It’s important to know how to properly care for your Nintendo DS or DSi. Generally the console is a pretty durable and maintenance shouldn’t require much effort on your part. That said, there are a few key points that every DS owner should know and understand when it comes to taking care of their device.

Cleaning the DS

Microfiber cloths are my weapon of choice to get rid of dirt and fingerprints on the console’s surface. It’s best to rub in a circular motion and try to not press too hard on the display. If it’s necessary to clean dirt from the edges of the touch screen Nintendo recommends a soft-bristled toothbrush, but be aware that you may need to recalibrate after doing this. To clean seams in the console shell try tearing off the corner of a piece of paper and using the point to dig out any foreign dirt that has gotten into the edges. It’s not a great tool but it’s a gentle one and it will get out any visible particles that are stuck in these crevices. Digging any further than that is not a good idea.

Protective Covers

There are more protective covers on the market than you’re likely able to count, so select one that best meets your specific needs. My preference is to use a rubber silicon skin that stretches over the console, not including the screen of course. When purchasing covers be aware that the DS and the DSi are slightly different in size, so a cover for one may not fit the other. And if you’re worried about protecting the display you can purchase a film screen protector, but be careful about which kind you choose.

Camera Lens

Don’t expose your DSi camera to sunlight for very long, and don’t take photos of the sun or other intense light. This can potentially damage the camera, or result in discolored photos. In addition, when you’re cleaning the DSi camera lens be sure to use a soft cloth and avoid applying too much pressure.

Storing the DS

When you aren’t playing the DS, Nintendo advises that you leave a game card in the game slot as this will keep dust from getting inside. Make sure that it’s stored in a dry area with the AC adaptor unplugged.

Choose Accessories Wisely

Officially Nintendo recommends licensed accessories, so be careful when considering unlicensed third party companies manufacturers. While they are usually cheaper, you should avoid such accessories unless they’ve been recommended to you by a trusted source. The logic here being that if you run into a problem caused by a third party it won’t fall in the scope of Nintendo’s warranty.

These are just a few of the main points you want to keep in mind for maintaining your Nintendo DS or DSi. Always be sure to consult your console’s accompanying documentation or Nintendo’s website if you come across a problem that you aren’t sure about.