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Where to Buy a Cheap Nintendo DSi (Beyond eBay)

Finding a cheap DSi takes patience—it's discontinued, collectible, and prices have risen. Here are the best non-eBay sources:

Best Alternate Sources

Source	Pros	Cons
Facebook Marketplace	Local, negotiable, inspect before buy	Scams, no buyer protection
Craigslist / Kijiji / OfferUp	Same as FB	Same risks
Thrift Stores (Goodwill, Savers, local)	Very cheap ($15–40), unexpected finds	Rare, untested, no returns
Pawn Shops	Tested, negotiable	Higher than thrift, limited stock
Retro Game Stores	Cleaned, warranted (30–90 days)	Premium pricing ($60–100+)
Mercari / Depop / Poshmark	Buyer protection, shipping	Fees inflate price
Amazon Renewed / Woot	Warranty, reliable	Often >$100, limited stock
Local Classifieds (Nextdoor, VarageSale)	Hyper-local, cash	Low volume

Buying Checklist

Model: DSi (original) vs. DSi XL — XL has bigger screens, better battery.
Condition: Hinge tight? Screens scratch-free? Buttons click? Charge port solid?
Includes: Charger (proprietary!), stylus, SD card (bonus), AR cards (rare).
Firmware: 1.4.5 (latest) or 1.4.1–1.4.4 (easier homebrew).
Region: DSi/DSiWare is region-locked. Match your region (US/JP/EU).

Price Reality (2024)

Loose console (working): $40–70
Complete (box, charger, stylus): $70–120
DSi XL: +$20–40 premium
CIB / Limited Edition (Pikachu, Zelda, Mario): $150–400+

Pro Tip: A used 2DS/3DS often costs same/less, plays DS + 3DS + DSiWare, has better screens, sleep mode, and active homebrew. Consider instead.

Nintendo DS