How about you, readers? Have you had to replace your DS or DS Lite, simply because it was too banged up or you were sick of looking at it? Or, are you still rocking a launch day Phat, proud?
How about you, readers? Have you had to replace your DS or DS Lite, simply because it was too banged up or you were sick of looking at it? Or, are you still rocking a launch day Phat, proud?
Reader Comments (49)
Posted: Aug 1st 2007 9:09AM chicagojosh said
I've considered it a few times, but since everything still functions properly (with the exception left shoulder button, which is sometimes less than responsive,) I'm holding off on buying a new one.
Oh yeah, and seeing as that money is currently set aside for Metroid Prime 3 and Mario Galaxy certainly has something to do with it too. :)
Oh yeah, and seeing as that money is currently set aside for Metroid Prime 3 and Mario Galaxy certainly has something to do with it too. :)
Posted: Aug 1st 2007 9:13AM stridermt2k said
My Onyx DS Lite is holding up well so far.
I say get one!
I've never liked white consumer electronics, but that's a personal preference.
I say get one!
I've never liked white consumer electronics, but that's a personal preference.
Posted: Aug 1st 2007 9:34AM Cheese Rations said
Yeah, I've had to replace my release day white DS lite with a newer, black one. The shoulder buttons were turning that same nasty yellow color and I just hated it.
The new black DS is quite awesome and the screen actually looks to be of better quality. Appears brighter and sharper to me. But hey, maybe it's just the contrast with the black surrounding material instead of the white.
The new black DS is quite awesome and the screen actually looks to be of better quality. Appears brighter and sharper to me. But hey, maybe it's just the contrast with the black surrounding material instead of the white.
Posted: Aug 1st 2007 9:28AM garbagedick said
I'm still rocking my launch day DS, but with the wife playing tetris online on it more and more, i might be inclined to get the two-tone one come august 20th.
Posted: Aug 1st 2007 9:21AM greatslack said
The black shows fingerprints more, but the white shows yellowing from oily fingers more. I think fingerprints are way easier to clean off.
Posted: Aug 1st 2007 9:22AM gudaman said
i had to replace my launch DS Lite about 6 months ago... the top hinge broke and nintendo was kind enough to replace the top half of my system* for free... all i had to do was buy an Envelope...
THANKS AGAIN NINTENDO*
*my system was about 3 months past warranty i belive but their CUSTOMER SERVICE phone staff are very nice as are the rest of the team! thanks
THANKS AGAIN NINTENDO*
*my system was about 3 months past warranty i belive but their CUSTOMER SERVICE phone staff are very nice as are the rest of the team! thanks
Posted: Aug 1st 2007 9:26AM BWolf said
I'm on my sixth DS Lite now. Got the first one right at launch. Replaced it due to a red hot pixel in the middle of the damn top screen at gamestop in the first week. Second one had a non-working low battery LED. Replaced that one at gamestop again. Number 3 lasted longest until it too was showing hot pixels. Replaced that one through Nintendo. Number 4 came incompletely assembled, with a screw falling out on the get-go as soon as I picked it out of the box and the plastic shell having wiggle-room. Replaced that one through Nintendo for the sake of frikin quality and keeping my warranty. Number 5 came RIDDLED with hot pixels on the touchscreen, over a dozen at least. Called up Nintendo again for replacement. Sent it in DIRECTLY to NoA HQ, got a brand-new one in a box back. Number 6 has had no issues. Now I can look forward to whatever fun I'll have with Wii. Mind you, Nintendo Customer Service is great and to the point, can't look for any better in this business. Totally happy with my current DS. And nobody's perfect. Was my bad luck that I kept getting the weird faulty ones. But that's over now and the system is awesome.
Posted: Aug 1st 2007 9:49AM (Unverified) said
still using that launch day phat.... i'd like to get a lite but i can't justify the high price for a device that does basically the same thing
Posted: Aug 1st 2007 9:40AM (Unverified) said
Launch day DS Phat all the way! I've thought about replacing it because I dropped it once and it got a little scratched up, but I still love it.
Posted: Aug 1st 2007 9:37AM RupeeClock said
Not yet, but I may have to sometime.
My touchscreen's responsive is mis-aligned at the bottom center, jumping input a few pixels to the right which makes things difficult, there's a big 1cm scratch on the touchscreen, the right audio speaker seems to be slightly quieter and I've got the infamous hinge crack.
My touchscreen's responsive is mis-aligned at the bottom center, jumping input a few pixels to the right which makes things difficult, there's a big 1cm scratch on the touchscreen, the right audio speaker seems to be slightly quieter and I've got the infamous hinge crack.
