We store cookies, you can get more info from our privacy policy.
DS

More DS Lite Details and Comparisons

by Jonathan Metts - February 28, 2006, 8:42 am EST
Total comments: 34 Source: Lik-Sang

Lik-Sang gets a single test unit and answers nearly all remaining questions about the system: brightness, stylus, Micro charger, battery size, etc.

Online importer Lik-Sang has received a single preview unit of the DS Lite (their full launch stock is expected in the next few days), and they have put up an extensive article with new information and comparison photos, at the link above.

Among the observations of the final system:

  • The lowest brightness setting is as bright as the original DS. The brightest setting may burn your retinas. (Not really...we hope.)

  • Unlike the original DS, the backlight on DS Lite cannot be turned completely off.

  • The stylus is definitely longer and slightly thicker than the original DS stylus.

  • The extension port is completely new, actually a bit smaller than the Game Boy Micro port, so you cannot use a GBM cable to recharge the DS Lite.

  • The battery power has increased from 850 mAh to 1000 mAh, hence the longer battery life at low brightness.

  • GBA cartridges do not fit flush into the system; they actually stick out, maybe 1/4 an inch. This must be why Nintendo is including a cover for the slot; you wouldn't want to leave a GBA game inserted unless you are actively playing it.

  • Talkback

    Magus19February 28, 2006

    Hmmm, GBA cart sticking out.... I am now happy to have the old model, for that and the power adapter.

    Ian SaneFebruary 28, 2006

    "The brightest setting may burn your retinas."

    ZOMG!! VIRTUAL BOY 2!!!111 lol

    I don't like the GBA game sticking out either. I like how snug everything fits on the normal model.

    Hopefully since they use different battery cables they don't outright replace the DS with this model or at least the original cables don't become too obscure in case any of us have to replace them.

    Ian, you can still order NES cables from Nintendo.com, so no need to worry there.

    darknight06February 28, 2006

    "Unlike the original DS, the backlight on DS Lite cannot be turned completely off. "

    Sounds like the screens are completely backlit now instead of still being reflective and backlit like the original DS model. The unfortunate thing here is that it sounds like the screens will completely die outside, whereas on the original model under good lighting it was still visible and in some cases looked better than it did with backlighting. I wonder, since you can't turn off the backlight on the SP mkII, does that die outside too? And I wonder what'll happen in Viewtiful Joe? That game has an option to turn off the backlighting as well as Ashpalt Urban GT and I wonder if that'll screw with them in any way.

    capamericaFebruary 28, 2006

    The GBA cart sticking out and the new recharge cable are the only downsides I see.
    The GBA cart isn't that big of an issue since I tend to still use my GBA:SP to play GBA games and not my DS.
    But the differnt recharge cable does bother me since I liked having the same cable as my GBA cause I was able to have one charger at home and another at work. Now I'll have to have 2 chargers and I'll have to go out and buy a second one so I can have one at work.

    Bill AurionFebruary 28, 2006

    Quote

    Originally posted by: darknight06
    The unfortunate thing here is that it sounds like the screens will completely die outside, whereas on the original model under good lighting it was still visible and in some cases looked better than it did with backlighting.

    What? From what I hear the games are perfectly visible when used outside (unlike the current DS model, where the screen literally disappears when in direct lighting)...

    ShyGuyFebruary 28, 2006

    I would like to see a comparison of screen quality of the DS Lite vs. the Gameboy Micro vs. the PSP. Future feature article on PGC? face-icon-small-smile.gif

    Smash_BrotherFebruary 28, 2006

    I haven't played a GBA game in ages. I have one in my current DS just to keep dust out of it but that's it.

    And the screen can get so bright that it will still show in direct lighting. Some of the RE DS scenes are too dark for the current DS, and some of the games in Advance Wars DS are likewise hard to see because the screen is dimmer.

    StrellFebruary 28, 2006

    Quote

    Originally posted by: Bill Aurion
    Quote

    Originally posted by: darknight06
    The unfortunate thing here is that it sounds like the screens will completely die outside, whereas on the original model under good lighting it was still visible and in some cases looked better than it did with backlighting.

    What? From what I hear the games are perfectly visible when used outside (unlike the current DS model, where the screen literally disappears when in direct lighting)...


    Agreed. If you take a Gameboy Micro and a DS and go outside, you can clearly make out everything on the Micro. A brighter screen helps immensly with that problem.

    You can recreate the issue with an old SP and a new one also.

    The brighter screens are better all around. I can live with the GBA cart issue and the smaller power cables. I tend to have multiple cables on hand anyway (buying them cheap when I see them at Target and such).

    UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorFebruary 28, 2006

    So... what about the DS Rumble Pak?

    The Rumble Pack should be compatible, just like anything else, but it will be interesting to see if it makes more noise or just feels weirder in the DS Lite.

    ...Actually, it won't be interesting to see, because the DS Rumble Pack blows goats and isn't worth thinking about.

    Smash_BrotherFebruary 28, 2006

    I was surprised ACDS didn't use it for fishing.

    But yeah, not really much need for it that I can see. Force feedback seems counterintuitive on a device which requires you keep a stylus to a touchscreen with precision.

    LouieturkeyFebruary 28, 2006

    Quote

    Originally posted by: Jonnyboy117
    Ian, you can still order NES cables from Nintendo.com, so no need to worry there.

    Ummm, check
    here and notice a problem.

    vuduFebruary 28, 2006

    You can still buy the SNES ones, which are almost as old.

