The new Nintendo DS Lite

[Skier]

http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/index.html

 

Off the Japanese Nintendo site, a new sleek DS hopefully coming state side soon. I may just jump on the DS/Animal Crossing bandwagon.

[Wes]

Sweet. I'll have to check it out once they reach the states. I always thought the DS was a bit cumbersome, especially compared to the SP.

 

wes (anything that kills time in waiting rooms is cool by me)

[Blazen_AZN]

This thing looks awsome! too bad i have the original and don't want to plunk down another $140 for somthing i basically already have.

 

I like the way the controls seem higher ive always thought, on all handhelds, the buttons should be placed towards the top (but it may just seem that way because it isnt as tall)

 

Great design, with this, the micro, and the revolution, nintendo defiantely has the best looking consoles. (and IMO the best period)

[coasterdude5]

Looks cool. Still like mine though...

[Pelydr]

Looks very cool. I will be jumping on board finally, as well.

[robbalvey]

Awesome, I'm glad to see this is finally announced.

 

It reminds me of the SP, just with the DS functionality!

 

[Slacking]

oooh, thats snazzy! I like it, it looks cool. Won't plop down more money for it, but I'm impressed.

[DerekRx]

Now this one I may actually have to get. I never was interested in the regular DS for its "huge" size and touch screen (if I want a touch screen, i have a Palm Pilot or 7 laying around the house), nor am I big on the PSP with its Sonyisms and screaming for scratches and dings on the screen layout. But the DSLite actually looks good, like the SP, only now I can get Animal Crossing and some other games.

 

Of course, another 2 years and we'll have the DSSPAdvancedUltraLite no doubt...DS with 2 touch screens, better graffix, half the size, double the battery life, built in wifi, bluetooth, cell phone, radar detector, and cranial link so you don't even need to use your hands to operate it

[Eunuch Provocateur]

Why does Nintendo do this? Why not just make the original small? Damn them and their capitalistic minds...

[YoshiFan]

Why does Nintendo do this? Why not just make the original small? Damn them and their capitalistic minds...

 

I agree.

 

I am fed up with Nintendo and their re-designed systems. First they take the GBA and redesign it as the SP. Then they make another version as the Micro. That's 3 designs of the same system in less than 4 1/2 years!

 

Now they take the DS and it's barely out for 14 months and already a re-design?

 

It's like they want to screw over the early adopters, who I think help determine if a system is successful or not. What if everyone who bought a DS already had thought that they won't buy the system because they know a re-design will come out and will wait for that?

 

I can't say I am surprised though. This is the same company that released 1/2 MB memory cards for Gamecube at launch for $14.99when the competition launched with 8MB cards for $34.99 (16 times the capacity for a little over twice the cost). It's also the same company that was charging $29.99 for all their Player's Choice games at one point when Sony and Microsoft have their budget line at $19.99 (at least Nintendo did lower their price to $19.99 as well).

[Blazen_AZN]

You can't blame them, when you think about it, it makes complete sense (from a buisness standpoint)

 

First of all, you are not 'screwing over your customers' by releasing a new version of somthing, especially considering they have the exact same functionality. Everything needs to be refreshed every once in awhile.

 

 

The nintendo DS is the fastest selling console ever produced, but when sales start to slow down, redesigning it just boosts its sales again and people start to talk about it again. It has worked for the big N's handhelds, and it worked for sony's playsation 2.

 

But, heck, nintendo isn't trying to get the owners of the original to buy it anyway, they're trying to attract the people who want somthing more stylish, smaller, and more convienient. a completely different audience.

[USCoaster]

The reason they keep releasing new versions of the same console is because the technology has improved to a point where they can release a smaller, better version. The GBA, GBA:SP, GBM line is a great example. Yeah the all play the same games, but the GBA:SP makes the GBA so obsolete is insane. The lit screen and rechargable batteries are worth every penny of an upgrade. The GBM while still a GBA system, is designed for more of a niche market than the normal systems. It is designed to appeal to teenagers and the young adults out there. Its the size of a cell phone and can easily take it anywhere in your pocket. Nintendo even designed the follow-up to Polarium to be played with one hand on the Micro while riding on the train (similar to cell phone games).

 

The same applies to the new Nintendo DS. It hasn't been announced here in the States yet and knowing Nintendo's usual delay, I don't expect to see it until late summer. Making it just 3 or 4 months shy of the 2 year aniversary of the DS being available here in the states. In Japan, they have been sold out of DS units since December. So instead of making more of the original design, it makes much more sense to release a slimmer, more compact, and more visually appealing model.

 

FYI... Sony has done the exact same thing with the PS One and the PS2. And if they release the ceramic white PSP here, I would probably break down and buy one... only cause its soooo pretty.

 

In the end, every time Nintendo releases a new version of a console, its up to the customer to decide if they want to upgrade. Depending on the condition of my DS when the new one comes out, I might but it.

[Teddymonster]

I really don't see as what the big deal is with this rehash. While the button placement of the Start/Select button gets irksome at times, I don't see as though this minor change, along with the various brightness-levels really justifies a redesign at all. I mean come on...the thing isn't heavy as it is, yet they're going to make it even lighter (does anyone REALLY care about that?). Like someone else said, if you don't already own a DS, then go for this system. As for me, I'm sticking with the one I JUST f*ckin' bought, thank you.

 

If they had actually changed a feature that actually mattered (i.e. going from GBA to SP because of a built-in light) then I would consider a trade-in, but not for something purely aesthetic).

[YoshiFan]

The difference with sony Sony compared to Nintendo and the handhelds releasing updated versions of their consoles is with PS1 I think it was 5 years after the system was out and for PS2, it was 4 years so that doesn't seem as bad.

