Things I Have Decided On

 

I will get a DS Lite if I can get a flash cart that works.

 

I will get either a CycloDS Evolution.

 

I will likely buy the flash cart through eBay, because it is the only thing that I really trust.

 

I might buy one or two games, probably won't.

 

 

 

Left my original post with all of it's edits for you to read. Thank you to Lionheart_0, my friend, and everyone who posted for helping me decide. Especially Nadril because of his "Official NDS Thread" thread with it's information about the R4 and flash carts, along with letting me know that there may be others that actually work.

 

 

 

 

 

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So, after reading the Pokeventures thread, I got the idea that maybe getting a Nintendo DS wouldn't be such a bad idea. I do have some questions, mainly involving games. Just to start off, here is a list of games I would consider buying, ones that I really want to get underlined. Also, prices will be attached, total price of DS+underlined games after tax at the bottom.

 

 

 

Tax is 14%

 

______________________________________________________

 

Item...............................Before/After Tax

 

 

 

Nintendo DS......................$129.99/$148.19

 

Mario Kart .......................$44.99/$51.29

 

Super Mario 64..................$39.99/$45.59

 

New Super Mario Bros...........$39.99/$45.59

 

Pokemon Diamond/Pearl........$34.99/$39.89

 

The Legend of Spyro............$19.99/$22.79

 

Megaman Series.................$19.99-29.99/$22.79-34.19

 

Animal Crossing: Wild World...$34.99/$39.98

 

Spore..............................$29.99/$34.19

 

Final Fantasy IV..................$39.99/$45.59

 

Legend of Zelda: PH.............$34.99/$39.89

 

Metroid Prime: Hunters.........$44.99/51.29

 

 

 

Also Pokemon Sapphire/Ruby/Emerald

 

 

 

Total..............................$249.96/$284.95

 

All Games + DS After Tax......$518.59

 

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Comments/suggestions on the games would be thanked.

 

I am still uncertain whether I should buy a DS. Convince me in either buying or not if you like.

 

Is the DS Lite better than regular DS (Price is the same)?

 

What does the DS use as memory?

 

From the NDS thread I've heard of homebrew games. Is there anything special other than memory that I need to buy?

 

I'm guessing that for WiFi, I only need to already have wireless connection (Which I do have)?

 

Are there any Legend of Zelda games for DS?

 

 

 

My budget is $350; $400 after tax.

 

 

 

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Possible Flash carts:

 

R4DS

 

CylcoDS Evolution

 

M3 DS Simply - Does anyone know if it is compatible with anything larger than 1GB?

 

This really appeals to me

 

 

 

I'm really just wondering about how well the last three work if anyone knows. If I can't find out then I don't really trust them and will just buy the R4. Actually, I found an R4 online for $26.99 US. Might just go with that, or the M3 because it supports larger than 4GB.

 

 

 

I am paranoid about ordering stuff online. So far RoyalDS.net is the site I trust the most, just because it is hosted by Yahoo. Anyone know of a site that they've used - other than eBay - that would sell an M3/R4?

Don't forget Metroid Prime: Hunters. That's a good one.

 

 

 

There's Phantom Hourglass, I think, for DS. I remember watching the Zero Punctuation review for it, I think, and it sounded mostly decent except for repetitive dungeons and at some point screaming into the mic.

 

 

 

The DS uses what all Gameboys have used, and that's the game itself, for memory.

 

 

 

My experiences with both regular and Lite say regular is better, the only advantage of the Lite being an adjustable (and bright as hell) backlight.

 

 

 

For WiFi, all I've had to do is sit near my computer (wireless connection, that may/may not have played a role in that).

If you get rubie/saphire/emerald, go with emerald it has a better storyline and has a lot more content.

PSP beats DS by miles, so not to buy. [/sony fanboy ego]

Don't forget Metroid Prime: Hunters. That's a good one.

 

 

 

There's Phantom Hourglass, I think, for DS. I remember watching the Zero Punctuation review for it, I think, and it sounded mostly decent except for repetitive dungeons and at some point screaming into the mic.

 

 

 

The DS uses what all Gameboys have used, and that's the game itself, for memory.

 

 

 

My experiences with both regular and Lite say regular is better, the only advantage of the Lite being an adjustable (and bright as hell) backlight.

