Nintendo DS Lite Review
The Nintendo DS is a handheld game console by Nintendo. The system has two displays (the lower acts as a touch screen), built-in microphone, and support WiFi. The Nintendo DS is backward compatible with Game Boy Advance Games.
Despite a great system, the original Nintendo DS looks very bulky and unattractive. The “fat” design of the Nintendo DS makes it hard for people to carry it around and unattractive compare to other popular gadgets such as Apple’s iPod and Sony’s PSP.
This year, Nintendo released a redesigned model called the Nintendo DS Lite. The DS Lite provides the same functions as the original Nintendo DS except it is now smaller and featured brighter screens. The new design is a lot like Apple’s product (Not that there’s anything wrong with that).
Nintendo DS is 42% less volume (size: 133mm x 73.9mm x 21.5mm) and 21% lighter compare to the original Nintendo DS. The stylus is of the DS Lite is a lot longer, wider and heavier (43% bigger) which is easier to hold and use.
The Nintendo DS Lite retain the 3” size displays used by the original DS. The DS Lite featured a brighter displays compared to the original DS. Because the DS Lite screen so bright, it might be a little uncomfortable to play at the highest brightness level so Nintendo offer a four selectable brightness level to the DS Lite display. All brightness levels are still brighter than the original DS. Check out the video below to see the demo of brightness level settings:
The start and select buttons are now rounded and place on the lower rights for easier access. The power button is now a slider and relocated to the right edge.
The Game Boy Advance Game Paks slot at the bottom allows you to play Nintendo Game Boy Advance Paks. The slot is by default covered to protect the slot from dust or foreign material. Due to the smaller design of DS Lite, Game Boy Advance carts will stick out from the GBA slot. It will not affect the way you play, however it may looked unpleasant to some people.
The Nintendo DS Lite battery provides 19 hours of play on 4 hours charge on the lowest brightness setting, 5 - 8 hours on the highest brightness setting. The power indicator and recharge indicator is clearly visible even when the device is closed.
Recommended Software
I’m not going to write a lot about games since this entry is about the DS Lite hardware not the software. However, I’d like to recommend some games to people who are new to Nintendo DS:
- New Super Mario.
- Mario Kart DS.
- Brain Age.
If you’re in Japan, Opera will release a browser for Nintendo DS on 24 July 2006. Opera for Nintendo DS will allow you to use your Nintendo DS Lite to browse the web using a Wi-Fi connection.
Accessories
Playing touch screen games with your stylus might cause the DS Lite touch screen display to scratch. To protect your DS Lite screen display, it would be wise for you to buy a screen protector. Screen protectors that a lot of people recommend is the InvisibleSHIELD produced by ShieldZone Corporation.
According to the company’s website, the InvisibleSHIELD is a thin transparent film that can be used to protect electronic devices. It is originally developed for the military to protect helicopter blades from damage while spinning. The InvisibleSHIELD is available on many gadgets such as iPod, watches, cell phones, laptops (MacBook, MacBook Pro).
There are two invisible shields available for Nintendo DS Lite: The screen shield, which only protect your screen and the full body shield, which will cover not only your screen but also the bottom and the top of the DS Lite. The advantage of using the full body shield is you do not need to get a case/use an old sock for your DS Lite. Why cover up your DS Lite when you can show it off?
The full body shield for Nintendo DS Lite comes with four sheets of film, one for the top, one for the bottom and battery, one for the touch screen display and one for the top screen. The package also contained instructions, bottle of spray, and a squeegee.
Before applying the InvisibleSHIELD, you should remember to wash your hands and the device. I recommend cleaning the device with a cloth. Don’t forget to turn off the device before applying the films.
To apply the device, peel the films of its paper and spray both sides of the film with SHIELDspray and apply the InvisibleSHIELD to the device. Use the squeegee to push any excess moisture and bubbles. Installing the device require a lot of patience.
The InvisibleSHIELD is accurately cut to fit with the Nintendo DS Lite and if you apply it correctly, you wouldn’t be able to notice that the device is wrapped around with a thin film. Unless of course you put the device close to your eyes and inspect it carefully.
