The Official Nintendo DS Lite Thread

[Shane R. Monroe]

http://ds.ign.com/articles/683/683684p1.html

Apparently, they were right ... new DS IS coming ... I was wrong. Mark it on the calendar. Humility ... is good.

Post your news findings, reviews, etc. here.

[Shane R. Monroe]

Of course, they did pretty much what we all said they would do IF they did.

I'll be curious where they tucked the GBA slot though ...

[meu2]

I'll be curious where they tucked the GBA slot though ...

Same place it’s always been I would imagine. Here is a comparison of the old and new version: http://www.4colorrebellion.net/media/pics/06/01/ds-comparison.jpg

[Strafe]

Maybe I'll give it another go. I picked up a DS exclusively for Advance Wars, played it until the return cut off date, and finally decided it was just too big and bulky. It just wasn't comfortable to me, and count me as one of the people who think playing games with a stylus is a horrible 'innovation'.

I know, I know, I'm in the minority here.

[miner2049er]

Mmmmm, looks like a mini mac powerbook.

[nukinetix]

This is a reduction of a little over 40% which falls right in the middle of what I was predicting (a reduction between 30% and 50%). I still think they should have gone for 50-55% reduction.

The difference in portability and usability as size goes down is an S-curve: portability/usability increases slightly with little reduction in size and volume. Then, after the point of 10-15% portability suddenly starts going up more rapidly and as reduction continues the rate of gain in portability maximises around the 35% reduction point. Finally there's diminishing returns in portability as reduction succeeds the 60% point (mostly due to a loss in playability).

Nintendo stopped at 40%, possibly because of other constraints (engineering and cost), but I think 50-55% rather than 40% is the sweet spot for end users. Expect yet another DS sometime next year ;)

[Darksol]

I think this great. The sooner they can get me a new DS with the improved screens the happier I will be. They did nothing in this redesign from a first look that is not an improvement of some kind. I will definitely pick one of these new models up. I wonder what 'improvements' the new firmware will have though. Hmmmmm.........

[nukinetix]

I'll give it a pass, for now, though I'll certainly go and see it up close before I finally make up my mind.

The deal with me is simple: if it ain't 100% pocketable I won't be tempted by the brighter screens because that's only a secondary factor. Not at that price certainly. By the time it gets here (june, so no hurry) I bet I'll be able to pick up a dead-cheap GBA micro and get the most out of it by playing rebelstar and advance-wars anywhere I go. That'd give me the most bang for my buck, I reckon.

[loket]

Hopefully, it will have a different colour scheme (looks very ipod at the moment). It will probably have new firmware and BIOS. Plus changes in where the firmware protection point is located (may even be removed). It will be interesting for the the homebrew crowd and passkey (and flashme) users what this may entail. I am sure all "legit" applications past and future will work with the new (and old ) DS.

Looks neat but I am still happy with my old DS (scratched and battered)...prices should drop for the old. I wonder will it have any new built-in software (ie. some PDA features...address book, notepad, internet browser..etc).

[jamcat]

Interesting. Read about it on the Gamespot site. Maybe Nintendo will be smart this time and include the ability to play GB & GBC games. Who knows. But after just buying the updated GBA SP with the improved backlight, I'm in no rush to buy another handheld system now for a while. :)

[Womp]

The GBA slot is exactly where it was before, basically it looks like just a simple nip and tuck with a newer brighter screen.

I've already been told I am not allowed to buy one too. :(

[DaMenace]

Jamcat, you do know about the whole Supercard stuff and what not right?
Although yea it'd be nice if the new DS could play GB/GBC games in their original form there is still the possiblity to play them using the supercard.

[Nero]

It's nice and all (but ugh, iPod white of course) but the only like problem is that even though it's smaller I sometimes feel that the current DS is too small (width). I though might pick up on some day.

[nukinetix]

but the only like problem is that even though it's smaller I sometimes feel that the current DS is too small (width)See, this is interesting, because I personally feel the original is too bulky, so I've been using it mostly at home. Not too big to play on - not too small for that either - but just too big to carry around all the time, which is pretty much the whole point for me.

