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DS

North America

Nintendo DS Lite

by Josh Daugherty - March 12, 2006, 3:02 am EST
Total comments: 24

First impressions after a week with the DS Lite.

The DS Lite is the smaller, sleeker, brighter, and simply better version of the Nintendo DS. The Crystal White hardware sold out in Japan before retailers even opened their doors to the public. The story played out again on March 11th, when two more colors hit stores in Japan, where Nintendo DS hardware has been in high-demand since the turn of the New Year.

The Nintendo DS Lite is better than its older brother in every way. First and foremost, the screen blows the original DS away with the addition of four brightness levels, easily adjusted by the tap of your stylus in the setup menu. Even with the brightness control added to this small marvel, a very important question has to be addressed. What effect does it have on the battery? From the back of the instruction booklet, the four classifications of brightness are displayed along with the amount of playing time. Just as an example, if you were to play your DS Lite with the brightness at full tilt, the single charge would last you anywhere from five to eight hours. This increases to the maximum of about fifteen to nineteen hours at the lowest setting which is still a little brighter than the original DS.

Josh's DS Lite with Mario Kart DS


Two brightness levels above this!

The casing of the entire DS Lite resembles a page taken from Apple's iPod. The clear plastic coat over the colored shell is a wonderful and welcome touch. The DS Lite's lid is much improved over the original DS. It resembles the GBA SP in that it snaps shut firm and tight. The stylus is larger, and moved to the right side of the system. An easy pull with your finger on the back of the system releases it.

The new and improved D-pad is a little more elevated than that of the original DS. It is very responsive to the slightest touch. It must be noted that it also resembles the planned D-pad of the forthcoming Revolution. The buttons are still small, although very responsive. The movement of the Select and Start buttons is a welcome change, although they feel very stiff.

Ergonomically, the DS Lite is very comfortable to hold and play, but large-handed gamers may start to cramp-up after lengthy play sessions. Compared to the GBA SP, the size of the DS Lite is about the same, but with a little bit more space behind the system (behind the touch screen) so your fingers are less likely to overlap. For games that primarily use the touch pad, you can easily hold the DS Lite with one hand, using your thumb and ring finger. It is surprisingly, very comfortable.

In the week that I have enjoyed my DS Lite, there are really no defects or drawbacks. The only small problem that Nintendo may be facing is that the DS Lite might look a little too nice for parents to buy for their kids. It is almost too perfect. The older DS still has a toy-like appearance, while the DS Lite flaunts 100% quality.

Talkback

Infernal MonkeyMarch 12, 2006

Quote

The only small problem that Nintendo may be facing is that the DS Lite might look a little too nice for parents to buy for their kids.


Haha, I'm sure Nintendo will spew out some really ugly colours for the American and Euro launches. "Chocolate Custard!" "Urine Yellow!"
It really is a very nice redesign though, those screens are AMAZING.

steveyMarch 12, 2006

SOLD!

optimisticlimboMarch 12, 2006

If I only could find a way to afford one of those delicious looking machines..... mmmm Chocolate Custard

SvevanEvan Burchfield, Staff AlumnusMarch 12, 2006

But oh, to buy another DS? I never upgraded my GBA and felt fine about that. If this thing comes to American shores for $150, it just isn't worth it. I would shell for $100, but it won't find that price point for months. Here's hoping I win one at E3.

nickmitchMarch 12, 2006

I'd like to trade in my current DS, so that it'll be worth it, trouble is, it's broken! face-icon-small-sad.gif

PaleMike Gamin, Contributing EditorMarch 12, 2006

Sounds like that makes it worth it right away doesn't it?

I mean, owning a functioning DS is essential!

ShyGuyMarch 12, 2006

Will Bloodworth be giving us his impressions as well when he finally gets his?

BloodworthDaniel Bloodworth, Staff AlumnusMarch 12, 2006

No, but Jonny is doing the review and will probably get his sooner.

RiskyChrisMarch 12, 2006

Is this article an attempt to gloat about having a DS Lite? =(

*grumble grumble lik sang grumble*

BloodworthDaniel Bloodworth, Staff AlumnusMarch 12, 2006

It's only right that the first one on staff to get one provide coverage for the site. Since Josh is in Japan and and his fiancee braved the lines to get it for him, that made him the first on staff to get it - especially since Jonny and I both waited for Navy. He's not doing it to gloat, but he is extremely happy with his system.

