Here comes the holiday season! The Nintendo DS is guaranteed to be a successful gift with any age group. It's affordable, practical, and offers limitless appeal thanks to its huge library.
If you need a poke in the right direction to help you decide what iteration of the Nintendo DS to buy for a recipient, this Holiday Gift List will outline the features of the DS family. Some of 2010's best games are listed as well.
If you'd like more Nintendo DS-related gifting help, consult How to Buy a Nintendo DS Game as a Gift. Make sure you're up to speed on age-appropriate ESRB Ratings, too.
Happy shopping!
If you need a poke in the right direction to help you decide what iteration of the Nintendo DS to buy for a recipient, this Holiday Gift List will outline the features of the DS family. Some of 2010's best games are listed as well.
If you'd like more Nintendo DS-related gifting help, consult How to Buy a Nintendo DS Game as a Gift. Make sure you're up to speed on age-appropriate ESRB Ratings, too.
Happy shopping!
Nintendo DS Lite
Image © Nintendo
How much is it? -- $129.99 USD
What can it do? -- The Nintendo DS Lite can play Nintendo DS game cards. It's also backwards compatible with the Game Boy Advance library, the handheld system preceding the Nintendo DS.
Why is it a good gift? -- The Nintendo DS Lite is the "oldster" of the Nintendo DS family, having been around since early 2006. But it's hardly outdated. The DS Lite isn't as versatile as its upgrade, the Nintendo DSi, but for a pure gaming experience, the DS Lite is more than sufficient. It's priced well, it's sturdy, and it can play Game Boy Advance games thanks to the "Slot 2" access at the bottom of the system.
What can it do? -- The Nintendo DS Lite can play Nintendo DS game cards. It's also backwards compatible with the Game Boy Advance library, the handheld system preceding the Nintendo DS.
Why is it a good gift? -- The Nintendo DS Lite is the "oldster" of the Nintendo DS family, having been around since early 2006. But it's hardly outdated. The DS Lite isn't as versatile as its upgrade, the Nintendo DSi, but for a pure gaming experience, the DS Lite is more than sufficient. It's priced well, it's sturdy, and it can play Game Boy Advance games thanks to the "Slot 2" access at the bottom of the system.
Nintendo DSi
Image © Nintendo
How much is it? - $149.00 USD
What can it do? - The Nintendo DSi is an upgrade to the Nintendo DS Lite. It offers a more complete media experience compared to its older brother: In addition to playing Nintendo DS game cards, it can also take/edit photos and create music. Pictures and music (ACC format) can be stored on an SD card and transferred. There is no backwards compatibility with the Game Boy Advance.
The Nintendo DSi can also access the "Nintendo DSi Shop" and download games known as "DSiWare."
Why is it a good gift? The Nintendo DSi can play the DS's library, and it also provides a rich multimedia experience for the artistically inclined.
What can it do? - The Nintendo DSi is an upgrade to the Nintendo DS Lite. It offers a more complete media experience compared to its older brother: In addition to playing Nintendo DS game cards, it can also take/edit photos and create music. Pictures and music (ACC format) can be stored on an SD card and transferred. There is no backwards compatibility with the Game Boy Advance.
The Nintendo DSi can also access the "Nintendo DSi Shop" and download games known as "DSiWare."
Why is it a good gift? The Nintendo DSi can play the DS's library, and it also provides a rich multimedia experience for the artistically inclined.
Nintendo DSi XL
Image © Nintendo
How much is it? - $169.99 USD
What can it do? - The Nintendo DSi XL is essentially the Nintendo DSi with larger, brighter screens and a better viewing angle. There is also some software pre-loaded on the system, including Flipnote Studio and two of the Brain Age Express games.
Why is it a good gift? - The wider viewing angle that the Nintendo DSi XL provides is ideal for families with two or more gamers in the house: It's far easier to look over someone's shoulder as they're playing. The pre-loaded software is also a nice bonus, as Flipnote Studio will appeal to artists and aspiring animators.
