So I'm looking at getting a Nintendo DS... but which flavor?

[audiodane]

Title says it all.. I was hoping a gaming community like this place would be able to provide me some really good "oh I hadn't thought of that yet" opinions on the matter...

I guess I'll give a (lengthy!) background...

I currently have a Gameboy Advance SP with a dozen or so great games (zeldas, metroids, golden suns, ...) as well as a Nintendo GameCube likewise with a few great games (zeldas, metroids, eternal darkness, ...). I'm considering selling the lot (or in pieces) to hopefully greatly offset the cost of a new gameboy. I just don't have the time for a sit-down-in-front-of-a-TV console system anymore (which is why I never bought a Wii and why it's taken me months to play through KQ1-5 even though each one I finish within a few days of starting), but the gameboy is small and I can easily take it with me on business trips, etc.

I'm looking at catching up and getting a DS of some flavor or another. Wikipedia had a nice table explaining the major differences between the various flavors (link here). Between the versions listed on the linked table, I'm interested in the DSlite and the DSiXL. But I'm intrigued by the new 3DS line coming out as well.

Regarding the 3DS line I'm skeptical in that it's a "major revision" which to me is not unlike when an automaker changes the body style on one of their vehicles... It's best to wait for the later years of a given body style so they have the kinks worked out. That's why I'm interested in the DSlite. But given that all the DS's are much larger than my SP, I am also interested in the larger screen offered by the DSiXL. I mean if it's going to be larger anyway, why not get the biggest screen. Especially so the kids can watch me (or each other) play since the DSiXL apparently has a much wider viewing angle than the DSi or DS models.

But then there are all the suggested fancy features of the 3DS.. 3axis accelerometer, analog stick, and virtual console (which may alone be a reason to get the 3DS), not to mention the glasses-less 3D. It's a new "automotive body style" for sure, and I would be flat dumb to not imagine that in 12 months they'll have a follow-on 3DSlite that fixes annoyances, lengthens battery life, and makes the 3DS smaller and lighter all at the same time. So in that regard I do NOT want a 3DS. But it's the only model offering those nifty new features.

Lastly I'm interested in a DS-family for the potential for future Sierra gaming on it.. I've seen that ScummVM has a port in the works but only currently supports AGI games on the DS. I don't know whether or not DOSBox has a DS port (or if one is in the works). Which I guess could work if the lower touch screen is used for a keyboard input, but that's sluggish and likely a frustration during gameplay. I'm more interested in point-and-click type games on the DS like the Sierra SCI games. I've also never played any of the Monkey Island games but hear they are a real treat to enjoy. And in these regards, the 3DS will have higher processing capabilities than any of the previous models.

Whew, that's a lot of back story. Sorry...

I now open the round-table for discussion...

thanks!!!!
..dane

[BBP]

Since I only own a CD-i I'm hardly in the position to comment on gaming consoles of any kind, but I'd like to state something obvious: don't get a 3D dealie if you can't see 3D. It took me 17 years to discover I can't see depth and it could have gone undetected much longer. Before that I've wasted hours hanging over stereograms thinking it "could come any minute now".

[DeadPoolX]

I know this doesn't really answer your question (mostly because I don't own a Nintendo DS), but you could get a cell phone. They all play games nowadays. In particular, any phone using the Android OS (or the iPhone, but Apple has some severe limitations on it) can play tons of games.

Like BBP, I'm wary of any device that claims to do 3D. I'd have to see it to believe it.

If you're interested in ScummVM, any Blackberry or Android-powered cell phone can use that too. I have it on my HTC Desire (which is powered by Android) and it works really well on there.

I'm just suggesting this since a cell phone has more uses than simply playing games, plus the games are cheaper than what's available on the DS or the PSP. I've also found the games more entertaining (I've got a PSP-1000) and equal in terms of graphical capability.

You can also go online and browse the Internet with modern cell phones. I know you can also do that with a PSP, but it's far clunkier. I don't know if the DS can go online at all.

This is all my opinion, of course. I just feel there's no point in getting a hand-held gaming system when a cell phone (something everyone has) does the same thing. The same goes for MP3 players.

[audiodane]

Since I only own a CD-i I'm hardly in the position to comment on gaming consoles of any kind, but I'd like to state something obvious: don't get a 3D dealie if you can't see 3D. It took me 17 years to discover I can't see depth and it could have gone undetected much longer. Before that I've wasted hours hanging over stereograms thinking it "could come any minute now".

hahha... I can see stereograms pretty easily. I remember when they were all the rage... So do you have a hard time driving if you have no depth-perception? And what's a CD-i? You mean this (wikipedia link)?

