free, etc.
Good luck .
DSi: Better sound, brighter, listen to music using the SD card, bigger screen, 12% slimmer, .3megapixel cameras, $10 worth of free points when you log on to the Nintendo DSi shop, Reset button, no fingerprints show up for there is no "gloss" covering it, a little bit bigger, plays DS games DSi enhanced games(games playable on DS but with DSi you get WAY more features) and DSi exclusive(DSi only), Records Sound(able to backmask sound too), slimmer; longer stylus, Free internet, easier to connect to wifi(WAY easier I had 1 bar and now I have 3), L and R buttons are slimmer and pop-up more, mic works better, games will be using the camera, it is slightly heavier, with full brightness battery goes out in 9-14 hours(when fully charged), Nice feel to it(like when the original DS was really uncomfortable and the DS lite came out and it felt good to use)
DS lite: is just thinner but DSi isthe better one. Also comes in a fun fushia pink. My GF's 8 year old DD has the pink one, plays all kins of games, also the kind that you take care of pets lie horses and dogs. She constantly takes pics with it and can morph them into other things and records voices and mixes up music, plus downloads free games that the kids can put themselves in the game!
Hope this helps.
