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Nintendo DS Lite Hands-on Review

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the so-shiny dept.

Nintendo DS News writes "Those lucky chaps at Lik Sang have done a hands-on review of the DS Lite, with masses of screenshots and comparisons between the new and old versions. Now, you can officially add whiter, cooler, prettier, sleeker, and overall better to your arsenal of superlatives when describing the Nintendo DS Lite in comparison with the first edition of the Nintendo DS. The new edition has for sure a fashionable look, and appears more modern than the previous model, which many compared to a 'cheap plastic toy from the 20th century' when it first came out.""

58 of 81 comments (clear)

  1. slashvertisement much by Brunellus · · Score: 1

    gee. how handy that you can buy all those nice accessories from the same guys who brought you the review...

    1. Re:slashvertisement much by Rob+T+Firefly · · Score: 1

      You'd think it was a review by a vendor, or something.

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    2. Re:slashvertisement much by steveo777 · · Score: 1

      gee. how handy that you can buy all those nice accessories from the same guys who brought you the review...Almost exclusivly if too, if you live in the US, you have to import, for now. I can't even find "Coming Soon" articles on EBGames or Best Buys sights.

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  2. I played with one the other day by earthbound+kid · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I was at J. Toys R Us and tried it out:

    My first thought was, "Oh, the screen's not that bright." Then I looked over at one of the old style DSes. It looked so muddy and washed out in comparison! It's definitely a step up. Next, I tried the demo of Animal Crossing... but I didn't learn much from that besides that AC is only interesting when it's your town not some demo character. Mario Kart was much more interesting, because it taught me that the buttons are way more comfortable. The current DS buttons are sort of shallow and hard, but the new buttons are a lot easier on the thumb when you're holding down the gas with all your might. It's also seemingly easier to hit A while holding X, or whatever. The stylus is also better. I almost never use the built-in stylus now, since it's too small to be comfortable, but the new one seems just big enough to be useable.

    I'll see if I can manage to find one or not when they go on sale (when the shops open in a couple hours from). I'm actually holding out for the new color, but I told a friend, I'd send her one at low commission. Usually, there isn't much problem getting a hold of things on their release date, but this might be more problematic than usual, since it's supposedly in short supply. We'll see.

    1. Re:I played with one the other day by earthbound+kid · · Score: 1

      It was playing demo software, so I wasn't able to adjust it.

    2. Re:I played with one the other day by xenocide2 · · Score: 1

      Note that the DS's screen is already significantly brighter than the SP. The SP had a goofy front light with a reflective panel or something that spread the light across. When I bought the DS and threw in some games the first thing I noticed was that it was even brighter than the GBA. On some games it seems to be bright enough to wash out the colors a bit. I hope the DS Lite's adjustable brightness isn't tipped even further.

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    3. Re:I played with one the other day by grumbel · · Score: 2, Interesting

      ### On some games it seems to be bright enough to wash out the colors a bit. I hope the DS Lite's adjustable brightness isn't tipped even further.

      The washes out colors aren't the result of the DSs brightness, but the darkness of the original GBA, which forced the developers to use colors brighter then you would normally use to compensate for the dark display. So GBA games look wrong on everything other then the original GBA. Some emulators might counter act that by applying a low gamma before displaying the graphics, sadly none of the original Nintendo hardware does that.

    4. Re:I played with one the other day by xenocide2 · · Score: 1

      Actually, even some of the DS games look a bit washed out. Advance Wars DS gets pretty bad when the in-game weather is snowy. But my GBA games all look pretty fine on the SP. I realize that developers occasionally compensate for the original GBA, leading to stuff like the FFT:A color options.

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    5. Re:I played with one the other day by mvdwege · · Score: 1

      I don't mind that my old-style DS has a slightly less brilliant display. If only it had a !@#$% anti-reflective coating. In bright daylight it is virtually unusable.

      OTOH, it seems that the touch screen means that strategy game publishers are definitely looking seriously at the DS. I've seen a few really good strategy game (turn-based no less!) in the 2006 lineup. I can't wait for Europa Universalis.

