My New Toy - The Wonderful DS Lite
The Nintendo DS Lite was released in Europe on the 23rd of June, I picked mine up on the 24th and have been playing on it a lot today, in fact the only thing that is allowing me to write this post is that the battery ran out, and it is now on charge. Trust me the moment it has finished charging I will be straight back on it, it really is an awesome little system.
First of all, the looks, man alive does it look good. The original DS, though a brilliant new way to play, was (unfortunately) pretty ugly. It’s old school clunky design did little to appeal to the iPod generation, despite the fact that it was a very good console. This is why the DS Lite has been so well received, it does everything the DS Lite did, but with awesome style. Everything about this new package just oozes style. The reduced size and weight make it even more portable and comfy to hold.
The other thing that makes the DS Lite brilliant, is the screens. With 4 different brightness settings, all of which are brighter than the original DS. These new super screens just make every game look so vibrant. Warioware Touched looks amazing, the new screens adding so much to the already zany experience.
I would love to continue rambling on about my wonderful new toy, but guess what? It’s just this minute finished charging and I have a date with Mario and Luigi. What to learn more about this new handheld pleasure machine? I recommend Cabel’s three part video review. Very funny first look at the DS Lite, and answers many important questions such as how it compares to a turkey sandwich.
Ben
June 25th, 2006 at 6:06 pm
You know what…. I might have to get myself one of them things, I’ve been thinking it over for a while and i think I might have to do that soon ( if I can stop spending my money on Vinyl Designer Toys. )
Tom S. Weber
June 26th, 2006 at 1:34 pm
In my opinion, Nintendo was never a great expert in designing their products. If you would buy such a mobile toy - I’ll probably resort to Sony’s products. By the way, I’m waiting for Playstation 3!!!
Tom S. Weber
June 26th, 2006 at 1:35 pm
Whoops… it should be “If I would buy such a…” not “you”. My mistake *g*
Matthew Anderson
June 26th, 2006 at 4:13 pm
I wish we had black here in the US. Have fun, Andy - I think you’ll love the DS Lite.
Tom, the PSP may look more “stylish” (trendy) then even the DS Lite, but it doesn’t serve the market very well in my opinion. It’s more expensive and has less engaging games. I agree with you that Nintendo isn’t usually quite on top of things when it comes to product design; however, even being completely critical of the DS Lite won’t leave you with much to pick on. It is an exceptionally well designed product.
As always, it depends on what you’re buying your mobile device for. If you’re looking for a portable “entertainment” system, then maybe you could justify buying a PSP (although I still don’t think it does “entertainment” as well as it should. However, if you’re looking for a portable “gaming” system, the Nintendo DS Lite kills the PSP - hands down.
Andy Pearson
June 26th, 2006 at 6:28 pm
@Tom - To be honest, I have never ever been impressed with Sony (or Microsoft, in terms of gaming and browsers!) I am an avid PC gamer, and as such my PC can blow anything a console can do right out of the water. Plus FPS with a controller - hell no!
I feel the PSP just has nothing to offer me, I have a Video iPod, so the fact that it can play music and video is of no interest to me. The PSP added little to the way you game in my opinion, where as the DS adds so much with the dual screens.
@Matthew - Wonderful first comment sir! I have to disagree when you say the PSP is more stylish, I am of the view that it is a rather uninspiring design, though it beats the original DS with it’s hands tied behind its back.
The Touch screen is what gives the DS a real edge, and its not just a gimmick, it makes game play a lot more intuitive. I remember standing in a games store playing Warioware Touched for about half an hour, using the corner of my Debit card as a make shift stylus!
Nintendo is looking really good at the moment, whilst Sony and Microsoft have a battle of tech, Nintendo are making high quality, affordable, good looking and most importantly of all, fun to play on consoles. I’m pretty sure the Wii is going to rock as well!
**phew** I think I’m done, this comment was almost longer than the post itself!
Matthew Anderson
June 26th, 2006 at 8:25 pm
Thanks, Andy. I couldn’t resist ;)
Sorry I didn’t clarify. I put stylish in quotes to represent sarcasm. “The PSP is more stylish” is the argument I have heard used most often lately. You’ll notice that I put what I actually think the PSP is in parenthesis - trendy.
The DS was always the better platform, now it just looks and functions better as well.
If I let your elitist PC comment slide, I agree with you 100% ;) I too spend way more money on my PC and PC games than I ever do on console systems; however, I do believe that there is a place in video gaming for consoles. You’re right, it isn’t FPS games. I think it might just be what Nintendo is getting ready to prove to us with this next generation.
I haven’t been a Nintendo fan since the original NES. I went the Sega route and then took the Playstation route. I did purchase a Gamecube, but rarely use it. This time around though, I have been so inspired by what I have seen so far with the DS Lite that I literally cannot wait to buy the Wii when it comes out.
Amir Salihefendic
June 27th, 2006 at 8:15 pm
I bought mine the 23 :) It ROCKS!
I currently play Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow. That game rocks - so old school! Can recommend it.
I will be buying the new Super Mario Bros… It comes to us the 30.!