If you’re trying to find a new and cheap Nintendo DSi console you’ll be hard-pressed to find a unit less than $169.99. The third-generation Nintendo DS console was released to the United States market on April 5, 2009 so prices aren’t expected to drop anytime soon. However, this may be a great time to purchase a cheap Nintendo DS Lite console which some dedicated gamers say is still better than the new Nintendo DSi. They call the new DSi a “downgrade.”
Right now Amazon.com is offering customers who purchase a new Nintendo DSi console 50% off a “select video game subscription” (they don’t specifically state which one) as an incentive. The free shipping they offer is also a nice perk. Unlike some other small retailers, Amazon is doing its best to keep enough consoles in stock to meet consumer demand and is limiting the total number of Nintendo DSi units that can be purchased to three per household. As the weeks and months go by I’m going to continue my search for the best Nintendo DS Lite and DSi deals online. Be sure to check back often or subscribe to my RSS feed to get the latest news and updates.
You’d be surprised how many Nintendo DS bundles there are to choose from. In fact, with the variety available you can even start your own Nintendo DS collection. Some of the different types available usually include a special limited edition Nintendo DS Lite console that each comes bundled with a different game.
One bundle that has become difficult to find is Guitar Hero. This package includes a special edition Guitar Hero Metallic Silver Black Nintedo DS Lite, the Guitar Hero On Tour Game, as well as a guitar grip and pick stylus. One of the reasons this console has become so popular as of late is that the new Nintendo DSi (released in April 2009) does not include a slot to play GameBoy Advance games. This might not seem too important but for die-hard Guitar Hero fans this is crucial. Many classic Guitar Hero games are only available in GBA format.
The Personal Trainer: Cooking Nintendo DS bundle was just recently released in early May 2009 (just in time for Mother’s Day no doubt). This package includes a spring green Nintendo DS Lite, the Personal Trainer Cooking game, and a stylish carrying case. This would probably make a great gift for someone who enjoys cooking or for a young graduate that is moving out and needs to learn some basic cooking skills. The Personal Trainer Cooking game features an interactive cooking coach that walks you step-by-step through over 245 different recipes.
The bundle that I’m really hoping to get this year features Mario and the New Super Mario Brothers Nintendo DS game. I already own a Nintendo DS Lite, but I think the bright red DS with the white ‘M’ Mario logo on the cover is really sharp. I also think that since Nintendo has stopped production of this console it will only increase in value. I almost half-tempted to purchase one for play and one to keep in storage in mint condition so I can sell it 10 years from now on Ebay!
Another console I think is really attractive is the shiny gold one that comes bundled with the Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass. This is another DS bundle that is difficult to find. You should consider yourself lucky if you find an unopened unit for less than $270 these days. I would imagine their value will only increase with time. Like the Mario DS, Nintendo has ceased production on this console. I guess when they say “Special Edition” they really mean it!
There are also some other Nintendo DS Lite bundles to choose from including those for Pokemon, Brain Age, Mario Kart, Mario Party, and Nintendogs. Nintendogs comes bundled with the ever-popular pink metallic Nintendo DS Lite. It will be interesting to see if Nintendo follows suit with DSi bundles like they did with the DS and DS Lite. No matter what happens, these DS Lite bundles are not only fun to play but will someday make great collector’s items.
One of the things that makes the Nintendo DS Lite such a great video game console is that there are so many colors to choose from. Some people have even started a collection of Nintendo DS units. Unlike the Nintendo Wii, Playstation or any other video game console or hand-held device, the Nintendo DS comes in multiple colors including white, black, silver, blue, red, and pink. If you’re looking to purchase a cheap Nintendo DS there are certainly a lot of choices!
When the Nintendo DS was first released only the color Crystal White was available. Nintendo hoped to offer buyers other colors such as Ice Blue and Navy but due to certain issues during manufacturing it wasn’t possible until later. You may also notice that some colors are only available in certain countries.
There are also different limited edition Nintendo DS Lite units available. Often these units are sold as bundles when new games are released. For example, the Mario Red Limited Edition Nintendo DS Lite was released in November 2008 and comes bundled with the New Super Mario Brothers video game. Unlike the crimson unit which is trimmed with black, the Mario Red console is completely covered in bright red and features a white ‘M’ for Mario on the lower-right corner of the front cover.
Fans of the popular series Pirates of the Caribbean probably know about the Nintendo DS console featuring the World’s End movie. These special units were released to a select group of ticket holders who attended the premiere of the movie at Disneyland in May 2007. The console features a skull and crossbones on the front cover and says, “Where the Adventure Comes to Life” on the back cover. If you’re lucky enough to own one of these units they sell for a pretty penny on Ebay.
Another limited edition console that came out recently features the Brain Age video game. The unit is ice blue and was released in November 2008 in anticipation of the holiday season. The console comes bundled with the Brain Age video game and also comes with a carrying case to match. The price of the Nintendo DS is so cheap you could even afford to buy more than one if you have a hard time deciding which color you like best.
