Seeing as both the Nintendo DS and the Sony PSP came out at roughly the same time, and therefore seen as rival next-gen handheld consoles, I thought it would be appropriate to tell a little story.
I watched a live instalment of a regularly broadcasted show on Gamespot.com recently. Now although ... Read review
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Improved smaller and lighter version of the Nintendo DS Weights just 218gr and measures 133mm x 73.9mm x 21.5mm (5.24 x 2.90 x 0.85 inches) Screen backlight adjust...
variety of distinctive changes which truly sets it apart from other handheld consoles. Nintendo DS Lite retains the advanced touch screen technology, allowing pla...
innovative new games but theres no denying that the Nintendo DS is not exactly the most portable of portable consoles. Thats all changed now with this sleek and sexy up...
variety of distinctive changes which truly sets it apart from other handheld consoles. Nintendo DS Lite retains the advanced touch screen technology, allowing pla...
innovative new games but theres no denying that the Nintendo DS is not exactly the most portable of portable consoles. Thats all changed now with this sleek and sexy up...
DS Lite Handheld Console
Nintendo DS Lite offers all of the unique features of the Nintendo DS but also includes a ... more
variety of distinctive changes which truly sets it apart from other handheld consoles. Nintendo DS Lite retains the advanced touch screen technology, allowing pla...
A review by dudeglove on Nintendo DS Lite June 21st, 2007
Author's product rating:
Graphics capability
Good
Sound capability
Good
Range of Extra Features (I.e. email)
Average
Value For Money
Excellent value
Advantages:
Long battery life, great choice of games available, multiplayer capabilities are endless
Disadvantages:
Big handed people might suffer from their hands cramping, Wi - Fi access can be tricky
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
Seeing as both the Nintendo DS and the Sony PSP came out at roughly the same time, and therefore seen as rival next-gen handheld consoles, I thought it would be appropriate to tell a little story.
I watched a live instalment of a regularly broadcasted show on Gamespot.com recently. Now although the whole thing is presented by a bunch of middle-aged nerds, the material is always focused on the latest up and coming stuff from the gaming industry. One of the segments involved the dullest individual I have ever had the misfortune to listen to for fifteen minutes. He was a publicity rep from Sony and started droning about the PSP, how it can interact with the ludicrously overpriced PS3, how it can be used to centralise all the media in your home, how you can access it to broadcast blah blah blah… Eventually he shut up, the cobwebs were blown aside and a pre-edited VT came on.
The clip was of a new game under development for the Nintendo DS and the whole thing lasted less than a minute, presumably because the twit from Sony had forced them to cut it short. It didn’t matter; by the end of it I was hooked. The game in question was still in pre-production, but it was clear that it was a standard platformer. Nothing surprising there, except that your hero is a blank slate in terms of graphics. So, before you start adventuring, your job is to draw your own hero and his stuff with the DS stylus pen thingy. People with wild imaginations immediately rejoiced, as did those looking forward to drawing all sorts of crude shapes for swords.
You can’t help but be reminded of the “I’m an Apple, and I’m a PC” adverts. Sure, the PSP is a wonderfully hi-tech piece of equipment: a movie playing, mp3 screaming, Internet accessing device, but… it’s lacking something. The problem with both the PSP and the PS3 is that they have far too bold a promotional campaign. Feature blasting a public may leave them in awe, but it is far more likely bore them to death. As was clearly seen on the Gamespot broadcast, Sony’s failing is that their latest products are far too focused on what the PS3 or PSP itself it can do, rather than the games they offer. Any video game title on the PS3 or PSP that has player Internet rankings or can update itself regularly with downloadable patches is fine and dandy, but if the games themselves are lame ducks, what’s the point in having all these needless features slapped on? All the Wi-Fi connectors in the world won’t save it from being slammed by reviewers and the public alike. Besides, what you’re reading this review on is through a machine that will always be far more suited to downloading music, editing movies, or playing silly macromedia flash games than any device Sony (or Nintendo for that matter) can pump out.
