I am thinking of getting a DS now and weighing all the different options.  I don't know a lot about what makes all of the versions better than any of the others so I am weighing factors like cost and technica features and trying to decide what would be the best value in the long run.  Also, I am looking to get a Wii soon as well.

    First there is the DS Phat.  You can find the original DS much cheaper on ebay than the DS Lite.  I have seen original DS's that are listed as being in excellent condition going for under $50.00 on ebay while the DS Lite's go for closer to $100.00 or even a bit more.  And if I was going to spend over $100.00 on a DS at this point, then I would pick the DSi.

     Now, the DSi is the brand new DS model that will be releasing next week.  It has all the spiffy new bonus features and a bigger screen.  It will be able to download all of the DS Ware games that we will surely be getting and it comes with two digital cameras built in.  If I already had a Wii and wasn't planning to buy a Wii soon, then the DSi would be my automatic first choice.

     However, buying a Wii and a DSi would cost me close to $450.00 right now and that wouldn't leave me much money to spend on games for either one.

     Buying a DS Lite right now would not cost quite as much when combined with a Wii, but it could cost me much more in the future if a time comes when I decide to also might decide to get a DSi.

    Finally, the original DS would be the much more cost attractive choice right now.  And not make me feel so bad about the cost later on when I plan on upgrading to a DSi.  However what I would wonder here is is the DS Lite so much better and richer in features than the original DS that it would make picking an original DS just an all around poor decision.

   So these are the choices and options that I see at the moment when I am considering getting both a Wii and my first DS.  Any advice on the matter would be greatly appreciated.

Phat . It was built to last.

It comes down to how big of a GBA fan you are, if you want to be able to play GBA games, go for the DS Lite. If you don't mind not being able to play GBA games, then get the DSi.

Honestly, don't get the DS Phat. The Lite is totally worth the extra price tag, with its smaller design and much, much brighter screens, not to mention bigger stylus.

DSi, only get the Lite if you like GBA games/ Pokemon.

@hatmoza 2.0 OT Is that Miley Cyrus in your pic or is my laptop and eyes playing tricks on me.

@supermario128 and broncos724. I like GBA, but I have an SP in good shape and a Gameboy Player hooked into my Gamecube. (I have a couple of GBA games headed my way this week actually. I purchased a copy of Pokemon Fire Red, my first ever Pokemon game, and of The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap off of ebay last weekend).

You already made your mind up. It's between the Wii and DSi then. Decide which one you want.
If you can't, then go the DS-Wii route and buy the DSi later if you feel you need too.

I think phat is best for GBA. It is the same brightness GBA was designed for, the carts actually fit, and phat has the best D-pad.
DS lite is pretty great for mario kart ds and tetris ds...
DSi I don't know, looks like a rip-off to me though... no way am I buying a 3rd DS...