Nintendo DS (Lite)

Nintendo's first post-GameBoy  series handheld device espouses the company's core philosophy -- to offer affordable gaming and ensure it appeals to the widest possible audience. With graphics superior to the Nintendo 64,  the DS consists of a two-screen device in a laptop-like, foldable clamshell design, with the lower screen working as a PDA-like touchscreen. The system microphone allows for voice recognition, and the game cartridges  are writable, meaning you save directly to the game card without having to pay extra for a memory stick,  as is the case with the PSP.  The DS has been a sales phenomenon since its October 2004 release, allowing Nintendo to own the handheld market along with the GameBoy Advance,  but gamers have complained that the system is too bulky and causes wrist pain after hours of use. Nintendo answered the criticism by introducing the remodeled DS Lite  in 2006. The Lite is 20% lighter and two-third smaller than the first DS, which has been phased out. Check out our Handheld Gaming Guide to see how the DS Lite stacks up against other handhelds.

Top Rated Nintendo DS games Animal Crossing: Wild World  Resident Evil: Deadly Silence  Mario Kart DS  Big Brain Academy  Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day  Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time  Super Mario 64 DS  Metroid Prime: Hunters  New Super Mario Bros.  Age of Empires: The Age of Kings  Tetris DS  Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow  Trauma Center: Under the Knife

DS vs. DS Lite

Nintendo released the DS  in 2004 and replaced it with the smaller, superior DS Lite  in 2006. The systems have the same hardware and play the same games, but the DS Lite includes adjustable screen brightness, a larger stylus, better button design and a lighter weight. As time passes, the DS Lite is increasingly being referred to simply as the DS, because it's more prominent in the marketplace.

Specs

• The clamshell design of the Nintendo DS Lite  is like no other system. One drawback is its weight -- 9.7 ounces.
• The DS Lite features two 3" backlit, LCD displays with adjustable brightness levels, 256 x 192 resolution and 260,000 colors. The lower screen is a touchscreen and can be manipulated via a stylus pen or a fingertip.
• The button layout sticks to Nintendo tradition. You’ll find A, B, X and Y buttons along with a Select, Start and two shoulder buttons. There are jacks for headphones, a microphone and a directional pad.
• The DS allows wireless multiplayer gameplay and communication between players within a 30-foot radius. Depending on the game, you can have multiplayer matches with up to 16 players.  imagine competing with your friends on a crowded subway!
• A few games are WiFi equipped via Nintendo's free service. Visit Nintentdowifi.com for more information.
• With Nintendo's PictoChat communication tool you can draw images and send messages. Using your stylus you can write messages and send them to other DS systems within the range. Great for those who want to challenge other Nintendo DS owners to matches.
• The speakers on both sides of the hardware are loud. They can really bring the funk. There is also a standard sized headphone jack.
• The Nintendo DS Lite is backward compatible to Game Boy Advance games.  GameBoy  and GameBoy Color games  don't work on the system though.
• The graphics are a little better than the Nintendo 64 home console,  yet not quite as powerful as the Sony PSP handheld. 
• The rechargeable battery lasts for up to 15 hours.

Nintendo DS Accessories

• Battery 
• Stylus Pen 
• Wriststrap 

Related Products
DS Games  DS Games Guide	PlayStation Portable  PlayStation Portable Guide	GameBoys   Game Boy Micro Guide	GameBoy Advanced  Game Boy Advance Guide	GameCube   GameCube Guide

External Links

• QJ Net -- Nintendo DS news and rumors.
• GameSpot -- Review, previews and news courtesy of GameSpot.
• Nintendo WiFi -- Nintendo's site devoted to the DS WiFi connection.
• DS Hacks -- Modification advice for the DS.
• Tecmo Bowl Petition -- A link to a petition begging Nintendo to put Tecmo Bowl on WiFi.