Posted: Aug 1st 2007 9:55AM (Unverified) said
My Ds Lite is working fine but I wouldnt mind a new one since my dog has got a hold of it several times. Has several teeth marks on the edges, not too deep but noticeable.
Posted: Aug 1st 2007 9:56AM (Unverified) said
My original silver phattie is still alive and well (we gave it to my neice). My white Lite is in great shape, except for the mildly discolored shoulder buttons, but it was replaced last year for the hinge crack. The wife's blue phattie is doing very well although it was replaced right after we bought it for 5 or 6 dead/stuck pixels.
Posted: Aug 1st 2007 10:00AM (Unverified) said
I currently have to send in my white lite for repair because of cracked hinge. It's had cracked hinge since last November but it was still fine until one day after I had finished playing some clubhouse games, closed the top screen and then felt it. A new crack had appeared on the right hinge. This new one is on the top of the hinge unlike the original so now the top screen doesn't close tight. If anyone has information about how to get a cracked hinge ds lite replaced I'd like to know about the process. I've already called customer service but I'm still a bit confused.
Posted: Aug 1st 2007 10:14AM (Unverified) said
i'm sure i told this before... i had a white one... fell on the toilet... the battery keeps turning off, so i bought a black one. i play with it a lot... and it still looks great (i've made me a cleaning kit with a non-abbrasive cleaning fluid and a special cloth - like the ones you use to clean glasses).
Posted: Aug 1st 2007 10:21AM Hirsbrunner said
The shoulder buttons on my Lite are getting that nasty yellowish color, too.
Had the cracked hinge replaced a while back, but other than that, it works just fine.
Would like to get a black or teal one, though. Pretty cool.
Had the cracked hinge replaced a while back, but other than that, it works just fine.
Would like to get a black or teal one, though. Pretty cool.
Posted: Aug 1st 2007 10:40AM (Unverified) said
I got my ds lite at Christmas to replace my phat. But it looks mint, I learned from the mistakes of the phat and bought screen protectors right away. Also, to clean those nasty top buttons (and the rest of the lite), use a mr. clean magic eraser. just dip it in a little bit of water, squeeze pretty much all the water out of the sponge and gently rub it on the top. Makes it look brand new. It works really well on ibook's too!
Posted: Aug 1st 2007 10:46AM (Unverified) said
still beating the heck out of my launch day phat... it's a tough little mother and doesn't show my grease at all.
Posted: Aug 1st 2007 11:23AM (Unverified) said
Replaced my white DS Lite (which I bought with some trade-in from my silver Phat) a month after I got it through my GS warranty because I dropped it and it had a nasty looking crack in the bottom plastic. Still worked but I figured why not fork over another $20 for a fresh warranty and not have a crack in it. I accidentally ended up keeping my power cable as well (gave them back the DS in box and forgot to put the cable in there, they didn't check), which I would feel bad about if GS didn't screw us all on a regular basis.
Now I just need to fork out the cash for a DS-Lite compatible PassMe so I can run games off of my Supercard SD on it (just plugged into my GB Player on the Cube right now). Before anybody yells PIRATE I primarily use the Supercard as a way to store all the games I own on one cart, saves me lugging a half dozen DS and 3-4 GBA carts around with me when I go out of town or whatever. Once in while I'll run a game I don't own on it, but thats rare because I usually buy games I'm going to spend more than a couple of hours on.
Plus it allows me to have virtually unlimited number of saves in games like FF:Tactics, which is nice.
Now I just need to fork out the cash for a DS-Lite compatible PassMe so I can run games off of my Supercard SD on it (just plugged into my GB Player on the Cube right now). Before anybody yells PIRATE I primarily use the Supercard as a way to store all the games I own on one cart, saves me lugging a half dozen DS and 3-4 GBA carts around with me when I go out of town or whatever. Once in while I'll run a game I don't own on it, but thats rare because I usually buy games I'm going to spend more than a couple of hours on.
Plus it allows me to have virtually unlimited number of saves in games like FF:Tactics, which is nice.
Posted: Aug 1st 2007 11:33AM (Unverified) said
Just yesterday I had to buy a new one cause I lost mine over the weekend. I think someone stole it. I just can't live without it.
Posted: Aug 1st 2007 12:21PM (Unverified) said
i got my black lite in november last year and i wanted a white one.Later i looked at my friends white lite and his was yellowish shoulder buttons freaked me out!!!