Nintendo wisely play down what the DS Lite is capable of. The DS Lite isn’t concerned with synchronising your family photos or podcasts. Much like the Wii, the DS and its games have one basic principle: to be as simple and entertaining as possible. When my older brother bought himself a PSP well before I purchased my DS Lite, I was rather shocked to see that he had to go through the nonsense of installing updates onto the device through his computer before even getting to play anything on it. With my own DS, once it had been fully charged properly – in exactly the same manner as charging a mobile phone – it was ready to go. I clicked in a copy of Castlevania and got playing, no problems.
The DS Lite is the sleek offspring of the DS, which is a rather clunky looking device by comparison. Nintendo already pulled this cheeky stunt before with the Game Boy Advance, jazzing up the design to form the Game Boy Advance SP. Whilst the GBA SP didn’t have any major modifications made to it, the DS Lite does. Most noticeably it is smaller, streamlined and weighs less than the original, yet it doesn’t feel fragile. The dimensions are comparable to an A5 envelope with the thickness of a regular DVD case. Unlike the PSP, the DS can fold down firmly, protecting both its screens and the major buttons so nothing gets scratched. Admittedly the power, shoulder buttons and volume control are around the periphery of the device, but they hardly protrude at all so it’s unlikely that you’ll accidentally reset the thing during play, especially as to turn the device on or off you need to slide the switch up and hold it for a second. Closing the DS puts anything running into sleep mode to save battery power, waiting for you to flip it back open again. Battery life depends on what you do. Playing MegaMan ZX at full blast on the highest brightness setting will give you maybe five hours or so. Nintendo maintain that a very slow game on the lowest brightness with the volume off will run for about fifteen hours uninterrupted, but obviously they are being pessimistic in their calculations. You will know when your game is about to die, as the little green light at the side will turn red, giving you plenty of time to save your progress, or plug the thing into the wall to keep playing. Unlike the Game Boy, you don’t have to worry about buying rechargeable batteries – it’s all self contained in the DS.
What sets the DS apart from the PSP are two unique features: the touch screen and the microphone. The touch screen is the lower screen and in certain games you use the DS stylus – a plastic pen thing that, handily enough, clicks neatly into the underside of the machine – to do a whole variety of things. The most impressive use of this I have seen is through the game Metroid Prime: Hunters which is a first person shooter akin to the Gamecube’s Metroid games. If you are right handed you hold the DS in your left hand, resting your thumb on the d-pad and finger on the left shoulder button, and the stylus in your right. Sliding the stylus across the touch screen corresponds to where you aim your gun, whilst double-tapping the screen makes you jump. While it takes some getting used to, in time it becomes an incredibly fluid and innovative system of control [it’s very similar to the traditional WASD keyboard and mouse set-up for the PC].
Usage of the microphone hasn’t blown me away yet. I have been told you can use it to talk to your friends in between Wi-Fi matches in Metroid Prime: Hunters, which is a stroke of genius, but in my experience the microphone has only added neat little touches. In Lunar Knights, an isometric action RPG, you can blow into the mic to make your character whistle, distracting a patrolling enemy and allowing you to sneak past a la Metal Gear Solid. When dusting for fingerprints in Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, you tap a load of dust onto the suspicious area with the stylus and blow into the microphone, thus blowing away the dust to reveal the incriminating fingerprints. For checking your brain age in Doctor Kawashima’s Brain Training, you complete something called a “Stroop Test” (ask a psychiatrist), which means you have to say one of four different words into the mic depending on what appears on the screens. They’re all welcome highlights, but don’t expect a game to rely totally on the mic.
The DS also boasts both wireless and Wi-Fi connectivity. The wireless means that even if your friends don’t have a copy of Mario Kart on their own DS, up to eight people can race together with just one Mario Kart game card between all of you through the download function. Another feature of wireless is the inherent “pictochat” program on every DS. If other DS owners are nearby, you can start an ad hoc chatroom and send each other silly pictures drawn with the stylus. The Wi-Fi on the other hand essentially means that you can play against anyone else in the world as long as you have a free access point available. Nintendo’s own site: www.nintendowifi.com lists free DS access points across the globe and there are certainly plenty in the UK. Again, a PC is far better for all things Internet, but the sheer fact that such a small and portable device can give you the chance to compete against some cheating bastard from South Korea is astonishing.
