The DS Lite is "smaller than a brick"

by Conrad Quilty-Harper { Jun 12th 2006 at 5:25PM }

Arstechnica has posted a comprehensive five page review of the DS Lite, with a large portion dedicated to comparisons with the DS Phat. This isn't the first review of the DS Lite, but it could possibly be the most well thought out. Here are the key points of the review:

The screens

Greater viewing angle - "it's now possible to watch someone else playing the system and actually see the screen"
Brighter - "the upgraded screen may be worth the price of an upgrade alone"
Dead pixels - "my unit has a stuck pixel on the top screen"
Flimsy? - "the bottom screen seems to be floating in the system case, not held down tight like the DS [Phat]"

The feel

Lighter - "the system is lighter, making it easier for me to cradle it using the tips of my fingers"
Buttons - "The D-pad is a touch smaller... and a bit less satisfying in the click department" although "the buttons on both DS products are a little bit on the small side"
Central microphone "makes games that use voice recognition easier to play."

The battery

Six hours usually, although "it's not hard to get eight hours of battery life as long as you don't continually keep the system on its brightest setting."

The overall feeling from the review is that if you're a DS virgin and have been mulling a purchase, now is the time to jump in. If, however, you're a DS Phat owner and haven't decided whether it's worth trading in for the updated hardware, the suggestion from this review is go for it. "If you're a casual gamer or a hardcore fan who takes your portable everywhere, you'll like the way your games play and look on the DS Lite".

Tags: Ars, Ars Technica, ArsTechnica, Battery, DS, DS Lite, DS Phat, DsLite, DsPhat, Light, Nintendo DS, NintendoDs, Review

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

gzsfrk @ Jun 12th 2006 5:34PM

Wifey is getting me one for my birthday, and I can't wait. Have a phat, and it's great--but after I get the Lite, the wife can use the old one as her full-time Brain Age platform. (She's terribly addicted to Sudoku.)

Kevin @ Jun 12th 2006 5:36PM

Cool Circuit City In Santa Ana Are Sold Out

Kevin @ Jun 12th 2006 5:36PM

Rock On Ds Lite

SetupWeasel @ Jun 12th 2006 5:40PM

I don't think 6 hours is right. The battery holds more charge than the one for the original DS, and I got more than that with the it. My Lite hasn't died on me yet, but I'll keep an eye on it.

jOEfRO @ Jun 12th 2006 6:01PM

DS Lite is worth it. I got mine today, it is AWESOME, the only complaint I have is the cover when closed. Nintendo should have made the cover magnetic b/c mine opens a little every time I pick it up, but otherwise, best Nintendo handheld redesign yet!!

SuicideNinja @ Jun 12th 2006 6:03PM

I played the floor model in Walmart. I really didn't like the d-pad, but mostly everything else seemed to be an improvement. It definitely doesn't feel as sturdy.

Still, I want one because it would seem easier to play since it's evenly weighted. But we need a black one!

zenprism @ Jun 12th 2006 6:05PM

My Lite has a stuck pixel as well, on the bottom screen. It's either red or white. I named him Burt.

jabbertrack @ Jun 12th 2006 6:07PM

I was a DS virgin until today. Found some money available and took the plunge.

It seems like very solid piece of hardware for $130. My friend got one as well and we have been playing 'new' Mario in minigames and battle-whatever with the side scrolling. It's very easy to see in any light except the bane of all screens... direct sunlight.

DrJoeTron @ Jun 12th 2006 6:19PM

The DSL when set to highest brightness is 6-8 hours, Lowest brightness setting is between 16-18 hours.

Babylonian @ Jun 12th 2006 6:59PM

Wait, the bottom screen isn't firmly attached? I just analyzed my Lite thoroughly to see if there was any jigglage in the lower screen, but to no avail. Seems just as "locked in" as any screen has ever been in any portable.

Karen @ Jun 12th 2006 7:03PM

I'm still enjoying mine and it's the second day. I have to buy a screen protector tommorow though, I've scratched the touch screen a bit. I have no dead pixels. The Mario Mini games are a blast. I'm still amazed that I draw a line and it magically becomes a trampoline.

frodo @ Jun 12th 2006 7:13PM

If I didn't get mine for free I would have still bought one. Dumped my old DS on my wife. She just plays Animal Crossing on it anyway.

