Is the DS Lite too small for the large handed?
by Joystiq Staff 
{ Aug 6th 2006 at 4:40PM }
One of the guys over at The Pocket Gamer expresses the true plight of the man (or woman) with the large grip. With photographic evidence in hand, a blogger takes us through the trials and tribulations of a system that just may be too small for some of us unusually large peeps.Take note of exhibit A:
But what I've noticed when reviewing recent games such as Pirates of the Caribbean and Stormbreaker on DS Lite -- anything that requires heavy use of the shoulder buttons (especially the right one) -- has left me in agony. You don't have to be playing for more than a couple of hours a day either. And once you've developed a nasty-looking contact mark, you have to avoid playing for a couple of days to let it heal too.
While we'll admit, size does matter in some cases, we're more than willing here at Joystiq to suffer a bit of gamer pain in order to play on that super sweet DS Lite (not to mention it makes us look cooler in front of the ladies). Anyone else here find it more comfortable to play on the Phat as opposed to the Lite?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
James @ Aug 6th 2006 4:47PM
Nope. Small hands here. Found the DS Phat far too big, but the DS Lite is just right.
Gus @ Aug 6th 2006 4:48PM
Keep playing until you develop a callus. Baby.
GSI @ Aug 6th 2006 4:48PM
Must be a slow news day...
Greg Roughton @ Aug 6th 2006 4:49PM
I have big hands and there's another way of holding it that doesn't hurt your palms at all... if you hold the ds lite at a distance away from the palms balancing it on the three fingers you don't use while playing (forming a sort of open fist), it never touches your palm...
Goose @ Aug 6th 2006 5:01PM
I've always found the DS (lite and phat) to be pretty uncomfortable; especially the sholder buttons. Feels like they should be in the back like a dreamcast or something.
Fetttson @ Aug 6th 2006 5:06PM
I have found playing with the DS Lite to be uncomfortable on my right hand as well. Holding the DS away, or as Cabel said in his video reveiws of the Lite, "letting it breathe" helps, but it a rather awkward playing position. Of course, I think it's well worth the discomfort to be able to play the great games on a DS Lite.
Spoon @ Aug 6th 2006 5:12PM
Think that's bad? A few days ago I watched a friend of mine rip a chunk of skin out of his hand playing Mario Party on the 64.
It was amazing.
aaron @ Aug 6th 2006 5:13PM
I went to a huge rave in Chilliwack B.C., Canada last night, it was out in the forest and there was a Nintendo DS download station there, it was sweet.
darryl @ Aug 6th 2006 5:14PM
"(not to mention it makes us look cooler in front of the ladies)"
If you're playing a DS, nothing will help you when it comes to the ladies. Maybe other men will like what they see though.
Felix Andrews @ Aug 6th 2006 5:17PM
The Phat was pretty angular and uncomfortable - the Lite looks even worse in that respect. Although the mark pictured looks a little extreme... exactly how hard was he clinging to the thing?
Charlie @ Aug 6th 2006 5:20PM
The DS lite (and Phat) is incredibly uncomfortable to play, even with my small hands. You'd think they would make it a little, I don't know... ergonomic? The first GBA was very nice and comforting, I would've thought Nintendo would shape it like that to access the shoulder buttons easier.
Twist @ Aug 6th 2006 5:26PM
I find them both to be uncomfortable to hold for long periods of time. Also the buttons and d-pad are a little too small for my tastes.
chris w @ Aug 6th 2006 5:27PM
I can agree. I get cramps in my hands playing the DS lite more than that of the "Phattie". I am also experiencing, well, I can only categorize it as premature carpal tunnel in my thumbs it feels like. After playing a couple hours worth of nonstop tetris or NSMB with my wife, the joints in my thumbs hurt badly.
I guess thats what happens to us oldies when we've been playing about 25 hours a week for 18+ years. I felt invincible playing on all the wonderful consoles over the years, but I think the DS lite definitely lets me feel the pain after a while.
eggfou @ Aug 6th 2006 5:29PM
I admit I have big hands, and the phat is pretty uncomfortable too. My fingers get cramped and hurt after a long session of mario kart. Whats really weird is that the GBA Micro is one of the most comfortable handheld systems for me to play. My fingers just curl around it.
Scott @ Aug 6th 2006 5:32PM
I never found the DS to be anything but Uncomfortable. Especially without a Table around.
Abbas @ Aug 6th 2006 5:34PM
My right hand cramps with 15 min of playing any game requiring extensive use of the stylus such as Meteos and Metroid.