Of course, the DS isn’t without its flaws. Those I know blessed with large hands complain of their hands cramping up during a game of Metroid. The two screens are only about three inches across each, and playing for too long squinting at a small screen will certainly strain your eyes. Then again, you should never play any game on anything for longer than an hour at a time, and those susceptible to seizures from flickering lights ought to be wary, so consult your doctor before play etcetera etcetera... The two speakers will sound small and a little tinny, but seeing as it is a portable device you are far better to stick in a set of headphones. Better still: plug the DS into your computer speakers to really enjoy the stereo. Those sweaty disgusting hands of yours will grease the screens up fairly regularly, but that’s to be expected. Sometimes the touch screen and microphone have not been as responsive as I have wanted, but that may be more due to the fault of a game’s own programming than because of the DS itself. Setting up a Wi-Fi connection can be incredibly simple, or incredibly complicated depending on what kind of access point you are using.
The cost for the standard DS Lite package – which also includes a DS charger, a spare DS stylus and all the necessary instructions, warnings and documents – is £100 from a high-street shop. Games can cost up to £30, but the price tends to hover around the twenty quid mark. Additionally, any Game Boy Advance games that you have left over can still be played using the DS secondary slot, meaning the thing is backwards compatible. By comparison, the PSP on its own costs £130, and its games aren’t cheap either.
By and large the DS Lite is an idiot-proof device. I have yet to experience any major technical problems or games crashing, and the touch screen has certainly put up with plenty of stylus abuse. The array of cutesy titles available are perfect for the kids, while its rather sexy design won’t look out of place in your jacket pocket or handbag.
If you want an all-encompassing media device that takes a hefty chunk out of your monthly wages and has far too many buttons on it, then go buy a PSP. If, on the other hand, you want a device that not only has a superb list of timelessly entertaining games but is also breaking the mould of how games are played, then a Nintendo DS Lite might just be up your alley.
Advantages: great new design Disadvantages: possibly limited features?
The Nintendo DS lite looks great plays better! the DS will be hitting UK streets on the 23rd of June in either black or white finish. When the original DS was launched people expected great things me being one of them I had worked pretty much all year for this thing but when I had it, I couldn’t help but thing there was something wrong with it. However a true blue Nintendo fan such as myself was still not put of, almost! Then it hit me this is not ... ...popularity of the DS dropped Nintendo had to do something to save the console from extinction. The DS lite is born; now the DS really looks like it should have done first time around. Nintendo faced this problem before with the arrival of the game boy advance over the game boy. The advance another great leap forward in hand held gaming however the decision to fit the advance without a backlight proved disastrous. Hence came the SP complete with backlight ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: fun to play with, lots of games to play Disadvantages: hard to find...sold out everywhere
...love Mario so really the Nintendo DS is a great console for me. The console also has the ability to link wirelessly to other DS users which is great for anyone wanting to play against another DS user. I grew up with a Gameboy and absolutely loved it. I was never into Playstation at all and found the D-Pad and buttons very easy to get used to, however even beginners will find it easy. SETUP
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The setup was very easy and unlike my mum could ... ...on the other hand very new to technology and computers required the instruction manual but has now discarded it in the box as she is used to the console. CHARGING
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I have charged my DS 3 times and have managed to get about 7 hours play from each charge. When the DS is charging a red light appears and when it has charged fully the light will go completely. I was surprised to get this as I had expected it to turn green when it ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: too many to list Disadvantages: none that ive seen so far
How I Discovered It
I knew about the DS like most other people, through word of mouth. I never had the desire to buy one until the beginning of 2008 when for some strange reason I set my heart on getting one. I think it was because I had seen the adverts for brain training on the tv a lot at this point, they were on almost every day. Then I played on my friends step-mums DS and that was it, my mind was made up, I had to have a DS, all I had ... ...to afford one.
