The Nintendo DS will be a decade old this November.

[Frag Mortuus]

I no longer own the actual DS, but still play the games on my 3DSXL. I only wish the 3DS could play GBA games as well. But, I love all the Nintendo Handhelds.

[casterofdreams]

I purchased the DS Lite shortly after launch back in 2006. It was a high school graduation gift to myself. The first game I picked up that day was Mario Kart.

[Ivo]

I'm pretty sure my DS Lite - with GBA games combined - has seen more of my play time than any of my other stuff, if I exclude my first computer (an Amiga 500 - back then I only had one gaming source whereas when I got the DS Lite I also played PC and other machines).

It is a great little handheld with an extremely impressive library, and certain game experiences that you just couldn't get elsewhere at the time (now with tablets I hesitate, but even then some of the best touch control games on the DS make owning it very worthwhile - a used but good condition unit must be really cheap now that they are so old, if you can find one at least).

I'm very fond of my own DS Lite, and it was one of the only one of my machines that I bought new (I usually get stuff 2nd hand).
I keep wondering if I should buy a replacement for my Crimson/Black, maybe I should go for a the XL DSi.

[casterofdreams]

Get the DSi XL. It's the best iteration of the handheld sans the GBA slot. It's got bigger screens, better build quality, and a soft touch bottom half for better grip.

[Opa Opa]

Are the DS XL screens actually an improvement? Or do they just stretch out the image?

[Gunstar Green]

I've always found the DS library to be fantastic. I really liked the GBA, but the DS completely hooked me.

[fastbilly1]

Are the DS XL screens actually an improvement? Or do they just stretch out the image?

They are larger versions of the DSi screens, so if you currently have a DS or DSlite they are a huge improvement.

I fired up Mario Kart DS last night on my Ouya, mostly to see if it worked.

[Snatch1414]

Ha, it's amazing how time flies. I remember when the DS was fairly new and I bought one for myself and my gf at the time. We both lived at home, then moved in, broke up, went through a couple more girlfriends and quite a bit of bachelor time.

I traded those DS's less than a year after we bought them. A few short months ago I bought a 3DSXL and it's like this whole new world has opened up. I make as much time for my DS games as I do any other console I own and usually more.

[Exhuminator]

The DS Lite is one of my most favorite gaming systems ever, and definitely my most favorite handheld ever. So many wonderful memories...

I first bought one in 2007, picked up the Onyx Black version of the DS Lite from a local Walmart. I don't remember exactly what I played first on it, probably Mario Kart DS. But man, it was just awesome game after awesome game with that system. Some of my best memories of last decade's gaming was with it. Hotel Dusk was a masterpiece, all of the Castlevanias were a blast, the venerable Ace Attorney games, the Dragon Quest remakes are just the best comfort food ever... and on it goes. Such a tremendous library. (Not to mention I finished quite a few GBA games on it thanks to the retro-compatibility.)

I was having so much fun with it, I ended up buying DS Lites for a few family members soon after. Bought my daughter an Onyx, my brother a Silver, a friend a Crimson & Black... Nintendo got their money out of me for sure. But this way I was able to do some co-op multiplayer with folks (protip: Soma Bringer). At this point I still own the original Onyx Black, a Crimson & Black, and two Cobalt & Black DS Lites. They all work perfectly and have held up beautifully.

My only complaint about DS hardware would be the DSi XL. I bought a new DSi XL Bronze and promptly sold it, because the PPI is fucking terrible on it. No nice way to put it. If you're happy with that PPI more power to you but it made me disgusted. As a consolation prize for my bitching, know that the Cobalt & Black DS Lites have the best screens. That's why I have two of them.

As for if I still play DS or not? You bet! Even though I've finished dozens of DS games and I own a 3DS XL, there are still tons more DS games left to play yet. I plan to be playing the platform for at least another ten years, no doubt! Based DS as the kids say.

Are the DS XL screens actually an improvement? Or do they just stretch out the image?

They don't stretch the image, instead the pixels are made slightly larger and are spaced much further apart to compensate for the screen enlargement. You get a shitty "screen door effect", dimmer screens than the DS Lite, and a bit of pixel edge blur to boot. It looks wretched to me. Nobody will agree because bigger is always better.

[Violent By Design]

Other than a few niche games that most people don't relate to the DS, I honestly don't get what separates DS gaming from mobile device gaming. There doesn't really seem to be any games that seem like a must play on the console for me.