Would love suggestions on how to avoid a stretch break every 15 min
LongshotX @ Aug 6th 2006 5:36PM
I have that problem with my new DS lite. My hands are about average size for a guy. The real problem with either system (Phat and Lite) is that the edges are too sharp. On the Lite if you're playing a game that makes heavy usage of the triggers the right edge of the DS Lite jabs under and into the base of your right hand's thumb. It can leave a very painful mark. I'm not sure about the "it can take days to heal". But all said it does hurt. Metroid Hunters is even worst. The controls would be better if there was a better way to hold the DS in a comfortable position. Maybe some third party maufacturer should take a look at this an make some kind of add-on that rounds out the DS on the edges. Maybe we should all wait for the DS Micro Lite.
Reeve @ Aug 6th 2006 5:53PM
I have a Phat and have only messed around with the DS Lite in stores, but I wasn't planning on getting one anyway-- I had nerve compression in my wrists some years ago (not as bad as carpal tunnel, but still quite painful), and my hands have never fully recovered.
With that in mind, I knew that the Lite would be waaay too small for me-- and I have normal-sized hands! The Phat isn't perfectly ergonomic either, but size-wise, it's better than the Lite.
technabob @ Aug 6th 2006 5:54PM
Hrmm... I've got a DS Lite and also have rather large hands (wear XL gloves) and have had no difficulties at all with the DS.
Now the sucky square button and analog "stick" on the PSP, that's a different story altogether.
1up_clock @ Aug 6th 2006 6:01PM
"If you're playing a DS, nothing will help you when it comes to the ladies. Maybe other men will like what they see though."
Darryl,
you might be the second most predictable troll out there (first goes to
Jack Thompson).
Normally I'm a non-violent man. But when I read sexist comments about ladies not
playing video games like that, I'm willing to make exceptions.
Soothsayer @ Aug 6th 2006 6:13PM
I'm not sure big hands have to do with anything. I have bigger hands than anyone I know. I've played both DS's, and I'm a heavy Mario Kart snaker ... but I haven't experienced any pain at all.
The guy's comment leads me to believe it has to do with his grip. "Especially the right one"? Both DS's are functionally symmetrical; the only reason for any unbalanced discomfort is a querky grip.
Zeldathebest @ Aug 6th 2006 6:17PM
My question is who actually has the time to play the ds lite for hours everyday?Considering there is school,sleep,and work.But fuck it keep playing to those hands bleed nintendo.
davidsmallwood @ Aug 6th 2006 6:35PM
I think the old DS was the most comfortable. The Lite has some of the worst buttons I have ever seen on a handheld. They're all puffy and don't feel like they're pressing down properly, whereas the old DS had the buttons that were easy to press and made a nice little 'click' noise.
lucifer @ Aug 6th 2006 6:36PM
i have big hands
it doesnt affect me, playing the phat one was pretty bad, especially for mario kart and metroid. ds lite solves the problem for mario kart for me.
finger cramps are expected for metroid on any ds anywy
Josh @ Aug 6th 2006 6:37PM
I find the Phat to be very uncomfortable for standard play, like with Mario Kart DS, but the Lite is smooth sailing as far as comfort goes. And yes, playing a DS, especially a Lite, will make you infinitely cooler in Japan, and of course I'm talking about what "the ladies" will think of you. Now, as for uncomfortable controls? The PS1/2 control is the most uncomfortable I can think of, along with the Dreamcast controller.
pockyninja @ Aug 6th 2006 6:43PM
#7: I have also experienced the Mario Party Stigmata. It is not fun.
I hear that in Japan the game came bundled with a pair of gloves. Also I think this was the reason they didn't include any more 'rotate the control stick' games in later Mario Parties.
DeeMan @ Aug 6th 2006 6:58PM
Cabel had it right. Let it breathe.
If you try and grab it in a vice-grip, it will hurt you.
I have big hands - hell, i even preferred the Duke controller for the Xbox!
Josh @ Aug 6th 2006 7:01PM
pockyninja (#26): I thought they did it because it was damaging the control sticks..
Chris @ Aug 6th 2006 7:02PM
My hands are so big, even playing the ds phat with an add-on ergonomic grip is uncomfortable. Although, for it to be comfortable for me it would have to be bigger than the regular Xbox controller...
Ford Dent @ Aug 6th 2006 7:13PM
I have large hands (XXL glove size) and I don't have any trouble playing the DS lite. It's a bit small, yes, but I've never encountered any of the problems being brought out here. I usually hold it with the top two joints of my fingers, which is enough to completely balance the thing (told you my hands were big).
JKTrix @ Aug 6th 2006 7:29PM
HOLDING THE DS LITE TIP
I have larger-than-average hands, but i quickly found a way to hold it fairly comfortably.
Don't stick the thing right up in your palms as we've grown accustomed to over the years, hold it resting in your fingers. If you normally tilt down a little while you play, gravity should take care of most of the stability so you really don't have to grip it.
If anything, you can bring your pinkie fingers below it to stabilize it if you tend hit the shoulder buttons forcefully.
Here's a pic:
http://img306.imageshack.us/img306/1376/dsgripva8.jpg
Hope it helps people!
