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The DS Lite U.S. Launch

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the shiny-white-hard-not-to-like dept.

Yesterday Nintendo began selling the upgraded version of their popular DS handheld system, and by all accounts sales are going very well. 1up has a look at the story of the DS so far, from somewhat rocky launch up through this last amazing Christmas season. From the article: "Nintendo had lost its collective mind. At least, that's how it looked back in January 2004 when the company announced its latest system, the DS. 'We have developed Nintendo DS based upon a completely different concept from existing game devices in order to provide players with a unique entertainment experience for the 21st century,' company president Satoru Iwata stated--a bold proclamation. But few were buying it." PC Magazine has details on what was upgraded, and Engadget has pictures from the NYC launch party.

3 of 125 comments (clear)

  1. Best Way to Protect your DS Screen by GenmaKun · · Score: 5, Informative

    My wife just upgraded her DS to a DS Lite. On the DS we started out with one of the Nintendo screen protectors, but it quickly got scratched up to where you could not see the lower screen through the mess.

    To solve the problem we simply bought some high quality Palm Pilot screen protectors, then cut this to the right dimensions for the DS. It works flawlessly with the DS and the stylus, and looks better after use than the Nintendo protectors do new. This pad hardly shows marks at all, even after playing stylus intensive games. They are less than $1 each at your local office supply store.

    Yesterday we picked up a DS Lite and the first thing we did was throw a Palm protector onto the screen. Works like a charm.

    1. Re:Best Way to Protect your DS Screen by laxcat · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I know most techies get really protective of their gadgets, but I've been rockin' my DS Fat since launch with no lower screen protection whatsoever, and I still have no visible damage. The screen tends to get a little greasy from games that encourage you to just use your finger, but that's the only real loss in visibility, and is obviously easily remedied every once in a while.

      The screen was built to be touched, and while I can't speak for sure for the new Lites (I can't imagine otherwise), you'll have the best, most visible experience just using the product as it was designed.

      Take a deep breath! Take that cloudy plastic off! This is game system, after all. It's no fun if you're stressed about keeping it pristine for the next ten years.

  2. Re:Bought mine launch day by nhaines · · Score: 5, Informative

    This came up during the Nintendo DS launch in November 2004. Nintendo's offical policy on dead pixels was "We want you to be happy with our products and anything that detracts from your enjoyment is not acceptable to us. We invite you to play your DS for a day or two and see if the pixel bothers you. If you find that it is distracting, we'll ship you a new one free of charge."

    If you can't exchange it at the place you purchased it, just call Nintendo Consumer Service (1-800-255-3700) as listed on the back of your DS. If you give them a credit card number as a deposit, I'm sure they'll ship you a replacement. Just open the box, grab your new DS, test it... then put your old DS back in the box, slap on the new mailing label, and drop it back in the mail.

    But the point is, Nintendo Consumer Service has been superlative since as long as I can remember (1988 at least), so give them a try if the store gives you any hassles.