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Nintendo DS Lite FCC Tested
Blackbird writes "The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has tested Nintendo's upcoming Nintendo DS revision, the Nintendo DS Lite, and has released the full test report on its website. Apart from the test results, a concept version of the user manual and photo's of the casing are available for download."
It seems Nintendo and Apple have been copying each other. First it was the fruity transparent colors of the iMac and the Gameboy Advance. Then the platinum color of the Gameboy Sp and DS which is similar to the newer G5 iMacs. The introduction of a Mac Mini, and Nintendo's introduction of Gameboy Micro. And this latest one, the DS lite which looks quite a bit like an iBook.
Is this evidence of copying, or parallel design choices. Or is Jonathon Ives secretly working for Nintendo. Considering the clunky design of the original DS, I think it was someone who went to design school with Ives who graduated right behind him.
So looking at the manual, is states that the charger (which looks like a micro one) does not work with any other nintendo products. Whereas the old UK DS, outlines in the manual that the charger works with the DS and SP. I was planning on importing and selling my old DS to my GF (for a lot less than it's worth, but then she will "approve" of my upgrade.), and then sharing a charger. It seems this won't work, and neither will getting a micro one if the manual is correct.
I don't want to wait till it's released in the UK offically as my GF my have lost her interest by then, and obviously I want to cultivate this trend.
The Japanese charger operates at 110V whereas the UK works at 240V, any ideas how I could work around this?
Help me slashdot your my only hope.
I'm traveling to the states next week and I was planning to buy a DS along with Mario Kart and few more choices but now with this Lite version coming out in May I don't know what to do. I have the money, I'm a Nintendo fanboy with a GC and a GBA with afterburner and I was looking forward to get the DS since launch day. Should I get a "normal" DS next week? Consider that if i don't the only way to pick a Lite version when it comes out will be ordering online @ LikSang or buying it at local store, either way I believe we are talking about $250 for a core version (shippings, taxes all included) plus $70 for any game. Size it's not a problem since I have large hands and i find the DS confortable enough.
I think we've already passed the time when console updates or extras no longer cross the water, unless they're only useful in one or two games. The internet and mass gaming media has made it so most gamers know about a product being revealed in Japan, even if no American release plans were announced. This drums up a mass furvor to get it sent over, and with a fanbase like Nintendo has, the fans swarm the company with requests to localize it. (Nintendo was probably planning on bringing it over from the start, though.)
I think it's important to note that, from the pictures, it looks like the DS Lite will still have the ability to play GBA games, despite the smaller form. (The original article I saw on it didn't mention that, and I haven't read any followups yet.) I'm glad money has held me back from getting one until now. Much easier to carry around between classes.
One other big thing I noticed is what isn't there. It's called the "DS Lite" partly because you can change the brightness of the screen through a switch, right? I'm not seeing any brightness switch on the model in the pictures. Did they forget that part here, or am I missing it somewhere?
Nintendo better get this through the gate, soon. A simultaneous release worldwide sounds in order. If they hold back on the state-side release, chances are that we'll see what looks to be a three-way tug of war within Nintendo- pay for Twilight Princess, the Revolution, or the DS Lite? (assuming you can't afford all three at once)
Finally, is it me, or is the model they gave the FCC really crappy looking? It's missing the sleek gloss of the display we saw before.