 

I know even in the NES and SNES days, Nintendo re-designed their systems but they waited 5+ years for those as well (I think it was 8 years for the NES Toploader).

 

I guess it wouldn't bother me so much if they spaced out these re-sdesigns more. Like an updated GBA in 2004 or 2005 and an updated DS in 1 1/2 - 2 years.

[Wes]

I don't see what the big deal is. Car companies come out with new models every year, and electronics such as iPods and cameras get redesigned at least once a year. When it comes to technology, there is ALWAYS going to be an update that makes your current toy obsolete, or at least not as new and shiny.

[robbalvey]

This isn't a big deal and whoever said something about technology getting smaller over time which allows companies to make slimer more compact designs is pretty much right on.

 

In fact, I can't think of many electronics that DON'T fall into this category:

 

- Cell Phone

- iPods

- DVD players

- Boom Boxes

- Laptops

 

So why should video game consoles be any different?

 

I mean, this has been happening since the BEGINNING OF TIME!!!!

 

I mean, HELLO!!! How many different versions of the Atari 2600 did we have?

 

 

 

 

Personally when I buy a video game system I *KNOW* that an updated version will be coming at some point. And as for the DS, by the time the re-design hits the US it will have been almost two years after the initial launch. IMO, that's totally acceptable.

 

--Robb

[Blazen_AZN]

I really don't see as what the big deal is with this rehash. While the button placement of the Start/Select button gets irksome at times, I don't see as though this minor change, along with the various brightness-levels really justifies a redesign at all. I mean come on...the thing isn't heavy as it is, yet they're going to make it even lighter (does anyone REALLY care about that?).

 

If you just look at the unit, you're right, its not much different, but then you begin to think about it...

 

The face buttons, screens, and d-pad sizes have not changed, so you're not sacrificing playability.

 

The system isn't as long as the original, making the reach for the screen from the buttons shorter. That would be a BIG help in games like Super Mario 64, and if you play it with the thumbstrap, Metroid. And would make games where you use the screen and buttons (like the original spiderman) alot easier aswell.

 

some [very whimpy] people say that the DS is a little too heavy to play a stylus based game (where you hold it with one hand) for long periods of time. The new system is lighter.

 

The screen is also a brighter backlit screen, like the micro's. You'r games should look crisper.

 

And finally, the screen brightness adjuster can, if you use it, make your battery last much longer.

 

add them all up and you've got a pretty significant improvement.

[QuakerOaties]

I am so glad I decided to wait and see if the DS was going to be redesigned before buying one.

 

Mark "I'll definitely be picking up one of these" Luskus

[crispy]

We bought three DS's for Xmas, I got one, Corina got one, and Mickey got one, I'm not upset at all about the redesign, I don't think mine is ugly, and the screens are not crap like the original GBA

 

 

Hopefully this will lead to some more kick ass games on the system

[Florida420]

Well since my thread was locked, I will repeat my questions, here, Wes.

 

On June 11th, or earlier if my store gets them in early, I will be getting a DS lite.

I basically just want to know, from those of you who have one. Should I get a screen protector, dose anybody have one on there DS? Is it a pain to put on? Does it affect the sensitivity of the touch screen? Does it stay on good or will it come up on the edges? Will it ruin it if I have to take it off?

I'm just wondering if anyone has had, or heard of any bad experiences with them, before I try to put one on. I don't want my screens to get scratched, but I don't want to screw up my DS either.

Also does anyone have a skin on their DS, basically the same questions about that too. I'm thinking about a skin, because the Polar white seems a bit boring, shiny but boring.

 

So if anyone has any thoughts or recommendations, I'm all ears.

Thanks

P All

[crispy]

OK, I bought a screen protector when we got our DS;s for xmas, I did not like it at all, so I took it off, with no damage at all, just follow the instructions when putting it on

 

The protector did not change the sensitivity, but you could tell it was there, and it bugged me a bit, now for my daughter, there is no way she is touching her ds without a screen protector on it, if you treat your system good, you should be fine

 

We also put the nintendogs stickers on my daughters DS, it was pretty easy, but we have not tried to take them off

[Florida420]

^ Thanks for the input.

 

Does anyone else have any storys/suggestions?

The question is at the bottom of page 2.

I only have 10 more days to wait to get my DS lite. It's killing me 'cause we got them in yesterday (the Lites) and I can't buy one yet , I just have to stare at them and wait, just like everyone else, except the idiots who paid double the $$ to buy the imports.

 

Anyway, if anyone else wants to chime in (I know more that one person on this forum owns a DS) please do.

Thanks

[Wes]

^ My friend's DS has a screen protector and I never noticed anything bad about it. Might as well get one to keep the screen in okay shape.

[RCTfan]

I hadn't really been interested in getting a DS until I got a job here at Disney. My job has shifts where I can be sitting around, hours at a time, waiting for an assignment. So, I figured a DS would be perfect.

 

Then, I heard about the Lite, so I decided to hold out until it was released. I picked mine up on the 11th and I absolutely love it. It looks sleek and is so light. I got Super Mario 64 DS, Mario Kart DS, and Mario vs Donkey Kong.

 

I can't wait to pick up even more games for it! Its excellent!

[Wes]

Yeah, my girlfriend bought me one yesterday as a late birthday present. It's very nice, I'm sure I'll use it quite a bit. I bought New Super Mario and Tetris, I'll probably pick up Mario Kart and something else. Any recommendations? Keep in mind I don't play too often, so longer and more in-depth games like Animal Crossing aren't my cup o' tea.