Conclusion
The Nintendo DS Lite is definitely worth buying for people who are looking for a portable gaming console with bright screens and long battery life. The main reason I chose to buy a Nintendo DS Lite is because of classic Nintendo game titles such as Mario, Donkey Kong, and Zelda.
Current original DS owners might be wondering whether it is worth to upgrade their DS to the DS Lite. I personally would rather use the money to buy a new games rather than upgrading my system. If you decide to upgrade to the DS Lite, you can transfer your WiFi Connection data ID from one DS to another, you can follow the guide from NintendoWiFi.com.
For more photos check out my Flickr tagged with nintendodslite.
1. Steve Litchfield 16 Jul 2006
Good review, though I disagree slightly. I think the DS lite is a major step forward - if only for the FAR brighter and more useable screens - after you’ve seen the DS Lite on max brightness, you can’t go back to the old, big DS!
Also, with regard to titles, the Brain Age thing gets really boring very quickly, I’d not recommend it to anyone. If anyone’s interested, I reviewed it on my own dedicated Nintendo DS Lite site, http://3lib.ukonline.co.uk/dslite/
Steve
2. William Pramana 16 Jul 2006
Hi Steve,
I agree with you having a sexier and brither DS is a big advantage. I’d still recommend the DS Lite to people. However, some of my friends who are already a DS owner are not willing to spend the money to upgrade because they would rather spend the money on getting new games.
Have you got a good DS game that you can share? Feel free to share it here.
Thank you for your comment
3. Steve Litchfield 18 Jul 2006
My favourites so far? I’d have to go with Nintendogs, playing it helping my daughter, or maybe F-18 (I’m cheating on this one, it’s the GBA title, but….) or maybe Tetris DS.
I’m still quite new to the DS scene, but we’re acquiring games at about one a week 8-)
Steve
4. Quick PC Repair 19 Jul 2006
Just curious - how do the new unit’s battery times compare to the original DS? And is there a progressive charge indicator (something that shows your battery going from full to not-so-full to downright drained)? How much play time do you have left on the unit once the charge indicator is activated? I know you might not have all those answers - thanks for a wonderfully informative article!
5. Haesslich 20 Jul 2006
The battery times with the backlight on full are about the same as the original DS - in other words, expect 5-9 hours worth of play. At minimum, you’re looking at about 15-20 hours, according to both Nintendo and other reviewers.
On Level 3 (one step below full backlight), I can easily get 10-12 hours of play per charge… but there’s no battery indicator, outside of the green/red one at the start, or the ‘battery is nearly drained’ light change which kicks in when you’re at 20% power remaining.
6. Tommy 27 Sep 2006
I never owned an original DS, and wouldn’t own one as they are horrid.
I recently gave in and bought a DS lite, a choice I made basically on cost.. I had played my friends PSP and liked Grand Theft Auto, but I felt the PSP was too expensive.
I started with new Super Mario, which is a must have game, and is madly complicated (google the cheats, hidden exits etc). However, the game I am playing, which really makes the DS lite come to life, is the classic “Advance Wars dual strike”.
Because of games like these, my DS addiction is getting worse.
Last weekend, I got my sister a matching white DS Lite as a present, complete with another cart of Advance Wars. Basically, the wi-fi play in close proximity is a major par of what the DS is all about.
I think Nintendo are encouraging this sort of collaborative play, rather than online play, and it is a really exciting prospect for the future.
I must note that when you have played a title which properly uses the DS’s touch pad, the games which dodge it’s use, can seem dull in comparison. (Take Mario Kart DS, which although ok, and with 8 player download play from one cart, carries the touch pad like a dead weight and relies too heavily on the DS’s rather basic graphics).
Although the DS lite is just a brief part of the rapidly developing story of gaming, I personally think, that the re-designed DS, may be seen as a turning point in video games, and influence the shape of hand helds to come.
In conclusion, I am glad I bought a DS as the game play means it beats the PSP hands down, with or without the flashy graphics, or the multimedia capability (something nintendo ought to sort out).
Another bonus is that the smaller cartridge based DS games load straight away, whereas the PSP diskette things whirr, fart about, and generally take slightly too long to get to the eye gouging mahem.
I think with European language versions of the DS browser, the DS lite and its progeny could prove to be unstoppable.
