For your reservations about the DS, i suggest you check out my thread about the DS Lite, which is due out on June 23rd. It's smaller, sleeker and generally better than the original.

As far as the Gameboy Advance/SP/Micro go... The SP and Micro are the same price, so the Micro, being smaller and easier to lug around is the sensible choice.

Games wise, the graphics aren't 'bad' but they're not on the same level as the DS, and their many generations behind that of the PSP. It depends what you're into, graphics or gameplay.

The Gameboy Advance platform has hundreds of games of high quality in many many genres. Development on the system is still happening, but it's slowing down while the DS is still cranking up.

Personally, i'd pass on the Gameboy and get the DS Lite, but that's just me

Thanks for that Maff - I'm really behind in terms of handhelds...I've not really had much experience with one since the GameGear!

The more I look into the DSLite, the more set I am on it. I'm not really one for the newest thing, but then again I don't want it to become obselete soon after I get it. The only real thing about the DS thatwas putting me off was the size of the thing - and the Lite seems to sort that out!

Do you have any recommendations for good games on it? I'm set on Nintendogs (I'm soft over fluffy puppies!) but am open to any other suggestions .

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by head2head
Do you have any recommendations for good games on it? I'm set on Nintendogs (I'm soft over fluffy puppies!) but am open to any other suggestions .

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Erm, that's a difficult question. What are you into?

Nintendogs is the Pet Simulator, and apparently very addictive.

If you're into puzzle games, there's Tetris DS, a beefed up version of the classic, with new graphics and tons of new takes on the gameplay. There's also Meteos, which had great reviews, and Pokemon Link, which is another block-puzzler.

Nintendo is soon releasing it's Brain Training games, which are 'games' that include brain teasers, sudoku puzzles and whatnot. They've sold well elsewhere, but whether they will here is anyone's guess.

If you're into action games, Metroid Prime Hunters is the DS game for you. It's a first person shooter, very much in the vein of the Gamecube games.

If you're into racing, the top game is Mario Kart DS, supposedly the best of all the Mario Kart Games.

If RPGs are your thang then i'd reccomend Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time. It's supposed to stick to standard RPG fare and be hilariously funny. Laugh out loud funny if you believe the reviews.

The week after the DS Lite comes out, Nintendo is releasing New Super Mario Bros, which is exactly what it sounds like. It's a return to classic side-scrolling style Mario-play, but with touch-screen and graphical improvements. The reviews from across the Atlantic peg it as one of the best platformers ever.

As you can probably tell, i've been researching all this myself. I want a DS Lite myself when they're released in June. I think i'm probably going to go with Metroid Prime Hunters at first and then pick up New Super Mario Bros.

Thanks again Maff .

I've been looking into a few of those myself. To be honest, having never had a handheld, I'm not really too sure what I'm into! On the PC I've enjoyed sims games and a good bout of Unreal Tournament...I'm thinking of Nintendogs, Metroid Prime, Phoenix Wright, Trauma Center (operating on people looks cool!) or Mario Kart DS.

By the way, what games do you have to use to mic to control things in? I'm going to be using it on the train and talking to my console in a carriage packed full of suits could be embarrassing...although I could get some gba games and use those on the train instead....

Decisions decisions...

As far as i'm aware, Nintendogs definitely has microphone interaction, but i'm not sure about stuff like Phoenix Wright and Trauma Center. Your best bet is to check out some reviews at a site like IGN DS.

OK so I caved in and pre-ordered a DS lite from Play today . I also managed to pick up Advance Wars: Dual Strike and Need for Speed Underground for a total of £24 in a Comet bargain bin!

*dead chuffed*

How are Play at delivering pre-orders on time?! *over excited*

(Edited by head2head 04/06/2006 19:30)

Cool

I'm looking forward to mine arriving when it comes out. I ordered Metroid Prime Hunters and New Super Mario Bros.

I'm trying to stop myself buying any more games before the lite arrives - there's loads that I really ilke the look of, but buying games and having them glare at me while I've got nothing to play them on will only depress me! lol!

Apparently, distributors have managed to 'lose' about 2.5 million dollars worth of Black DS Lites destined for the European market....damn. Here's hoping I manage to get mine :S. I'm having a hard time waiting a week let alone any longer!!

I'll bet Sony did it...

Story here - www.play-gadgets.com/2006/06/14/232-million-of-black-nintendo-ds-lite-gone-missing

(Edited by head2head 15/06/2006 13:04)

That's one hell of a lot of Game Boys on the black market falling out the back of one hell of a large van, wouldn't you say?

Certainly is....I'm trying to work out whether the figure quoted is retail or not :S.

I'm getting worried about me pre order now!

Those DS Lites could have been going anywhere in Europe, so i wouldn't worry too much

Well, I got my lovely shiny new Black ds lite, and am loving it! I managed to waste 2 hours playing Animal Crossing on Saturday without realising it! . I'm starting to get addicted to Advance Wars: Dual Strike as well..this looks like it could be fun

I'm really enjoying my DS Lite too.

I got the White one, which arrived in the post a day early, which was niiice. Metroid Prime Hunters is very fun, and i picked up Advance Wars Dual Strike pre-owned and i'm really enjoying that too now.

Great stuff

Mine came a day early too, although parcelforce's definition of delivery was to drop it through one of the open top windows in the lounge!!! . The box was a bit battered but the lite itself was fine thank God!