When I'm out and about the only thing I am guaranteed to have with me, always, is my cellphone (which now also acts as my PDA, newsreader, document/e-book reader and often gaming platform). I sometimes carry a second device, either my GP32, my GP2X or my DS. Even in the 20-30% of the cases where I do carry around a second device, at least half of the time (10%-15% of all cases) it's my GP32, and the other half my GP2X - the DS being the very odd exception really.

The DS doesn't really figure in there unless I'm at home. In which case I'm generally busy reading books that I can't carry with me otherwise or doing programming. Of course I still get to totally enjoy playing mario kart every now and then, but it's only at home and frankly it's not all that often due to my lifestyle.

Now, if the DS was a lot more compact and lighter I would probably end up taking it with me - say, instead of the GP32 or GP2X - more often than not. I bet I'd be tempted to carry it with me all the time even, not only as a more convenient substitute to the GP32/GP2X. For example, like I said, I know if I end up getting a GBA micro I'll certainly have it with me ALL the time because it will be so easy to, and I know at least two or three SOLID games (that's all I need really) that will keep me occupied during the inevitable brief slots of dead time.

Does this make any sense to you?

[jamcat]

Jamcat, you do know about the whole Supercard stuff and what not right?
Although yea it'd be nice if the new DS could play GB/GBC games in their original form there is still the possiblity to play them using the supercard.

Yes, I know about that. Shane mentioned that long ago. After looking on the web about it, it seems too expensive to "roll your own". The memory/flash cards were near $100 a pop, and the device to dump a GB/GBC game was just as expensive. And by the look of some of those sites, I wouldn't trust using a credit card to order online, or even send them a money order. They just look too "seedy".

[Nero]

Well, I agree with that. I don't really carry it around with me either it's mostly at home playing. So it's more of an home handheld for me. I do like that it's getting lighter and thinner so I do think I could get to like it.. I only hope there's a black version coming out as well.

Also, I felt the current DS was too small the first time I held it, so..

[Chewchilla]

Looks like the US will not see the DS Lite in March.

From IGN:
DS Lite Set For America
Nintendo plans for release outside of Japan after Spring.
by Anoop Gantayat (http://ds.ign.com/email.html)

January 26, 2006 - Following the earlier announcement of the new "DS Lite" revision to the DS hardware, Nintendo's Japanese parent has cleared up a few issues.

Although the product was announced in Japan, with no details given for international market, DS Lite will indeed be released in Europe and America. The company hasn't given a specific release date, only stating that the western markets can expect a release following Spring. This seems to suggest that a simultaneous release with the Japanese version (set for 3/2) is out.

There were also some questions about the fate of the current DS model. In Japan, Nintendo (http://ds.ign.com/articles/683/683728p1.html#) will continue to produce and sell the original model. The price of the original model will remain at its current 15,000 yen, 1,800 yen less than the 16,800 yen new model.

The DS Lite will be initially released to Japan in three colors, Nintendo reveals. In addition to the white color shown in the first pictures of the system, the company will release two yet unannounced colors.

Nintendo expects the DS to continue to perform well this year, both in old and new forms. Referring to the Japanese market, company president Satoru Iwata said to the Japanese press, "Taken as a whole with the current version, we're aiming at total domestic sales of 10,000,000 units not too late in the year." At the end of 2005, the DS had sold 5.7 million units in Japan.

We expect Nintendo's US division to provide further details on the US release of DS Lite in the not-so-distant future. Keep checking back here at IGNDS.

[nukinetix]

Nintendo will continue to produce and sell the original model.That sounds to me like BS. If my theory is correct they were forced to follow through on a decision they made 6 months ago, when they extrapolated DS and PSP sales and had to find a way to keep DS sales fresh. Good thinking. However, despite a surprisingly strong showing in Japan over the holiday period which meant they could have delayed the new model until at least mid summer or even later, they couldn't just reschedule manufacturing overnight.

So how on earth are they going to continue producing the old DS? Maybe they mean they're planning on selling the ones they already have from around the world at the exact same price "as if the old DS were still in production" (let's pretend) ... until the new DS replaces the old one "naturally" of course.

Also, if the new one is cheaper to manufacture (quite likely) why would they even WANT to carry on selling the old one with a lower profit margin?

[Darksol]

Yeah , like I would buy an old style DS while a newer one is out in Japan. Not unless there was some major discount action going on. No it makes no sense to keep producing the new and old models so they have to be just shedding the old inventory.