Posted: Aug 1st 2007 12:20PM (Unverified) said
i have a blue phat and just recently i bought the onyx cause i cant get enough of my two ds.
i might buy another one if they bring new colors in europe (plz nintendo bring the ice blue)
i might buy another one if they bring new colors in europe (plz nintendo bring the ice blue)
Posted: Aug 1st 2007 12:18PM (Unverified) said
The area around the buttons on my Onyx is starting to get nice and dull from it's constant use.
I live in fear (almost to an Anne Frank like extent)of hinge cracks and dying shoulder buttons but if it happens that will be an excuse to track down and Enamel Navy. I'm trying to train a blood hound to sniff one out just in case.
I live in fear (almost to an Anne Frank like extent)of hinge cracks and dying shoulder buttons but if it happens that will be an excuse to track down and Enamel Navy. I'm trying to train a blood hound to sniff one out just in case.
Posted: Aug 1st 2007 12:34PM (Unverified) said
I've replaced two through my Gamestop warranty because of dead screens.
Posted: Aug 1st 2007 12:35PM SergeantSalad said
The DS Lite is super cheap to replace when you consider how beautiful it is, and how much FUN is packed into it. Screen protectors really make a huge difference, and I have one of those metal cases. A bit beefier, but definitely protects.
Posted: Aug 5th 2007 7:44AM (Unverified) said
My Onyx DS Lite is fine but I have only had it since January, same for my sister's Coral Pink one that she has had since February and my other sister's Onyx that she has had since Christmas, my brother had the hinge crack on the one he got back in October so he sent it in to Nintendo and got back one that now has a hinge crack and tons of scratches because he is careless with it, we just won him and my dad a new one off of Slurpee so it's okay.
What I've noticed is that the newer Lites that were sold at the very end of last year and the beginning of this year don't get the crack, or at least I have yet to see one.
Just take care of your system like the little buddy it is and you won't get any problems... except maybe dead pixels.
What I've noticed is that the newer Lites that were sold at the very end of last year and the beginning of this year don't get the crack, or at least I have yet to see one.
Just take care of your system like the little buddy it is and you won't get any problems... except maybe dead pixels.
Posted: Aug 1st 2007 12:51PM (Unverified) said
I bought a Navy DS Lite from Play-asia. About 4 months later it started turning off whenever I would push a button; so I could only play touch only games. I sent it back to them, and they fixed it. Then about 4 months after that, it did the same thing again, but their 6 month warranty was up.
I put up with it for about 2 months, but then sold it to GameStop and bought an Onyx one off of Amazon.
It's been working about about 2 months now.
I put up with it for about 2 months, but then sold it to GameStop and bought an Onyx one off of Amazon.
It's been working about about 2 months now.
Posted: Aug 1st 2007 1:09PM (Unverified) said
I just replaced my white DS Lite with a new onyx one. My Right Shoulder Button stopped responding and is now out of warranty from Nintendo. I got my 2nd one from Target and purchased the $20 wear and tear plan in case my shoulder buttons go out again. Mario Kart DS can be really hard on the buttons.
Posted: Aug 1st 2007 1:17PM letherclad said
I was proud of my flawless white DS lite from launch day, but just last week i noticed it had a crack on the joint (like people used to complain about). Now I'm thinking about using this as an excuse to get a limited edition one, like one of the Final Fantasy ones or something like that.
Posted: Aug 1st 2007 1:32PM (Unverified) said
I'm still using my phat regularly. I periodically consider buying a Lite but, as others said, I can't justify the money for something that plays the exact same games. That could be money spent on games! Mine shows barely any signs of wear besides a few scuff marks on the side after dropping it on some asphalt (I know! I'm generally one of the most careful people when it comes to my games, too!). Besides that, the stylus slides relatively easily out of it's slot (but whether that is the stylus or the slot I'm not sure of). My stylus is a mess because it can fall out now. Once, it must have fallen out in the road outside my house and I found it the next day, apparently having been run over. I can't bring myself to use the second stylus it comes with, however, until this one completely disintegrates. Finally, the battery is starting to lose its charge pretty quickly. However, that could be remedied with a $15 purchase from Nintendo. So until something extreme happens, I don't see me replacing my original DS any time soon.
Posted: Aug 1st 2007 1:35PM Hirsbrunner said
Thanks for the tip, mini keg. I'll have to try that out.
Posted: Aug 1st 2007 1:42PM (Unverified) said
My DS Lite is holding up fine.
Posted: Aug 1st 2007 1:43PM Ayumin said
I still have my Candy Pink launch day DS :D The screen remained scratch-free until the fateful day I got Elite Beat Agents. But otherwise, even through heavy heavy use, it still looks as fabulous as they day I bought it. I only just recently took the static cling sticker off the Nintendo logo.
