Video Games : Nintendo DS Lite Handheld Console (White)

Rating: - THE nintendo handheld of the century
I imported my DS Lite from japan, yes... it's here. right next to me as i type this is the Nintendo DS lite sits snugly in it's case. i think it's appropriate to adress the differences between this and the old DS so i'll cut the ramalamadingdong and get right to the good stuff.

The look

As soon as i opened the box from lik-sang containing a DS lite (enamel navy), a case and some screen protectors. i knew that the DSL would trounce the larger DS, and how right i was. the lite has a shiny finish (quite prone to fingerprints, i have to say) on the outside with a smooth matte interior. the buttons seem to be placed much more comfortably and are a mix between the GB micro's "push spring" button and the old DS's clicky buttons, the D pad is the same in that respect, but smaller than the old DS's: this makes it easier to play as the motions seem much more fluid.

The Stylus
I'm sure you've heard this all before, but the stylus for the DS lite is larger, both in girth and length. it's one of those things that you can't truly understand untill you hold it. it feels amazing. much more comfortable than the 'toothpick' supplied with the original DS, this makes playing games like 'Trauma center' and 'Metroid Prime: Hunters' all the more enjoyable.

The Screens
The screens of the DS lite are what realy sold me to getting one in the first place and i was not dissapointed. top screen is a completely different type of screen compared to the original DS. This was due to nintendo actually custom making a LCD screen to fit their needs exactly. and both screens simply scream when you turn the DSL on. the colours are incredible, any pictures you have seen on the internet cannot describe how clear the two screens are. when you play a game on the DS lite. you KNOW it's the DS lite because the colours literally jump out at you.

The touch screen is has a completely different feel to it, the stylus glides much smoother on the bottom screen than it did with the old DS. why? because, to my knowlege, the plexiglass from the original has been removed, replaced by something better/clearer, it makes MPH games that more enjoyable when you get to that point where you can headshot kill someone with the imperialist from one end of the arena to the other without using the zoom, yes. it's that good (btw, happened once, total fluke. lol)


the feel
When you hold the DS lite it feels a little odd at first because, if you're like me, you'll be used to holding a heavy piece of equpiment. yes, the DS lite is lighter, but it still feels solid. the edges of the DS lite ARE a bit on the hard side (quite sqaure-ish) but one you get used to it, there's no stopping the DS lite's WOW factor.
they've obvously been busy over at Ninendo HQ figuring how to cram all the DS's hardware into a smaller package.
This brings me nicely over to the GBA slot. now, we all know by now that GBA games protrude about 1cm when they're in the DS lite. but that in no way affects the gameplay. but, to keep the ultra sleek design, nintendo have supplied a small 'filler cartridge' (how long before THIS gets lodged behind the sofa?)

Overall
The DS lite, finally, is something comparable to the PSP. when the original DS came out, one of the driving factors for many people not to buy it was that it was simply not good looking (trust me, i know this, i work in a shop that sells such things) but now the DS lite is on the horizon for the USA and finally Europe. This piece of gear pathes the way for the Wii, with the same basic design and innovation. I have to praise nintendo for what they have done with the gaming industry, i realy do. because they have revolutionised the way that people look at the gaming industry.

nothing can compare to the feeling of finding your first coconut washed up on your beach in animal crossing. Or powersliding around a corner in mario kart to take the lead. Or even owning someone on Metroid Prime Hunters over Wifi.
In my opinion, Nintendo have done it again, just as they did it with the GB micro before... and the GBA SP before that. Hell! they've been remodelling handhelds ever since the release of the gameboy pocket!
Ihope you 've enjoyed reading this as much as i enjoyed writing it, but now... mario kart awaits.
thanks for reading.

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Rating: - WHY CHOOSING THE DS LITE IS SO RIGHT!
I've had my DS Lite for a few months now so am in a good position to give it a pretty fair review.

WHY YOU WOULD WANT TO BUY A DS LITE:

1) SIZE MATTERS: All the capability of the original DS (and some more!) packed into a case that's a great deal thinner and lighter. Ever feel like holding the DS was like holding a brick? Now you got a handheld which is nice and light to hold.

2) FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Wow it's a stunner. The outside gloss surface looks amazing and even after a month of constant use I have yet to scratch or mark the outside (despite taking it out and about even to the beach) which suggests to me that it is also pretty hard-wearing. The only downside of the gloss surface is that it's prone to smudges and fingerprints, but with something that looks this classy, you'll want to be wiping those off!

3) SECOND GLANCE: It's been very carefully and thoughtfully finished off, even with a pull-out cover for the GBA game slot so that the sleek design is maintained all the way around the machine. The inside is finished off in a matching colour but in a matt finish which makes it easier for your fingers to grip the controls. The stylus is now a lot bigger which makes it way easier to hold and slots in so snugly into the side.