One note of caution, there are some really weak titles, so do your online research, and don’t judge the games by the covers. Hunt around and you will be rewarded, and the goodies are growing in number..
7. Bianca 2 Nov 2006
Hi All, Can you play the DS Lite games on the old DS?
8. William Pramana 2 Nov 2006
Bianca, you can play all nintendo ds games on either old ds and DS lite.
9. monigue 5 Nov 2006
how do you charge it?
10. maz72 18 Nov 2006
Hi i am from the uk and i have accidently bought a german version of yugioh nightmare troubadour on ebay does anybody know if i can change the language into english thanks guys
11. Lou 28 Nov 2006
My son has an old gameboy color and would like a new one for Christmas. Are the DS lite and gameboy advanced compatible with the gameboy color games? Which one should I get him?
12. William Pramana 28 Nov 2006
Hey Lou, the Nintendo DS Lite is compatible with the gameboy advance but NOT compatible with the Gameboy or gameboy color games.
13. Nick 14 Dec 2006
I am thinking about buying a DS Lite but to be used on a plane or in a hotel room while traveling. Can you use multiple DS Lite systems in close proximity to connect to each other to play head to head WITHOUT a wireless infrastructure? Meaning, if I am on a plane 30,000 feet up in the air, can I play someone that is on the plane with me having the same game?
If not, are there any systems that can do that?
14. CRWZR 8 Mar 2007
I just bought my daughter a Nintendo DS lite. Are GBA games compatible for the NDS lite?
15. Emily 14 Mar 2007
Hi CRWZR. Yes, the GBA cartridges will definitely work on the DS Lite. In fact, I am thinking of getting DS Lite just so I can play Super Mario Bros. 3 (GBA game) on it, the one in which Mario can have a raccoon tail. Yeah!!!
16. ejdo 26 Mar 2007
I have a GBA, is it really worth buying DS, or DS light?
17. ???????????????? 11 Apr 2007
I hope to anwser a few questions.
First for a question by monigue. You charge it by plugging a cable that came with the ds into the wall and put the other end in the ds. Waite 3-4 hours and its charged.
Yes you can play the ds on a plane without using wireless. Just don’t use pictochat, ds download play, or any online play. If the ds is using a wireless signal the power light will blink. Another thing about the wireless is that it can work fr up to 200+ feet. It is only recommended for 30-60 feet. Keeping 1 bar on signal strenth is all you need.
I think that if you have a gba you should get a nintendo ds lite. It will play all thte gba games brighter and has tons more features thatn the gameboy.
A question a lot of people have is what games it will play. The ds will play any ds game or gba game. It will not play any gbc or origanal gb games because those games use different processers.
The nintendo ds lite and nintendo ds are increadable systems. Any one who dosn’t have one (like me) should get one.
also you can get more info at thest websites:
www.nintendo.com - nintendo website
www.nintendowifi.com - this websiste is for online play and help
Most of the info I found was there and I’m going to get a ds lite once I get $5.34
18. f f 23 Apr 2007
love him
19. gamer 20 May 2007
can i take my ds on a plane
20. jordan 11 Jun 2007
how do you download other peoples games to you DS lite
21. Bay 16 Jun 2007
My Nintendo DS top screen broke/cracked and Mom is getting me a DS Lite. Will the house charger and car charger that I have for my DS work with the DS Lite?
Thanks!!
22. Kennedy Culver 22 Jun 2007
Critics and fans are split on the end of the long-running US television drama The Sopranos…
23. Eamon Quinlan 24 Jun 2007
I once played a friends DS I hated it!!!
24. Eamon 24 Jun 2007
I own a DS Lite and have 4 games for it.I also own 7 GBA Games.Has anyone here owned a GBA SP??? Also what should you do when a button stops working??? Cheers!!!
25. Erika 6 Jul 2007
How do you talk to people on PictoChat? I have a DS Online Browser But when I go into PictoChat it says theres no people on
26. Chandler 26 Jul 2007
I have the original ds right now, and I’m thinking of selling it to get a ds lite. what are some other differences between the ds and the ds lite besides the light and the size?
27. GOHS 28 Jul 2007
Hi I am going on holiday soon to the US i don’t know if i can use my DS Lite on the plane i need to know ASAP thx
GOHS XXX