 

 

 

 

Games added, but I was under the impression that in order to get the homebrew games on you DS, you needed something like a microSD card.

 

 

 

I was thinking that regular would be better, especially for me since Lite is 2/3 the size (Big hands : )

 

 

 

EDIT: Answer came form Nadril's NDS thread. Looks like I will need an R4DS card along with a microSD card.

An R4DS will be hard to find right now, I would recommend a different flash cart. Look around online at reviews, there are some that allow for SDHC cards (4GB - 8GB storage) which is nice.

 

 

 

 

 

The lite is miles ahead of the regular (or phat) DS. Really the only reason to get the phat is if you are clumsy and drop it a lot, or are a kid. The Lite is much better looking, a much better backlight and is smaller to boot. Plus the lite looks a lot less like a kids toy :thumbup: .

 

 

 

 

 

pssst you don't have to buy the games. Not going to say any more :P

An R4DS will be hard to find right now, I would recommend a different flash cart. Look around online at reviews, there are some that allow for SDHC cards (4GB - 8GB storage) which is nice.

 

 

 

 

 

The lite is miles ahead of the regular (or phat) DS. Really the only reason to get the phat is if you are clumsy and drop it a lot, or are a kid. The Lite is much better looking, a much better backlight and is smaller to boot. Plus the lite looks a lot less like a kids toy :thumbup: .

 

 

 

 

 

pssst you don't have to buy the games. Not going to say any more :P

 

 

 

Apparently my friend's parents got him one at a mall (I guess I should mention that in the Wiki entry, the mall is called "Asian"). Although he did get an R4+2GB microSD for $180. I'm just planning on buying the games on the chance that I can't get a flash cart.

$180? Really? One of my friends wanted a DS + R4 and stuff for his birthday, so a bunch of my (other) friends and I all chipped in and came up with like $200 for the DS and R4. And both have worked properly, so it's not like we bought off some cheap shop that sells broken things. Though if Nadril is correct, they won't have any in stock right now.

 

Anyway, I remember from trying to find him stuff that we couldn't find a regular DS. Yeah, sad. I would say Lite is better though, from what I've seen. (Don't have a DS myself, pity...)

PSP beats DS by miles, so not to buy. [/sony fanboy ego]

 

 

 

I agree, but the DS has more games

PSP beats DS by miles, so not to buy. [/sony fanboy ego]

 

 

 

I agree, but the DS has more games

 

 

 

The reason I'm not even considering it is because I have played a friends, and probably the only game I actually like is PataPon, or whatever it's called. Other than that, I don't like anything about it.

R4+2GB microSD for $180

 

 

 

Damn, $180? My R4 and 2GB MicroSD cost maybe $40-50.

 

 

 

 

 

Also as far as the PSP goes the only reason to get it over a DS really is just it can run more powerful homebrew. DS can run more innovative homebrew (with the touch screen) but the PSP has a lot more power behind it.

 

 

 

That being said the game library for the DS is miles ahead of the PSP.

I prefer my good old regular DS. The new DS lite looks nice and all, but I got used to my regular DS when I bought it when it came out so I had no reason to change it. The lite has it's advantages, but I'm pretty sure it's more expensive.

 

 

 

You should consider buying used games instead of new, most places will let you return a game if it doesnt work right (if you go to a store and not online that is) My experiences with used games has always been good.

 

 

 

(P.S. Spyro games suck nowadays)

I prefer my good old regular DS. The new DS lite looks nice and all, but I got used to my regular DS when I bought it when it came out so I had no reason to change it. The lite has it's advantages, but I'm pretty sure it's more expensive.

 

 

 

You should consider buying used games instead of new, most places will let you return a game if it doesnt work right (if you go to a store and not online that is) My experiences with used games has always been good.

 

 

 

(P.S. Spyro games suck nowadays)

 

 

 

The lite is like $10 more.

 

 

 

Also if you're going to buy the games, please, don't buy used games. The money goes to the store instead of developers and you only save like $5.

nintendo DS never appealed to me. seems like an overdone attempt to bring back the gameboy glory days.

 

 

 

get a psp. even though its a little more money there are better graphics, more available games, and ability to surf the web (i think?) and download movies.

nintendo DS never appealed to me. seems like an overdone attempt to bring back the gameboy glory days.

