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Where to Buy a Nintendo DS in 2024

The Nintendo DS family (DS, DS Lite, DSi, DSi XL) was discontinued **2013–2014**. You cannot buy new units at retail. All purchases are **second-hand**.

Best Sources (Ranked by Reliability)

Source	Pros	Cons	Typical Price (USD)
eBay (Buy It Now / Auction)	Huge selection; buyer protection; photos/description mandated.	Shipping cost; "untested" listings risky.	DS Lite: $40–$70 \| DSi XL: $70–$120
Local Game Stores (Retro Shops)	Test before buy; warranty (30–90 days); curated stock.	20–40% markup vs private sale.	DS Lite: $60–$90 \| DSi XL: $100–$150
Facebook Marketplace / Craigslist / OfferUp	Local cash; inspect in person; no shipping.	Scams; flakers; no recourse if broken later.	DS Lite: $30–$60 \| DSi XL: $50–$90
Mercari / Japan Yahoo Auctions (via proxy)	Japan stock often mint condition; unique colors (Crimson, Metallic Rose).	Proxy fees + shipping = +$40–$60; 2–4 week wait.	DS Lite: $80–$150+
Thrift Stores / Goodwill / Pawn Shops	Potential steals ($5–$20).	Rare; usually missing charger/stylus; untested.	Highly variable

Which Model Should You Buy?

DS Lite: Best balance: GBA slot, bright screens, compact, cheap, huge library. Get this for first-time buyers.
DSi / DSi XL: No GBA slot. DSi has cameras, DSiWare shop (shut down 2017, need CFW), larger screens (XL). XL screens are same resolution (256x192) → pixelated.
Original "Phat" DS: Dim screen, bulky, poor hinge. Only for collectors.

Inspection Checklist (In Person)

Hinges: Open/close — should snap at 150°+; no cracks/stress marks.
Screens: Dead pixels, dust under glass, touch calibration (draw diagonal lines).
Buttons: D-pad, A/B/X/Y, L/R, Start/Select, Power/Volume — all clicky.
Ports: GBA slot (spring eject), Charger port (wiggle = loose solder), Headphone jack.
Battery: Swollen? Hold charge 5+ hrs? (DSi/XL batteries often dead).
Stylus: Original fits slot; aftermarket often loose.
Charger: Test charge light (orange → green).

Modern Essential: Flashcart

Buy an **R4i Gold 3DS Plus (RTS)** or **R4i-SDHC 3DS RTS** (~$15–$20) + MicroSD. Plays NDS roms, homebrew, emulators (NES, GB, GBA via GBARunner2) on *any* DS/DSi/3DS. Only for games you own.

Nintendo DS