Is the Nintendo DS worth the extra 50 you pay over the GBA SP?

[jediphx]

Just debating whether to get the Gameboy Advance SP or the Nintendo DS

 

[CuriousMike]

If you can afford the extra $50, then I say yes... if you care about DS Software.

Or, consider buying a used DS (you'll find a clean one, trust me ) and you can cut it to about $30 more.

a) The DS can play DS *and* GBA games
b) The DS has Mario Kart and Animal Crossing....

If you only want to play GBA games, then all this is moot.

 

[Frodolives]

Some of the variables are pretty obvious, and you likely know about them. They are all cool features if you use them and like them. The wireless gaming and picto-chat capability with other players when you're nearby, the wifi connectivity supported by some DS titles, the use of touch screen and mic input for certain DS titles, as well as second screen providing other dimensions of game info or graphics for DS games.

Also you will exclude some titles from your choice by not selecting the DS.

Having said all of that, in my opinion there are limitations to what sort of games are enjoyable on such small screens, and for the most part GBA game titles offer pretty much of those choices that I think are suitable. Namely, Final Fantasy sorts of gaming, some old classic NES/SNES conversions like Castlevania titles, and a few relaxing things like golf and poker.

I don't care how great they make adventure and fps games look on it, I just don't find a point to playing them on either of these systems.

So basically, I love my DS, but the GBA port is doing a lot of the work

 

[jediphx]

do you think more and more games will come out to utilize the DS's perks more?

 

[jediphx]

what worries me about the DS is that I was reading a lot of the reviews on the DS games and apart from Mario Cart DS all the others seem horrible and get horrible or mediocre reviews. Thats why im wondering if the DS would be a waste. most games i seem interested in is the castlevanias, all the zeldas old and new, the FF's etc.

 

[Frodolives]

On another forum I visit DS titles are going pretty well. Some of the new releases look interesting to me, but that's also true of some GBA titles.

If money is tight there's nothing bad about finding a nice GBA on sale in my view. Sounds like you'd enjoy it, and if your area is anything like mine, there's a good selection of used GBA titles on sale, as well as some newer ones being found at a discount. You can always trade up later and keep the GBA games you like.

 

[A5]

Mario Kart DS is worth the price alone, IMO...I only got a brief play with it, but I enjoyed it more than any GBA game I own.

 

[nsafreak]

It's well worth it. The number of good DS games continues to grow and will for some time. Plus you can play your GBA games on it. I currently have Mario Kart DS, Mario 64 DS, Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow, Meteos, and Lunar: Dragon Song. All of them are great games and are a lot of fun to play. Mario Kart DS is downright addicting with all of the good stuff from the previous Mario Karts in it and made even better with the wireless multiplayer via the internet.

 

[Agnostos Insania]

DS is to GBA as PS3 is to PS2 (PS1). It's a new system, it's better, it has exclusive games but can still play the older system's games.
It's a pretty easy decision if you ask me.

 

[DanTMWTMP]

DS IS FRIGGIN AWESOME!!!! i just got mine and love it!!

Kart DS is fun!!.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Advance Wars: Dual Strike - Bloody amazing fun!
MK: DS - Nuff said
Wario Ware touched - No other pick up and play game like it

Super Monkey Ball: touch and roll - can't wait!