DS Lite diet facts
by Blake Snow 
{ Feb 13th 2006 at 5:00AM }
How beneficial will the DS diet be for gamers? How about a screen that's five times brighter, a larger stylus, and better battery life to name a few? Aussie-Nintendo writes: "For a system that looks so good, playing GBA games, quite frankly, doesn't look good. Due to the smaller form factor, all cartridges stick out an extra centimeter or so, so you're not likely to store a GBA game there in case for the off chance you decide to play it."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
noah @ Feb 13th 2006 5:12AM
i still want it. yay australia
Sean @ Feb 13th 2006 5:13AM
That sucks, I think Nintendo just doesn't want it to look as cool to play roms, With the PassThrew sticking out the top and this sticking out the bottom, I am keeping my SP for now. ;)
btw Whats that hole to the right of the cartridge?
epobirs @ Feb 13th 2006 5:14AM
Hmmm, that is a bit of a drawback. There is still plenty of value in the GBA library and I do tend to always have a GBA cart in my DS. To date I've probably spent more time using it for GBA games than native DS games, especially thanks to FF: Dawn of Souls. I may be tempted to replay FFIV after all these years if that turns up cheap and I get another of these contract jobs where I spend half my time waiting for client to keep their appointments.
SilverDogg @ Feb 13th 2006 5:23AM
those holes are for headset/earpiece.
i will get one anyway. im using my ds for dsgames, and use my gba's for the gba-games.
still want a black one though!
Sockatume @ Feb 13th 2006 5:25AM
There's a bit of balderdash in there:
"The Lite carries an in-menu option that allows the user change between four screen brightnesses (Note: this hints at a slightly updated on-board menu. More on that in our review, later)."
Err, or you could just tell us right now, seeing as the manual describes how the menus work. They're the same as always, except the backlight on/off option now toggles between the three brightness levels.
"The original DS used semitransmissive screens, with Lite making use of transmissive, which is what actually allows the different brightness levels."
Err, no.
metaly @ Feb 13th 2006 5:44AM
Ooh, that's unfortunate. I always keep whatever GBA game I'm playing concurrently in there. Now the included dust cover makes a little more sense.
Also, what's the extra notch next to the headphone jack for? Is there going to be some kind of remote control attachment? Will you need to buy a new adapter so you can use standard headphones on it, like with the SP?
yjs @ Feb 13th 2006 6:10AM
The original DS had the mic-in port next to the headphone out as well. As for the GBA cart sticking out, it is disappointing but considering how much smaller the DS Lite is, I'm not surprised. The FCC internal photos shows there isn't enough space to fit a full GBA cart anyways.
Besides, all the benefits far outweigh this smaller problem, especially the impressive battery life. 15-19 hours on lowest brightness setting (if Game Boy Micro's brightness settings are any indication, the lowest setting is even brighter than the original DS' backlight) and 5-8 hours on the highest setting (again, using the GBM as reference, the highest setting is brighter than the PSP screen.
lite @ Feb 13th 2006 6:14AM
I think that Lite will do for DS what SP did for GBA - people who want something NEW will buy the Lite. Others who feel that the classic design was better will buy that one, but in the end it will only increase Nintendo sales and that is what company has to work for.
neoflash @ Feb 13th 2006 6:18AM
Personally I already ordered DS Lite as I feel that Pros by far outweigh the few cons it has.
neoflash @ Feb 13th 2006 6:20AM
Personally I already ordered DS Lite as I feel that Pros by far outweigh the few cons it has.
Mark Korsak @ Feb 13th 2006 6:25AM
are you sure it sticks out? Where did it ever say that it did? I thought that pic just like shows it going in.
mike @ Feb 13th 2006 6:29AM
huh? what are they supposed to do... make the ds bigger so it covers, etc?
If the cartridge is sticking out, you won't care while you're sitting on the bench in the park playing Zelda Minish Cap or sth.. it's a non-issue.. And you won't just leave the cart in there afterwards, that's one good thing about the 'filler' piece they bundle with the DS.
Non-issue.. yea it's kinda fugly, but you won't be having the cart in there when it's not in use.. and when it's in use.. who cares.. you're too busy playing the game to care..
And of course.. the DS is so good that over time, the remaining DS owners who still play GBA games on there will have switched over to playing games like Res. Evil and FFIII.. and Metroid Online..
The_Solidshadow @ Feb 13th 2006 6:33AM
lol, read the article
awmvannierop @ Feb 13th 2006 6:59AM
So the Ruble Pack for the DS will also stick out an extra centimeter or so? That's bad news since you'll propably want to leave it in when more games uses this feature. Maybe they'll release a custom DS Lite Rumble Pack?