 

 

 

get a psp. even though its a little more money there are better graphics, more available games, and ability to surf the web (i think?) and download movies.

 

 

 

Better graphics wouldn't be the right word, I find a lot of the DS games to be looking better than PSP. Purely a matter of artistic style though. The PSP certainly has more power behind it though.

 

 

 

More games? A quick look at www.gamerankings.com actually shows both the DS and PSP to have plenty of strong titles (45+ at 80% or higher rating) and it really is a matter of personal preference to which you enjoy.

 

 

 

Surfing the web is actually a possibility on the DS with a flash cart, fairly limited however.

 

 

 

And finally I've played movies on a flash cart. They aren't as high quality but it is possible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Like I said though I enjoy the DS more, I've had a chance to use both. The only reason I would get a PSP is for homebrew reasons.

The cream of the crop flashcart atm is the CycloDS, they release firmware updates on a regular basis, their cart has real time save (turn off your ds and start from the point you left off anytime), and supports SDHC cards up to 8GB. The R4 only supports cards up to 2GB.

 

 

 

The R4 is a good budget card, but if you want all the features get a Cyclo. M3 is basically identical to the R4.

 

 

 

I am still uncertain whether I should buy a DS. Convince me in either buying or not if you like.

 

Is the DS Lite better than regular DS (Price is the same)?

 

The DS Lite is miles better that the DS phat, I would not even consider getting an original DS...

 

DS phat = You won't be able to play it outside. DS lite = You can basically play it anywhere. The lite is worth it for the screens alone.

 

Watch these two vids and you will see:

 

[hide=]Xp7Be1qsblI

 

eC-3HoPOD9I [/hide]

 

 

 

 

 

What does the DS use as memory?

 

Memory? DS games save on their cartridge, the DS has 4 megs of built in ram. Slot 1 flash carts (NDS game size) support microSD-microSDHC cards.

 

 

 

From the NDS thread I've heard of homebrew games. Is there anything special other than memory that I need to buy?

 

For homebrew you only need a flashcart and a memory card.

 

 

 

I'm guessing that for WiFi, I only need to already have wireless connection (Which I do have)?

 

For Wifi you need a WEP connection, DS doesn't support WPA unfortunately.

 

 

 

Are there any Legend of Zelda games for DS?

 

Only Legend of Zelda game is Phantom Hourglass, however you an emulate game boy-gameboy color (maybe even NES?) zelda games with emulators on the ds.

 

 

 

You won't go wrong with any of the flashcarts you've listed.

 

 

 

I am paranoid about ordering stuff online. So far RoyalDS.net is the site I trust the most, just because it is hosted by Yahoo. Anyone know of a site that they've used - other than eBay - that would sell an M3/R4?

 

R4: http://www.dealextreme.com/search.dx/search.M3

 

 

 

I got my R4 from this site.

 

 

 

I'm open to any more questions you may have. ;)

[hide=Abelmisi said]

The cream of the crop flashcart atm is the CycloDS, they release firmware updates on a regular basis, their cart has real time save (turn off your ds and start from the point you left off anytime), and supports SDHC cards up to 8GB. The R4 only supports cards up to 2GB.

 

 

 

The R4 is a good budget card, but if you want all the features get a Cyclo. M3 is basically identical to the R4.

 

 

 

I am still uncertain whether I should buy a DS. Convince me in either buying or not if you like.

 

Is the DS Lite better than regular DS (Price is the same)?

 

The DS Lite is miles better that the DS phat, I would not even consider getting an original DS...

 

DS phat = You won't be able to play it outside. DS lite = You can basically play it anywhere. The lite is worth it for the screens alone.

 

Watch these two vids and you will see:

 

[hide=]Xp7Be1qsblI

 

eC-3HoPOD9I [/hide]

 

 

 

 

 

What does the DS use as memory?

 

Memory? DS games save on their cartridge, the DS has 4 megs of built in ram. Slot 1 flash carts (NDS game size) support microSD-microSDHC cards.

 

 

 

From the NDS thread I've heard of homebrew games. Is there anything special other than memory that I need to buy?

 

For homebrew you only need a flashcart and a memory card.

 

 

 

I'm guessing that for WiFi, I only need to already have wireless connection (Which I do have)?

 

For Wifi you need a WEP connection, DS doesn't support WPA unfortunately.