[WorknMan]

Well, as a current DS owner, I can't say I'm really happy about this, consideriing I just bought mine a little more than month ago. If I buy any Nintendo handhelds in the future, I think I'll put off buying the first generation models from now on and just wait for the re-issues.

[Darksol]

Well, as a current DS owner, I can't say I'm really happy about this, consideriing I just bought mine a little more than month ago. If I buy any Nintendo handhelds in the future, I think I'll put off buying the first generation models from now on and just wait for the re-issues.

Why aren't you happy? Time progresses , things change, manufacturing and cost savings happen. Technology does not stand still, and when the product in question is so low cost, it really doesn't matter.

[WorknMan]

Why aren't you happy? Time progresses , things change, manufacturing and cost savings happen. Technology does not stand still, and when the product in question is so low cost, it really doesn't matter.

Well, let's use an analogy here - they re-released the PS2 as a slimmer version some time ago, but they didn't give it any new capabilities, AFAIK. Imagine if they had released it with a wireless controller and a built in network-adapter & hard drive, and the announcement came less than a couple of months after you bought the old one for the same price. How would you feel?

I know the DS doesn't have all that, but I don't have good eyes to begin with, so a brighter/clearer screen is really valuable to me. I just feel like I am being double-dipped here .. you know, like when you buy a barebones DVD and then the special edition comes out a few months later. Even if you don't buy it, you probably tend to feel like you've been had.

[Womp]

It's nice and all (but ugh, iPod white of course) but the only like problem is that even though it's smaller I sometimes feel that the current DS is too small (width). I though might pick up on some day.

There will be three colors when its released supposedly although the final color choices have not been chosen.

Bets are on: White, Black and Blue

The looks of this new DS is obviously to go along with the Revolution.

[BJWanlund]

holy mother of f'ing God...

Wow, Hell really HAS frozen over. OMFG!!! First the Disney/Pixar buyout deal, then Disney shorts on iTunes, and now this. I am one HAPPY MAN!!! (BTW, i'm a Disney nut, so don't talk about how it doesn't have anything to do with this. It's me people.)

BJ

[Darksol]

Well, let's use an analogy here - they re-released the PS2 as a slimmer version some time ago, but they didn't give it any new capabilities, AFAIK. Imagine if they had released it with a wireless controller and a built in network-adapter & hard drive, and the announcement came less than a couple of months after you bought the old one for the same price. How would you feel?

I know the DS doesn't have all that, but I don't have good eyes to begin with, so a brighter/clearer screen is really valuable to me. I just feel like I am being double-dipped here .. you know, like when you buy a barebones DVD and then the special edition comes out a few months later. Even if you don't buy it, you probably tend to feel like you've been had.

I guess I have always been prepared to buy another one. I do really enjoy this handheld. Clearly Nintendo's impulse buy pricing strategies are working with me. I have certainly been disappointed before too, but that was only when I had bought something and hardly used it at all before the newer slimmer cheaper revision came out. And then I said "I haven't used it much at all, I should have waited."

[Yodaporn]

I dont know about immedatly replacing my ds with this one, but I will defanantly get one of these if I get a second one.

[Galaga will never die]

If I can get a black colored "lite" DS to match my sleek black GB Micro, then I'll probably pick up one of these new DS models. I already gave away my first-gen DS to my brother last year (after he got hooked on my import Electroplankton ;) ) so I'll have some catchup DS gaming to do (but only if I can get it in black).

[davidmt]

If I can get a black colored "lite" DS to match my sleek black GB Micro, then I'll probably pick up one of these new DS models. I already gave away my first-gen DS to my brother last year (after he got hooked on my import Electroplankton ;) ) so I'll have some catchup DS gaming to do (but only if I can get it in black).

You may get your wish :)

http://www.joystiq.com/2006/02/03/black-ds-lite/

[nukinetix]

Hey Galaga, how do you find your micro, I am curious.

Do you think its small size is a real advantage when it comes to it being a lot more portable compared to other handheld gaming devices?

Which games do you enjoy playing on it the most?

One more thing: do you find yourself taking it with you a lot more often now? Do you play games more now when you're out and about, and if yes which ones?