DG @ Aug 6th 2006 7:30PM
I got big hands. Huge ones. My DS Lite causes me no problems. Of course, I play it at most an hour a day.
Nick dube @ Aug 6th 2006 7:37PM
I swear this is why nintendo's manuals tell us not to play games for hours at once... I dont care if it is your job, its called a break and your hands wont look like you do manual labour
Velvetone Fusion @ Aug 6th 2006 7:54PM
I'd have to agree. Total right hand crampiness, and I have Andre The Giant hands. I bought a case that has a little elastic strap that goes around the bottom half and just above the screen to keep the ds in. i usually play it while its inside the case just to make it more comfortable.
Optimus @ Aug 6th 2006 7:59PM
>>If you're playing a DS, nothing will help you when it comes to the ladies. Maybe other men will like what they see though.
The ladies you hang out with are crap.
striderhayasa @ Aug 6th 2006 8:29PM
I just watched a 1up/EGM video about Mario 3 on 3 and they made negative comments about using the stylus and the awkwardness of it. When are these gaming sites and publications going to hire gamers that aren't total lamers and idiots? One guy bitched about how he was left handed and couldn't play Mario 3on 3 well with his right hand. If this genius had bothered to notice, it has been stated months ago that you can play with your right hand and use the d-pad or you left hand and use the face buttons. I'm left-handed and I always use the face buttons.
Also, if you hold the stylus like a pen with your pinky underneath the DS and your other hand holding the DS like a regular joystick (thumb over face buttons for lefties or dpad for righties) it very comfortable to use regardless of whether it's the DS or the DS Lite. If the comments came from noobs than that's understandable, but from 1up/egm, it's a disgrace. DS has been out for almost two years and these guys still don't know how to use it? Give me a break.
striderhayasa @ Aug 6th 2006 8:34PM
@jk trix
great image. That's exactly what I was talking about in my last post except with a stylus. IGN covered this back in 05' A Nintendo rep showed them how to hold the DS. I tried it the way the rep instructed and it works beautifully. I've had hour long Metroid Prime Hunter marathons with no problems. I've played Meteos for over an hour with no problems.
Thanks for the link.
Matthew Rader @ Aug 6th 2006 8:57PM
The Phat always made my hands cramp but the pain is no more with the DS Lite.
big n @ Aug 6th 2006 8:59PM
lol that's red marker in that picture, look closely
makesevevenupyours @ Aug 6th 2006 9:08PM
well to start, the lite wieghs less than the fat. already making it feel better.
but honestly, its light enough you dont have to hold it so tightly.
i havent had ANY problems with holding it and getting pains in my hands.
...except when i FIRST picked up metroid prime.
then i learned that if i hold the bottom right corner with my pinky, it releives a lot of stress with my left hand, and gives me stabability with my right for using the stylus.
and besides, its bigger than the SP, and the micro, and many others throughout time.
this painful grip for a few people hasnt stopped nintendo from selling 21 million of these. i dont think they are worried.
makesevevenupyours @ Aug 6th 2006 9:13PM
yes...as i said...games using the stylus, i will put my pinky under the bottom right corner of the ds. this makes it lighter on your left hand, and gives you stabability(am i spelling that right?) when using the stylus.
i assumed most people do this...i could be wrong.
Sheir @ Aug 6th 2006 9:24PM
I have giant hands, and the DS Lite works fine for me.
Caitlin @ Aug 6th 2006 10:02PM
I have little girl wrists, and my wrist always hurts after holding my Phat for marathon DS sessions. I guess they both have their flaws, but I think that getting to play Advance Wars DS and so many other wonderful games is worth it.
Marty @ Aug 6th 2006 10:11PM
Is that hair growing on the hand??? How dare they blame the DS Lite for their friction burns... Oh sorry, never mind... there was cat hair on my screen.
Freddy @ Aug 6th 2006 10:22PM
Come on!!! That will heal in 5 mintues. You know, there is such a thing as taking a break.
Mitchell @ Aug 6th 2006 10:41PM
Have you ever thought that maybe it not that the DS Lite too small but our hands are too large.
Mitchell @ Aug 6th 2006 10:42PM
Have you ever thought that maybe it not that the DS Lite too small but our hands are too large.
Zingtastic @ Aug 6th 2006 11:43PM
DS is meant for kids, people with small hands
AirBlock @ Aug 7th 2006 12:12AM
A couple of hours a day? As a minimum?. Good God man! Go out and get some exercise. If you have enough time to play video games for two hours, maybe you should be doing something more....
RisingSunofNihon @ Aug 7th 2006 12:28AM
This is definitely one of the most unusual posts I've seen in a while! I wouldn't say that the DS Lite is necessarily too small, but it is definitely pretty uncomfortable. I don't know if it's a design thing or what. I just don't think it's the size though.