Best system for DS games?

So, I've been getting back into DS games lately. I had a DS phat until I purchased a 3DS, so I don't know much about the DS lite or the DSi systems.

Which of the systems offers the 'best' experience for DS games?
DS phat, lite, DSi, or DSi XL?

They're all relatively cheap, but I only want to purchase one.
What are your thoughts?
How are the screens, buttons, hinges, etc?

 

DS lite. Last region free DS

 

I thought the DSi XL was region free too?

 

DS Lite for sure. Just make sure to get a ligher used one without the problem with the screen that if you bend it back to a certain angle, the screen goes white. Caused by a wire that is constantly moved a lot and gets loose.

 

Depends on the game. I like my 3DS XL for DS games since I use the mode that returns games to the original resolution and stuff so it looks exactly like a normal DS (hold start and select on DS game start-up, same for GB VC titles).

Some games are enhanced on DSi so use a DSi or 3DS for them. The DS is region free on all models, it's the DSi-only games that aren't.

The DS lite is great for games that take advantage of the GBA port such as the mainline 4th gen Pokemon games (Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, and SoulSilver).

If you want the best of both worlds, I recommend getting a DS lite just for the games that use the GBA slot and using the 3DS for everything else. Just remember to hold start and select when starting a DS game on 3DS or else it will look weird imo.

 

I've only ever used a DSi and love it.

 

DS Lite for me. Plus GBA games. I just hate the crappy hinge.

 

For DS games I use either my old DSi or 3DS XL, and I use a DS Lite for GBA games. Although I'd like to get a GBA Micro one day...

 

I agree with the ones who say DS Lite: it also has the GBA port which disappears with the systems released after it.

 

I totally forgot about the DS Lite's GBA port.

 

My main means of playing GB and GBA games was on the Gamecube player.

 

I've had every DS and only use a DSi XL now. The most comfortable DS they made IMO and the bigger screens really help, once you've used one it's hard to go back.

 

How well do one handed games like Phantom Hourglass work?

 

Never had any problems with the two Zelda games, tend not to play much Phantom Hourglass though as it has that horrible repeated dungeon on a timer. Who's idea was that? Ninja Gaiden and Animal Crossing are other stylus driven games which work fine on it. I also play a lot of FPS games like Dementium 2, Moon, COD series etc and the XL is much easier on my hands especially with the oversize pen stylus. Holding the console and moving/firing with the left hand while aiming with the stylus made my left hand cramp up on my old DS Lite.

Although the XL is bulky compared to the DSi/DS Lite it's not overly large or heavy and I find it much nicer to use. I like the format so much I have 3 Nintendo style XL consoles now - the DSi, 3DS and GPD XD.

 

I've had no problem with my New 3DS, or the old one for DS games. I will probably get a tank DS or DS Lite for the games with the GBA slot accessories, or region locked ones.
BTW, sort of on subject, I found this video pretty useful for figuring out which games will play on which systems.

 

I personally hated my DSiXL when I had one, too heavy, too big with such low resolution, the hinges weren't strong enough to not make the top section wobble.

It was sexy as hell looking. But not for everyone, sounds like it's up your alley though.


I'm pretty picky as is I guess. I hated the DSlite with a passion (Felt cheap, the D-Pad was only OK, the screens became heavily tinted quickly. The hinges break very easily, the buttons will cake up with crap easily and start refusing to function.) and have never had a chance to own any plain DSi's so I still use my same old launch era DSPhat.

I am perfectly happy with a DSPhat and have been for well over a decade.(And never had a single issue with buttons or hinges) I wish it had better uniformity/viewing angles and better color reproduction. But I can live with it for most games.
Especially since there is essentially no ghosting and only minor amounts of blur typical of a sample and hold when playing 60FPS games.

 

Okay.

Just dropped $30 on a DS lite.

I'll see how it compares to my DS phat and get back to you guys.

 

I think the hinge is like that by design, the original size 3DS also had some play in the hinge in locked positions. Dunno why, maybe to relieve stress on the hinge as people seem to damage them around that area all the time. On that subject I never quite got why they are supposed to have these amazingly fragile hinges, I've had lots of DS consoles and played the crap out of them and the hinges never failed. There's no reason a DS owned by an adult should break at the hinge through normal use.