Product Description

Nintendo DS Lite offers all of the unique features of the Nintendo DS but also includes a variety of distinctive changes which truly sets it apart from other handheld consoles. Nintendo DS Lite retains the advanced touch screen technology, allowing players to control software with a stylus or even their finger, as well as dual screens, voice recognitionand Wi-Fi capabilities of the Nintendo DS but is now both smaller and lighter. The Nintendo DS Lite will become the new edition to Nintendo's video game family when it launches on 23rd June 2006. Nintendo DS Lite is a lighter and brighter version of the highly successful Nintendo DS. Dual Screens open up new possibilities - use the touch screen as an inventory reference for role-playing games, to view maps for your favourite strategy game, or see racing action from two perspectives at once Navigate menus or access inventory items simply by touching the screen with stylus or fingertip Tough film over touchscreen protects it Advanced 3D graphics engine and 16-channel audio, for graphics and Sound that are superior to other portable game systems All-new PictoChat feature allows DS users to write messages with an on-screen Keyboard or the stylus and send them wirelessly Built-in Microphone port for voice control of games, or for voice chat with other DS players Less than two-thirds the size of the original Nintendo DS More than 20 percent lighter than original DS 4 adjustable brightness levels to extend battery life Repositioned microphone and LED lights Stylus has been redesigned--now 1cm longer and 1mm thicker Repositioned start and select buttons Available in 3 cool colours

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #545 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Nintendo
• Released on: 2006-06-23
• Platform: Nintendo DS
• Dimensions: .0" h x .0" w x .0" l, 1.06 pounds

Amazon.co.uk Review
In a nutshell:
It may have taken the world by storm with its huge range of genuinely innovative new games but there’s no denying that the Nintendo DS is not exactly the most portable of portable consoles. That’s all changed now with this sleek and sexy update.

The lowdown:
When the Nintendo DS was first announced it was dismissed by many as a white elephant – with a gimmicky interface and underpowered graphics. Over 15 million sales later and the story is a little different. The DS Lite is fully compatible with all existing Nintendo DS (and Game Boy Advance) games but it’s smaller, sleeker and lighter – with a new design that perfectly matches the Nintendo Wii console. The most impressive feature is the new backlit screens which offer the sharpest image ever seen on a portable console. The DS Lite is available in three separate colours: White, Black and Pink.

Most exciting feature:
The DS Lite now has four brightness settings – the highest is brighter than even the PSP and is clearly visible in any lighting condition. That sound? That'll be Sony executives running to the hills - wearing sunglasses.

Since you ask:
The Nintendo DS is the fast selling console ever in Japan. When the DS Lite was released, it sold out instantly, with queues of over 1,000 people a common sight.

The bottom line:
The DS gets a face lift to become Nintendo’s best looking portable ever. - Harrison Dent

Customer Reviews

Box of tricks
I've only had this a few weeks and I've only got one game, but I'm in love with it already. I'm in my 50s and this is my first games console - yes, this is the one I was waiting for! Its main attractions are the size - light and truly pocket-sized - easy-to-use controls, bright screen and range of games. The battery life is good too, and the unit's case seems fairly robust. A real winner.

Nintendo DS Lite review
This is a review of a Japanese DS Lite import (Navy) but the UK version is identical. I've owned it for more than two months so I feel confident enough to write a review. Hopefully Amazon customers will appreciate it. :)

Size

While you may find yourself embarrassed to whip out an old DS when traveling on the Tube, with the DS Lite you won't have that excuse anymore. I have no problems with the size although people with big palms may. It also happened to be smaller than the DS Lite's main rival - Sony's PSP (although the PSP has a larger screen).

Weight

While the DS Lite is lighter than the old DS, it somehow feels heavier in my hands. This is probably due to the weight distribution and the fact that it seems more 'solid'.

Buttons

The buttons are based on the Gameboy micro's buttons. They are more 'spongy' than the those on the original DS. The d-pad is also slightly smaller. The shoulder buttons while slightly smaller, is thankfully larger than those on the Gameboy SP.

Finish

The glossy two layer finish, like the PSP, is a fingerprint magnet. If seeing fingerprints is annoying then get the white version instead.

Screens

Probably the single biggest reason to upgrade are the new and improved screens. Both the backlit screens have four level brightness setting with the lowest similar to that of the old DS. Colours are now vibrant whereas on the old DS colours were washed out.

