Key:
Orginal DS=ODS
DS Lite=DSL
I'm afraid that I won't be able to post pictures, because I couldn't find a good hosting site for my pictures, and my dad doesn't want me using his digital cameria right now.
But I will be providing one of the most indepth reviews that I can.
Now, firstly. The Nintendo DS Lite is the redesigned version of the Orginal DS. Nintendo showed it off in Janurary 2006, and released in Japan in March. It sold out instantly, I can now understand why. Today is June 11, and the Lite has now been released in America, and will be comming on June 30th in England.
Today, I was able to pick up mine that I reserved.
The first thing I did was the polar opposite of Didymus getting his coffie machine. I was running around in circles saying, "I have a DS Lite! I have a DS Lite!"
And then I let out a little giggle.
The first thing is, the box is very simplistic. And in my opinion, looks much better the the orginal DS box. But the look of the box doesn't really matter.
So, what's included in the package?
What is included is:
One Nintendo DS Lite.
Two stylus pens.
The instruction booklet
A health and safety booklet
A pictochat instruction booklet
A subscription to Nintendo Power.
And a Registration booklet.
Interestingly, there is no thumb strap or strap of any kind included. In the back of the DS Lite, there is a connection point for a strap however. In Japan, the DS Lite would include a strap, but it would not include the thumb part of it. My theroy is because Nintendo couldn't find a use for it, and I myself have never used it.
So except for the strap, everything includid in the orginal DS is included with the Lite.
How big is it? And how does it compare to the orginal DS?
Now, it wouldn't be accurate of me to say that it's as thick as a DVD case, because it's just a little bit higher. I was accually surprised with how big it is. It's accually not that much smaller in length compared to the ODS.
ODS:
The length is 5 1/2 inches.
The width is 3 1/4 inches.
And the height is about 1 inch.
DSL:
The length is 5 inches.
The width is nearly 3 inches.
And the height is 3/4 inch.
So the DS Lite is a bit thinner. But not as much as I had at first expected.
How does it look?
Now this one was simple, Nintendo was aming to make a very nice looking system, and they were successful.
The system is surrounded by a clear white sheet of plastic on the outside, and on the inside is the white plastic. Compared to the ODS, it look absolutly elegant. And the white color makes it look very pretty.
In my own opinion though, I just think it looks very kawaii. ^_^
How durable is it?
This is the most surprising thing with the DSL. When I first saw it, I thought that it might be quite a bit more flimsy then ODS. But, it accually is MORE DURABLE then the ODS. How is this?
The transparemt plastic that surrounds the outside of the system accually makes a kind of shield for it. So you would have to chip that first before getting to the plastic.
Another thing to note is, the hinge is also more sturdy. Unlike the ODS hinge which only stretched through the middle of the system, the DSL streches through the whole system. Making a much more tight feel to it.
How are the controls?
The first thing is this, the buttons are far more comfortable.
If any of you have owned a GBA SP or a ODS, you already know that the buttons had to be flat in order for the system to fold. Nintendo combines the feel of having a system that folds, and has full buttons. This trick is done with the top part of the handheld haveing a concave surface. This is a major improvement over the ODS.
The Start and Select buttons have been moved, and are in a bit of an odd place, so this isn't improved over the ODS. But I think Nintendo didn't have plans for any games to use those two buttons, so it really isn't that much of a concern, but should be noted.
When it comes the L and R shoulder buttons, it took me a few minutes to get used to them. They are a little smaller then the ones on the ODS. But, after a bit of practice, I was comfortable with it. The D-pad is also a bit smaller then the ODS, so it took me some time to get used to. And as with the L and R shoulder buttons, I was able to get used to it.
Now, I'm not going to comment on the advantge with the DSL stylus over the ODS stylus, becuase you can use either one on either DS. But I will say that the Lite's is much, much better. After I used the DSL stylus, the ODS stylus felt like a toothpick. The ODS stylus is 3 inches long, while the DSL stylus is 3 1/2 inches long. It just feels like a normal pen.
