Thanks for all of the comments and tips everyone!

fami - after a little more research and review reading, I'm leaning towards your DSi recommendation.

dsrules - didn't even think about the XL possibly being too big. Great point and we'll make sure to test the DSi and DSiXL in the store to see how she can control them.

Wasn't aware of the 3D issues for kids under 6 so thanks for those warnings as well! I personally don't like 3D and see it being a fad unless they find a way to greatly widen the sweet spot and prevent eye strain as well but we'll see. While money isn't an object, it'll still be much easier to replace a broken $99 or $129 item than it is a $169-199 item.

It looks like they're still coming out with new regular DS games, correct? I'm sure that'll end at some point in the future but by then it'll be time for a new system I suppose.

Being strictly an Xbox player myself, I've never even looked into any handheld systems but now my children are getting to the point of being gamers. Well, at least my daughter is, as she is almost 6 and son is only 3.5. They both play iPhone games and have had Leapfrog systems but looking for a more playful gaming system now.

Wife and I will be going to a store to check them out in person this weekend to get a feel for each choice but just looking for a general recommendation for my situation. Price is not a problem, but best bang for the buck is always a good thing.

As far as we can tell, our choices are DSi ($99), DSiXL ($129), 3DS ($169), and 3DS XL ($199). Are the systems fairly durable? Our kids are pretty well behaved, but they're still young kids...

Yep, still the same. No answers, responses, or fixes for over 2 weeks now.

I really liked looking over the daily newsletters for a brief overview on the recent site additions, but really leaning to just cancelling the newsletter since it's basically just spam anymore.

From 4/25 thru today's, it's been the same newsletter with different dating in the upper right corner...

Leisure Suit Larry funded, STALKER 2 cancelled, etc...

Anyone else getting this problem?

Got a Kinect for the kids for Christmas and our daughter likes to "dance". She's only 5 though so which of these two titles would fit her better?

I'm not using a credit card any longer for Xbox purchases directly thru Microsoft so looking to start buying point cards thru online retailers.

I'm in no rush at this time for points, but can wait for sales.

What is typically a low price for 1600 and 4000 pt cards? Newegg has 4000 for $45 now. Do they sometimes go lower than that???

Recently got a 12-month Live card for $38, so hoping to find another deal...

Anyone?

Thanks guys. Another question for those that do already use them...

How are they hooked up (in simple terminology please) to the xbox and HDTV if I'm already using HDMI to connect the 360 to the TV?

I can't quite figure out by the diagram of the packaging... stupid me.