[davidmt]

I bought a Micro a few weeks ago. You really have to see it and hold it yourself, pictures do not do it justice. The quality of this thing is amazing! The screen is excellent and the size is perfect for carrying around in your jacket pocket. The D-pad is the best I've ever used, just a real nice feel. I really hope the DS Lite pad is similar (it looks like it is).

Another nice thing -- removable faceplates. If you scratch up the screen, you can just pop on another faceplate. Unfortunately, Nintendo seems to have dropped the idea of releasing new ones (or making them available, you can only get them from the Nintendo web site).

It is expensive though, but I got mine for about $70, which is about the price I was willing to pay.

[nukinetix]

Nice one, thanks david.

Anyone else with a GBA micro care to share experiences and opinions?

[Womp]

The D-pad is the best I've ever used, just a real nice feel. I really hope the DS Lite pad is similar (it looks like it is).


This factor here and the new screens are the ONLY thing I could as for in the DS Lite. Hell, the size of the DS doesn't bother me at all...But MAN do I hate the D pad and the small as hell buttons!

Considering the DS Lite buttons are looking identical to the Micro's, this is very exciting indeed. I have to totally agree.

[quickstraw]

I don't quite understand Nintendo's thinking here. They announce a redesign when the system is selling like hotcakes. This is something you do when sales slow down.

I imagine between now and the release of the redesign that sales will slow for the current DS. Who would buy one now? Basically only people who don't know about the redesign.

Can anyone enlighten me on the advantage for Nintendo to do this right now?

Seems like odd timing.

[Shane R. Monroe]

Well ... here are my thoughts ...

1) They have a good price point going on the new super bright LCDs - and they want them in the DS while its still a good selling point.
2) One of the number 1 bitches about the DS is about its size. So, this way, they fix that and embrace that market that won't buy.
3) People don't see to care. Japan keeps selling out - even with the knowledge of a new one coming. They don't care. They want the unit.

In the end, its probably the profit margins. With just a couple years under their belt, they can make DS Lites CHEAPER and command MORE for it - and that makes Nintendo's bottom line higher.

Of course, the unit comes just in time to be promoted along with the Revolution - cross promotion will be cool for them too.

[Galaga will never die]

Hey Galaga, how do you find your micro, I am curious.

Do you think its small size is a real advantage when it comes to it being a lot more portable compared to other handheld gaming devices?

Which games do you enjoy playing on it the most?

One more thing: do you find yourself taking it with you a lot more often now? Do you play games more now when you're out and about, and if yes which ones?

The small size / light weight is a definite advantage. I think the Micro is a success in that it is the only true "pocket console" on the market today, among its larger portable rivals. It's built to be indestructible and compact. Despite that it manages to feature the single most comfortable D-pad to use among any portable system, and also the only screen bright enough to play games with in direct sunlight (brightness is fully adjustable). Thanks to the great contrast, reading RPG text on the screen is also really easy.

I also got a tiny little cloth pouch with mine, which makes it even easier to keep it in my pocket all day if I wanted to have the comfort of a gaming system with me everywhere I am that particular day. I certainly take it with me more often than any of my many previous handhelds, I often forget it is even in my pocket. The Micro is perfect for "stealth gaming", e.g. keep it in your pocket at work and nobody will notice, and take it to the bathroom with you, play it while waiting in line somewhere, etc. Be creative and think of new places to play it :)

The biggest weakness of the Micro IMO is actually its software library, which is pretty underwhelming (and often overpriced) to be honest. Also a lot of the older games no longer seem to be available. Hopefully if you hunt around though you can still find a few nice titles to enjoy, depending on your tastes. Personally I have enjoyed the Konami Arcade Collection, Final Fantasy 1 & 2 collection, and Sonic Advance 3 recently. I really wish I could get something like Wizardry on the handheld though. It seems to be really hard to find good games for mature players on the system, but the Micro hardware itself is great.

[Shane R. Monroe]

I like the Micro - I do. I think it fills a gap in gaming that is largely ignored. It's damn well built and it has the largest handheld software library on the planet.

That being said - its like cell phone gaming. Fine for the occasional romp when you have some downtime you aren't anticipating, but for serious gaming - to me, its not an option.

