Nintendo DS Lite

By Tom Bramwell Published 21 March, 2006

Seen the Lite?

Typical Nintendo. With the DS selling so well that it's practically apologetic about it, it announces a new version and releases it before anyone's had a chance to complain too bitterly.

Not so typical Nintendo: the DS Lite has virtually nothing wrong with it. It is, almost without qualification, the perfect encapsulation of all the DS's features. At least until they do the next version anyway.

Even so, you're probably wondering what the point is in buying one. After all, the Game Boy Micro may have been a handsome answer to a question no-one asked, but it was still a question no-one asked. Well, by that token, the DS Lite is a tall dark handsome stranger with your pants in its hand, and you can't even remember leaving the house, let alone sidling up to anyone hopefully.

Or something. Actually that's a bit sinister. It's a very pretty handheld with a very bright screen and a lot of improved design features - let's put it that way.

Comparing it to other handhelds (and we've spent a fair bit of time doing that for our photo feature - and yes those are my hands), the footprint doesn't even cover the top screen of the original DS. It's over a centimetre smaller on each axis - but the biggest reduction is from left to right.

'Nintendo DS Lite' Screenshot little

Little and large.

The top's very glossy, with the DS Lite's cute two-screen logo embossed on the top and the battery and Wi-Fi indicators visible at the right of the hinge - with the screen open or closed.

Moving around, the volume slider and headphone sockets remain in the same places, but the power button has now moved out from inside onto the right-hand side, where it uses a PSP or laptop-style flick-slider to switch on and off.

Next to the power button is the slot where the new stylus hides. The new stylus is a bit of a revelation - it's longer and slightly broader than the original, and, as the start of something of a theme, the change makes a big difference for good. It's not quite like holding a pen (and anybody who's adjusted to using something like Namco's Pac-Pix stylus may still find it a bit short), but it's much less like fiddling with a toothpick. If I lose this one in the pub I probably will cry.

Cartridge slots remain where they were - although the GBA slot now has a small dust protector, which even has little teeth on the inside. It's the same colour as the DS itself, and you'll need to stow it in a pocket if you're playing a GBA game. That said, you're less likely to leave a GBA game in place than you were before, as the cart protrudes about a third of the way. Amazingly, this is about the biggest complaint I have about the Lite.

Before we head inside, there's room for the others - and they're not exactly deal-breakers. Firstly, the underside is as glossy as the top, which is a bit weird since your fingertips tend to get a bit slick after a while clasping it. Or at least mine do. Eat healthily and exercise and the DS Lite has one less thing wrong with it! Yay!

'Nintendo DS Lite' Screenshot outgrown

Game Boy's growing out of his clothes.

Which leaves the final thing - the power connector is different to all Nintendo's previous handhelds (including the recent GB Micro, although the two appear similar in photographs). Those importing a Lite will need a step-down transformer to charge the Lite, and those waiting for the UK model will need to set aside yet another plug socket - at least until somebody does another of those handy USB charge cables.

And so to the inside. It's nice on the inside.

For a start, it's not glossy; it's just smooth, and the top-screen panel is slightly concave, whereas the lower half is flat-faced apart from the buttons and the touch-screen, which is slightly raised. The whole thing is a mass of simple, elegant lines and curves.

Another improvement is in the physical relationship between the two screens - the top screen is no longer as high above the bottom when the console's laid flat. While the gap between the two screens is about the same - with the microphone now helpfully sandwiched there instead of down on the right - the layout looks and feels less awkward to play on.

Button-wise, Start and Select are now down in the bottom-right corner, which might take a little getting use to, while the d-pad and face buttons are spongy rather than clicky, and the d-pad itself is slightly smaller on each axis. This is arguably preferable, and doesn't seem to have a negative impact anywhere - in fact, pushing in and out of turns in Mario Kart feels a touch easier.

But, after all that teasing, easily the biggest improvement of the lot is one that you might not imagine - simply, the screen is magnificently bright. No, we didn't fake that photograph. It's the best screen Nintendo's ever included in a handheld. Twice in one go. The colours are strikingly bright, and there are now four brightness settings accessed using the little lightbulb icon in the bottom-left of the menu screen, which previously toggled the backlight.