Posted: Aug 1st 2007 2:29PM (Unverified) said
I'm on my 5th.
First Lite I got from Wal-Mart during launch. I wasn't bothered by the blue pixel on the touch screen, but the next day I found out what it was, and it was bothering me. So I brought it back, and got another one...
Only to find out it too had dead pixels. 2. One green, and blue. Right on Mario's nose when you start up Mario 64 DS.
I bring it back a few hours later, and get a third. Same thing.. Except 4 this time.
I bring it back again, now knowing it was probably their entire stock. The guy argues with me that it was my fault the pixels were there... I was "pressing the touch screen too hard." I'm like. "And you work in the video game department." So he takes it off of me, and downloads a Tetris demo to bring out the pixels against a black screen.
Needless to say, I get my money back and go to Gamestop. They have one DS left and I get it. I've had that one for a little over a year. Then, the dreaded hinge crack happened. I was afraid of causing more damage, so I put it on hold.
My current one I just got two months ago is the Onyx. I couldn't be happier with it.
First Lite I got from Wal-Mart during launch. I wasn't bothered by the blue pixel on the touch screen, but the next day I found out what it was, and it was bothering me. So I brought it back, and got another one...
Only to find out it too had dead pixels. 2. One green, and blue. Right on Mario's nose when you start up Mario 64 DS.
I bring it back a few hours later, and get a third. Same thing.. Except 4 this time.
I bring it back again, now knowing it was probably their entire stock. The guy argues with me that it was my fault the pixels were there... I was "pressing the touch screen too hard." I'm like. "And you work in the video game department." So he takes it off of me, and downloads a Tetris demo to bring out the pixels against a black screen.
Needless to say, I get my money back and go to Gamestop. They have one DS left and I get it. I've had that one for a little over a year. Then, the dreaded hinge crack happened. I was afraid of causing more damage, so I put it on hold.
My current one I just got two months ago is the Onyx. I couldn't be happier with it.
Posted: Aug 1st 2007 2:45PM radicoon said
My friend dropped my white Lite; broke the top screen. I just ordered an eBay replacement and put it back together =)
Posted: Aug 1st 2007 3:56PM (Unverified) said
I've got The Hinge Crack, but it's not causing me any functional difficulty, as I keep mine in a silicon-lined form-hugging clear plastic case. If I did replace it though, it would be for a MATTE version of the Onyx. Oil and fingerprints are annoying enough on glasses.
But, I don't want to have to sand mine down. That's right... I demand a new version. Get on it. :P
But, I don't want to have to sand mine down. That's right... I demand a new version. Get on it. :P
Posted: Aug 1st 2007 4:37PM WXsniper said
I've only had to send in my Lite - that I got 11 days early from Target :D - to Nintendo twice; once for a hinge crack and faulty touch screen, second time for a broken L button, and it wouldn't read any DS games :(, but my Phat has been working for the 2.4 (approx.) years (May 2005) that I've had it.
The only problem I've ever had with my Phat is scratches on the touch screen, but I learned my lesson, and I have been using the screen protectors from Palm (the PDA and Treo people).
They work great, and are thick enough that I haven't had to change them yet :).
The only problem I've ever had with my Phat is scratches on the touch screen, but I learned my lesson, and I have been using the screen protectors from Palm (the PDA and Treo people).
They work great, and are thick enough that I haven't had to change them yet :).
Posted: Aug 1st 2007 5:34PM (Unverified) said
I reserved a phat, picked it up on launch day, and have been rawking it ever since!
Posted: Aug 1st 2007 6:01PM (Unverified) said
I upgraded to a Lite after have a launch day DS. Then all of a sudden my girlfriend had an interest in the thing (I've had it for two years, she played it maybe 5 times before). I was going to give her the Phat, but she always stole my brand new one... so she got her own in pink a week later.
Posted: Aug 1st 2007 6:42PM (Unverified) said
My first (and only) DS Phat didn't have any problems, but then the DS Lite came and I sold the Phat... The Phat one still works perfectly fine for the new owner without any dysfunction and my new Lite is working perfectly!
Posted: Aug 3rd 2007 8:37PM (Unverified) said
I know exactly how you feel, my white one is all grubby and the left corner has got dirt and stuff stuck in it. I'm going to buy a black one at the weekend to replace my white.
Posted: Aug 1st 2007 7:37PM grossgreg said
The red and black DS Lite is awesome - I say go for it. Special edition portable electronics can be a good investment.