      Mart
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  3. iBook-esque by Yahweh+Doesn't+Exist · · Score: 1

    I love the look of the iBook (and have one) so was glad about the redesign. however, seeing these new images I'm a little less keen on the look.

    I hate it when laptops have really thick bases with thin screens on top - it just looks bad imo. the iBook gets round this by making the top and bottom rounded and having a grey section sandwitched in-between the white upper and lower parts.

    the DS Lite is solid white and further exaggerates the difference between top and bottom thicknesses by recessing the upper screen into the lid.

    that said, I'm still planning to get one.

    1. Re:iBook-esque by Daetrin · · Score: 1
      the DS Lite is solid white and further exaggerates the difference between top and bottom thicknesses by recessing the upper screen into the lid.

      Perhaps, but in comparison to the original DS...

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  4. GBA cartridges stick out? No sale. by SilentChris · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Mark me troll if you want (I carry my DS during every morning and evening commute) but I'm not "upgrading" to a system that will have GBA cartridges sticking out one centimeter from the case. One of the best things about the DS was that you had 2 games ready to go, and the GBA library for classic ports is huge. Here you have an attempt by Nintendo to get people to play more DS titles (the same way GB titles stuck out of the GBA), but how much work would it have been to find the extra CM of space for the cartridge? I mean come on, Nintendo.

    Pass. My silver DS works just fine, thank you, and I'll continue to enjoy it for quite a while.

  5. Re:GBA cartridges stick out? No sale. by Brunellus · · Score: 1

    These incremental products are minor redesigns rather than full-on, must-upgrade things, anyway. If and when a device adds new features and functionality that represent significant improvement, then it's worth going after.

    speaking as someone who likes the DS, but hasn't gotten one, yet, I have to say it's pretty neat-looking. Not a fan of that "scratch me, stain me" milk-white hardware look, though--I'll be waiting for the blue version.

  6. Re:GBA cartridges stick out? No sale. by Kamalot · · Score: 1

    I say, good for you. If you are currently enjoying your system and don't see a need to upgrade, then rock on. Save your money for games you want to play.

    There's no shame or troll-ness in that.

    If you want something a little smaller and a lot brighter, just upgrade.

  7. Why don't... by Cheapy · · Score: 1

    Why didn't they add these features originally?

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    1. Re:Why don't... by rAiNsT0rm · · Score: 1

      Because Nintendo wasn't exactly sure of itself and the DS, JUST like the GBA. The GBA SP came out way too soon afterward to have truly been designed from the ground up once they knew the GBA was a hit. They had the SP designed all along but held back for one reason or another initially.

      Same thing here. Once they were sure the DS was a sure thing, they added in updates that I'm sure they knew well beforehand and then pushed it out.

      I actually don't like this practice and it does nothing to create brand loyalty or happy consumers. Nintendo needs all it can get these days, and 12 versions of the GBA and 12 versions of the DS are not the way to make a buck or make people happy. We aren't beta testers, we're customers.

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    2. Re:Why don't... by Yahweh+Doesn't+Exist · · Score: 1

      yeah what's the deal with technological progress? how come companies keep releasing improved products when they know there will be even more improvements in the future?

      we all know that at some point we'll have processors 2 times as fast as the ones we have now, so why bother with measly increments of 25%, 50% etc.? wait a sec, forget 2 times faster, let's not release anything until they're 3 times faster... no, 5 times faster, that'll be worth releasing, everything else in between is just a scam.

      and don't get me started on those selfish bastards who release v1.0 software - just go straight to v5.0 - the one with all the features you'll ever need but not bloated like v6.0.

    3. Re:Why don't... by MobileTatsu-NJG · · Score: 1

      "Why didn't they add these features originally? "

      Price. The DS isn't as attractive compared to the PSP when it runs for $200 instead of $130.

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    4. Re:Why don't... by valintin · · Score: 1

      I don't think this as anything to do with Nintendo being sure of itself. It's just market economics. I also think it makes for happy consumers.

      At first you have to work with the parts that are availible and have been produced. The screens are only so good at the price range your looking for. You can design a $800 dollar handheld but you can't sell it, so you go with what the market will accept.