'Nintendo DS Lite' Screenshot osu

Osu!

We never really complained about the old DS screen, but put next to its younger sibling it draws howls of derision. Really, howls - we're not showing it to girls any more, they hurt our ears. It and our enemy the sun appear to have found some mutual respect, too. Unlike the PSP, when I sat in Victoria Tower Gardens on a sunny day in March (wait, the sunny day in March) with the sun beaming at me from above, it was quite possible to complete a couple of tricky levels on Ouendan using the highest brightness setting. It's not optimal, but the glare is barely distracting despite the screens' relative angles.

The screen also feels more resistant to your stylus strokes. Got your current DS handy? Pick up your stylus and run it over the original DS screen and try to bring it to a precise halt - it's relatively hard not to overrun. The new touch-screen feels a bit rougher, and while this is peculiar at first, it's very useful in games like the aforementioned Ouendan, which relies on small, precise and rhythmic strokes.

Really, I've got very few criticisms. We've not measured battery life properly yet, but I've been playing with it since last week, revisiting game after game and showing off the brightness of the screen to people, and it's still up and running on its original charge. Meanwhile my iPod has run out of juice three times.

In other words, it feels like a healthy figure. Which leaves the way GBA carts stick out of the bottom and the new power adapter. And our greasy hands.

As for colours - you may have noticed I went for the "Arctic Blue" or "Andrex puppy" colour. And you might question it. (Let us say, for the purpose of this paragraph, that you in fact have.) Well, first of all, that's a bit much coming from someone in that shirt, and second of all, I decided I wanted to surf the wave of new technology, form the vanguard, cut edges and something about envelopes; all without getting mugged on the Tube thank-you.

So ha ha indeed. I'd still rather have a DS Lite than a DS. Even if it is the Armitage Shanks edition.

Nintendo DS Lite is out now in Japan in three colours. Prices range from just under £100 to astronomical amounts from clever people exploiting Tom's impatience on Tottenham Court Road. It'll be out over here in time for the summer holidays.

Picture of Tom.

About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

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Comments (52) Latest comment 6 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Dizzy #1 6 years ago

    And I just got mine last Xmas :( Well as usual I always skip a Nintendo handheld generation. So my next buy will be the Nintendo DS Lite Advanced in two years.

  • Tonka #2 6 years ago

    That shot with Ouendan running sealed the deal for me. It looks as if you have cut out a photo and put it on top of the screens.

    /drooools

  • Darkedge #3 6 years ago

    It actually looks good! Untill you look at any 3D games on it..

    But seriously that lite is the design that they should've original come out with.

  • Kiigan #4 6 years ago

    My one is navy. I swear, the navy is a lot nicer than you might expect. I know, I know, it isn't black...

  • ManicDrunkMonk #5 6 years ago

    Not really enough to make me want to upgrade, and I like having the second GBA game in the slot, just in case I get bored with Mario Kart etc.

    It does look nice though.

  • megastar #6 6 years ago

    they do look splendid dont they.

    am gonna wait a bit though seeing as I only got my DS at christmas and I'm holding out for them releasing a black one.

  • #7 6 years ago

    Didn't get to choose the colour for the system, or what? Green/blue craps.

  • EGBartonFink #8 6 years ago

    That's it next console I get will be a DS.
    That looks more like it Nintendo.
    When when when though.

  • coojam #9 6 years ago

    Am i the only one who thinks Nintendo purposely don't worry too much about original designs for their handhelds, as it means they can just rerelease the thing in a shiny version a year later?

    I'm not doubting the Lite's worthiness, but surely technology hasn't improved so much in the last 12 months that they've been able to reduce the DS' size THAT much...why couldn't they have done that in the first place?

  • Blerk #10 6 years ago

    Blimey, those screens look fantastic! Colour me impressed.

    But not impressed enough to actually buy one. :-)

  • Eldritch #11 6 years ago

    Is that last shot a montage? The display seems too clear to be true. Or is it?!

  • Chim_chimma_nee! #12 6 years ago

    I don't mind my 'classic' DS, but I'd rather they concentrated on the games rather than pithy hardware updates to drive sales. Considering DS games are supposed to cheap + easy to program they aren't exactly raining down, in fact i play more GBA games on my DS.