[nukinetix]

Thanks Galaga, just one Q: what do you mean by "its software library is underwhelming and overpriced" ? What would be a reasonable price point for this kind of gaming, in your opinion?

Shane, how would you define "serious gaming" anyway? A month-long session of Civilization? It's handheld "gaming on the crapper" we're talking about here. Sure you get fun distractions like Wario Ware and action/puzzle games and such, but let's be honest: Advance Wars, Fire Emblem, FF Tactics and Rebelstar is pretty serious gaming no matter how you see it.

[Shane R. Monroe]

That statement DOES need some clarification.

When I say 'serious gaming', I mean gaming were I want to play more than say 5 minutes. Crapper gaming - the Micro would be fine. There is NO WAY IN HELL I would play Animal Crossing for 3 hours on it. FINE DETAIL games would drive me crazy. Sure, be fine for some games ... just like a cell phone would be fine for some games. I wouldn't play Animal Crossing on a cell phone. I wouldn't want to throw down 5 races of Mario Kart on it.

"Serious gaming" to me is something you can use for 5 minutes or 5 hours and be comfortable.

Again, don't get me wrong ... I like the Micro - its the "cell phone gaming system without the cell phone". It has a place. Solid little bitches too - but again, its not something I could spend more than a short time with.

[Shane R. Monroe]

I do believe that $19.95 is the TOP price for GBA games (that's new). I paid $24.95 for goddamn WarioWare Twisted -- USED --- but felt the gyro stuff was worth the extra $5 on top of my max price (that and there were NO new ones to be found).

[nukinetix]

That goes without saying, Shane. For every platform you can always pick specific examples and point out how they're not good for it. Animal Crossing and MK: good for the DS, not good for your PC or for your PS2 (actually, it's probably better for the GBA micro or a GREAT cellphone - not the LG 7000 kthx - than for the PS2). You wouldn't say that the PC or PS2 ain't good for "serious gaming" would you.

Burnout, good for the PS2, crap for the DS. That's the way it goes.

That has NOTHING to do with "serious gaming".

How about these games: Advance Wars, Fire Emblem, FF Tactics and Rebelstar. All of them can be played for 5 minutes or for much longer, and be EXTREMELY enjoyable in both cases. All of them are AMAZING, deep games too.

See what I mean? If you don't narrow down your choices there's suddenly a whole spectrum (pun half-intended) of choices for FUN gaming, on the go. If you're freaking constipated about labeling things ("crapper gaming") then you just paint yourself into a corner.

On pricing, I said it before I'll say it again: GBA games should be 14.99 max, DS games 19.99 max - with few reasonable exceptions. I think we'll see prices going down in the next 18 months due to market pressures. There will be a lot of transition taking place in the next 18 months.

[Womp]

(actually, it's probably better for the GBA micro or a GREAT cellphone - not the LG 7000 kthx - than for the PS2). You wouldn't say that the PC or PS2 ain't good for "serious gaming" would you.


You bloody batard, you take that back! :mad:

Its good for a phone, but then again that IS why I got it. You also have to understand that the US is like 5 years behind everyone else in the cell technology world.

My sister's boyfriend is from Scotland, his cell phone would make certain laptop's blush. heh

[Shane R. Monroe]

How about these games: Advance Wars, Fire Emblem, FF Tactics and Rebelstar. All of them can be played for 5 minutes or for much longer, and be EXTREMELY enjoyable in both cases. All of them are AMAZING, deep games too.
Maybe its because I don't care for those games? Would that explain it?

[Darksol]

You bloody batard, you take that back! :mad:

Its good for a phone, but then again that IS why I got it. You also have to understand that the US is like 5 years behind everyone else in the cell technology world.

My sister's boyfriend is from Scotland, his cell phone would make certain laptop's blush. heh

Or no bluetooth ( for headset which I legally need in Chicago or get a ticket) or speakerphone which is must have functionality for a PHONE. You're sure passionate about it though :D

[Flare]

Was anyody wondering where the powerswitch is located on the DS Lite?

Here: http://www.joystiq.com/2006/02/08/behold-the-ds-lite-power-switch/

[miner2049er]

Was anyody wondering where the powerswitch is located on the DS Lite?

Here: http://www.joystiq.com/2006/02/08/behold-the-ds-lite-power-switch/

Build quality on that particular unit doesn't look great. The lid doesn't even sit right.