      Then you sell a million of the units and the producer of the screens uses that capital to improve their production and the design of the screens. The price comes down on current production. You can afford to put better screens in while keeping the same price range or you can keep the same screens and increase your margins.

      I think it's to their credit that they don't keep producing units with the lesser quality screens. The just swap in their $800 dollar design when the manufacturing costs come down enough to fit their price range.

      Right now, today, I expect there is a smaller thinner version on some engineers desk that costs $800 to produce.

    5. Re:Why don't... by Belgand · · Score: 1

      While I'm all for progress you see this sort of technique in enough other areas as it is. Apple, for one, can be guaranteed to release a new iPod every year. Yes, it's nice that they're improving things, but compared to the current generation my 2nd gen iPod is an unsightly brick. After introducing a dock connector and changing the way accessories work with it it's more or less impossible to find a case or any accessories that work with it. All of this within the course of 3 years.

      Now, I'm no stranger to this sort of thing. The video card market tends to operate on a 6 month cycle of obsolescence and stereo equipment, while durable and long-lasting, still often falls prey to the newest thing coming out every year or so.

      Too many companies these days are devoting thier time and effort not to releasing incremental upgrades to products, but trying to vastly redesign it every single year. Yes, the dock connector is a great idea and I sorely wish I had one, but Apple also managed to change the key layout with every iteration (and rather radically with the introduction of the 3rd generation) and generally muck about with it. They've also, for reasons that might or might not be valid, added all sorts of software enhancements to later models (e.g. on-the-go playlists) but refuse to release them for earlier models. If they just kept getting smaller, thinner, and had a larger capacity it would be reasonable... that's the way technology improves. But this policy of constantly reversioning your products every year just feels like a colossal cash-grab.

    6. Re:Why don't... by Cheapy · · Score: 1

      The ability to miniturize, add brighter lights, and have longer battery life WERE there when the DS came out. Take for example the SP.

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    7. Re:Why don't... by Cheapy · · Score: 1

      How could Nintendo not be sure about the DS? They are Nintendo! Of coures it would sell. I can accept it with the GBA, but now that they do it again? That's starting to get suspicious. We agree that they probably had the technology and everything before the DS was launched (or atleast very close to the launch), but we disagree on the reasoning. I'm starting to lean towards thinking that they just want to make as much money as they can.

      I believe someone once said: "Once is coincidence, twice is happenstance, three times is enemy action."

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    8. Re:Why don't... by rAiNsT0rm · · Score: 1

      Actually, Nintendo was very unsure of the DS. In fact they made a major point to make clear that it was not part of the Game Boy line, and they tried to say it was part of its own line. Why bother?

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    9. Re:Why don't... by rAiNsT0rm · · Score: 1

      Actually you totally missed the point. No one is saying progress is a bad thing, but to release six versions of the same hardware in half as many years does not create happy consumers. It creates confusion and unhappy adopters who purchase the "old" model only to find a "new and updated" model a month later released.

      The DS was a crapshoot for Nintendo. That's why they did so much to make sure people knew it was not the next Gameboy or even part of the same product line.

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    10. Re:Why don't... by Yahweh+Doesn't+Exist · · Score: 1

      >It creates confusion and unhappy adopters who purchase the "old" model only to find a "new and updated" model a month later released.

      you might have a point if it really were a month later and not a year.

    11. Re:Why don't... by rAiNsT0rm · · Score: 1

      You keep switching back and forth between the DS and the GBA which is what I was referencing. I understand that the DS has been out for a year, but you need to realize the largest number of sales just came about since the release of Nintendogs... which was only a couple months.

      It's easy to also overlook the difference between Joe Sixpack and the /. geek who knows and can quote the release date for any upcoming product. The average person has no idea and is in fact angered when they buy little Johnny or Suzie a brand new DS for a hundred bucks and a new, better one appears on shelves/saturday morning cartoons/magazines/etc. 3 months later. You and I may know its been out for a year and owned ours since day 1, but to a lot of people yesterday when they bought their DS is the day their point of reference starts from.

