The Nintendo DS Lite

[OniKira]

November 20th, 2004: Nintendo releases their new handheld, the Nintendo DS. People purchase the handheld for its appealing graphics, interesting innovation, and much more.

March 24th, 2005: Sony releases their handheld to compete with the Nintendo DS, the PSP. With a sleeker look, nicer graphics, and games, the PSP gave the Nintendo DS some nice competition.

June 11th, 2006: Nintendo releases their newly redesigned Nintendo DS, now smaller, sleeker, sexier, brighter, and overall better. Everything the older DS had, except with more glamour, longer battery life, and a more reliable and appealing look.

Many people are calling the DS Lite an amazing success. I call it "Welcome to Nintendo's Future." This handheld will blow your mind.

The Nintendo DS Lite is a welcomed improvement to the Nintendo DS. The first one was clunky, bulky, unattractive, and didn;t have the best games. Skip a year or two. The DS Lite is released, with a cool white color and smaller, sleeker, sexier look. Games are brighter, the system is lighter, and the overall feel of the handheld is different.

When I got home this morning and opened the box which contained the DS Lite, I was quite excited. But when I held it in my hand, I had to wonder. "Did Nintendo make this?" I honestly don't know what the f*** happened over there in Japan with Nintendo, but this newer DS Lite was beyond what I considered to be Nintendo. The very impression this handheld gives you is different.

With my new Advance Wars and Castlevania, I set into playing them. I felt like I had never played a DS before. Playing these already fun games on a Lite is like a whole new experience. The games look nicer from the brightness, as I noticed colors I'd never seen before. Not only that, but I knew I could continue playing this thing for 19 hours!

Now then, the DS Lite does have its cons. The biggest one is the fact that while the Lite does play GBA games, they jut out a little bit from the bottom of the system. The older DS didn't do this. However, don't fret, as the Lite comes with a filler cartridge that keeps the Lite looking smooth. Another con is that some Lites have had dead or stuck pixel issues. A dead pixel is when a pixel in the screen is completely black. A stuck pixel is when a pixel in the screen is stuck in a certain color. There was a similar issue with this in the first DS, but the rate of pixel issues dropped within weeks. The same will happen with the Lite; mine personally has no pixel issues.

I think at this point in the review, I'd like to discuss a little bit of Nintendo. The last 3 E3s have been wake up calls and evolutionary steps for Nintendo. E3 2004 was when DS was revealed. It's graphical prowess and innovation seemed cool, but its design was...meh. Nintendo was generally performing poorly at this E3. E3 2005, we see more cool games for the DS in the midst of the Xbox 360 and PS3/PSP mania. Nintendo seems to be working up, with their Revolution concept; their confidence confuses some. E3 2006; Nintendo seems to get their act together. Their products are now more sleek, with the Lite and Wii looking pretty nice on the exterior. Nintendo now has some excellent games for their DS and provide enteraining demos for the Wii. Nintendo's basic look and feel has changed. Though I'm not a Nintendo fan at heart, I'm thoroughly pleased with my purchase of the Lite, and I think Nintendo did what many had considered impossible and feeble.

Pros:

Brighter screen
Smaller, sleeker look
Nicer screens, clearer, more vivid
Longer battery life

Cons:

GBA cartridge issue
Pixel issue

Score: 9/10

And, if you're wondering whether or not to buy a PSP or Lite for your vacations this summer, then follow this guideline

Buy a PSP if...

You like being able to play nice looking games, and watch video and listen to audio. Internet browser too. To the PSP owner, media playing on top of games is important

Buy a DS Lite if...

You want some addicting games. You enjoy playing Wi-Fi. You are more interested in games then media.


YAY FOR NINTENDO DS LITE!


Did you find this review helpful?

[Cloud Leonhart]

Yeah, I did. And I think I'll get a DS Lite soon.

[zeros-content56]

Srry ruro ussually i would agree with you on most anything but the ds lite sounds like nintendo's ussual strategy of reusing the same idea over and over again. From what i got from this reveiw is that they just changed the look of it (look for the new ds design next year when nintendo shapes it like a penis) , brightened the screen ( OMFG that revolutionary) and extended battery life ( which shouldnt be a problem if you charge regularly). In exchange for the new glam it also arose new problems like the gba games and the pixel feature issues. the ds its self is a good system but the whole Lite thing is a bit dumb. They did this with the gameboys as well , The advanced was good enough as it was but then they came out with the SP , which had a flood light rechargeable battery and did not come with a head phone plug in. It looked more stylish but wasnt worth the money nor the annoyance of the very tiny shoulder buttons. The gameboy micro was another attempt at the redesign idea.

