Getting a DS Lite for my kid - New or Used? (Vote)

[stuman74]

Since my 5 year olds fight over our DS Lite, I am planning to get a second one. It would be primarily for my daughter so I am considering either:

Used Coral Pink from Gamestop which is $99.99 ($109.99 with a 1-year GS warranty included).
New Metallic Rose which is $129.99 (I think a 3-month warranty from Nintendo...not sure).

The reason I'd go to Gamestop for the used one is because I have some trade-in credit on my Edge card that I can use.

But is it worth it to save ~$20 or so for a used one as long as it works fine and is in good condition?

 

[darrontrask]

I got my boys 2 used DS's at Gamestop at Christmas time and they have worked flawlessly. I am glad i saved the money on the used ones. they play them everyday and i am not as worried if they get banged up as i would if they were new.

ages 8 and 9 if that makes a difference.

 

[Baked]

If you buy used, just make sure the hinges are not cracked and the touch screen is functional.

 

[pontifex]

for a $20 difference i would go new. not enough difference in price to make up for a used and possibly abused system.

 

[zgmfx10a]

Originally posted by: pontifex
for a $20 difference i would go new. not enough difference in price to make up for a used and possibly abused system.

R4DS.. nuff said

 

[stuman74]

Originally posted by: zgmfx10a

Originally posted by: pontifex
for a $20 difference i would go new. not enough difference in price to make up for a used and possibly abused system.

R4DS.. nuff said

What's that? For playing music on your DS or something?

 

[viivo]

Originally posted by: pontifex
for a $20 difference i would go new. not enough difference in price to make up for a used and possibly abused system.

Gamestop should let you take a look at any used system and play it before you buy it. They even have quite a generous return policy on used/opened items.


edit: of course I may just have a really cool store near me since I've never encountered any of the trouble I've read about. I was in there last week when a guy brought back a refurbished arcade unit; they took one look at it, went into the back, brought out a refurbished elite (console-only) and traded it with no questions asked.

 

[Jack Flash]

Originally posted by: stuman74

Originally posted by: zgmfx10a

Originally posted by: pontifex
for a $20 difference i would go new. not enough difference in price to make up for a used and possibly abused system.

R4DS.. nuff said

What's that? For playing music on your DS or something?

It can play music but they mostly, though not exclusively, are used to play pirated ROMs. That is, of course, a no-no.

Other DS flash carts are much cheaper. This one is under $6.00 shipped.

 

[mmntech]

Originally posted by: pontifex
for a $20 difference i would go new. not enough difference in price to make up for a used and possibly abused system.

Don't knock $20 savings. You can get a system and a game for the price of a new DS Lite. Especially used and GBA titles.

 

[PieIsAwesome]

If you can take a look at it and make sure that its in good condition then go for it.

Otherwise go with new, Nintendo has a 1 year warranty on their systems last time I checked.

 

[fatpat268]

I'll sell you mine for $85

At any rate, unless there's some major nicks and dings on it, you might as well go used.

 

[stuman74]

Well, I bought a used Coral Pink. Pretty decent condition, good looking screens. Compared to my ~1-year old DS lite (Cobalt/Black) that I had purchased new at the time, I would say that the screen hinge is slightly more loose (but not bad, locks into all the same positions) and the touch screen maybe has a slightly different sensitivity compared to the Cobalt (when playing Brain Age 2 on the Coral Pink, I sometimes had to repeat a tap harder than the first time and sometimes when writing a number in the math puzzle, the number was incomplete unless I pressed a bit harder). If I didn't already have the Cobalt one, I probably wouldn't know any difference and would think it's fine. Maybe I'm just nit-picking since I know it is used.

 

[stuman74]

Also, what are the recommended screen protectors for the DS Lite? I have religiously used BestSkinsEver skins for my iPods, cell phones, and current iPhone in the past, but wasn't sure if that surface works ok for a stylus on the lower screen of the DS Lite. Thanks!

 

[Dumac]

Originally posted by: stuman74
Well, I bought a used Coral Pink. Pretty decent condition, good looking screens. Compared to my ~1-year old DS lite (Cobalt/Black) that I had purchased new at the time, I would say that the screen hinge is slightly more loose (but not bad, locks into all the same positions) and the touch screen maybe has a slightly different sensitivity compared to the Cobalt (when playing Brain Age 2 on the Coral Pink, I sometimes had to repeat a tap harder than the first time and sometimes when writing a number in the math puzzle, the number was incomplete unless I pressed a bit harder). If I didn't already have the Cobalt one, I probably wouldn't know any difference and would think it's fine. Maybe I'm just nit-picking since I know it is used.

Did you check the hinge for any small cracks that can lead to a broken hinge?

Originally posted by: stuman74
Also, what are the recommended screen protectors for the DS Lite? I have religiously used BestSkinsEver skins for my iPods, cell phones, and current iPhone in the past, but wasn't sure if that surface works ok for a stylus on the lower screen of the DS Lite. Thanks!

I wouldn't get a screen protector. I don't see the point, and it would probably lower functionality of the touch screen.

 

[stuman74]

Originally posted by: Dumac

Originally posted by: stuman74
Well, I bought a used Coral Pink. Pretty decent condition, good looking screens. Compared to my ~1-year old DS lite (Cobalt/Black) that I had purchased new at the time, I would say that the screen hinge is slightly more loose (but not bad, locks into all the same positions) and the touch screen maybe has a slightly different sensitivity compared to the Cobalt (when playing Brain Age 2 on the Coral Pink, I sometimes had to repeat a tap harder than the first time and sometimes when writing a number in the math puzzle, the number was incomplete unless I pressed a bit harder). If I didn't already have the Cobalt one, I probably wouldn't know any difference and would think it's fine. Maybe I'm just nit-picking since I know it is used.

Did you check the hinge for any small cracks that can lead to a broken hinge?

Originally posted by: stuman74
Also, what are the recommended screen protectors for the DS Lite? I have religiously used BestSkinsEver skins for my iPods, cell phones, and current iPhone in the past, but wasn't sure if that surface works ok for a stylus on the lower screen of the DS Lite. Thanks!

I wouldn't get a screen protector. I don't see the point, and it would probably lower functionality of the touch screen.

I checked pretty good and didn't see any small cracks or anything, but it still does "flop" quite a bit.

I put a couple of cheap old fellows screen protectors on that I cut to size. Has a lot of bubbles. Not too bad when the screens are lit, but if they don't dissipate in a couple days, I'll peel them off.

 

[stuman74]

Well, I wound up taking the Coral Pink one back and threw down the extra money for the new Metallic Rose. Seems more sturdy and of course is real clean. Now I hope she doesn't ding it up

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: Dumac

Originally posted by: stuman74
Also, what are the recommended screen protectors for the DS Lite? I have religiously used BestSkinsEver skins for my iPods, cell phones, and current iPhone in the past, but wasn't sure if that surface works ok for a stylus on the lower screen of the DS Lite. Thanks!

I wouldn't get a screen protector. I don't see the point, and it would probably lower functionality of the touch screen.

I would absolutely, definitely get a screen protector for a five year old's DS. I have one on mine, too. It didn't appear to impede my gameplay throughout the entirety of Zelda, Rocket Slime, or Mario Vs DK 2, all touch-screen heavy games.
Dunno if it's still that way, but when I got them everyone was raving about the Hori protectors.

 

[spacelord]

We picked up a used DS Lite with 6 games, and a nice case for a decent deal from someone on Craigslist. The only thing that sucked is that it reaked of smoke... it has since faded though.