      Also in Japan there have already been a number of "new" DS's, even in the US they did the original, Pokemon special edition, and now the DS Lite. Technically that is three in a year... not counting Nintendogs special editions/bundles. No one is saying Nintendo is evil, just that rapid updates to a new product don't make friends.

      "Hey buy the DS it's great!"... two months later... "Hey buy the DS lite it makes the original one look like crap and is sooo much better here, here, and here." And when you are sitting there with your original DS that you just bought you now have a bad image of the company and may be reluctant to make future purchases.

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    12. Re:Why don't... by Cheapy · · Score: 1

      I don't have a DS, but have thought about getting one mostly to play Mario 64 DS (or whatever it's called). The N64 is too far away to play it often. It's a pity. The reason I don't like this idea is that I dislike it when companies do this type of thing.

      But anyways, the allusion to the GBA SP was solely to have a comparision. As well as clarifying that, I'm hoping this next item will kill a few birds with one stone. I'll preface this by saying that I know not everyone will rush out to get one if they already have a vanilla DS. The arguement that releasing the features of the DS Lite at first would raise the cost is slightly flawed. I do not know the pricing of the DS Lite, but the DS goes for roughly $150 USD, according to Amazon. Surely you don't think that the cost of a DS and a DS Lite would be less than the price of a DS if it had the features at launch? That is why it is bad. Did they know how to make handhelds smaller? Yep. Did they know how to add lights to the screen? Yep. These two are known facts, and are upheld by previous Nintendo products. I'll admit that the batteries are a nonissue since Nintendo can't really dictate how that market goes. They knew how to do those things, even have had ample practice. They just didn't implement them.

      The overall price would've probably been lower as well. Therein lies the reason there were two versions methinks.

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    13. Re:Why don't... by Cheapy · · Score: 1

      How would them making a point that This Is Not A GameBoy mean that they were nervous about it? If anything, it would mean they were more confident about it since they weren't relying on the Gameboy brand anymore to sell it.

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    14. Re:Why don't... by 7Prime · · Score: 1

      Because, if it was a total failour, they'd still have the GBA line, untarnished, and going strong (as it was and still is). If they had released the Virtual Boy as a replacement for the SNES, for instance... they probably would have gone belly up. This way, Nintendo currently has 3 different lines to rely on: GameBoy line, DS line, and console line. All are strong enough, at the moment, that if one were to fail, the company wouldn't go bankrupt. Now, let's be honest about this, the DS is already becoming the replacement for the GBA. But this was a positive side-effect of the success of the DS, and Nintendo was perfectly prepared that this would happen. The fact that the DS can play GBA games makes it a "GBA compatable" line, at least. There will probably continue to be a GBA line around for a while yet, as there are still a fairly large number of DS naysayers, but that may also start to disappear with the introduction of the DS Lite, as it addresses a lot of the biggest issues that the naysayers have (too big, too heavy). Unfortunately, it fails to address my biggest concern with the DS, which is that it's fairly uncomfortable and unergonomic, and the Lite doesn't really look like it changes the shape very much. Then again, I've never played a handheld console that I thought was comfortable to hold for long periods of time.

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    15. Re:Why don't... by rAiNsT0rm · · Score: 1

      I normally don't respond to AC posts, but you sir are as dense as grandma's poundcake.

      Please take a reading comprehension class, and then come back when you're all growed up.

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    16. Re:Why don't... by Cheapy · · Score: 1

      That's my whole point. Nintendo knew it would do well, so they weren't nervous about it.

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    17. Re:Why don't... by Cheapy · · Score: 1

      Aye, my cousin from Chicago has a DS and Mario 64 for it. I liked the controls, take some getting used to after the N64 controller, but hey, humans adapt right?

