DS Worth it?

[Dumac]

Originally posted by: BladeVenom
Emulators on the Eee PC, Gameboy Advanced, Sega, Super Nintendo, and Nintendo 64.
Even some PC gamesHalf-Life 2.
And a few more.

The emulators are not only illegal if you haven't purchased proper licenses to play these games, but the PSP can play them just as well. Also, that video of Half-Life 2 running on the Asus Eee PC was horrendous. After seemingly eternal load times, the machine couldn't even run the game, one of the most optimized games of late, on low settings without unforgivably low frame rate drops.

 

[JD50]

Originally posted by: BladeVenom
Emulators on the Eee PC, Gameboy Advanced, Sega, Super Nintendo, and Nintendo 64.
Even some PC gamesHalf-Life 2.
And a few more.

The PSP can run emulators as well......

 

[techwanabe]

Originally posted by: VIAN
The DS games don't appeal to me. I find using two screens and the stylus awkward and uncomfortable. I guess I want more traditional games and the DS doesn't offer that. It tries to use those uncomfortable controls as much as possible.

I have no clue why it's selling as good as it is, unless it's because it is cheaper than the PSP. I've owned a PSP and a DS and I've enjoyed the PSP a lot more than the DS.

I tend to like RPG's more these days and it looks like the PSP is finally getting a wide selection of games out. I was in Best Buy the other day looking at the PSP titles and since the PSP has come down in price and the game selection is so much better, I might consider getting me one this spring sometime. I did get a DS only because I could trade in the old GBA-SP and get $30 off the regular price and maybe play a few games with my daughter via wireless. But all things considered, I still don't see alot of games on the DS I am dying to play.

What is the going price for the basic PSP unit right now? $160? Any price drops expected in the coming couple months?

 

[indamixx99]

I love my DS, although the only time I ever play it is when I'm sitting on the throne. Multiplayer Tetris ftw!

 

[skace]

I used to be able to reply to these threads much better back before half the internet was blocked. Now I can't use the web to get proper game names.

Do you consider Castlevania an RPG? The DS has 2 excellent original entries into the series. It also has 3 from the GBA era, I believe.

Dragon Quest: Slime Hero, I think that is the name, is a good Zelda-ish type RPG for the DS. It also has some unique gameplay revolving around a mini-game where you defend your mobile castle against another mobile castle.

Zelda: Phantom Hourglass is an excellent game. The game play mimics the old classic Link to the Past, except with some unique stylus control. Definitely a must play.

Final Fantasy Tactics Advanced is a GBA SRPG. That is either love / hate. FFTA2 is in the works and is looking to be a lot better than the original. Highly anticipated.

Fire Emblem has several GBA entries and are SRPG type games. Their space counter-part is the Super Robot Wars series. I believe both series have a DS game in the works, although can't verify at this time.

FF3 DS is the original FF3J remade for the DS (a remake instead of a port). Excellent game if you enjoy a challenge. Many of the older FF games are available as GBA ports. The next FF remake will be FF4 DS and is looking to be excellent.

FF12:Revenant Wings is an RTS/RPG hybrid. Pretty unique game play but is growing on me once I got over the initial shock of how different it was.

Etryian Oddysey (Hope I spelled that right) is a first person dungeon crawler, like the old Wizardry games. It is a very challenging and fun game. You actually get to edit and draw the dungeon map yourself while moving around the squares auto fills those in. Very, very cool mapping system. If you enjoy dungeon exploration this game is a must. It also has an engaging leveling system that makes you work for your skills.

Id Software's Elves and Swords (Or something, I can't remember the name). This was originally a cellphone game that got ported to the DS. Simplistic game that doesn't require the stylus, which is a nice change of pace on the DS (oddly enough). The game doesn't require a lot of thought but is incredibly fun to play, I had trouble putting it down and ended up playing through it in only a few days. It is an action RPG with wizardry style movement.

That's all I'm remembering off the top of my head. I think the GBA had some other RPGs, like the Golden Sun series (are they working on a DS sequel?) and the Ogre Tactics series.

Hope this helps.

 

[techwanabe]

Skace,

The comments you had above on a bunch of games are helpful for considering future purchases. I've never played much on the DS or GBA but the Castlevania games seem to get high ratings and I may have to try one sometime!

Also thanks for the forward look at some games not yet out but currently in development.

 

[JDub02]

My brother got me the DS zelda pack for Christmas. Finished up Zelda. Very cool game. Just put an order in for an R4. Now to find some interesting homebrew.

 

[Soundmanred]

Yup, Zelda was awesome after getting used to the controls. I was disappointed in having to use the stylus to control him at first, then it just gets better.
I just started playing Castlevania - Portrait Of Ruin, and I really enjoy it so far.
Oh yeah, I LOVE THE R4!!

