Everyone needs a DS!
Customer Rating: 
I didn't hop on the DS bandwagon when they first came out. I was a devout Sony fan and was holding out for my PSP. My husband surprised me with my PSP for Christmas 2 years ago and I was in love! At least I was for a couple of weeks until I realized that the game library was severely lacking any titles that I really wanted to play.
Still wanting a hand-held gaming device, I looked into the DS shortly after the Lite was released. I haven't looked back since! I've had my DS for over a year now and I am in love all over again. The DS really is a revolutionary device. We've had touch screen devices for years, but never a dedicated gaming device with a touch screen. Before I bought the DS, I thought the idea of a touch screen was rather gimmicky, but let me tell you, it adds SO much to the experience. You feel like you are really interacting with your puppies in Nintendogs and you're really cooking up that great stew in Cooking Mama. It just adds so much to the immersion, which I would never have thought possible on this tiny device. I have never had any issues with my touch screen. It has always been perfectly responsive and has never let me down. Gameplay is seamless and the touch screen controls become second nature. PSP has great graphics, I agree, but when forced to choose between great graphics and truly engaging and fun gameplay, I choose the latter.
DS Lite also wins out on size. Even vs the PSP Slim, it is still smaller and easier to slip in my purse to take with me wherever I go. It's light, comfortable in your hands, and the controls are placed just right so that playing is easy and enjoyable.
Where the DS truly shines, however, is it's game library. You have a huge range to choose from, from kid's edutainment (thank you!!) to girly games where you take care of babies/puppies to games where you cook meals and design hair and wardrobe to games that adults love as much as kids like Brain Age and Super Mario Bros. and the like. The DS really has something for everyone.
I do notice, however, that my husband, brothers and dad don't really play the DS much. It seems to be geared toward girls and kids, which I certainly don't mind because that's a first in the gaming world. I've been gaming since I was 5 years old on the Atari and I appreciate a system that acknowledges that girls and little kids, like my 3-year-old son, like video games, too, and we want to do more than blow up buildings and shoot people (no thanks!!).
The DS is intuitive enough for my 3-year-old to control, though I would not buy a DS for a child of this age range. He is very responsible with it and handles it very well, but there aren't a whole lot of games that are geared for his age range and that just makes for frustration. Opt for a Leapster instead for a few years, which also features a great touch screen and a huge educational game library.
I can't rave enough about the DS, but I will recommend that you pick up a few essentials if you are planning on buying one. Find yourself some Hori screen protectors. They are AWESOME! And really necessary to prolong the life of your DS. I would never play without them. The screens are naturally very resistant to scratches, but for a few dollars you can add some great protection and completely erase the worry of scratches from your mind.
Also, pick up a crystal case if the DS is going to be played with by a child or young adult. For under $10 you can completely protect the exterior of the DS from scratches and dings and it does not add much bulk to the unit. I was a nervous wreck every time my son played my DS until I got a crystal case.
Last, get a nice carrying case. Don't just toss it in a bag and be content with that. For girls, ALS Industries makes an ADORABLE purse carrying case which is big enough for the DS, several game cases (I have 9 in mine right now), earbuds, charger, extra styli, you name it. Walmart, Best Buy, Circuit City, they all carry them. And for the record, they're the perfect size for your PSP and Archos 5, too. :)
Take care of your DS and it will last you for years to come. Durability has never been an issue with Nintendo products. I still have my original NES and it still works like new, 20 years later!
Want the Nintendo DS? Here's how to get it for five bucks
Customer Rating: Christmas is coming so save your cash! Why purchase something you can get for five bucks.
Go to gifts4xmas.co.cc and sign up. Complete ONE offer - I would recommend Netflix
All companies are well known so there is no risk involved- give it a go! I got my Nintendo DS and many other things this way, so don't miss out.
I was a sceptic once but now I am SO glad I gave it a chance.
Many items to choose from!
They send your gift Free of charge
Enjoy!
Great Handheld and cute*
Customer Rating: I recieved my DSL and the color is really nice .I am no gamer but I have had some interest in the unit because of some games that I've seen on tv and in ads. I thought, why not and the price was right. I have also been reading some reviews that you can purchase some games used like at Game Stop and that's just great in my book.
My purchase was from QVC and I really do like the rose color with little sparkles.
The case is nice with which looks like little fat diamond shaped patterns all over.
I purchased the DS and pack for myself. My daughter wants the white DS so I'm giving her the games that came in my bundle*(2)* to her for Christmas along with the white DS bundle that I purchased elsewhere.
My daughter likes HM and anything princess.She will be excited indeed.
I had no idea how many games were available for this little system from very young to the mature.My first game purchase was Big Brain Academy. I recommend this product.
I'm an adult and I love it so can you imagine how a child will feel? yeee hawww
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