      You understand my stance completely now, whomever you may be. I do not like the idea of having to buy the same system twice, with only a few upgrades (If they were of proper signifigance though, I would consider.) I do not know the price of the original dollars, but I have seen various reports of the cost of the DS Lite. From the site which is linked in the article, $200.00 USD. From an article on Gamespot, it costs $145.00 USD. That Gamespot article also states that the DS is $130 now. What does this mean? It means that if you have have both the DS and the DS Lite (and lived in Japan), you would've spent $275 on essentially the same device (In the sense that it plays the same games.) Instinctively, I do not trust businesses, and try not to give them the benefit of the doubt. The sole conscern of a business is to make as much money off of you as possible. I find it suspicious that this has happened two (or three?) times recently. We shall see how the next version of the Nintendo Handhelds fair, and what Nintendo will do with them.

      You do bring up many points that have changed my stance on this issue slightly. I do not proclaim to know a lot about the hardware of the various handhelds (or any other gaming system for that!).

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    18. Re:Why don't... by rAiNsT0rm · · Score: 1

      OK, he clearly was going between the two handhelds because he references the amount of time they were available.

      When I said a couple months I was saying in general (as far as the general public is concerned it has only been a few months since the push for the Nintendogs/Pokemon editions. While these are not DIFFERENT in any hardware way they are to entice buyers due to the tie-in. So your kid sees the new blue pokedex version and wants it because it is marketed to death, so you buy it, and then three months later the DS Lite with all new features comes out and you feel slighted. Don;t mistake me, I'm not talking about you or I... I am talking about the average Joe consumer.

      I have worked on the marketing/advertising side of the gaming industry and am very familiar with it from the viewpoint of the average consumer. Which is where the largest market really is, not in the hardcore /. type crowd. That's what I was referencing when I said two months... to them it has only been two months that the DS has been out because that was when they bought theirs. Logic and reasoning doesn't apply to most consumers, that's why they had to create that old saying about "the customer is always right."

      If you truly read what I wrote I explained that I was speaking from the average consumer viewpoint, not my own, not yours, and not from the hardcore videogame fan.

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    19. Re:Why don't... by rAiNsT0rm · · Score: 1

      "What do you propose Nintendo should do, then? Should they never upgrade their products as technology improves because a portion of their customer base may have unlucky timing?"

      And this is what you've been basically questioning in your responses the whole time, and it is a valid question.

      My answer is for Nintendo to rework its marketing, which has been one area Nintendo has failed in for years due to their strict adherence to a Japanese focus and NOA having basically no power to do much of anything. Most companies get around this problem by advertising their upcoming product in advance so consumers know what is coming and can make informed decisions.

      Their entire corporate philosophy and their marketing are all centered around Japan, and America is not even part of the initial equation. This creates the current view of Nintendo in consumers minds, which is basically non-existent except for the Game boy, GBA and original NES.

      It's OK to upgrade products and it is OK to innovate, but someone needs to wake up and realize that the two markets are vastly different and need to be treated so. How many people do you know own a GBA Micro? Yep, not many if any at all. But in Japan their culture fits that product, marketing style and it sells. Rapid releases with fairly major improvements in a short period of time are not the way to market to Americans. Multiple versions of the same hardware and add-on's also do not do so well here as there.

      NOA and Nintendo of Japan need to almost become two different companies, unlike how NOA is just a mouthpiece for Nintendo of Japan. Different markets need different strategies.

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    20. Re:Why don't... by Cheapy · · Score: 1

      Now that that is done and over with, I must ask: Why AC? I almost didn't respond, but did so on a whim.

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    21. Re:Why don't... by Cheapy · · Score: 1

      Ah. That explains a few things, namely how you kept coming back to this conversation without an account to keep track. Seemed too much work to search for it otherwise.

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    22. Re:Why don't... by Cheapy · · Score: 1

      Regardless, I had planned to add ya to one of my lists, but I guess I can't.

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  8. Biased by omeg · · Score: 1

    Seems like this article is a little biased towards Nintendo's product! "Beautiful new hardware", "astonishing display", "hot software", "we don't agree with the critics", etc.

    Not that they're not entitled to their own opinion, but does sound a little spooky if you take into account the fact that their page is littered with Nintendo advertisements. It would be appreciated if the summary linked to a more sober article of this news.

