Most companies would be happy to have one hit product, Nintendo currently has two the DS and the Wii. The Nintendo Dual Screen is a hugely popular portable gaming device while the Nintendo Wii is arguably the best console on the market at the moment - certainly the sales volume shows its popularity.
But if you had to choose one either the DS or the Wii which one?
My recommendation is the Wii. I've owned both and the Wii is much more fun for just a $100 more. You will pay slightly more for the games as well, but the depth and playability of those games is more than worth the extra money. The interaction Wii remote ensure you don't just sit there and veg out like you do with DS.
The Dual Screen is innovative in its own right combining a hard (bottom) and soft (top) screen. The soft top screen is interactive responding to the DS pen touch, meaning DS games have another level of game compared to other compact consoles. However after going through two DS and having both of the touch screens die - this is also one of the DS greatest weakness, particularly with children. The DS is simply not tough enough to handle children, no matter how many screen protectors, cases, covers, etc you use. The DS one advantage over the Wii is that it is portable and you can take it anywhere. Its size being even small than the average ladies purse. It fits comfortably in the pocket. That however it where is advantage ends.
The Nintendo Wii screen is as big as your T.V. and now with Plasmas and LCD's all the go, most people in the West have a large T.V., particularly thanks to these products crashing in price. This is gives the Wii a great display to make the most of the gaming experience. Thanks to its small size the Wii console fits into any living or media room, in fact its so small you barely notice it at all. The Wii remotes and nunchucks are tougher than the DS, especially thanks to the soft plastic covers that come with the remotes. This means when sweat and grime build up - and it does - instead of cleaning the whole remote you remove the cover and wash it and let it dry. The batteries in the Wii remote are double AA's and it pays to use rechargeable ones and have a charger nearby or buy the numerous accessories with charging docks so it can charge up while you sleep.
The other thing about the Wii is its more social. You can have up to four players (though of course this means more cost in buying more remotes). Some would argue the DS has this multiplayer ability as well thanks to its wireless connections - but that means more DS machines and usually each player has had to have brought the games as well entailing more expense. The Wii can have 4 players all off the same game and console though with the more interactive games this can mean it gets crowded in the living room.
If you have you choose between the DS and the Wii - my advice go the Wii, unless you plan to travel a lot.
http://nintendo-wii-fanatic.blogspot.com for more Wii stuff.
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