 

[Fingolfin269]

I have had a DS since the Lite came out. Unfortunately I've only used it for about two hours and it has been collecting dust ever since. This is not meant to be a bash on the DS but is meant as more of a warning: if you don't find yourself in a lot of situations where handheld gaming is your only option then be wary of this purchase. Some may enjoy sitting around the house and playing with the DS/PSP (I have a 1.5 PSP collecting dust as well!) but I just found that for me they're only useful on the 2 or 3 road trips I take per year.

 

[skace]

Originally posted by: Fingolfin269
I have had a DS since the Lite came out. Unfortunately I've only used it for about two hours and it has been collecting dust ever since. This is not meant to be a bash on the DS but is meant as more of a warning: if you don't find yourself in a lot of situations where handheld gaming is your only option then be wary of this purchase. Some may enjoy sitting around the house and playing with the DS/PSP (I have a 1.5 PSP collecting dust as well!) but I just found that for me they're only useful on the 2 or 3 road trips I take per year.

I like to have it on my nightstand and use it for 30 minutes before I fall asleep, sort of like people who enjoy reading before bed. Works really good because you can close the DS while a game is running and it sort of auto-pauses / hibernates.

*ultra nerdy* It also works really good in conjunction with MMOs. Waiting for a group to form up? Open the DS up and pick up where you left off, when people are ready to go close it up. Between flight points, a boring camp, etc.

I've also used it when laying outside enjoying a nice breeze. That can be so comfortable.

 

[bl4ckfl4g]

Well I ended up getting one and I use it alot. I have an R4 so I watch movies and shows on it too.

 

[techwanabe]

Originally posted by: bl4ckfl4g
Well I ended up getting one and I use it alot. I have an R4 so I watch movies and shows on it too.

Since I'm sort of an "old fart" and totally clueless, how can you use the R4 to watch movies and shows on it? Is there software that comes with it and allows you to download compressed files to ROM's so you can plug them in and watch a show? My daughter might get a kick out of that on trips etc. How much do the R4 set ups cost? Care to explain a little about how they work?

I like to have it on my nightstand and use it for 30 minutes before I fall asleep, sort of like people who enjoy reading before bed. Works really good because you can close the DS while a game is running and it sort of auto-pauses / hibernates.

....

Same here. I mostly leave it on my night stand and play for 30 minutes or whatever before going to sleep. Sure, at home a console is best for gaming or a computer, but I do enjoy the hand held at times. I've taken them on trips and played at airports or on the plane a few times too just to kill some time while waiting. Of course on road trips, I am driving so its not so much like kids do since they are riding in the car or on busses etc. I'm just a big old kid!

 

[Soundmanred]

The R4 is a cartridge that you insert a microSD card into (up to 4GB at the moment for the regular R4) that is the same size as a regular DS cart.
I use DVDFab Platinum to convert shows and movies to a .DPG file that can be played on the DS. There are other ways I'm sure.
It comes with a CD that has the files you need to put on the microSD card that contain the apps to play video, pictures and ROMs.
When you turn the unit on, the touch screen has three options: one button for games, another for multimedia (video, pics), and a third for booting from Slot 2 (the larger slot on the front for SP games. You can also change the brightness, and select whether you want it to enable a soft reboot (hold down all the buttons to reset the DS)
It's very customizable, for example you can change the menu backgrounds, etc. Mine is a pic of my daughter holding the DS. Very cute!
If you only have the R4, you can only play DS roms (games). To play GBA/SP games, you need a Slot 2 unit. They go for around $20 online. (I don't need one since I only play DS games)
The cost of anR4 depends on where you get it and how long you want to wait. My first was from Dealextreme, who no longer sells them and was around $40 shipped, but took more than a month to get. My second was almost $60 with shipping, but only took 4 days.
Let us know if you have any more questions!

 

[techwanabe]

Soundmanred,

Thanks for that explanation. Sounds like it would be a great accessory if one had some movies to convert to watch!

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

I've played pokemon diamond and phantom hourglass; both are fun. each lasted about 50 hours, granted I'm not particularly driven to finish a game. I'm looking for a new game and am considering whether or not to get a DS game or a GBA game. Mario Carts sounds like fun if you have friends with DS's. Looking forward to playing together with my 6 yr old some day soon.

 

[Piuc2020]

The DS is a pretty friggin awesome system, Castlevania and Phoenix Wright are worth the price of admission alone, let alone the HUGE amount of other triple AAA games to play.

It's totally worth it.

 

[J]

After reading some of the comments on this thread i'm going to pick up a ds lite where is the best place to buy one that i can easily exchange if it's has dead pixels?

 

[SaintGRW]

I really like my DS but the only games I really play are Brain Age 1 & 2, Flash Focus and Left Brain, Right Brain.

 

[techwanabe]

Originally posted by: HomeBrewerDude
.... I'm looking for a new game and am considering whether or not to get a DS game or a GBA game. Mario Carts sounds like fun if you have friends with DS's. Looking forward to playing together with my 6 yr old some day soon.

