DS Lite Portable Gaming Console

A Drastic Improvement From Its Predecessor

Strengths: About 3/4 the size and 2/3 the weight of the original. Larger, more comfortable stylus. 4 different levels of screen brightness. Richer and more defined graphics. 3 times the battery life.

Weakness: Gameboy Advance games protrude from slot. D-pad harder to control. Poor design of volume slider; not always loud enough. Feels very fragile.

Much of the public had negative first impressions with the original Nintendo DS. The DS Lite changes that completely. Not only is it more comfortable to hold but it plays better too (with the possible exception of the new D-pad style). The graphics have been saturated and sharpened enough to make you say "Wow!" The stylus no longer gives you cramps and is easier to hold. However, it does have a...
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Much of the public had negative first impressions with the original Nintendo DS. The DS Lite changes that completely. Not only is it more comfortable to hold but it plays better too (with the possible exception of the new D-pad style). The graphics have been saturated and sharpened enough to make you say "Wow!" The stylus no longer gives you cramps and is easier to hold. However, it does have a few design flaws. First off, it feels very fragile, while the first DS is built like a tank. There is also a higher stuck pixel rate (pixels that always show one specific color) though it rarely exceeds one per system. Most platforms, however, do not have this. The last problem is, while there is only about 1 in 5000 affected, some people complain of a broken left hinge. Nintendo will fix this free of charge though. While this might not be for you if you don't want to take the risk, if you do, you'll never be able to go back to the original.

By alanlieberman - Aug 12, 2006

Great System for the price

Strengths: Graphics seem much better, light settings make is much better in different lighting conditions, less bulky, all around better.

Weakness: Only thing wrong is a slight defect going around(efecting 0.02% of all the sytems in U.S.) the hinge on it cracks, its happened on mine, but nintendo is replacing it for free.

Go out and get one, and if you already have a ds go trade it in, if you dont have money for one sell stuff, possibly your first born child

By elfickmo - Jul 21, 2006

Amazing Handheld Gaming

Strengths: Looks, Unique Gameplay, Wifi, Size, Inexpencive games, addons

Weakness: Speakers sound the same as older version

This gaming system is pretty amazing to me considering I'm coming from the Sega Game Gear (I know). My buddy bought the older version of the DS and was quite taken with it. When this came out, I had to give it a shot. I was able to do a side by side comparison and I must say I'm glad I held out. I saw some other reviews on here say the graphics are better. This is absolutely not true. The...
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This gaming system is pretty amazing to me considering I'm coming from the Sega Game Gear (I know). My buddy bought the older version of the DS and was quite taken with it. When this came out, I had to give it a shot.

I was able to do a side by side comparison and I must say I'm glad I held out. I saw some other reviews on here say the graphics are better. This is absolutely not true. The graphics are exactly the same... however the lite version is much MUCH brighter. Perfect for car rides.

The add-ons I speak of in the "strengths" section are not just accessories... I speak of things other then gaming you can do with the lite. Opera (internet browsing) has been released in Japan and is fully functional. It's an early version and can't do everything you computer does... and probably never will... bet its getting there. It can already run a version of AIM with some restrictions (mind its an early version).

I mention inexpensive games because you can have the new ones for 35 bucks. This compared to 50 with the other gaming device can add up. You can also feel a little more comfortable with buying used ones online because they can't hardly scratch a cartridge.

Battery life was also pretty impressive. I experienced over 10 hours of gaming on one charge before the light turning on. I don't see how someone could hardly ask for more at this price.

I've very happy with my purchase and would do it again if I had the choice

By Bahama_Llama - Sep 11, 2006

Great Gaming System

Strengths: 1.Graphics are MUCH better

Weakness: 1.It's a wee bit hard to make the D-pad work (it may just be the change from the DS to the DS lite though.)

I believe the $129.99 is worth it.I have only had this baby for about 6 hours and I've completely fallen in love with it.Not only because it feels so good in your hand, but also because the graphics are much better so you can get a clearer, longer view in MPH.On the DS Lite main menu, there are many more theme colors.Instead of just having a backlight or not having one,you now have 4 different...
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I believe the $129.99 is worth it.I have only had this baby for about 6 hours and I've completely fallen in love with it.Not only because it feels so good in your hand, but also because the graphics are much better so you can get a clearer, longer view in MPH.On the DS Lite main menu, there are many more theme colors.Instead of just having a backlight or not having one,you now have 4 different levels!It is also good because of the buttons and stylus port being rearranged.I think you should TRULY consider buying this if you want a more comfortable portable gaming system.

By LOLOPOP - Jun 12, 2006

good

Strengths: It is brighter and lighter than the old ds

Weakness: You have a smaller charger that can get lost more easily.

I think the DS light is a heck a lot better than the old one because it is brighter, you can controll the light, smaller, and a biger stick.I reomend every one who has an old DS buy this one.Plus, it looks a lot cooler....

By pinkipiglet - Jan 14, 2007