I know this doesn't really answer your question (mostly because I don't own a Nintendo DS), but you could get a cell phone.

[...]

Like BBP, I'm wary of any device that claims to do 3D. I'd have to see it to believe it.

[...]

I don't know if the DS can go online at all.

This is all my opinion, of course. I just feel there's no point in getting a hand-held gaming system when a cell phone (something everyone has) does the same thing. The same goes for MP3 players.

Good comments DPX, thanks ... Frankly I'm not terribly interested in a fancy cell phone. I have a good old trusty Nokia 1100 that I've had for probably 5 years now with the original battery and it still lasts a good week between charges. Doesn't do much but phone calls and crude SMS messages (no attachments), but it's reliable and inexpensive. I have it through a prepaid plan where I'm effectively paying about $10-15/mo for the service.

I'm not interested in getting a newer phone with a "cell plan" that wants to charge me out the wazoo for stuff.. All my coworkers pay $50-100 per month for their phones.. That's ludicrous (to me) !!

Rumors are that the new 3DS will be $250-300, and for that price I have considered an iPod. But I don't think DOSBox will run on an iPod. ScummVM might though. I do like DOSBox though.. not much experience with scummvm...

DS can go online, though I've never played with it and don't know how capable it is ... flash support, etc? don't know ... a potential limitation for sure... but then again, there is no "perfect platform" no matter how hard you look. As for 3D, I do plan to "try before I buy" if I pick the 3DS ...

cheers,
..dane

[MusicallyInspired]

There is a throttle on the 3DS to exaggerate or completely remove the depth of the 3D display. I'm definitely getting me one of those if only for the remakes of Ocarina of Time and Star Fox 64. I've been wanting to get a new DS (I only have the original DSPhat) but all the upgrades just don't seem worth it yet with the brand new one coming soon. I don't really care about the DSi(xl). A camera isn't that impressive to me and I'd rather wait until they iron out issues and perfect the online/download portions. Which I'm sure the 3DS will have done once it's released. The only thing I'm interested in buying now handheld-wise is a DSlite for it's brighter screen and longer battery life. I dislike DS's after that because they removed the GBA cartridge slot. Be ware of that. Only the DSPhat and DSlite have the GBA slot.

Also, none of the DS's can play original Game Boy or Game Boy Color games like the GBA can.

[audiodane]

There is a throttle on the 3DS to exaggerate or completely remove the depth of the 3D display. I'm definitely getting me one of those if only for the remakes of Ocarina of Time and Star Fox 64. I've been wanting to get a new DS (I only have the original DSPhat) but all the upgrades just don't seem worth it yet with the brand new one coming soon. I don't really care about the DSi(xl). A camera isn't that impressive to me and I'd rather wait until they iron out issues and perfect the online/download portions. Which I'm sure the 3DS will have done once it's released. The only thing I'm interested in buying now handheld-wise is a DSlite for it's brighter screen and longer battery life. I dislike DS's after that because they removed the GBA cartridge slot. Be ware of that. Only the DSPhat and DSlite have the GBA slot.

Also, none of the DS's can play original Game Boy or Game Boy Color games like the GBA can.

I never got to play Ocarina of Time, and would be very excited to see that remake as well. Never played any of the Star Fox games but understand they were qutie popular. I'm not interested in any camera stuff either... And I agree to the disappointment that none of the DS's can play GB/GBA games-- that is a MAJOR stinky, and IMHO a major blow to long-time gameboy fans. I loved my GBA/SP beacuse I could go back and get Metroid II and so many other great 'classics' and play them all on one handheld. However, the 3DS will include the virtual console that will allow downloads of all the classic games. I am not sure however if all the games available for the Wii virtual console will also be available for the 3DS virtual console. If so-- I'm there. Many of the classic GB/GBC/GBA games I think are or will be available. If it's only a subset of those games it may prove to be a little lackluster.

Okay, maybe I am leaning towards a 3DS ... And Space Quest on 3DS (someday???) would be awwwwwwwwwwwe-sommmmmmmmmme... If only I knew all I know now but were had all the time that I had while in college, I might be able to help make that happen..

..dane

[DeadPoolX]

Rumors are that the new 3DS will be $250-300, and for that price I have considered an iPod. But I don't think DOSBox will run on an iPod. ScummVM might though. I do like DOSBox though.. not much experience with scummvm...

Since when do iPods play games? I thought they were just MP3 players.