I'd imagine DS games will be your best value but having backward compatibility is always a plus if you really like certain GBA games. My 12 year old has Mario Cart and the nice thing is you can get one copy and multiplay with your kid(s). It's probably easy enough for a 6 year old and something fun you can do together at times.

I have never played Pokimon but it never became popular until well after I was an old fart! I do enjoy roll playing games and I'm finding Run Factory: A Fantasy Harvest Moon a fun diversion to play before I go to bed at night.

After reading some of the comments on this thread i'm going to pick up a ds lite where is the best place to buy one that i can easily exchange if it's has dead pixels?

The pricing seems to be the same everywhere for the DS Lite. There don't seem to be any discount places really. I bought one for a Christmas present and paid $117 at Target by signing up for a credit card (10% off first purchase). I also traded in my old Game Boy Advance SP and got $30 off a new DS Lite at Game Stop but the offer might be over now. Not sure about warranty replacements.

 

[Soundmanred]

Techwanabe is right, for most video game systems there's usually not any places that will sell them cheaper, unless it's some kind of bundle deal, credit sign up, or partial trade-in.
Mario Kart DS is awesome by the way! You play on the top screen and the map and standings, etc are on the bottom screen. I honestly didn't enjoy Mario Kart on the SP. I thought it was restricted on what you could see due to the screen size. Mario kart DS doesn't make me feel that way, and I enjoy it alot more.
One thing I forgot to mention is the built in cheat system on the R4. I thought it would be like most where you had to find hex codes, action replay codes, etc. It actually has cheats preloaded for most games and uses a menu that lets you pick and choose which cheats to activate. Very nice! (I'll admit that I used cheats to beat the boss on Castlevania: Portrait Of Ruin that charms you into attacking the other player. I bypassed alot of frustration by doing that!)
I had to buy a second DS & R4 for my fiancee. She uses it it for brain games, Sodoku and watching videos, and I could never get mine away from her...

 

[techwanabe]

Soundmanred,

If I could only find a fiancee like that! She sounds like a keeper! LOL

TBH, other than a little GBA-SP gaming, I haven't spent much time at all with hand helds. The DS seems like a good system and I only wish the screens were a little bigger. Next system undoubtedly they will be bigger. Still, they are bigger and better than the SP. I've eyeballed the Castlevania series and noted that they get a very good review and rating. Maybe after I'm done with my current RGP I'll give it a shot. The only other game I got since buying this DS in December was Sonic but even though its a great game, I'm finding I'm not that good at it and rely on my daughter to get thru some of the harder parts. Maybe I'll have to trade her the Sonic Rush for her Zelda! I enjoyed Zelda WW on the GC so that looks similar.

 

[Soundmanred]

The Castlevanias are exploration type games like Castlevania - Symphony of the Night (PS1) was, not like the original Castlevania games. I like these kind of games, so I'm enjoying both of them. They remind me of the original Metroid series on NES and SNES. The graphics are nice with some cool effects, and they are fun without being too challenging.
I got Zelda with my DS in the Gold DS bundle and really enjoyed it. It's a little weird blowing or talking into the microphone (which I didn't even know was there!) but adds some uniqueness to the game.
I haven't played Sonic yet, so I can't comment on that.
I've had just about every hand held since the original Gameboy, including the Atari Lynx and Sega Nomad, and the DS is my favorite. I've played the PSP, and just didn't enjoy it that much. The kind of games on the PSP were ones I didn't think were suited for a handheld, and more like console (PS1) games.

 

[JDub02]

This really sucks. Ordered a R4DS from realhotstuff.com .. everything was looking good. My package was even "delivered" a day early. The only problem was that the R4 was never really delivered. DHL (which was the only shipping option that provided tracking) supposedly delivered my package Monday. I was home on Monday and I'm pretty certain they never showed up. I contacted DHL yesterday and they are "investigating" and told me to give it another 2 days to see if it actually shows up.

The good news is that the folks at realhotstuff.com have been quick to respond to e-mails and seem willing to help me out.

After doing some searching on the interwebs, it turns out that DHL has a track record of sucking. I guess I can always fall back and call Amex to see if they'll do anything. I'm definitely not willing to pay for something I never received.

I was so excited to try out the R4, too. This blows.

 

[bl4ckfl4g]

My favorites are:

Advance Wars: Dual Strike
Advance Wars: Days of Ruin
Elite Beat Agents and the 2 Japanese versions
Jump Ultimate Stars (Japanese)
New Super Mario Brothers
Ace Attorney series
Castlevanias
Mario Kart
Ninja Gaiden DS demo

 

[Soundmanred]

I just got my second R4 from Gameyeeeah.com. It cost more (about $55.00) overall with the extra shipping, but I ordered it Sunday and got it this morning. They use DHL too since it's one of the cheapest from Hong Kong (which is where all of these come from).
Very happy with it. DHL does suck compared to most, but if I ever miss a delivery, I just go to the local office and pick it up.