Unofficial Tex Murphy

I am trying to figure out which to get.
I don't want a 3DS as it is too expensive and I am probably going to buy this used, if I get it.

Originally I was contemplating a DS Lite because it has a GBA slot, but after researching on the net, everyone said the GBA brite was superior in everyway to the DS for playing GBA games. So I got one for cheap off of Ebay.

So now it is between the DSi or the DSi XL.
Figured these would be better too since the Lite only has 4MB of SRAM and 67 MHz ARM9 and 33 MHz ARM7 processors. On the other hand the DSi and DSi XL have have 16MB of PSRAM which and 133 MHz ARM9 and 33 MHz ARM7 processors which means way faster load times.

The two systems are essentially the same except for the following:

DSi
smaller and more portable
Graphics look better because of the smaller screen 3.25 mm
Battery life sucks though, 9-14 hours on the lowest brightness setting
3-4 hours on the brightest

DSi XL
Bigger and easier to hold but not as portable.
Way better audio
Graphics look a little more blocky and grainy because the resolution was not changed for the bigger screen 4.2 mm
Battery life is better, 13-17 hours on the lowest brightness setting
4-5 hours on the brightest

Also comes with Brain Age Express Math, and Brain Age Express Arts and Letters

One reason why I was considering the Lite originally too was the battery life of it.
15-19 hours on the lowest brightness setting
5-8 hours on the brightest

I thought higher speed outweighed the battery though since I had a GBA already.
Do you guys agree with that statement?

So I can't decide between the DSi and DSi XL....... any opinions or feedback?
HELP! Do I go big with better battery, grip and audio but crappier graphics, or small, compact, portable, crap battery, but better looking graphics.

Thanks for the input.... sorry for making this so long.

I myself don't use either one of these. But my girlfriends two girls and my daughter all had dsi's, and they didn't like the smaller screen. So they have since upgraded to the dsi xl and they couldn't be happier.

As a 3DS fan myself, I really urge you to pick up a 3DS. I know you've stated your reasons for holding off, but here is some incentive

Price drop: http://3ds.nintendolife.com/news/2011/0 ... 2th_august


Also, it has been officially announced that Gameboy Advance titles and NES games are coming to the 3DS. If you buy a 3DS prior to 11/08/2011, you will have access to 20 NES and GBA titles for download FREE. If you buy after this date, you have to pay for the titles and you will not get access until later in the year. Have a look: http://3dsvc.nintendolife.com/news/2011 ... al_console

But, with all that aside, the 3DS is just an amazing piece of hardware. So far with the games that have been launched, it's visually a marvel and this is only year 1. I'm not even talking about the 3D, it's actually the least notable feature for me. Seriously, it is just the best handheld gaming device ever.

Between the DSI and DSI XL the big thing is the size - what will you use it for and when? I use mine when I travel, so I have a DSI which fits in my jacket pocket. The DSI XL is no good for that as its too cumbersome by comparison to carry around with you.

Bigger is better. Go for the DSi XL. The way I see it, the DS Lite and DSi are way too bulky for most pockets, anyway, so you might as well go BIG! Whichever you pick, I recommend buying the side-scroller Shantae: Risky's Revenge from the DSi Shop.

I think i might go with the XL.

I read more reviews and the bigger screen doesn't make the graphics that much worse.... people like reading bigger text and the touch features are fixed and are more accurate... also they said stuff that is cell shaded actually looks better, like castlevania.... the audio is better and i probably won't be carrying it on me that much... i can always get a case if that is an issue.


3ds seems promising but it is too expensive and is a small size... same as the dsi.. maybe when they get a bigger version of it.

Would you reconsider DSLite if i say that you can buy a little card that supports micro SD cards that allow you to play "homebrew" games and even use scummVM and play full old lucasarts games on it? (or be a little pirate and download DS Lite games for it? On my DS Lite (witch i now allmost exclusevley use as an alarm clock) I have the entiere NES libary and some of the SNES libary, allsow i have day of the tentacle, fate of atlantis, the old crusade, monkey 1and 2, simon the scorsorer 1,2 and some DSLite games. This you cant do with tho newer models.

Edit: i have allsow got a "mod" tat makes my ds a ipod, i got a drinking game and a movie player.

I was going to use one of those for the gameboy advance I bought.

You referring to the EZ Flash IV?
I also have a psp, so I can do that stuff on there too.

Curious on your input with this.

dont remember what the name of the card was, but yeh its the same as a psp, but in my mind its a bit more effectiv to use the stylus pen (at least on the adventure games.) Since using the D-pad is boring and really slow(remember on an old pc my grand dad had we played DOTT with the arrow keys OMG that was boring ;P). now since i havent tryed out the "hack" on PSP i dunno what you can play on it? is there emulators on it as well?

I havent tryed the DSI(XL) more then a few houers but i think its too close to the DSL, just a bit bigger ad with to much restrictions, oki you can use it on the web, but i think you can download Opera to the DSL and use that.

Oki thers more RAM on the DSI but what can you use it for?
If the same system was for a DSL i would bye it without a dubt because then i could play Full Throttle and The Dig on it. But since you cant play with a flash card on it, its no use. If for anything you would want to buy a "lower" system then the 3DS it must be for the bigger screen.

But the problem with a bigger screen is allsow what brings it down in my mind... my old DSL fitted right in my pocket, but since i go my hands on a Ipad i use that instead, the problem is that it doesent fit anyware, you have to carry it in a bag everywere. The consept of the gameboy was that it was small ( or relativly small) compared to its rivals witch was a good bit lager. That is where it fails. But if you carry a purse or allways walk araound with a bag i would take the XL if i were to buy a nother DS exept 3DS.

They have flash cards now for the DSi and the DSi XL too.

The acecard 2 works on a DSi, DSi XL and a 3DS...

i need to research it a bit more.

I ll see if the SCUMM emulators work on those cards and let you know.
Might be a little bit though til I get time to research it.