Solid system, very nice. The screen is almost *too* bright at times, and the directional pad doesn't let you move diagonally very well, but overall a satisfying product.

fashionfauxpas @ Jun 12th 2006 7:26PM

i dumped my old blue one onto my girlfriend. all she plays is Tetris. which is good, cuz we now play against each other.

it may take me awhile to adjust to the weight, button layout of the DS lite as it is different than the original DS.

besides Metroid Prime, are there any games that use rumble? just thinking if i should get the DS Lite rumble as well.

D-Shiznit @ Jun 12th 2006 7:31PM

it rox yaaaa i just got 1 who hoooo

PorpoiseMuffins @ Jun 12th 2006 10:18PM

I have a DS lite and it is MUCH sturdier than the original model in every way. It simply feels like a quality piece of equipment. No dead pixels on mine, either.

Playing the DS lite floor models does NOT give the handheld justice. You have to hold it in your hands to really understand the true level of quality. It feels like glass in your hands. The nicest gadget I have ever used.

Also-- Try out the new D pad on Super Mario 64 DS. You'll be an instant convert to the new model. It is a vast improvement in control. The buttons all feel great once the system is actually in your hands. Again, don't be mislead by the locked-down retail units.

Tyler M. @ Jun 12th 2006 10:39PM

I'm listing my DS on eBay right now. :)

Tyler M. @ Jun 12th 2006 10:43PM

"The new stylus is thicker, longer, and much more penetrating. Oh yeah, that's right"

HAHA, I can't believe he said that.

Joe @ Jun 12th 2006 11:58PM

I just bought the DSL today. I never had the original, so I can't really compare, but I love the whole feel of the machine. The surfaces, aesthetics, weight, and quality of build are supurb. I haven't noticed any dead pixels, so no complaint there. The only complaint I have is that I feel that it might almost be too small for my hands. I don't think of myself as having large hands, but after about an hour of playing Mario and Animal Crossing, my hands were starting to feel a little cramped (and by an hour, I mean 15 minutes here and there over the course of about 3 hours). I don't know if the original DS would have been better since if was larger, or if I'm just imagining that. Has anyone else encountered this?

n8dogg @ Jun 13th 2006 1:42AM

The DS Lite is one sexy little beast, and this is coming from a Sony fan.

I, too, am a first time DS owner, although I've played my friends' systems plenty of times. I knew that Nintendo would do their predictable portable redesign eventually, so I held out. Man, am I glad. This thing is NICE.

However, I'm not sure if it's good enough to warrant the trashing of your previous DS. This just may be the thrifty Asian side of me, but throwing away 120 dollars worth of hardware seems a waste just because the newer version has a face lift.

And that whole GBA cart sticking out thing bugs the HELL out of me. I would like nothing more than to leave a GBA game in there (I rarely take games out with me in public besides the one already in the system) but it just makes it a hassle.

Give it to your little siblings or cousins at least, yeah?

n8dogg @ Jun 13th 2006 1:44AM

#17

I know what you're talking about. The thing that helps me the most with this is resting my wrists on a surface from time to time. A table, my lap, etc.

It doesn't make it that much better, but it helps.

I still think the original GBA had the best hand fitting shape EVER. (BRING IT BACK, NINTENDO!!!)

Moses @ Jun 13th 2006 5:38AM

I pre-ordered a white DS lite for the 23rd June, I cant wait although it doesn't have many differences apart from looks, I believe I wont be dissapointed. I really didn't like the design when I finished playing the original DS I bought on April the 12th on the first day I had it, it felt cheap and plasticy and the games were just poor and badly designed (the shape of the ds game). Now that I think about it I dont know why i'm buying it, but as I have too many PSP games I thought my 4 DS games could be increased in number.

PorpoiseMuffins @ Jun 13th 2006 9:08AM

If you're cramping up, you're probably not holding the system the best way. My recommendation is to hold it more loosely, so that your index fingers are resting on the shoulder buttons and your pinky fingers are supporting the unit from the bottom. This allows you to space apart your hands more like they would be on a regular console controller.

Watch this if you haven't already:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eC-3HoPOD9I&search=cabel%20ds%20lite