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[Chinbo37]

Just wondering about this. I received a DS Lite from my mom for Christmas years ago (thanks Mom, R.I.P.), and while I did enjoy it I didnt play too many DS games.


Fast forward years later and I picked up a 3DSXL which I do play occasionally. I also play some DS games on it (currently playing New Super Mario Bros DS on it).


I was just wondering if there is a "best" way to play DS games? In terms of screen size, resolution, comfort etc. I guess contenders would be


OG DS
DS Lite
DSI
OG 3DS
2DS
3DSXL
Emulation


Let me know how you guys enjoy DS games cause I think I want to go back and play a bunch that I missed, might pick up a new handheld depending on your replies.

 

[Phoenixus]

I think the wider opinion is the DSiXL is the best way. No problems with them on my n3DS though.

 

[Basileus777]

Well by that criteria it would be emulation. Unless you need portability, it's the way to go.

 

[gngf123]

DSlite or DSi for me.

I wouldn't personally pick any 3DS over a DS, but an XL booted up in 1:1 mode is pretty good. Maybe the n3DSXL makes that even better with the improved screens, haven't found out yet.

For 3D games, emulation could be the best way.

 

[Princess Viola]

I've heard the "best" way is via DSi XL, but I've had no problems playing them 1:1 mode on my N3DSXL.

 

[Diprosalic]

i like DSiXL the best.

 

[Mutagenic]

DSi. Good dpad and shoulder buttons. Very light. Matte finish. It's great.

 

[Santiako]

DSi XL or regular DSi if you don't like the bigger pixels.

 

[GamerJM]

DSi XL or New 3DS XL for the ability to use the circlepad

Originally I used DSi XL but I got tired of carrying around two DS systems all the time so I just switched over to using 3DS XL around the time that came out and I didn't really notice issues even though I know that it's technically inferior.

 

[GrotesqueBeauty]

I actually prefer the DS Lite for ergonomic reasons and superior battery life, but I could see an argument for the slightly larger screen, clickier buttons, and downloadable games of the DSi. Pixel density and portability are shit on the XL imo.

As you might imagine I'm not very happy with the N3DS/N3DSXL situation in NA.

 

[Chinbo37]

Honestly I have been playing DS games on my 3DSXL stretched (GASP) just cause I cant stand the smaller screen.

But its a pain to use the Dpad based on its location (too low).


I might pick up a DSiXL.


Are the DS games/system region locked?

 

[23qwerty]

if your computer can handle it, I imagine emulating using the DeSmuME fork that supports upscaling would be the best way.
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=798812

 

[LonelyGreyWolf]

DS games look better on DS than on 3DS. I'd say DSi is the best way to play DS games.

 

[GamerJM]

Honestly I have been playing DS games on my 3DSXL stretched (GASP) just cause I cant stand the smaller screen.

But its a pain to use the Dpad based on its location (too low).


I might pick up a DSiXL.


Are the DS games/system region locked?

The only thing that's region locked are games that take advantage of DSi-specific features. So if you get an import copy of say, Pokemon B/W 1 or 2 or Fire Emblem Shin Monshou, you can't play them on your DSi XL (had to break out the Lite for Fire Emblem, and probably would have imported Pokemon if not for this :\).

 

[wrowa]

Well by that criteria it would be emulation. Unless you need portability, it's the way to go.

Don't really agree with that in this particular case. While DS games look better emulated than on the original hardware, the graphics just don't hold up when playing on a standard monitor that's a hundred times larger than the DS's original display. There's also the issue of touch screen controls, which often are quite awkward on a PC emulator.

In the end, it depends on the game.

 

[Yoshi]

Depending on if the game is better played with a D-Pad or a CirclePad, it's either DS Lite / DSi or any 3DS. DS Lite / DSi have the best looks and better reachability of the D-Pad, 3DS has the Circle Pad. Super Mario 64 DS without the thumb strap basically is unplayble of the classic DS, also Lufia: Curse of the Sinistrals recently was uncomfortable with the original system, but quite playable on 3DS. In respect to looks it's no competition though, DS games look like ass on 3DS.

 

[gngf123]

Are the DS games/system region locked?

Only DSi-enhanced stuff, the vast majority of the DS library is region free.

 

[zigg]

DSi or XL. I had a great time with DSi.

3DSes aren't bad choices, but they are upscaled (not uprendered) and that does make things a bit less sharp. Still very playable though, I don't personally have a huge problem with them. You can run games in a shrunken 1:1 pixel mode if you want.

Anything but DS Lite. Nonfunctional d-pad diagonals (on top of the risk of broken hinges, etc.) are the worst. I'd take an OG DS over a DS Lite.

 

[Basileus777]

Don't really agree with that in this particular case. While DS games look better emulated than on the original hardware, the graphics just don't hold up when playing on a standard monitor that's a hundred times larger than the DS's original display. There's also the issue of touch screen controls, which often are quite awkward on a PC emulator.

In the end, it depends on the game.

It does depend on the game, but in most cases, a mouse is fine for touch screen controls. For 3D games you can render at a higher resolution, making the screen size less of an issue. Or you could just played it windowed, you don't need to upscale it across the entire monitor.

 

[Vindicator]

Just ordered Aliens: Infestation, will give it a shot on my N3DSXL, if it doesn't work there's still a DSiXL lying around. Might depend on the D_Pad placement.

 

[Rephin]

DSi XL for sure. I like the bigger screen. A close second is the DS lite

 

[Ban Puncher]

Smart Phones

 

[Mike Golf]

I have owned the OG DS, DS Lite and DSi. Out of those the DSi is the best. It's screens are larger than the OG or Lite but not by as much as the XL making it just right in my opinion. The screens are also much brighter than the previous iterations and color saturation is greatly improved along with much louder and more crisp sounding speakers. Never owned a DSi XL but of the demos I had seen at the time in stores it was simply too big for the resolution of DS games making them look far too pixelated.

 

[pinkurocket]

Smart Phones

Spoiler

DSi is my personal fave

 

[Benzychenz]

I bought a DSi XL last week and this is definitely it. Just feels right.

 

[ArmsOfSorrow]

DSi is the way to go -> no wobbly buttons (I'm looking at you, DS Lite) and great screens.
Can't comment on the XL, since I've never tried it.

 

[Miker]

DSi XL, no two ways about it. It's simply the best handheld hardware Nintendo has made. Amazing screen, great build quality, and classy exterior. I own a DS Lite (good, but small) and 3DS XL (awful all around) and my DSi XL is still my go-to DS player.

 

[akidnamededdy]

If you have a 3DS XL there's not really a good reason to track down a DSi XL.

 

[Starwolf_UK]

If you do choose 3DS remember to hold select for 1:1 resolution and no crappy upscaling (with upscaling it is the worse way since the DS phat).

The only thing that's region locked are games that take advantage of DSi-specific features. So if you get an import copy of say, Pokemon B/W 1 or 2 or Fire Emblem Shin Monshou, you can't play them on your DSi XL (had to break out the Lite for Fire Emblem, and probably would have imported Pokemon if not for this :\).

That is the worst example as the US and EU versions are the only DSi enhanced games to be region free. Why this is nobody knows.

if your computer can handle it, I imagine emulating using the DeSmuME fork that supports upscaling would be the best way.
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=798812

Yep emulation is a good option for polygon stuff as that thread shows (see how many games have textures you actually can't see at native resolution). For 2d it doesn't matter as much.

 

[sixteen-bit]

DSi

 

[roytheone]

If you want to play games that are only controlled by touch, I recommend the Android emulator DraStic. It is fantastic to always have some Layton games in your pocket so that you can complete a puzzle or two when waiting for something.