The power button is now a slider. However, unlike the GBA SP were you would push it up and it would "click" into position, the DSL is pushed up, the system then turns on, and the button returns to it's position. To turn it off, you simply push it up again. And can say this, I've made the mistake of turning off my ODS because of where the power button was located. So the DSL has the advantage.
Finally, I will say that the transparent plastic at the bottom of the system did make it feel a little slippery at first. But with a little time playing with it, the slippery feeling wears off.
What about the GBA cartridge sticking out?
The only thing that should concern you is that fact that it doesn't look as cute when it's in. I decided to play "The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap" on it for a minutes, and it didn't affect me at all. So overall, it isn't really a concern.
How long is the battery life?
The battery life, in comparison to the ODS, is a bit better. The charging life with the DSL is shortened by an hour. While the ODS takes 3 hours to charge if you start right when the power light turns red, it takes only 2 hours with the DSL if you start when the power light turns red. I've never charged them on a fully dead battery.
When it comes to life, it compares to how bright you set the screens. I did a test with the three settings, and these are my reults:
On level one, you can have over 19 hours of playtime. It also compares to how graphicly intense the game is. If you play Mario & Luigi Partners in time or Meteos, the battery life is extended to 2 hours. If you play a much more complex graphics game, like Mario Kart or Animal Crossing, then the battery life will be last for 19 hours.
On level two (which is the level I commonly use), lasts for about 15 hours. And the level of graphics power you use will either cut off or extend an hour of life.
On level four, the battery life is much less then the ODS. Infact, over half the life is cut off.
The maximum life I have recived is 9 hours. I did two tests with Mario & Luigi Partners in time, and Animal Crossing.
With Mario & Luigi, I was able to recieve 8 1/2 hours before the my power light turned red.
With Animal Crossing, I recived 5 1/2 hours before my power light turned red.
While this might worry some, I will say that it highly unlikely that anyone will use the brightest setting. Infact, I starting having some small headaches from the brightness intensity.
The final verdict: The DSL is much better in overall life then the ODS. It adds over six hours if you play on the lowest setting, and five on the lowest. No matter what your playing. And because the charge time is lessened, the DSL is successful in both area's.
How is the sound quality?
The sound is a little bit softer and quieter even on it's highest setting. I did a side by side comparison with both, and it's one of the few things the ODS has an advantage over. This is because the speakers are a little bit smaller then the ODS. However, because I like to listen to the music through my
headphones, the quality isn't lost at all. So, it doesn't really concern me. But overall, the system still has very grand sound.
How are the screens in brightness?
This I decided to save the best for last.
The DSL wins without even trying. Do you remember playing the first version of the GBA? Then do you remeber the GBA SP? This is what it felt like when I was comparing the two DS's.
The DSL, even on it's lowest setting, is just a bit brighter then the ODS. On setting two, it looks much clearer and sharper. Infact, I would have been content if Nintendo had setting two at the brightest. Setting three demolishes the ODS, and setting four is the Coup De Grace. In other words, after seeing the screen brightness, I can never go back to the ODS. It's impossible.
If Nintendo had done nothing more then re-released the ODS with the screen brightness that the DSL has, then I would go off and buy it. It's that immense.
It's really something you have to see yourself. Even with all the video's and pictures I saw. So when Nintendo shows their re-designed system out in stores, that's when you can experince it.
So, you've said all these things now. Is it worth $130.00?
If you already own an ODS:
Yes, it is. Very much so. If you wan't to sell you old DS and get the DS Lite, then it's more then worth the effort. I would say that comparing the two systems is like the GBA vs. GBA SP. The Lite is far better then the orginal DS in almost every way except for sound quality and the missing thumb strap. But I will say this, you can keep your old DS. While the DS Lite does have many advantages, if you don't want to buy one, you don't have to.
If you don't own a DS:
If you've been patient like me, then it has paid off. The DSL is worth every penny you can spend on it. Every penny.
As for my opinion, the DS Lite is now my favorite handheld in terms of hardware. It just looks so kawaii!
So, that's my review, and I hope it helped you.
If you have anymore questions, I'll be very happy to answer them.
Untill then, I'm going to snuggle with my DS Lite and play Advance Wars: Dual Strike.
^_^
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