Yeah I know I am late to the party but I am looking at getting into the hand held market. I decided to go with the DS due to what I think are better games compared to the PSP. I have a PS3 but no Wii so to me getting the DS will let me play the Nintendo franchises that I have been missing as of late. I know the 3DS was announced and will be here sometime next year but I don't want to wait that long. If I love the DS I get now I am sure I will get the 3DS whenever it arrives. I have it down to the DSi and the DSi XL. I don't want to get anything smaller since when I game on my iPhone I get a lot of eye strain and headaches at times. I also have large hands and don't want to struggle with a small device like I do at times with the iPhone. I will primarily use it at home but would also like to take it with me on commutes or wherever. So basically I want something portable enough to take with me if I choose and have it not be a pain to lug around. The larger screens on the XL do appeal to me, I am 36, older but no old if you know what I mean :) My real question here is the extra money worth it for the XL over the DSi. If you were buying your first DS would you just go with the DSi or go big with the XL? Thanks!
Hmm I'm in the same situation as you. I'll be getting my first DS soon as well since I own a PS3 and no Wii, so it'll be my only way to really play any Nintendo titles. It's really a toss up in your case though, because you say you want to be able to take it with you, but you also mention that you don't want something small for your large hands. However, since you said that you'd use it PRIMARILY at home, I'd say to go with the XL over the original DSi. However keep in mind that the XL is NOT meant for portability. Will you be playing GBA games as well? If that's the case then the lite is your best choice. But if that's not the case then yeah, my opinion is the XL.
I think some of you need to keep in mind that the XL is not exactly like a laptop,you can still carry it anywhere you want cuz afterall,its only a little bigger than the DSi.I actually used one in the nintendo world store already so i would know this.
Foxh0und666 - No GBA games here. TriniPlayer- good point on the size. Though I haven't seen it like you have it is true that we are still talking about a relatively small device. The truth is I already have a Bronze XL pre-ordered from Amazon. Now that we are getting real close to launch day I am just making sure this is what I want. My indecisiveness isn't helped by seeing that I can save about $40 on Amazon if I go with the DSi and with that get a another game. Also the reviews from CNET and Wired seem to be opposites. While CNET says they would still go with the DSi over the XL. The guy from Wired raves about the XL and it's larger screen size. CNET - http://reviews.cnet.com/consoles/nintendo-dsi-xl-bronze/4505-10109_7-33808570.html?tag=TOCmoreStories.0 Wired - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVorhQNbvFw I think in the end I will stick with the XL but I just wanted to see what others thought.
Get the DSi. I've never seen the XL in person but I know you can't go wrong with either. The DSi already has gorgeousscreens that are pretty large. I think if you go any bigger you'll get pixelation. Use the saved $20 and buy a points card.
I'm not really sure on the price difference on amazon between the two systems but it would probabaly be a wise move if you get the DSi and use the remainder of the money to purchase a game.On the other hand,the XL has louder speakers than the DSi,bigger stylus and obiously the bigger screens but at the end of the day,its up to you.
Get the DSi. I've never seen the XL in person but I know you can't go wrong with either. The DSi already has gorgeousscreens that are pretty large. I think if you go any bigger you'll get pixelation. Use the saved $20 and buy a points card.
wes008
Actually it's $35 if you go with the White DSi off of Amazon :) The pixelation does concern me but from videos I have seen the colors look better on the XL and it seems brighter. In fact Kotaku has a video that shows both screens side by side running the same games. http://kotaku.com/5500356/little-games-on-a-big-screen-dsi-xl-versus-dsi-graphics-updated I do hear that pixelation is noticeable on text based games.
Go with the XL mate. IMO the bigger screens, better speakers, and better battery life is worth the extra money. CNET also said that they can't see upgrading to the XL, but it's a solid purchase for those who don't have a DS already.
Hmm I'm in the same situation as you. I'll be getting my first DS soon as well since I own a PS3 and no Wii, so it'll be my only way to really play any Nintendo titles. It's really a toss up in your case though, because you say you want to be able to take it with you, but you also mention that you don't want something small for your large hands. However, since you said that you'd use it PRIMARILY at home, I'd say to go with the XL over the original DSi. However keep in mind that the XL is NOT meant for portability. Will you be playing GBA games as well? If that's the case then the lite is your best choice. But if that's not the case then yeah, my opinion is the XL.
Cheers
The guy getting his first ds gives the perfect answer lol. seconding this answer.
I know you said no to the DSLite because of its size, but unless you are physically unable to play, I would at least reconsider until you try it out. I just think that with the 3DS on the horizon, it makes more sense now than before to go with the DSLite, especially if the 3DS is a definite purchase for you. One, it has the gba port, and the gba has a quality library of games. Not only does the lite play the gba games, but it is also the best way to play them, as the form and screen is of much better quality of the gba sp. Two, when you do get the 3DS, you'll beable to play all the DSi games anyways. Three, again, when you do get the 3DS, you won't have useless console sitting around--and the resale value will be much higher on the dslite.
Can't go wrong with a DSi and some first party Nintendo games to start out. I would personally recommend one of the new Pokemon games, New Super Mario Bros., or Mario Kart to start out with.
I was in the same boat as you. I want a DS to upgrade from my Gameboy Advance SP, but I didn't like the screen sizes very much. I found out about the DSi XL few weeks ago and I did some research and I opted to pre order it. Looks really nice!!! I never been excited about any gaming device, I'm counting the days :P
I decided to keep the XL pre-order I had from Amazon. Should have it Tuesday. Just wish they had better colors. Went with the Bronze. Superzone, Those are the exact games I ordered with it.. Pokemon SS, Mario Kart, and Super Mario Bros
If u wanna play gameboy advance games as well as ds titles, then i would get the ds lite. idk if the new dsi or w/e is gba compatable, but if it is then go with that. if ur not interested in gba games at all then go with the newest version of course :P
just got a dsi today and im so sad i cant play gba games.... but i only have like 4 gba games (worth playing now :P) so ill get over it eventually. Its so much like the ps3 slim... no backwards compatibility makes me sad though i probably would never even use it XP. But then again, i'll always be stuck wondering what i could have done with the camera, dsiware, etc if i got a ds lite... so its like a lose-lose for me :P
anyway, i dont really see the big difference between the dsi or the XL from what i've read besides size so you probably cant go wrong with either :D
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