    ArtimusFebruary 28, 2006

    What the heck is wrong with a new cable? LOL You guys nitpick anything!

    UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorFebruary 28, 2006

    My point with the DS Rumble Pak was won't it stick out when you're using it as well? That's crappy.

    ATimsonFebruary 28, 2006

    Quote

    Originally posted by: PGC NewsBot
    The battery power has increased from 850 mAh to 1000 mAh, hence the longer battery life at low brightness.

    Are the batteries the same size, meaning that I can plug a 1000 mAh battery into my old DS?

    ssj4_androidFebruary 28, 2006

    So, what happens when you try to turn off the backlight in the games that allow it? It switches between the brightest and least bright? Also, I hate not being able to see LCDs outside. Why couldn't the original DS have started with the good backlighting? face-icon-small-sad.gif Same with my laptop. It looks as bright as the brightest when in a slightly darkened classroom, but I can't see it at all on the highest brightness outside.

    Infernal MonkeyFebruary 28, 2006

    Quote

    Originally posted by: Bill Aurion
    What? From what I hear the games are perfectly visible when used outside (unlike the current DS model, where the screen literally disappears when in direct lighting)...


    Yeah, I'm yet to actually see any 'portable' game system playable outside. Unless it's an overcast day.

    LouieturkeyFebruary 28, 2006

    Quote

    Originally posted by: vudu
    You can still buy the SNES ones, which are almost as old.

    Well the fact that those are the exact same cables used for the N64 and GC, it makes sense that they'd have those. But if you need a power cord, you are out of luck, which is my predicament at this point. Plus my SNES doesn't work very well right now as well.

    Smash_BrotherFebruary 28, 2006

    In a few months, you'll be able to play all those games on the Rev anyway.

    Guitar SmasherFebruary 28, 2006

    After repurchasing them?

    ArtimusFebruary 28, 2006

    My NES still works!

    I just took good care of it is all.

    SheckyFebruary 28, 2006

    Quote

    Originally posted by: capamerica
    Now I'll have to have 2 chargers and I'll have to go out and buy a second one so I can have one at work.


    Such horror!

    wanderingFebruary 28, 2006

    Quote

    Yeah, I'm yet to actually see any 'portable' game system playable outside. Unless it's an overcast day.

    ...except for the original gba, yes?

    Quote

    Are the batteries the same size, meaning that I can plug a 1000 mAh battery into my old DS?

    Looking at the lik-sang pictures, I'd say no.

    KirbySStarMarch 01, 2006

    I'd have rather them extend the DSlite 1/4th of an inch instead of having cartridges hanging out like that. Seriously, that's poor craftsmanship. Doesn't the new Opera browser coming out use both the DS and GBA cartridge ports? That's going to look rather unsavy considering it has been advertised being used on the DSlite and all. Oh well, it's not that far I guess.

    dsc035057on.jpg

    Yeah, just look at that. They managed to cram GBA cartridges into the micro but can't for the DSlite. =/

    KDR_11kMarch 01, 2006

    Perhaps we'll have to buy DS Lite compliant GBA games now...

    infinitys_endMarch 01, 2006

    Am I the only who doesn't give a freakin' crap about playing GBA games on my DS? I mean, have you guys even tried playing them on it? Ever try playing any of the Megaman Zero games?! They're next to impossible, because Nintendo was too stupid to have the foresight to give the DS the ability to let you map your buttons to whatever you want on the gamepad. That would have taken, oh, what, 5 lines of code to produce!? And the buttons are hella-small, too - so it's kinda crappy playing a GBA game on a DS - esp. when I can just pull out my real (afterburner) GBA any time I want and play all of my GBA games, COMFORTABLY on them... I'm still waiting to fully experience one in my hands before I buy one. I really love how DS Lite is smaller and lighter (my 2 biggest peeves with the DS) but man, those Navy Blue Lite's look REALLY enticing...

    KirbySStarMarch 01, 2006

    Quote

    Originally posted by: KDR_11k
    Perhaps we'll have to buy DS Lite compliant GBA games now...

    Then they'd be too small to fit correctly in the GBA and DS. That wouldn't fly very well.

    ArtimusMarch 01, 2006

    Considering the GBA function is a bonus, and in no way shape or form needed, you guys need to get over it. It isn't going to affect you while playing.

    NIT PICK NIT PICK NIT PICK

    UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorMarch 01, 2006

    I don't think it's considered a 'bonus' when NoA constantly used GBA-Compatability as a featured selling point of the DS.

    ArtimusMarch 01, 2006

    LOL That can still be a bonus. Bonuses and extras are used to sell things all the time!

    Besides, this isn't going to affect play. GB cartridges stick out of the GBA and that's fine (a lot more than 1/4" too).

    vuduMarch 01, 2006

    Quote

    Originally posted by: KirbySStar
    Doesn't the new Opera browser coming out use both the DS and GBA cartridge ports? That's going to look rather unsavy considering it has been advertised being used on the DSlite and all. Oh well, it's not that far I guess.
    IIRC, there will be two versions of Opera DS sold--one for the original DS and one for the DS Lite. They'll have different sized GBA carts.

    Smash_BrotherMarch 01, 2006

    Quote

    Originally posted by: Guitar Smasher
    After repurchasing them?


    Or you could just "sample" them with a "sampling program" which runs downloaded "samples".

    *cough*

    Got a news tip? Send it in!
    Advertisement
    Advertisement