What can it do? - The Nintendo DSi XL is essentially the Nintendo DSi with larger, brighter screens and a better viewing angle. There is also some software pre-loaded on the system, including Flipnote Studio and two of the Brain Age Express games.
Why is it a good gift? - The wider viewing angle that the Nintendo DSi XL provides is ideal for families with two or more gamers in the house: It's far easier to look over someone's shoulder as they're playing. The pre-loaded software is also a nice bonus, as Flipnote Studio will appeal to artists and aspiring animators.
Nintendo Points Card
Image © Nintendo
How much is it? - $19.99 USD for 2000 Nintendo Points
What can it do? - The Nintendo Points Card is an ideal stocking stuffer for the Wii and/or Nintendo DSi owner. Though Nintendo's original digital downloads--like WiiWare and DSiWare--can be "gifted" and sent to another person, Nintendo Points leave the purchasing up to the recipient.
Some recommended DSiWare titles include Shantae: Risky's Revenge, (Platforming) Oregon Trail, (Educational) Dark Void Zero, (Platforming) Dragon's Lair (Adventure), and Zenonia. (RPG)
Dragon Quest IX
Image © Square-Enix
(Role-Playing, Rated E10+) - Dragon Quest games are amongst the most celebrated role-playing titles of all time, and Dragon Quest IX is a must-have for fans of the genre. Form a party to your own specifications, then undertake a massive 40-hour quest to save the world. Friends can join in the fight over a local connection, and you can even "tag" other players to visit your Inn. Between quests, Inn-building, and treasure hunting, it's hard to believe the sheer amount of content Square-Enix stuffed into a tiny game card.
Professor Layton and the Unwound Future
Image © Nintendo
(Adventure/Puzzle, Rated E10+) - Professor Layton and his apprentice Luke simply cannot have a day to themselves without the dinner menu turning into a puzzle-laden chain of mystery. That's good news for players, because Professor Layton and the Unwound Future is another opportunity to match wits with the stickiest puzzles in town. Solve dozens of mysteries in order to unravel a curious story about treachery and time-travel.
Super Scribblenauts
Image © 5th Cell
(Action/Puzzle, Rated E10+) - The original Scribblenauts was an extremely clever idea that needed some work in its execution. Happily, Super Scribblenauts addresses many of the first game's shortcomings, and improves vastly upon them. Creativity is rewarded in puzzle solutions, the controls have been tightened, and an expanded dictionary means Maxwell can call on every concievable creature to help him retrieve the Starites he needs to advance to the next level.
Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth
Image © Capcom
(Adventure, Rated T) - Phoenix Wright, the usual star lawyer behind Capcom's unique Ace Attorney adventure/puzzle games has gone on a bit of a sabbatical. So it's up to his rival, prosecutor Miles Edgeworth, to get to the bottom of the mysterious crimes that never seem to let up in their fair(?) city. Find clues, interrogate suspects, bust criminals, and laugh at the antics of the always-charming (and sometimes sinister) cast.
Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver
Image © Nintendo
(Role-Playing, Rated E) - Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver are Nintendo DS remakes of two original Game Boy classics, Pokemon Gold/Silver. Gold/Silver are still celebrated among the best entries in the Pokemon franchise, so it's no surprise to learn that HeartGold/SoulSilver are engaging, thrilling, and fun. Catch classic Pokemon, train them, battle them in-game or with your friends. The included PokeWalker accessory lets you condition your Pokemon as you walk, and by connecting to Nintendo Wi-Fi, you can unlock a slew of bonus material.
Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey
Image © Atlus
(Role-Playing, Rated M) - If you're in the mood for an intense dungeon-crawling role-playing (RPG) experience, Atlus has you covered with the popular Shin Megami Tensei property. This particular Nintendo DS installment, subtitled Strange Journey, may seem a bit archaic with its turn-based random battles, but the ability to bargain with and recruit monsters adds a great deal of depth and challenge. Perfect for the hardcore RPG fan.