Alex K. @ Feb 13th 2006 7:11AM
Two words:
BIGGER STYLUS!!!
strider_mt2k @ Feb 13th 2006 7:38AM
This is an odd echo of the GBA/GB cart sticking out thing, isn't it?
I guess making it inconvenient to carry/play GBA carts is the first step to them no longer being supported!
If that logic stands, imagine how small the next thing will be for the DS carts to stick out like that! :D
Hooligan @ Feb 13th 2006 7:41AM
I agree with the guy before . I think it just shows the cartridge goin in . Do you REALLy think u'd get a design flaw like that in the DS LITE.I dnt! :D
Jesse @ Feb 13th 2006 7:43AM
I wonder how does it feel while holding it? It's really tiresome holding the DS now for more than an hour. The lower-end corners are just killing me hands. I never heard anyone else has the same problem though, maybe it's just me. =(
mungo @ Feb 13th 2006 8:02AM
Metroid pinball rumblepack?
KimiSan @ Feb 13th 2006 8:11AM
"11. are you sure it sticks out? Where did it ever say that it did? I thought that pic just like shows it going in."
I think so too, I've fellowed every single news bit about the DSL, and I think that this picture was just the cart getting pushed in, then some site presumed it will stick out, I think it was DS-X2, I'm waiting for an offical statment, don't let it be the whole "DS Lite anounced" article just above the "DS redesign proven bogus".
Brian @ Feb 13th 2006 8:16AM
"are you sure it sticks out? Where did it ever say that it did? I thought that pic just like shows it going in"
I believe you are right, it's showing the cart going in and they said it protrudes a cm or so. That picture shows clearly more than a cm of the cart.
stevO @ Feb 13th 2006 8:25AM
on one of those pictures, it says in among the script (2cm), so maybe thats the proof?
Sockatume @ Feb 13th 2006 8:44AM
The slot-in "blank" for the GBA cartridge slot is only half the size of a GBA catridge, and it's the inward half of the cartridge - both of which suggest that the GBA cartridge doesn't go all the way into the console.
Nossy @ Feb 13th 2006 9:32AM
It's already dumb enough you can't do multiplayer with GBA games...
Rappateng @ Feb 13th 2006 9:33AM
I'm still not sure this is correct (the gba cart sticking out). If you look at the picture of the DS cart, that one is sticking out as well. My assumtion was they were illustrating how the carts will be seated into the DSL. As far as the GBA slot cover, it would make sense that it is not the same size as the GBA cart, as it only is a placeholder and doesn't need to actually connect to the DS system board.
Noah @ Feb 13th 2006 9:50AM
Don't they have a press release comming out later this week coming from Nintendo of Japan - I think the 15th. I don't believe it sticks out, it seems like that would be a bad move on Nintendo's part. I think with the DS lite they want to perfect the DS. Having the GBA games stick out won't help with that.
zADD @ Feb 13th 2006 10:10AM
I'll buy it anyway. I have my Micro for gba games.
Desert @ Feb 13th 2006 10:47AM
OMG, please add on more weight and size so the my GBA games don't stick out. Give me a break!!!!
Kamalot @ Feb 13th 2006 10:50AM
This would have been an issue in the first few months of the DS' life when good DS titles were scarce, but today there are more than enough DS titles to ensure you'll never have to play a GBA game again to be entertained.
Also, if you remember the GBA series, they could play old GameBoy and GBColor games, but the cartridges would stick out like mad.
Even though they stick out, it is still a great option to have.
John @ Feb 13th 2006 11:03AM
How much longer will we have to wait for this to arrive in the States!? I want one!!
-John
Tim Adams @ Feb 13th 2006 11:04AM
Sorry, but I'm not buying into the "Due to the smaller form factor, all cartridges stick out an extra centimeter or so, so you're not likely to store a GBA game there in case for the off chance you decide to play it". Looking at the user manual, it talks about making sure the cartridge is fully inserted (no warnings about a small lip, or edge that might extend keeping the gamer from forcing it in further than they should). Nor does it make any sense from a design standpoint.
Rappateng @ Feb 13th 2006 11:07AM
Desert,
people are having a discussion here about the topic posted, if you don't have anything to add to said discussion why not just keep your mouth shut, ok?
Sockatume @ Feb 13th 2006 11:13AM
" As far as the GBA slot cover, it would make sense that it is not the same size as the GBA cart, as it only is a placeholder and doesn't need to actually connect to the DS system board."