 

 

 

Are there any Legend of Zelda games for DS?

 

Only Legend of Zelda game is Phantom Hourglass, however you an emulate game boy-gameboy color (maybe even NES?) zelda games with emulators on the ds.

 

 

 

You won't go wrong with any of the flashcarts you've listed.

 

 

 

I am paranoid about ordering stuff online. So far RoyalDS.net is the site I trust the most, just because it is hosted by Yahoo. Anyone know of a site that they've used - other than eBay - that would sell an M3/R4?

 

R4: http://www.dealextreme.com/search.dx/search.M3

 

 

 

I got my R4 from this site.

 

 

 

I'm open to any more questions you may have. ;)

 

[/hide]

 

Thanks for the information. I knew that game saves were on the cartridge, it was stuff for homebrew and emulators that I was wondering about. At first I couldn't remember whether the NDS had a fully-functional SD slot, or if an adapter was used. Since the CycloDS has so much support behind it from the company, I think I'll go with that. Also, the site lists retailers that sell, so that means that I'll trust it a lot more than any other site.

 

 

 

I had already decided I would buy the Lite; those videos only gave me even more reason to buy it (Phat is uuugly).

 

 

 

New question: How do I find out whether my connection is WEP of WPA?

DS is worth it if you have time to play when you travel a lot. Besides, with a cart, it's basically free games. Mario Kart DS is pretty fun.

How do I find out whether my connection is WEP of WPA?

 

I would seriously post that question computers/tech forum as you'd be more likely to get an answer faster that way.

How do I find out whether my connection is WEP of WPA?

 

 

 

WEP and WPA aren't connections, just an encryption type. To check what security you have enabled, you'll need to access your router. To access the router, you need to type in the IP address into your browser, like a regular link. The IP address is usually on a label on the router, although http://192.168.0.1/ might work.

 

 

 

Depending on what router brand you have, the login information might be different. On my router, the default user name is admin, and the password field is left blank. Once you've logged in you'll need to find "wireless settings" or similar, and you should be able to find the security type.

 

 

 

If you need more help, you can PM me or post here.

 

 

 

EDIT: It would help a lot if you post your router brand and name. The name can also be found on the label or the box, if you still have it.

How do I find out whether my connection is WEP of WPA?

 

 

 

WEP and WPA aren't connections, just an encryption type. To check what security you have enabled, you'll need to access your router. To access the router, you need to type in the IP address into your browser, like a regular link. The IP address is usually on a label on the router, although http://192.168.0.1/ might work.

 

 

 

Depending on what router brand you have, the login information might be different. On my router, the default user name is admin, and the password field is left blank. Once you've logged in you'll need to find "wireless settings" or similar, and you should be able to find the security type.

 

 

 

If you need more help, you can PM me or post here.

 

 

 

EDIT: It would help a lot if you post your router brand and name. The name can also be found on the label or the box, if you still have it.

 

 

 

D-Link DI 524.

 

I knew exactly what you wre talking about because I was trying to forward my ports so I could host a game on Halo:CE Pc. PortForward.com tells me the username is "admin" and password field is left blank, but that doesn't work.

I thought my reply didn't go through, turns out it was on another page; sorry for the double-post :wall:

Are there any Legend of Zelda games for DS?

 

Only Legend of Zelda game is Phantom Hourglass, however you an emulate game boy-gameboy color (maybe even NES?) zelda games with emulators on the ds.

 

 

 

I can confirm that Zelda I + II for the NES work, Zelda III: Link to the Past for the SNES works perfectly and obviously the Zeldas for gameboy should work flawlessly as well.

I had a DS, but it was stolen with my Pokemon Pearl :cry:

 

 

 

Highly reccomend the game though, I had so much fun with it. New Super Mario Bros is just as fun.

After playing Pong in my head of whether my favour lies with the R4DS or the CycloDS Evolution, I have decided to settle on the Cyclo. The thing that made me really decide what the full download play support, and true drag 'n' drop feature. This review is what really made me choose sides once and for all; I'm willing to spend more for ease of use, simply because I can afford it. Now I just have to convince my parents to let me buy it #-o

 

 

 

EDIT: The ping-pong is starting back up, mainly because I realized what download play actually was (I thought it was a major part of the game, turns out it won't even matter for me.