[nukinetix]

Its good for a phone, but then again that IS why I got it. You also have to understand that the US is like 5 years behind everyone else in the cell technology world.The former is not true (I bet you that my "gaming" cellphone is also a MUCH smaller and MUCH better phone too!). You're right about the latter.


"How about these games: Advance Wars, Fire Emblem, FF Tactics and Rebelstar. All of them can be played for 5 minutes or for much longer, and be EXTREMELY enjoyable in both cases. All of them are AMAZING, deep games too."

Maybe its because I don't care for those games? Would that explain it?Fair enough, but in this case you should be careful to state your opinion as being ONLY relevant to you, and not as being a universal fact.

For example you can say "serious gaming *is* certainly possible when using 1) a GBA micro 2) a great cellphone 3) a chess board 4) a set of sudoku puzzles. However, I personally do not like playing any of these serious games so my choices are limited to a much more narrow set."

You cannot say "serious gaming is ABSOLUTELY NOT possible on a great cellphone, GBA micro, chess board and sudoku book".

It's like saying "fast driving is not possible in a formula 1 car -- because I don't like formula 1 cars".

See what I mean?

[Shane R. Monroe]

Dude, if you can stare at that GBA Micro screen for 5 hours (which is how much time I put into Resident Evil DS yesterday) then dude, MORE POWER TO YOU. If you can sit and hold that cell phone in some gaming position and throw down for the time taken for 30 Mario Kart races - YOU'RE THE MAN.

Just because I like twitch gaming doesn't mean every device that can provide some measure of it stands up to 'serious gaming time' when I need it to.

I love how you throw totally irrelavent items like board games into the forray when its CLEARLY not the same thing. I made a goddamn board game out of an old record jacket, made the dice from paper folded into little origamy cubes, and an empty toilet paper roll ... the game kicked ass. That's not the same as holding and playing a 3"x2" device in your hands and trying to throw down for a couple of hours on a little tiny screen.

I'm not saying the GAMES aren't serious ... I'm talking about the delivery method NOT being condusive to long term serious gaming. 5 minutes on the crapper? Fine. 5 hours of Resident Evil? No.

[nukinetix]

I'm not saying the GAMES aren't serious ... I'm talking about the delivery method NOT being condusive to long term serious gaming. 5 minutes on the crapper? Fine. 5 hours of Resident Evil? No.Precisely! That applies to all handheld games and platforms, so this isn't what differentiates them or what determines serious gaming from non-serious gaming.

To further clarify:

5 hours non-stop? If I had the time to do that there are a few good options, remember such a time investment deserves to be treated with equal respect: you gotta do it properly - if I had so much time to spend playing in one go I'd be doing it in front of a large HD screen with the lights turned off.

I would never do that on a DS, it's just not meant for that sort of thing (but if you have the time to do that and you choose the DS as your "5 hour nonstop platform", more power to you dude).

Hell, my thumb starts hurting after playing Mario Kart for more than 30 minutes - but then again I don't complain because I know it's a handheld, it was designed to be optimal for a different purpose.

I don't even WANT to play for longer than that (even if I had the time to). Having said that, here's another important feature of handheld gaming: it is entirely valid to want to pick it up many times throughout the day for a total of 2-3 hours, 20 minutes at a time - handheld games should let you seamlessly stop and pick up the SAME session from where you left off.

My example was simple: if you don't like playing advance wars, rebelstar, fire emblem, sudoku, chess, ancient empires, etc etc etc on your handheld, that does not make these games NOT serious. These games are as serious as games get, and they are played for very little time per day or for much longer than that. There is no physical limit (screen's super bright, super crisp, light and easy to hold, etc) but clearly, handheld gaming in general is - and should be - optimised with a larger number of smaller sessions in mind, all of them possibly belonging to a much larger game session but still seamlessly stitched together (a key to great handheld game design)

[Flare]

Behold! The Nintendo DS' big brother!

Oh... My... God... (http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9686982-1.html)

[007ChrisDS]

why is there noone in the chatroom for DS:confused:

[Womp]

why is there noone in the chatroom for DS:confused:

No clue, I pop in there and no one ever sticks around very long...ever since the server change its been pretty dead.

:(