  • Eldritch #13 6 years ago

    "DS games are supposed to cheap + easy to program"

    Oh?

  • JonFE #14 6 years ago

    I've always suspected that Nintendo had rushed the DS design (went for the prototype instead of the final one), in order for them to spoil PSP launch and avoid leaving too much room to Sony. The Lite redesign kind of proves that.

    Having said that, I will probably be getting one myself :)
    Edited by 1 at 21/03/06 @ 16:07

  • TwistidChimp #15 6 years ago

    Been holding off getting a DS for this, looks absolutley lovely. Cant wait :)

  • The_Aardvark #16 6 years ago

    Announced the day after, that's right THE VERY DAY after, I bought my DS.

    Grrrrrr.

  • #17 6 years ago

    "Oh?"

    Not if you don't know how obviously.

  • WhiteSaturn #18 6 years ago

    Well just this morning i have broken the touch screen on my ds trying to get the final chaos emerald on sonic rush, so i now dont have a choice but to get one. Oh dear :)

  • Blerk #19 6 years ago

    You really should consider getting the DS the games variety of games on the DS is splendid and with the redesign teh reasons for not owning is less and less.

    I don't have anything against the DS! Seriously!

    I just find that I don't play 'portable' games. It'd just be a waste of cash!

  • milko #20 6 years ago

    I've got the Navy one too. They're alllll sweet in the flesh though, I was surprised how good the light blue one looks when I saw it.

  • Eldritch #21 6 years ago

    From a technical point of view, it's a bit more difficult than making a GBA game. The main problem, as always, is Nintendo's license model, which forces you to buy cartridges, pay for mastering and QA and so forth. That's what makes producing console game in general so expensive. In that respect PC games are cheap. In that respect, mind you. :)

  • Tonka #22 6 years ago

    I just find that I don't play 'portable' games. It'd just be a waste of cash!

    Did you hire a ghost writer for your "LoZ Minish Cap" review then?

  • Kay #23 6 years ago

    The protruding GBA cart has put me off a little. Though I guess it means the Micro is still the console of choice for GBA games, even if the screen is a bit too small.

    I was hoping that the Lite would offer the best for both worlds, but it is Nintendo after all - I guess I should have known better. Still a nice looking piece of kit, though.

    K

  • Blerk #24 6 years ago

    Did you hire a ghost writer for your "LoZ Minish Cap" review then?

    LoZ was the last GBA game I played to any extent. Everything after that just seemed rubbish. :-)

  • Kay #25 6 years ago

    Plenty more where that came from, Blerk. Especially on the GBA.

    K

  • wolfen #26 6 years ago

    This seems what the DS should have been right on the first place, instead of the brick rush job that the first version is. I have to say I'm actually feeling tempted about it - simple lines, great screens and a much more solid appearance.

  • Blerk #27 6 years ago

    Plenty more where that came from, Blerk. Especially on the GBA.

    I beg to differ. I exhausted all 'interesting' GBA games within about six months. imho, of course. You may all be different. I'm an awkward bastard.

  • Eldritch #28 6 years ago

    "I exhausted all 'interesting' GBA games within about six months."

    Then you either have lots of time or very refined tastes. :)

  • jack_klugman #29 6 years ago

    Curse that pesky last level on Ouendan on hard!

  • Blerk #30 6 years ago

    Then you either have lots of time or very refined tastes. :)

    I think you know which of the two that is. I'm a picky bastard.

  • Blerk #31 6 years ago

    so Lee Tonks, list the games you like. Just a few

    /shock at seeing 'real name'

    :-)


    Off the top of my head, on GBA I liked both Metroids, the Castlevanias, Final Fantasy Tactics and Zelda. All top-quality games, but sadly 'in the minority' among a sea of also-rans and unapologetic rubbish.

    For some reason I found most of the RPGs (my usual staple) greatly disappointing.

  • Mr_Brown #32 6 years ago

    Glad some people can get a hold of one. Their like gold dust in Japan at the minute...even rarer for importers...still waiting for mine to be sent >_

  • Salaman #33 6 years ago

    So am I the only one that looks at the shot of Tom holding and thinks.

    "My hand will cramp up in about 45 seconds playing on that!"

