Owning a slim Nintendo DS Lite has its drawbacks; Although the outer cover is designed to fold where it is enough to protect the dual screens inside, your Nintendo DS is still prone to scratches, pressure, bumps, slips, drops, and any other accidents. That’s why a good Nintendo DS case ranks second on the list of must-have Nintendo DS accessories.

Knowing it’s the best precaution against the worst, he also learns by heart that you can’t just go out and buy any Nintendo DS case thrown in your face, even when you’re on a tight budget. You should choose one that serves the purpose of best protecting your Nintendo DS, one that meets some of the minimum requirements explained below.

First, make sure the case fits your DS perfectly. This way, no matter how you carry it in any kind of container, it would keep your Nintendo DS in place. It’s silly to have a case to protect your DS from the outside, but it slides inside. Who knows if something gets in there and scratches your DS? Don’t forget to choose a solid and sturdy one to further enhance its effectiveness as a Nintendo DS case, where you know a little bump or drop won’t cause any damage. One that lets you play while keeping your DS in the case is a plus.

Second, make sure the rugged case is stuffed inside. However, there is no need to look for an extra inflatable liner. Such liners require additional gaps, which means a larger Nintendo DS case, and destroy the sleek look of your Nintendo DS Lite. A good way to do this is to hold the case with your thumb on the hard outer face and your index finger on the padded surface inside. Try to pinch it gently. Feel how your index finger presses into your thumb. That’s what your DS is going to suffer. Do you find it sturdy enough? Then see if the lining immediately recovers. Redundancy is another key to good resiliency.

Don’t forget to also check the fabric that covers the lining. Make sure they are sewn in place correctly. Since the additional cushions work as a shock absorber, minimizing the effect of any bumps and falls, any tearing can cause the lining of the cushion to shrink and consequently reduce its ability to recover.

Okay, let’s recap; it is tough on the outside, but full of vitality on the inside. If you’ve found something like that, the third and last thing to do is to check if your selected Nintendo DS case has extra sockets to carry two or three more games and an extra stylus. This way, you won’t have to (buy and) take an extra container with you, nor will you have to worry about losing them anywhere. Instead, you can bring other games to change when you’re bored and another pencil ready in case of an emergency.

When these minimum requirements are met, you can choose any Nintendo DS case that suits your pocket. Happy hunting!