on the positive side: If you like new looks of old consoles and if nintendo still hasnt kicked its addiction to "pimping out" their systems with plenty of "bling" then the ds will come out with plenty of ideas. If you like addictive games that will leave you sitting in a pool of your own urine because your too "busy" to go the bathroom then the ds is for you , But dont go wasting money on a re-designed ds that has pointless add ons. As this new ds sales the old design will be come cheaper (just like the gba is now like 50 bucks or less in some places now while the sp is 70 some dollars).

on the negitive side: With each new design they come out with there will be more and more issues with the system. Whether it be sound or gameplay there will be a problem. No system is perfect , I understand that , But some time the origanal is what u should stick with.

srry ruro all ur reveiw did is make me never want to get a lite. Tho now i have a stange urge to get the old ds

[OniKira]

why would u want the older DS? they cost the exact same, 129.99, and the Lite is able to display more colors vivdly with a greater light.

ill agree with you on the commment on how nintendo likes to re-release redesigns every year or so, but honestly, videogame stores run pretty nice deals where if u trade in the older model and a few games, you can get the newer model by spending no money; its basically like "recycling."

i sold my old ds along with hunters and super mario 64 and an old PS2 game and had enough to buy the DS lite and 2 games. to me, it seems like a great deal. if u dont have a DS at all, this is the one to get, especially when they both cost the exact same anyway.

[GravyTrain]

I can't possibly see why anyone would prefer the old DS over the Lite. The only people who have an old DS and aren't getting a Lite are doing so because they have no money.

I traded in my old DS to get the Lite and it only cost me $60 to do so. An awesome deal considering how much better the Lite is.
In case OniruroKen forgot to mention anything:

Lite pros:
1. 1/3 smaller
2. %20 less heavy
3. 4 levels of brightness. The dimmest level is stil brighter than the old DS.
4. Better looking in every aspect.
5. Battery lasts as long as old DS on highest brightness. On lowest brightness, it lasts for 20 hours.
6. Buttons no longer click. They also feel better.
7. Improved stylus.
8. The touch screen is more durable and better looking.
9. Start button on the side prevents accidental system shutdowns.
10. Mic is in the middle and easier to use.
11. Hinge is more durable and better looking.
12. Both screens touch when the system is closed, preventing dust from getting inbetween the screens and scratching.
13. Spacer helps the DS Lite maintain its look when no GBA cartridge is being used.

Lite Cons:
1. GBA games stick out a few millimeters.
(and that space was added first and foremost to support DS accessories like rumble packs and extra memory for some games. It's a GamePak (if you'll look at the DS menu) slot before it's a Gameboy slot. The fact that it still plays GBA games is just a bonus.

I don't know why people complain about Nintendo improving their system designs before moving onto the next generation of that handheld. It's a great welcome for me. I was getting bored with my old DS, but the Lite is just awesome. I feel compelled to pick up and play games that I haven't touched in months.

The only complaint I have with my Lite is that there is one stuck pixel that shows up when that area of the screen is orange or black. But stuck pixels are supposed to go away after a while. So I'm not really hung up about it.

And the extra brightness makes a huge difference. Everything stands out better and you pick up on details in the games that went missing before. Especially in Metroid Hunters.

[Keontea]

I just got my DS and im loving it.

[GravyTrain]

on the negitive side: With each new design they come out with there will be more and more issues with the system. Whether it be sound or gameplay there will be a problem. No system is perfect , I understand that , But some time the origanal is what u should stick with.

What are you talking about? The DS Lite has absolutely no flaws when compared to the original DS.

Now if you're talking about Sony creating more flaws with every system, then yeah, I can see that.

[Captain Jack Sparrow]

DS Lite is cool I may get one

[Haoie]

Got a standard DS right now, can't afford a new handheld. Oh well.

[GravyTrain]

Got a standard DS right now, can't afford a new handheld. Oh well.

If you traded your old one in on release, the Lite would have only cost you $60.

[Hobo_13]

I have a DS and I don't know why people need another one...

[OniKira]

It's so easy to upgrade tho!

It's simple; go to EBGames or Gamestop and trade in your old DS for $70. Then, trade in a few games, or spend the extra cash, and get the DS Lite. That's what I did; quick and easy. PLus, with both models costing $129.99, why get the regular DS versus the DS Lite?

[DaSaiyanPrince♥]

anyone here hear about the stoled ds lites? they were goin tot he UK but got "stolen" in hong kong, nintendo says no problem on their hands but im still worried.., >_>

[Captain Jack Sparrow]

I Just Got a DS Lite Yesterday,with New! Super Mario Bros.,A Glow in the dark Stick,a game case (carries a stick and 3 games),Headphones and a Keychain all for 175.96 At A Costco, W00t

I mean wow the DS lite is pretty cool plus wi-fi?

Go Nintendo

Im planning on getting Big Brain Academy and Metroid Prime: Hunters Also At Costco xD Good low prices for new games <.< XD