Price and Availability
The DS Lite on it's own is generally £99.95 on it's own in most shops, obviously on some online shops/auction sites you can find it cheaper, but generally the cheapest I've seen it sell for is around £50. It usually works out cheaper to buy the DS as part of a bundle that includes one or more games. Mine for instance was a fathers day offer, I got the black DS Lite with the Brain Training game for free, ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Brighter screen, smaller, lighter in weight, clearer colours, bigger stylus Disadvantages: GBA Cartridges sticks out slightly when inserted.
Okay, so the Nintendo DS lite is an updated remake of the Nintendo DS; it definatly boosted up the popularity of this handheld console. Nintendo totally re-done the design, for the best! Instead of the bulky, heavy look the original DS had, they made the DS lite smaller and much more easier to hold. And what's more! They come in many other colours other than white such as Pink (Which I have), Black, Navy blue and some other colours.
... But that ... ...If you did own the Nintendo DS you must've noticed that the microphone was at a very, very odd place; where you had to put your mouth at the bottom left hand corner to speak and look at the game at the same time, and due to the lighting on the DS it was very hard... and uncomfortable for me, especially with games like Metroid Prime hunters. BUT! Nintendo placed the microphone in the middle of the DS lite in between the two screens so it's much more ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Portable, massive range of games, durable. Disadvantages: Playing can be addictive!
...Official headphones are sold by Nintendo but I have also used the headphones from my I-pod.
The built in microphone is used in some games. Some titles such as Brain Training rely on speech recognition but I've found they don't recognise my Scottish accent. Other games will ask you to blow into the microphone and some like Carnival Games merely ask you to shout as loud as you can to register your volume.
The console is available in a range of colours ... ...for a slightly higher price. Nintendo offer a two year guarantee as standard with this console so they are obviously confident that it is durable.
Peripherals
There are a huge range of peripherals available for your DS. Personally I would recommend a big bag to keep your console, charger and games together as well as a smaller portable case to carry around. Protective game cases are also handy with a wide variety available; it makes sense ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Helps keep screen clean. Disadvantages: No use for wrist strap.
...I bought this pack when i bought my DSLite at Christmas. It consists of: a pair of screen protectors, 2 styluses, a screen cloth, a wrist strap and 2 game cases holding two games each.
The screen protectors are brilliant to stop your screen getting scratched. My previous DS was scratched so much that the screen was blurred. They are definately essential.
The 2 styluses are useful espiacialy for when you lose one, (as I would know).
The Screen cloth isn't a great breakthrough in modern technology however it does stop you having to wipe smudges off of your screen with your fingers wich usually makes the smudge worse.
The wrist strap helps slightly with portability but as with the screen cloth it isnt particularly useful in any other way.
The two game cases also help with making games easier to carry.
Overall the pack...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
Advantages: Great games, Appeals to everyone, Pocket sized, Great Design Disadvantages: 3D Capabilities not a powerful as PSP, No UK Web Browser (Yet)
...The re-designed DS is a thing of beauty. Now it can compete with the PSP on looks and the games are so much better.
The DS certainly confirmed to me the future of video games is handheld.
My Son (Five) and I have had two happy years with our two Gameboy Advance SP's, but Nintendo's new DSLite made me rush out and purchase two to replace the aging SP's.
I bought both the black version and the white Version to easy distinguish between my sons and mine.
If you are to buy just one go for the white one. The black unit shows up finger prints, grease and marks very easily, whereas the white just looks great all the time.
The original DS didn't attract my attention, The PSP looked far better but since the launch the software on offer for the DS has improved and now has a fine catalogue of games for young and old, casual...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
...I played the new Super Mario Bros on a friends brand new DSLite the day it came out for 20mins and was hooked. I had to go and buy one the next morning! And I'm not a big gamer at all, I've never bought a console, and the only one I lusted after as a kid was the SNES, which Santa duely gave me, and I've happily played the same 2 games for the last 15 or so years! My boss had a go on mine yesterday, and has bought one today, seriously, if you have a game, you'll never want to be parted from it again!
Once you see this sleek tiny console in action you'll want one instantly. I got the black model (to match my ipod!) and it's not just cool, it's uber-cool!
You can stick your old gameboy advance games in and choose which of the dual screen you'd like to play on, DS games are usually across the two screens, the bottom one being the all...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
28.05.2008
10.07.2006