I bought the Teal DS Phat Nintendogs bundle from Toys R Us and kept the box. After eight months of playing, I was able to sell it on Ebay for $200 bucks - covering my new DS Lite purchase and making extra money along the way.
Seriously, if Nintendo doesn't release this color in Japan, you'll get buyers there that are willing to pay big bucks for these - they're crazy about DS Lites, and some are willing to pay sky-high prices for limited editions that are only released here.
I bought the Teal DS Phat Nintendogs bundle from Toys R Us and kept the box. After eight months of playing, I was able to sell it on Ebay for $200 bucks - covering my new DS Lite purchase and making extra money along the way.
Seriously, if Nintendo doesn't release this color in Japan, you'll get buyers there that are willing to pay big bucks for these - they're crazy about DS Lites, and some are willing to pay sky-high prices for limited editions that are only released here.
Posted: Aug 1st 2007 9:08PM (Unverified) said
I'm still on my launch day white DS lite, but I've been considering grabbing a black or blue lite, and selling the white one on eBay, because it's out of warranty.
White was the only colour available at launch in AU too. :(
White was the only colour available at launch in AU too. :(
Posted: Aug 1st 2007 11:13PM Jacksons said
No problems what so ever with my ol' DS white lite. Aside from wiping the stylus' plastic streaks off the screen after Meteos sessions. That game eats the stylus pretty good. The touchscreen eating the stylus is okay, vise versa (like my crappy palm Zire whatever) is not okay!
Posted: Aug 2nd 2007 3:37PM KaBob799 said
I still have a ds phat I got a couple months after launch. Ill probably get a lite next year.
Posted: Aug 2nd 2007 9:03AM (Unverified) said
I returned mine and they sent it to Nintendo as it not only was the left shoulder button was unresponsive (right as I got Viewtiful Joe too) but the top right hinge popped. It has been over a month and a half and I have now gotten the shakes.
Posted: Aug 2nd 2007 4:55PM Reaper man said
I had to replace my release day lite wih an onyx Ds becasue the headphone jack "wore out" and I need headphones to play (stupid pockets putting stress on the plug while I was riding my bike) Sadly though, it was last holiday season where it was impossible to find one.. I went DSless for a few months before being able to purchase another one. Oh yeah, and I always wanted a black one anyway... ;p
Posted: Aug 3rd 2007 3:21AM (Unverified) said
Nah, I never replaced my DS. I still have it and still use it for games like EBA & Ouendan and other really heavy touch screen games. My old silver DS is banged up, and the R button is worn out thanks to Mario Kart DS...anyways, I got a Pokemon Dialga & Palkia DS Lite back on May 21st since it was released in the US at Pokemon Center.com (I got a Hori Screen protector for it so yay me)
So yeah, I guess you could say I kinda replaced it, but I still use my old DS for certain games.
DS is the best ^^
So yeah, I guess you could say I kinda replaced it, but I still use my old DS for certain games.
DS is the best ^^
Posted: Aug 3rd 2007 5:15PM DomoBraden said
I actually just bought my fourth DS yesterday.
I bought a DS phat at launch, it was stolen from my locker while I was at school one week later.
I bought a DS Lite at launch, it was stolen from my bedroom one week later.
I bought a DS Lite Onyx shortly after they came out. That one lasted the longest...two weeks. It was stolen from my friends glovebox along with his car, (the car eventually showed up...no DS though).
Now I just finally convinced myself to buy another Onyx and am thinking about installing some sort of GPS tracker in it... (>_
I bought a DS phat at launch, it was stolen from my locker while I was at school one week later.
I bought a DS Lite at launch, it was stolen from my bedroom one week later.
I bought a DS Lite Onyx shortly after they came out. That one lasted the longest...two weeks. It was stolen from my friends glovebox along with his car, (the car eventually showed up...no DS though).
Now I just finally convinced myself to buy another Onyx and am thinking about installing some sort of GPS tracker in it... (>_
Posted: Aug 19th 2007 8:53PM (Unverified) said
i bought my first ds lite (onyx) when pokemon diamond and pearl came out but today i returned it at target for the red and black ds (we accidently put it out today instead of tuesday, good thing i was the only one to buy it though!) but i havent taken it out of the package yet because i'm still considering selling it on ebay. i wasnt sure if i should put it up right away or wait a little longer near christmas? opinions?
i think i'd really like an ice blue one though. unless they decide to come out with a glossy dark purple anytime soon!
i think i'd really like an ice blue one though. unless they decide to come out with a glossy dark purple anytime soon!
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