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feature :: nintendo ds lite

Nintendo DS Lite

The Nintendo DS Lite is a huge improvement from the original DS. Brighter, crispier screens, sexier look, feels better to hold and play, plus I can whip it out in public with out feeling too much of a geek (thank you to the iPod look). If you currently own a Nintendo DS and are satisfied with it, stick with it. If you?re a DS junkie and want to have a better DS experience, I strongly recommend picking this up. And finally, to all the new gamers out there who are a little interested in handheld games, try giving the DS Lite ago, you?ll find it to be very user friendly and just simply fun.

Before we begin, I would like to applause Nintendo of Australia for giving Australians the Nintendo DS Lite before North America and Europe. Yup, that's right. If you own a DS Lite as of today, you have it a week before the Americans and two weeks before the Europeans. How's that for service? I think Nintendo is saying to Australia "Thank you for putting up with being four months behind the world in console and game launches for the past ten years. Here, have this before the Americans!" Hah! Anyway, let's continue.







Going back a few months ago, a new Nintendo DS design was rumored around the internet. Who knows how or where this rumor begun, although it did grab a lot of attention. A few weeks later, Nintendo hits the online public with a sketch of their new design of the Nintendo DS announcing it as the Nintendo DS Lite. Nintendo also announced the DS Lite is only a physical upgrade; there are no hardware or software changes.

Two months later, The DS Lite was released in Japan. The public scrambled to purchase a DS Lite without success due to the handheld selling out within the first week of launch. The popularity of the DS Lite was shown with news channels announcing that Japan had sold out of the new Nintendo handheld. Some people took advantage of this situation and were auctioning DS Lite's on eBay with prices reaching up to $700.00 AUD. That's Crazy!

Soon after the Japan launch, The Nintendo DS Lite launched in Australia on the 1st of June 2006 for $199.00 SRP available in Polar White. I just so happened to pick one up on launch day to let you all know the answers to "what are the new features?" and "is it worth my Macca's pay?"

When I opened the box, the first thing that came to my attention was how sleek, glossy, and sexy the DS Lite looks. The top of the DS Lite is very shiny; I can see my face in it (That can't be a good thing). FYI the sleek new finish is resistant to leaving thumb prints, which is a bonus after owning a PSP.

As I held the DS Lite, I discovered it is indeed very light. Just by looking at it, it seems a lot smaller than the original. But as I compared the DS and the DS Lite against each other I could see the DS Lite was only a bit shorter in width and length and a lot thinner in height in comparison.

As I look at the back of the handheld, it seems to have a smaller charge point compared to the original DS; it's almost as like it is a small USB plug similar to one on a digital camera. Basically what I'm saying is that the original DS charger will not fit into the back of the DS Lite.

The cartridge slots are situated the same as on the original DS. One of new features on the DS Lite is the slot for Gameboy and Gameboy Advance games. Nintendo have included a cartridge protector that slides into the slot when there are not GB or GBA games connected in. This is to stop dust and who knows what's in your pocket from getting into the DS Lite and causing damage. The protective slot also gives the DS Lite a proper finish, very cool.







As I'm gazing on the outside of the DS Lite, I must say it has been given a very good iPod like style. It looks very hip and trendy to have in your pocket, giving it a sexy professional look. But surprisingly, it's also built to withstand the violence of a young reckless kid. This new look promises to attract new and old gamers alike, extending the handheld market for Nintendo.

Ok, let's open this baby up. As I grip my hands into place it feels a lot more comfortable than the original. The D-Pad have been improved for comfort, it allows you to grip the handheld more firmly and is more comfortable on the thumbs.

The A B X Y buttons feel more solid while playing, very comfy. The Start and select are situated near the bottom centre of the DS Lite. It feels a bit weird having to move my thumb all the way down there to hit start and select, but nothing to serious. The L and R shoulder buttons are very grippy on the outside, fits the fingers well. After doing a few experiments, the cramp I used to get in my hands from playing the DS for too long is now gone. No more RSI for me!

The screens on the DS Lite is the same size as the original DS, it may look bigger on the DS Lite, but this illusion is achieved as the shell of the DS Lite is smaller, I can assure you it's the same size.

The power button is located on the right side of the handheld, thank god. I don't know how many times I accidentally hit the power button on the original DS, stupid position in the first place. But the DS Lite's power button is situated very smart, to turn it on you slide the button up, much like the PSP power button.

Mmmm, now for the good bit, let's fire this baby up. Oh wow, there's something I noticed straight away. The screen is so much clearer and crisper than the original. I've never seen DS games look so good, the DS Lite defiantly shows off more of the vibrant colours and shading DS games have to offer that had previously been suppressed by the low quality of the DS screen. The DS Lite offers 4 different brightness levels for the screens that can only be changed within the DS Lite main menu.

I like to leave mine on the brightest, apparently my girlfriend says it's too bright for her pretty eyes, but I lost my eye site 3 years ago from playing to much RTCW: Enemy Territory. So it's a win win, she can't screen cheat off me anymore.

Now, If I remember reading correctly, the DS Lite is now holding Nintendo's finest portable screen developed, surprisingly the Gameboy Micro has been beaten after only a year.







As for the stylus, it is situated in a different position this time, located at the right of the handheld. The stylus is also much bigger and more comfortable to hold than the original DS stylus. I've actually noticed myself playing Wario Ware Touched! and Kirby Canvas Curse much better precision because the stylus fits better in my hand.

And the DS Lite also comes with a oh.. Wait.. Wait just a second.. Damn I must have lost it!

*looks around scrambling to find the DS Lite thumb strap*

What the ...? Where's the Thumb Strap? It didn't come with a thumb strap!!? That can't be! I can see where the thumb strap is supposed to hook in around the back of the DS Lite! What's going on? I better double check this.

*Calls up Mate*

*Hangs up sad*

Well, there you have it folks, The Nintendo DS Lite does not come with a thumb strap. Why Nintendo? The thumb strap is absolutely critical for Metroid Prime Hunters. Why has Nintendo done this to us? *sigh* No biggie, I can use my original DS thumb strap, but what about all those 'new gamers' out there?

Let's see, controls, the look, screens, stylus and the missing thumb strap. Well, that pretty much it viewers. I have taken a variety of shots when can be viewed at the picture library. If you have anymore questions or are single feel free to email me and make sure to check out future reviews of Nintendo DS games from the AG Crew.

Overall, Yeah, I'm impressed with the Nintendo DS Lite. I'm going through a phase when I'm playing DS games that I bought sometime last year, I've just got to get that extra glimpse and better control which I possibly could have missed with the original DS.

The Nintendo DS Lite is a huge improvement from the original DS. Brighter, crispier screens, sexier look, feels better to hold and play, plus I can whip it out in public with out feeling too much of a geek (thank you to the iPod look). If you currently own a Nintendo DS and are satisfied with it, stick with it. If you're a DS junkie and want to have a better DS experience, I strongly recommend picking this up. And finally, to all the new gamers out there who are a little interested in handheld games, try giving the DS Lite ago, you'll find it to be very user friendly and just simply fun.

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