Yes, but it's shaped like the inward end of a GBA cartridge - all that's missing is the actual circuit board. If it were a blank that just didn't go in all the way, it'd be shaped like the outward end of a GBA cartridge.
Doop @ Feb 13th 2006 11:17AM
It sticks out a bit...SO. I really don't see what the big deal is, i mean like what difference does it make?
If its a problem about not being able to put it in you pocket then it's only a CM and wont make a big difference.
I just dont see what the big deal is.
Sockatume @ Feb 13th 2006 11:28AM
Just to set the matter to rest completely, http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/yjs/dslite_innards.jpg
The dismantled DS from the approval PDF. The GBA cart slot is too shallow to accomodate a whole cartridge. Makes me wonder if we'll get special Lite versions of DS accessory paks. For example, a Boktai DS light sensor wouldn't need anywhere near a full-size GBA catridge.
e @ Feb 13th 2006 11:34AM
I'm still waiting for the PIM + web browser + rss feed reader cart? What gives... seems like a perfect platform... great battery life, wifi, touch screen/stylus input. I know it's a game console, but adding a few more "business centric" features would be sweet... and it seems like they could add those functions via a DS cart or a GBA cart... syncing with your PC via wifi would rock.
Nathan @ Feb 13th 2006 11:40AM
Umm, Mr. Snow, unless Nintendo comfirmed this, it's not a "fact" as you stated in the story's title. I'm betting this image is being misunderstood. Well, I hope so anyway. How tacky that would be.
Desert @ Feb 13th 2006 12:08PM
Rappateng,
I am. I'm saying to people who would rather
have a larger and heavier DS so that their GBA carts don't stick out need to NOT BUY the Lite and keep their DS!
Also, the the reply you made to me was a fantabulous contribution to the discussion. Hypocrite.
Nimby @ Feb 13th 2006 12:11PM
I actually enjoy the DS's size just the way it is. I mean to tell you the truth I wish it could be slightly larger or more rounded on the bottom edges becuase it hurts my hands after playing for about an hour if I am not holding a particular way. I realize these things are generally geared for smaller hands, but I think poeople of varying ages play them. There is no way that I could bring myself to buy a DS lite, even if I did not already have an original DS.
Tim Adams @ Feb 13th 2006 12:28PM
For those interested: Here's a quick and dirty overlay of the internal and external casing. I'll still be very surprised if the GBA carts don't fit just like one would expect them to (ie no gap).
Anyone know where the GB Micro FCC documents are? This would provide the perfect size comparison and help solve this cart issue.
The link:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v440/fishfuzz/overlay.jpg
Danny @ Feb 13th 2006 1:16PM
it's very annoying if they are going to make the
GBA cart stick out, they should have put the
slot on the back (backside) of the device so you
don't see it when playing. It would be concealed
by the screen, and be less of an eyesore.
Pal @ Feb 13th 2006 1:40PM
Pshh, I don't care. I'm not buying it for looks, I'm buying it for its smaller footprint and DS goodness.
It's such a small price to pay. If it bothers you so much, paint your GBA cartridge to match the DS color :)
gamer1 @ Feb 13th 2006 4:33PM
I’ll be buying it for its looks as well as its compact design. I am disappointed about the GBA port, but I’m not disappointed enough that I would buy the older DS just so that the GBA games will fit all the way in. I’m still playing Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga, The Legend of Zelda: Minish Cap, It’s Mr. Pants, Texas Hold Em, Phantasy Star Collection, and Final Fantasy IV Advance, however, I’ll probably still just give my GBM to my girlfriend when the new DS comes out and just deal with it. Theres a bunch of DS games that I want to try out.
hhdfk @ Feb 13th 2006 9:55PM
WOW, are you all that stupid? It's INTENTIONALLY STICKING HALFWAY OUT! Just like the one with the DS cart sticking partway out... It's halfway out to SHOW HOW IT GOES IN!!
I never thought anyone could be that stupid. I think that guy from office space is smarter than whoever posted and believed this article. I'm not kidding.
branewalker @ Feb 14th 2006 1:49AM
Yes, but have they improved the BUTTONS!??
Eric @ Feb 14th 2006 5:14PM
http://gonintendo.com/wp-content/photos/image6.jpg
The writing fucking says that it sticks out 1cm. End of discussion.
45. Yes.
Masterhand10 @ Mar 29th 2006 1:32AM
I'm Still Keeping my old ds. Who cares about a bigger stylus, 4 briteness setting and sleeker size.
I wont buy this quick update to my old system.
(I also wont buy it because the GBA cartrige sticks out on this one.)
Bottom Line
---------------------------
It's Not Worth it if you are faithful to your current DS System.
-Masterhand10