    1. Re:Biased by randyest · · Score: 1

      You're confused Mr. AC. Liksang sells the DS Lite for $169, which is $40 more than the normal DS (that's not 1.5x at all, even if the DS and DS lite were the same, which they're not.) The DS Lite is not available in the US, and it will certainly be around US$169 in Japan.

      So they're not doing anything like you're suggesting.

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  9. Those are not superlatives. by wheany · · Score: 1

    whiter, cooler, prettier, sleeker, and overall better to your arsenal of superlatives

    Yeah, maybe if you're a moron. Whiter, cooler, prettier, etc are comparatives. Whitest, coolest, prettiest would be superlatives.

    1. Re:Those are not superlatives. by TubeSteak · · Score: 1
      Whiter, cooler, prettier, etc are comparatives. Whitest, coolest, prettiest would be superlatives.
      I'll keep that in mind next time I call someone a "Fucker" when I actually meant "Fuckiest"
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    2. Re:Those are not superlatives. by Dark_Lord_Prime · · Score: 1

      From dictionary.com:

      "superlative adj.

            1. Of the highest order, quality, or degree; surpassing or superior to all others.
            2. Excessive or exaggerated.
            3. Grammar. Of, relating to, or being the extreme degree of comparison of an adjective or adverb, as in best or brightest."

      The words, themselves, may not be superlatives, but they DO add to the excessive amount of adjectives used to describe the DS. ;)

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  10. A what? by Oldsmobile · · Score: 1

    You can add a whiter cooler, or even prettier sleeker overalls?

    What does a refridgerator or workwear got to do with anything?

    That makes no sense.

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  11. Re:GBA cartridges stick out? No sale. by Hitto · · Score: 1

    I own a current-style white DS, and it doesn't have a scratch, nor does it have stains. I don't spill orange juice on it everyday, but I do use it everyday for at least an hour. I made it fall down twice, no scratches.

    The screen might need a goos clean wipe now and then, but it's not iPod-scratchy.

  12. At last! by ivan256 · · Score: 1

    A DS that doesn't have the construction charactaristics of a device made for 4 year olds.

    Now I'll actually buy one.

  13. Re:GBA cartridges stick out? No sale. by monopole · · Score: 1

    The cartridge I use to the exclusion of all others, the Play Yan already sticks out by about a cm so I am not gravely concerned. I just want a smaller brighter video player and web browser.

  14. Re:Toys by randyest · · Score: 1

    Huh? No, not at all, to be honest. I'd say there really are only three to consider (Gameboy, NDS, and PSP) and that very few people will end up buying all three, much less all the versions of the GB (original, micro, color, advance.) And if you get an NDS, you can play all the GBA games.

    $100 may get you a gameboy but it isn't enough for the NDS (close though, $129ish) and way short for a PSP (>$200.)

    Moreover, I don't think anyone who owns an NDS (as I do) would say they only play it on airplanes. It's got some awesome games that you can't possibly play on a PC or other device (such as Ouendan! and Trauma Center) -- the touch and voice bit make it unique and fun.

    Frankly, your post confuses me.

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    everything in moderation
  15. At least I didn't get screwed this time around. by sycomonkey · · Score: 1

    The jump from DS-->DSlite is a lot smaller than the jump from GBA-->GBAsp. This makes me pretty happy, because as it is the DS is an expensive device. I bought an SP when they came out because the lit screen was a must-have, but I can live perfectly happy with my DSheavy. It's almost upsetting that Nintendo spent R&D money on updating it at all, when they have work left to do (I assume) on the N5. (I hate the name "Revolution" so much). I will save the money I would have to spend on the lite to prepair for the N5, which I guess will probably cost $199.

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    1. Re:At least I didn't get screwed this time around. by SuperMo0 · · Score: 1

      I'm pretty happy as well with the fact that unlike the SP, you really don't feel like you're missing out on too much with the DS Lite. The best thing about this is that if your DS happens to break, you know you have this sleeker version of it waiting in the wings for you, but you know that you don't have to go out and buy this RIGHT AWAY like with the GBA SP, which really added features that the GBA should've had in the first place.