[Collector]

There is a port of DOSBox for the Android. iPods aren't intelligent enough to do anything like DOSBox or ScummVM. There are some efforts to port DOSBox to iPhone, but I am not sure if it is in any usable point, yet. A DPX stated, the iPhone has some very severe limitations placed on it because of the mistaken notion that the "walled garden" approach will somehow make it more secure. It is partly why Android sales are outpacing that of the iPhone and the projections show that this will only become more pronounced. You could get an Android Pad instead of a phone and get bit larger screen for gaming and not have the limitations of the iPhone/iPad.

[Tawmis]

Rumors are that the new 3DS will be $250-300, and for that price I have considered an iPod. But I don't think DOSBox will run on an iPod. ScummVM might though. I do like DOSBox though.. not much experience with scummvm...

Since when do iPods play games? I thought they were just MP3 players.

Probably meant iPAD which can play some games using the UNREAL ENGINE.

[gumby]

Not to get off track here, but I've enjoyed playing games on the GP2X Wiz.

There is a ScummVM port for it, and it's worked for me. Not sure if it supports SCI games, though. I was able to play KQ1 on it. It's got a touchscreen & it seems to work well for playing ScummVM supported games.

Also runs Doom, Doom II, Mame, DOSBox, Flash games, Game Boy & GB Advance, 'original' Nintendo. Oh, and you can watch movies (.AVI format - maybe others) on it (you'll need an SD card for that). I've tried all the above functionality... there is tons more that it can do.

It's currently on-sale here at ThinkGeek for $100. http://www.thinkgeek.com/electronics/retro-gaming/bfc7/

A word of caution: you gotta be somewhat of a do-it-yourselfer for this one.

[JasefWisener]

Personally, I'd go with the 3DS.

Just saying.

[MusicallyInspired]

Someday I'd love to get me one of THESE babies: http://www.openpandora.org

[BBP]

I'm curious to see how much of these DS, 3DS, DSi, iPad, iPhone, iPod and all those other dealies I just can't be bothered to buy, will be left in ten years.

(@ Audiodane: I don't drive for that reason, and a CD-i is what you think it is.)

[Rath Darkblade]

Have you ever thought of the cheese-and-onion flavour?

*ducks and runs*

[audiodane]

iPod, iPad, iPhone, Android... I know next to nothing about any of them. My sister whom I only see a few times per year has an iPod and I've seen her watch movies and surf the web with it ... My sister-in-law has an Android phone that I've watched some YouTube videos on.. And that is the extent of my experience with anything like that. So when I said iPod I did mean iPod, but only assuming it would be a viable platform. I was not aware that it wouldn't really handle the (low) demand that the old Sierra KQ/SQ games require. Very interesting indeed... So there are no games for iPods? Really? Besides I'm sure Solitaire and the like..

I followed the link to the GP2X Wiz at ThinkGeek ... that looks like a pretty impressive system, and with so many gaming options with networking and other features too. It's basically a little handheld PC (of sorts) designed with the developer in mind. Neato!

With the Apple products apparently inferior (gaming-wise) to the nintendo gameboy offerings, I think I'll stick with a gameboy. I'm not into DIY computing as much as I used to be. My efforts to get all my old games playable again is about as much computer-DIY as I've done in a while (well, besides all the stuff I actually do for my day-job, which is pretty computer and FPGA intensive). I like the idea of the convenience and simplicity (non-DIY) of the gameboy, but would be also interested in the exploits of others to get non-Nintendo functionality working (like DOSBox/scummvm) ...

Personally, I'd go with the 3DS.

Just saying.

I'm leaning that way too...

I'm curious to see how much of these DS, 3DS, DSi, iPad, iPhone, iPod and all those other dealies I just can't be bothered to buy, will be left in ten years.

(@ Audiodane: I don't drive for that reason, and a CD-i is what you think it is.)

Ten years is quite a while, and a lot will be outdated by then for sure ... which is why I limit my buying activity... I've had my Gameboy Advance SP for 5 or so years now, and have forgone all of the DS family until now. I haven't gotten a Wii and am about to sell my Gamecube. As the kids get older I'll probably be interested in getting whatever succeeds the Wii and skip the Wii altogether. That's assuming a successor is released in the next 4-6 years which I assume will be the case.

Have you ever thought of the cheese-and-onion flavour?

*ducks and runs*

C&O .. that's just a nasty sounding combination for a Nintendo.. vanilla maybe? butterscotch? sugar-cookie?



this has turned out to be a great thread!

..dane