KDR_11kMarch 12, 2006

The movement of the Select and Start buttons is a welcome change, although they feel very stiff.

Why is it welcome? Wasn't it better to have start/select almost in one line with the other buttons? I can reach the start/select buttons on the normal DS without shifting my grip (since I push the buttons with the thumb close to the joint so I can hit the S/S buttons with the tip easily). Wouldn't work with those new positions.

And TFA doesn't seem to mention the GBA carts sticking out, are they not much of an issue?

IceColdMarch 12, 2006

Quote

Haha, I'm sure Nintendo will spew out some really ugly colours for the American and Euro launches. "Chocolate Custard!"
More like Custurd amirite?

Shin GallonMarch 12, 2006

My ONLY concern about the Lite is that I always have a GBA game in my DS along with a DS card, and if it'll be stcking out, that sounds a little...meh. Anyone have pictures of how far GBA carts stick out of the Lite?

TMWMarch 12, 2006

Yeah...I was sold a while ago..this just affirms the "Must Have"ness of the DSLite.

Enamel Navy owns your soul.

ruby_onixMarch 12, 2006

Quote

The new and improved D-pad is a little more elevated than that of the original DS. It is very responsive to the slightest touch. It must be noted that it also resembles the planned D-pad of the forthcoming Revolution. The buttons are still small, although very responsive. The movement of the Select and Start buttons is a welcome change, although they feel very stiff.

The D-pad and buttons have gone back to the "classic" Nintendo style, right? Not the "clicky" ones of the GBA SP and NDS? And could someone who has a DSLite grab a ruler and measure the D-pad and buttons and compare them to some other common systems? FYI, the GBA/GCN pad was 18mm, the NES one was 20mm, and the SNES/DS one was 23mm. The buttons are 10mm on the NES/SNES/PSX, 9mm on the GBP/GBC/GBA, 8mm on the GBA SP, and 7mm on the original DS. And am I wrong in assuming the Start/Select buttons on the DSLite are the same as the ones on the classic GBA?

Karl Castaneda #2March 12, 2006

I conclude that ruby_onix has a D-Pad fetish. face-icon-small-tongue.gif

PaleMike Gamin, Contributing EditorMarch 12, 2006

Based on photos and knowing the relative size of the systems, I am quite confident that they are in fact identical to those found on the gameboy micro....

It would be cool to know for sure though.

PlugabugzMarch 13, 2006

It's not new and improved, NOT NEW AND IMPROVED!

vuduMarch 13, 2006

The style of the D-Pad is new. It's improved over the last version (in the reviewer's opinion). Not that difficult to understand.

Smash_BrotherMarch 13, 2006

The screen is f___king unbelievable. That's why I want this system more than anything.

TansunnMarch 13, 2006

Did they add an option to use Y and B instead of B and A for GBA games? If yes, I'm 100% getting one.

dsgirlMarch 23, 2006

all i can say is that nintendo ds is cool and ds lite is really awesome, and i'm wondering why there is no scheduled release date for this in Europe or North America, all of Divineo's initial batch sold out incredibly quick as you can imagine, most likely some pre-orders. The DS is confirmed to be REGION Free and you can select English language...so what can you say about that?







___________________________
"my dsblog site" - luisa

dsgirlMarch 23, 2006

all i can say is that nintendo ds is cool and ds lite is really awesome, and i'm wondering why there is no scheduled release date for this in Europe or North America, all of Divineo's initial batch sold out incredibly quick as you can imagine, most likely some pre-orders. The DS is confirmed to be REGION Free and you can select English language...so what can you say about that?







___________________________
http://ds.qj.net "my dsblog site" - luisa

Smash_BrotherMarch 23, 2006

They typically release in Japan first and Nintendo seems to be having a helluva time actually manufacturing them.

They can't meet demand, much to my chagrin.

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Genre
Developer Nintendo

Worldwide Releases

na: Nintendo DS Lite
Release Jun 11, 2006
PublisherNintendo
jpn: Nintendo DS Lite
Release Mar 02, 2006
PublisherNintendo
eu: Nintendo DS Lite
Release Jun 26, 2006
PublisherNintendo
aus: Nintendo DS Lite
Release Jun 01, 2006

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