  16. Re:GBA cartridges stick out? No sale. by Millennium · · Score: 1

    Eh? I don't plan to get a new DS either -my current one works fine, thank you very much- but what's the big deal if the GBA cartridges stick out a little bit? How is this an attempt by Nintendo to get people to play more DS games? For that matter, how was this true with the GBA, when original Game Boy games stuck out a little bit?

    This is an honest question; I've no clue what difference it could possibly make. As far as I can tell, you're just whining over a minor aesthetic issue.

  17. Trade-Offs by paullyjunge · · Score: 1

    It's called trade-offs. Like how the PSP traded having games for having really nice hardware that can do lots of stuff, but apparently not games. Sorry, but it's true.

  18. Re:GBA cartridges stick out? No sale. by meteorwake · · Score: 2, Interesting

    If you have seen the circuit board pictures on the FCC website, you will find that there is simply NO ROOM for both a GBA cart and a DS cart to to fit inside the DS Lite case. Check it out here

    As you can see, the back of the GBA and DS connectors are practically touching. Sure they could have made it so that GBA carts won't stick out, but only if the case was extended. I prefer the cart sticking out over a larger DS.

    Its not Nintendo was lazy.

  19. Re:Toys by seebs · · Score: 1

    Agreed. I have a DS, and I feel the system totally justified itself with Canvas Curse. I have sat next to 8Ghz of computers with 21" displays and mondo video cards, happily drawing little rainbow-colored lines. :)

    --
    My blog: http://www.seebs.net/log/ --- My iPhone/iPad app: http://www.seebs.net/seebsfrac/
  20. Re:Toys by patio11 · · Score: 1

    I live by my DS on airplanes, true (seriously, in terms of comfort on a trans-Pacific flight owning a DS is like getting an upgrade to business class: you can happily fritter away hours of your normally torturous commute), and also like it for train rides in the 2-3 hour range, but its also become my primary console. Since buying WoW, my desire to play my library of involved RPGs on the PS2 has crumbled into dust. If I've got thirty minutes to kill, however, and don't have a good book to curl up with, I'm literally 15 seconds from being in a Canvas curse level, kicking some tail in Advance Wars, etc etc.

    --
    Help poke pirates in the eyepatch, arr.
  21. Re:Uh, dude by KDR_11k · · Score: 1

    Sometimes they do say "this is complete crap, we won't restock it".

    --
    Justice is the sheep getting arrested while an impartial judge declares the vote void.
  22. Re:GBA cartridges stick out? No sale. by SilentChris · · Score: 1

    It would not have been difficult to spend the extra 2 weeks engineering and make the board smaller. It can be done.

  23. Re:GBA cartridges stick out? No sale. by meteorwake · · Score: 1

    Well, the middle of the board is practically [GBA cart length - 1cm + DS cart length] long. The board has to be that big because of the physical size of the game carts. I admit, it looks like the gap between the connectors could've been shurnk a bit more, but definitely not 1cm.

    I guess they could layer the GBA cart connector and the DS cart connector, that would've made a thicker DS, espcecially with the touch screen and all. Or I guess they could've had DS carts sticking out a bit.

    I think Nintendo would've done so if it were practically possible. The Opera browser is suppose to come with a RAM extension that fits in the GBA slot. Rather than releasing a module the that is just the size of a normal GBA cart, they are also releasing one that fits completely inside the DS Lite. This shows that, they too, aren't fond of the whole "GBA cart sticking out" mess. I think that it costs more money and time to make and distribute different size RAM carts for the GBA slot, then it would have taken to downsize the DS Lite circuit board. I am sure that Nintendo played around with it.

    I am not trying to say that the DS Lite has no flaws. I too am annoyed by the GBA cart sticking out, though my explanation why is reasonable. Some have no problems with GBC carts sticking out of the GBASP or like a poster said, the Play-Yan sticking out of a GBA. That is personal preference. I, like yourself, will be sticking with the original DS.

  24. Re:GBA cartridges stick out? No sale. by dave1212 · · Score: 1

    Is the Play-Yan better than the 'Movie Player'? I want to be able to run all the homebrew stuff.