Battery Life

Nintendo quoted 5-9 hours of battery life at the brightest setting. While I have no way of proving their quote, I find myself only needing to charge the Lite once every 2-3 days. That is pretty good. At the lowest brightness setting the battery seems to last much longer than the batteries on the old DS.

GBA slot

While the GBA slot retains full compatibility with all Gameboy Advance cartridge and accessories, it is now about half the size. About 1cm of a normal GBA cart will protrude out. With an old DS you can slot in an old GBA cart to keep the dust out but doing so on the Lite will ruin the streamlined look. Nintendo thoughtfully supplied a GBA slot filter cart.

Positive
Better spongy face buttons
Beautiful and brighter screen
New slimmer and lighter design
Battery life improvement
Better stylus

Negative
Glossy look (fingerprint magnet)
GBA carts stick out about 1cm

THE nintendo handheld of the century
I imported my DS Lite from japan, yes... it's here. right next to me as i type this is the Nintendo DS lite sits snugly in it's case. i think it's appropriate to adress the differences between this and the old DS so i'll cut the ramalamadingdong and get right to the good stuff.

The look

As soon as i opened the box from lik-sang containing a DS lite (enamel navy), a case and some screen protectors. i knew that the DSL would trounce the larger DS, and how right i was. the lite has a shiny finish (quite prone to fingerprints, i have to say) on the outside with a smooth matte interior. the buttons seem to be placed much more comfortably and are a mix between the GB micro's "push spring" button and the old DS's clicky buttons, the D pad is the same in that respect, but smaller than the old DS's: this makes it easier to play as the motions seem much more fluid.

The Stylus
I'm sure you've heard this all before, but the stylus for the DS lite is larger, both in girth and length. it's one of those things that you can't truly understand untill you hold it. it feels amazing. much more comfortable than the 'toothpick' supplied with the original DS, this makes playing games like 'Trauma center' and 'Metroid Prime: Hunters' all the more enjoyable.

The Screens
The screens of the DS lite are what realy sold me to getting one in the first place and i was not dissapointed. top screen is a completely different type of screen compared to the original DS. This was due to nintendo actually custom making a LCD screen to fit their needs exactly. and both screens simply scream when you turn the DSL on. the colours are incredible, any pictures you have seen on the internet cannot describe how clear the two screens are. when you play a game on the DS lite. you KNOW it's the DS lite because the colours literally jump out at you.

The touch screen is has a completely different feel to it, the stylus glides much smoother on the bottom screen than it did with the old DS. why? because, to my knowlege, the plexiglass from the original has been removed, replaced by something better/clearer, it makes MPH games that more enjoyable when you get to that point where you can headshot kill someone with the imperialist from one end of the arena to the other without using the zoom, yes. it's that good (btw, happened once, total fluke. lol)


the feel
When you hold the DS lite it feels a little odd at first because, if you're like me, you'll be used to holding a heavy piece of equpiment. yes, the DS lite is lighter, but it still feels solid. the edges of the DS lite ARE a bit on the hard side (quite sqaure-ish) but one you get used to it, there's no stopping the DS lite's WOW factor.
they've obvously been busy over at Ninendo HQ figuring how to cram all the DS's hardware into a smaller package.
This brings me nicely over to the GBA slot. now, we all know by now that GBA games protrude about 1cm when they're in the DS lite. but that in no way affects the gameplay. but, to keep the ultra sleek design, nintendo have supplied a small 'filler cartridge' (how long before THIS gets lodged behind the sofa?)

Overall
The DS lite, finally, is something comparable to the PSP. when the original DS came out, one of the driving factors for many people not to buy it was that it was simply not good looking (trust me, i know this, i work in a shop that sells such things) but now the DS lite is on the horizon for the USA and finally Europe. This piece of gear pathes the way for the Wii, with the same basic design and innovation. I have to praise nintendo for what they have done with the gaming industry, i realy do. because they have revolutionised the way that people look at the gaming industry.

nothing can compare to the feeling of finding your first coconut washed up on your beach in animal crossing. Or powersliding around a corner in mario kart to take the lead. Or even owning someone on Metroid Prime Hunters over Wifi.
In my opinion, Nintendo have done it again, just as they did it with the GB micro before... and the GBA SP before that. Hell! they've been remodelling handhelds ever since the release of the gameboy pocket!
Ihope you 've enjoyed reading this as much as i enjoyed writing it, but now... mario kart awaits.
thanks for reading.