Accessory guide · NexWave Games
Which charger do you need for a DS Lite, DSi or 3DS?
You buy a Nintendo handheld without a charger. There is still a Nintendo plug in a drawer at home, but which console does it belong to? DS Lite, DSi and 3DS connectors look similar, yet not every power supply fits.
The DS Lite has its own connector
Use a power supply intended for the Nintendo DS Lite. Nintendo states that the DS Lite adapter is not interchangeable with the original DS adapter. Later DSi and 3DS adapters are not substitutes either. Never force a plug into the port, even if its shape looks almost identical in a photo.
First check the model name on the underside of a loose handheld. Nintendo DS and Nintendo DS Lite are different systems. The original, thicker DS uses a different power supply too. When a listing says 'DS charger', ask which model the seller actually used it with.
DSi and 3DS do share an adapter type
Nintendo says the DSi and DSi XL adapter also works with various 3DS and 2DS models, including the New Nintendo 3DS family. You can charge a 3DS directly through its charging port; a separate charging cradle is not required. With used bundles, check that the supplied mains plug suits a European wall socket.
Some product photos show only the large adapter block. Ask instead for a photo of the small connector and label. Compare their shape and model designation with your handheld. A cable with the wrong connector will not light the charging indicator, however patient you are.
Test the handheld before ordering a charger
A handheld that will not switch on does not necessarily just have an empty battery. Check that the charging port is secure and not visibly bent or dirty. If possible, try a compatible working adapter and look for the orange charging light. Ask how a used console without a charger was tested.
Remember the simple grouping: original DS, DS Lite and DSi/3DS are three separate buying decisions. DSi and the 3DS family overlap; for a DS Lite, buy a DS Lite adapter specifically. Photos of the model label and plug prevent most mix-ups.