my son has a DS and we also go him a R4 chip
R4 Mod Chip (not endorsing the site just a quick example .) and he loves it plays it all the time so i think they are a pretty decent investment . It has held up well and is almost a year old and that is with constant use. The only issue i have had is the hinges on the unit seem kind of weak so be careful and if you get one invest in the rechargeable set up for car and such 8-) i hope this helped