Hands-on pics of the Nintendo DS Headset

It's been awhile since the DS came out -- nearly 2-1/2 years -- and we're finally using the handheld's headset jack to its full potential. Due to arrive at the end off April at an estimated retail price of $15, the Nintendo DS Headset is being sold on its functionality with one game in particular ... or make that two games. Well, sorta one and a half: Pokemon Diamond and Pokemon Pearl.

The headset works with any game that uses the microphone (including the huff-and-puff games), but is being sold on the ability to chat more conveniently with your friends over the internet. The headset works as a monaural earphone as well as a microphone, so all DS audio is routed to the earpiece, not just the voice audio. Considering the less than optimal sound quality of the unit, this is an unfortunate design shortcoming. The unit is lighweight, fits pretty comfortably over your ear, and feels durable enough to survive being stuffed into a backpack repeatedly.

Pokemon Diamond and Pearl are scheduled to be released on April 22nd (Sunday?) along with the headset.