    It already does now on the regular DS. (well make that about 3-4 minutes)

  • KTroopA #34 6 years ago

    *awaiting Metroid Prime Hunters on import to land on my doorstep*

    /me strokes Enamel Navy DS lite

    soon my precious...

    :D

  • gaijin #35 6 years ago

    "Prices range from just under £100 to astronomical amounts from clever people exploiting Tom's impatience on Tottenham Court Road."

    I thought Piccadilly was the traditional home of that sort of thing...

  • rock27gr #36 6 years ago

    What I would really like to know, and a point not made in the review, is if it is MORE comfortable to use for more "tradisional" games, such as Mario Kart, that utilise normal controls as oposed to touch scren.

    I mean, for me at least, Mario Kart is really uncomfortable to play on the original DS? Has any imrpovements been made in this area? Perhaps because of the placement of the D-pad and buttons closer to the top, it will be easier to reach the shoulder buttons?

    I don't know the answers to this, but perhaps somebody who has experienced the new DS Lite could enlighten us? :)
    Edited by 1 at 21/03/06 @ 17:05

  • MoFo #37 6 years ago

    For me a console has to fit in your pockets (and preferably vibrate) but the original DS didn't fit that bill. Reckon with this release I may be getting a DS at last.

  • nicehobo #38 6 years ago

    Curse that pesky last level on Ouendan on hard!

    Curse that whole last difficulty level... hard isnt hard till you try insane!! love ouendan!

  • ytzulu #39 6 years ago

    is it me or does the DS still look like a slick make up box...even more so now...
    and hi bengalibengali, nice to see another bengali at EG :)

  • ozzit #40 6 years ago

    Hey! whats wrong with this shirt!? :p

    Nice review of a nice shiny new toy to buy, may have to go for a different colour from you though girlpants XD
    Edited by 1 at 21/03/06 @ 18:35

  • Nithron #41 6 years ago

    Why, god, why, doesn't it come out in black?
    *loses his faith*

  • lemonfist #42 6 years ago

    When exactly is it coming out in Europe? :o

  • SeesThroughAll #43 6 years ago

    Really, howls - we're not showing it to girls any more, they hurt our ears.

    LOL

  • ruckus #44 6 years ago

    DS Lite very cool etc... but what the hell did they do to snowboard kids - bastards.... :(

  • Luigi #45 6 years ago

    Congratulations Nintendo... I'll buy a DS lite as soon as it arrives. Super Mario Kart wireless mode with the rest of the world seems like a great experience. And with the new opera browser and the TV tuner it should be awesome.

  • Chtulie #46 6 years ago

    "I'm not doubting the Lite's worthiness, but surely technology hasn't improved so much in the last 12 months"

    the Ds is only 12 months old?
    still not impossible to have enough of a hardware advance. Just look at the size, battery life and the screens on mobile phones then and now.

  • trevd72 #47 6 years ago

    waht i want to know is wether they have streched the gba game screens to full the screen rather than border the game. this is a deal winner/breaker for me. i have the way the old ds handles the screen - although it is clearer than the sp

  • Killerbee #48 6 years ago

    Oooh nice. I really am seriously tempted now to join the DS crowd and hand my GBA SP on to some needy relative. Unless Sony shock us all by announcing the PS3 at a sensible price, this may be the console for me in 2006. :)

  • Killerbee #49 6 years ago

    @ Blerk

    What, no Advance Wars!? Shame on you. ;)

  • urban #50 6 years ago

    DEFINATLY not so ugly...

    shame about the colour...wont be buying one though :)

  • HunterSeeker #51 6 years ago

    ice blue.... eww

  • Blerk #52 6 years ago

    What, no Advance Wars!? Shame on you. ;)

    Oh yeah... I'd forgotten about Advance Wars! Despite it probably being the cart that's sitting in my GBA right now. Doh. :-)

  • Psi #53 6 years ago

    yup advance wars is in mine too

    im gonna wait till they release the first special edtion ds lite, hope it's a necronimican special edition with brown flesh screamy face on the front. that would totally rock.

    portable grimoire of unspeakable evil power, that plays mario :D

  • ED209 #54 6 years ago

    I like how the new one comes with a right handed pen, instead of the stupid left handed pen with the original.