Which Nintendo DS is best and which one comes with a game?

The original DS Handheld is no longer made. There is currently the DS Lite, DSi, and the XL versions of each (I think) which has a larger screen and is larger overall.

Normally, neither of them come with games, but they usually have bundles at Christmas time.

The DS Lite plays Nintendo DS games as well as Game Boy Advance games. The DSi only plays Nintendo DS games and has a camera on it.

I would go with the DS Lite. Even though the DSi and DS XL have more features, like WiFi, two cameras, etc. To me that’s too much. It’s supposed to be a handheld gaming system, not a mini laptop. What’s the fun in that? If you want a DS for a child I think the Lite is better. I’ve seen good bundles online, some come with up to two games you get to choose and an accessory kit.

IMO the other two DS’s are kinda ugly. And the XL is really bulky.

I would go for the DSi or DS Lite. The DSi XL boasts some new features such as a larger screen; however, as an avid hand-held game player, I find the size to be a little uncomfortably large for extended use. Plus, they didn’t upgrade the quality of the graphics with the larger screen, so games look kind of pixelated. The DSi XL appears to be made as an attempt by Nintendo to attract an older demographic who didn’t like looking at tiny screens. :)

I have had my DS Lite for almost four years and still play it just about every day. The only problem is that mine was one of the DS Lites that had a well-known hinge problem; after a year or so of regular use, the plastic on the hinge started cracking and now my DS is all floppy. It hasn’t become such a problem that I want to trade it in (not that I could, GameStop won’t take it), but it’s a little obnoxious. So if you’re planning on buying a used DS Lite, be wary of this problem. My system was purchased in late ‘06/early ‘07 and I’m pretty sure the problem was fixed in later models.

As for the DSi, it has some nice things like a camera and better WiFi accessibility (the DS Lite is only compatible with WEP Wifi security settings, which is the least secure mode; the DSi is compatible with WEP and WPA). The advantage of the DS Lite, however, is its backwards compatibility with GameBoy Advance games. If you have and/or enjoy older GBA games (which can still be purchased used from GameStop) and want to save a bit more money, go for the DS Lite. If you want more fun features (the camera is amusing for a while, sort of like PhotoBooth on Macs) and better WiFi options, go for the DSi. They’re both pretty affordable these days.

OR… you could wait a few months until the 3DS is released. :) Not only will you have the option of a new system (although it’s probably going to cost over $200 on release), DS Lites and DSi’s will probably drop in price significantly.

Hope this helps! Wow I’m a nerd…

a dsi is cool and comes with a game

The 3DS is supposed to be backwards compatible so I’m just waiting. (FOR THE PSP2)