4) LET THERE BE LIGHT: The main reason why you would want to buy the DS Lite (even if you're already a DS owner) is down to the screens. WOW, they are crystal clear and amazingly bright - now with 4 (!!!) levels of brightness. I was stunned when I compared the Lite with my original DS. Both of the lite screens are the clearest and brightest I've seen on any handheld. The touch screen appears to be made from a different material as your touch stick moves far easier over it than on the DS. The whole response is a lot slicker.

5) CHARGE IT UP: It now takes only 3 hours to charge your DS Lite - a whole hour less than the DS - and your battery can go a whole lot further. It will run for up to 19 hours if you play on the lowest brightness setting or between 5-7 on it's brightest setting which is pretty impressive and necessary on those long journeys.

6) THE PRICE IS RIGHT: At the retail price, this is a serious piece of kit to suit the majority of budgets. For the quality of the handheld, I think you're getting a real bargain.


SO WHAT ARE THE CONS?

Honestly I can't think of many cons with this handheld and certainly none that are major flaws anyway. So the gloss surface smudges - well that's a pretty minor price to pay for those great looks, one wipe of a cloth and it looks brand new again! The buttons feel a little clicky - but they are amazingly responsive having said that. The Start and Select buttons are very tiny and don't feel nice to press - but how often do you use these.

OVERALL: It's a fantastic handheld, the best I've ever played and I've played them all - right from the very first brick of a gameboy up to the psp. Honestly, with the new look and feel, the amazing bright and clear screens and the fact that the touch screen makes gaming soooo much fun (and look at all the fab games Nintendo have already and are also bringing out in the near future) I don't know why you'd want to play anything else!

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Rating: - Slick, Shiny and Sexy
Atlast, Nintendo make a real push to say that they still own the handheld market. One thing the PSP has always had over the DS is style and looks.Just compare the two systems in argos and you will see what i mean. But thats all changed, the DS lite really does challenge PSP massively, and if the DS and PSP are neck and neck now, what the release of the Lite goner do? Blow sony away, thats what!!!

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Rating: - a ds only lite
We owned an original Nintendo DS for two years - we bought it right when it released in December 2004. When I first saw the DS Lite at E3 in 2006, I was thrilled. The game great handheld unit design - but lighter! Brighter! Tuned! It really showed that Nintendo had been paying attention to customer feedback during those two years, and had tweaked its unit to be even better than before.

First, the weight. We always *loved* the design of the DS, with its folding top. As PSP owners, I can't tell you how many time that poor PSP screen gets dinged or scratched. We had to buy extra carrying cases for our PSP and get screen protectors. In comparison, the DS's clamshell design means the screen is perfectly protected when you tote it around in your pocket or purse. The only down-side was that it was a bit heavy. With the DS lite, they keep the protection of the clamshell and also lighten up the unit significantly. It really does help a lot.

The screen brightness - with it being *adjustable* - is an incredibly helpful update. Sometimes you're playing outside in very bright light. Sometimes you're playing in full dark, staying awake in bed. There are all levels in between. If you need that brightness, you don't care if you're burning up your battery power. If you do NOT need that brightness, why kill your battery for no reason? Having that ability to adjust really means that your battery works as best as it possibly can.

We play several games that use the microphone, like Brain Age, and it definitely helps to have it in the center. Usually you're holding the unit with both hands, centered on your face. To have your mouth pointed right at the microphone helps out greatly with those games.

In general the DS system is a fantastic handheld gaming system. We have both the DS and PSP and we play both frequently. Many of the games on the DS aren't available on the PSP and are a ton of fun. The Brain Age / Big Brain Academy / similar games stand out as games we enjoy daily. There are many other games that use the DS touch screen extremely well, giving a full interactivity of gameplay. Yes, the PSP has better graphics. It's something that the DS compromised on. They have less detailed graphics, but more interactivity. Both are great for the games they offer. So for example we play flight simulator style games on our PSP, where the high end graphics matter, and we play puzzle / platform / thinking games on the DS, where the interactivity and plot is more key.

I highly recommend the DS Lite for anybody who doesn't have a DS yet - whether you have a PSP or not. It's not an either-or situation. It's like having a stereo and a TV set. They're both great for their own reasons, and most people would enjoy having both.

If you HAVE a Nintendo DS already and are wondering if you should get a Lite, it really depends on how much you use it away from home. The primary benefit here is the lighter carrying weight, smaller size and much better battery life. If you're carrying it in your pocket, purse or backpack every day, I would really recommend getting a Lite. You can always give your original DS away to a friend or relative as a present, or sell it on eBay. The DSs are still in high demand and would be much loved by a new recipient.