When it comes to electronics and computers it seems like there’s always something new coming out on the market. This is especially true in the world of video games when as soon as you save up enough money to purchase a new gadget another one comes out on the market that’s supposed to be the latest and greatest of everything every invented before. Such is the case when the Nintendo DS, Nintendo DS Lite, and now the Nintendo DSi.
So what’s the difference? When many people say “Nintendo DS” they often mean “Nintendo DS Lite” even though the two video game consoles are completely different. This can be a little confusing especially if you don’t know much about video game systems and are looking to buy a gift for a friend or loved one.
There are many subtle differences between the DS consoles and if you don’t know a lot about video games you probably wouldn’t even notice. However, the original Nintendo DS would probably appear slightly bulky when compared to the DS Lite which was released in 2006 and the DSi which came out in early 2009. The transition from the original DS to the DS Lite was quite noticeable in terms of improvements and functionality but some people say the DSi is not much of an upgrade if you already own a Nintendo DS Lite.
Yes, the DSi is newer and has a couple more features than the DS Lite but depending on your needs you might find them unnecessary or even unattractive. For instance, the new DSi has the capability to take photos and play music. In exchange for this functionality you’re going to lose some battery life. If all you like to do is play video games you’ll probably want the longer battery life instead of the ability to play music and take photos.
he web browser on the DSi works well as long as you have decent internet speed. However, don’t expect navigation to be as easy as it is on your desktop or laptop computer. The screen is still pretty small and not much better than a cell phone. Also, Nintendo doesn’t expect you to take award-winning photographs with the camera. The intent is to have fun with your photographs instead. You can doodle on the photos with your stylus and get creative with them.
Since both the Nintendo DS and DS Lite have been out for a few years it’s not that difficult to find a good deal online. You can find cheap Nintendo DS consoles just by doing a little bit of research. Your investment will certainly provide hours of enjoyment for many years to come.