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posted by malloc at 05:06 pm on 2006-03-08 |
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FEATURE ARTICLE: Nintendo DS Lite Review - Hands-On With the Nintendo DS Lite
Product Name: Nintendo DS Lite
Product Reviewer: Mark Taylor
Buy Nintendo DS Lite: Divineo.Cn (First batch of stock, sold out as you would expect)
The nifty folks at Nintendo sure are no strangers to the process of hardware redesign. We have seen in the past, the evolution of previous Nintendo Handhelds such as the Gameboy advance, to the Gameboy Advance SP and ending up at the miniscule Gameboy Micro. Along each step of the way, the respective hardware design is modified and a dubiously useful feature is thrown in, whether it is an LCD backlight or improved battery. The Nintendo DS has now begun the evolution process, with the release of the Nintendo DS Lite, a far more compact and aesthetically pleasing system design with new screen brightness options to boot. This new system is 39 percent smaller and 21 percent smaller than its predecessor; the famous Nintendo Dual Screen’s are still intact and are exactly the same size as they were previously. No features have been cut to make this all possible; all the features which make the DS savvy such as touch-screen recognition, WiFi compatibility and backwards compatibility remain intact. The revised system hit Japanese retailers on March 2nd 2006, to which it became sold out within a matter of hours; luckily for us our Asian correspondent was able to source one of these incredibly rare units.
The Bare-Bones Information on an Imported JAP version Nintendo DS Lite
This is a new more compact and refined version of the Nintendo DS Lite, weighing a mere 215 grams, 133mm wide, 73.99mm high and 21.5mm deep. That equates to a flattering 42% decrease in size and 21% lighter than the original. There is also a quality new brightness adjuster, to put things into perspective; setting number one is about the same murkiness of the original DS brightness.
 
Region Free: The Nintendo DS Lite remains region-free that can play titles from any region and in any country.
Supported Languages: English, Japanese, Spanish, French, German and Italian.
Battery Life: Upon the highest brightness settings, you will have anywhere between 5-8 hours of game play, as you reduce the brightness play times can go as far as almost 19 hours.
Include in the box you get a Nintendo DS Lite, 110v AC adapter, operating instructions, refined stylus and a carrying strap.
What’s all the fuss about – is there actually any physical difference?
In all honesty, the Nintendo DS Lite is purely a cosmetically changed revision of the original Nintendo DS with a much-needed brightness configuration option. Despite all the fancy re-designing, the most positive modifications are those done to the LCD screens on the Nintendo DS Lite. They are still exactly the same size somehow, yet by enlarge thanks to the brightness configuration wizard look far brighter, clearer and offer superior display angles. It would be fair to say that the famous dual screen concept, has come together to work in tandem with the Nintendo DS Lite, both screens look on-par with respect to brightness levels and you should not be in the dark (more so) with the bottom screen. This change should give you a more enjoyable gaming experience; compare it to playing on a crystal clear LCD television as opposed to an aging 14” portable display.
 
 
The above pictures show in order, the brightness set at 1 right up to 4 respectively.
The minor nag that I have with this new brightness feature is that you have to access it through the menu system, there is no brightness button like on the Sony PSP to vary your settings. Should you wish to vary the brightness settings, you will have to access the sun icon on the DS’s system settings and adjust it to your liking before you start playing your game, it can not be altered whilst playing which is somewhat of a downer.
The unit’s buttons feel a lot more comfortable, they are softer to the touch (Still, slightly clicky) and with a nice matte finish to go with that ice cool glossy exterior. The Microphone has moved itself to the centre of the DS unit; previously it was located at the bottom (left) of the DS. Now you are actually talking to the DS as opposed to away from it, which is sure to enhance gaming interaction on the Nintendo DS. The stylus supplied with the DS Lite is marginally wider than the original. The screens Windows are surrounded by a frosty effect with the screen itself being slightly raised.
 
 
 
Whilst the AC adapter port has changed from a square shape into one which is similar to that of Game Boy Micro (Talk about technology spill-overs), despite this similarity all the previous generation AC adapters are incompatible.
 
The cosmetic changes – Any Surgeon would be proud of these
When you open the Box of the Nintendo DS Lite, you will know you are about to possess a handheld of great beauty. Even the box is small, compact and perfectly designed.
 
 
The outside of the product looks Ipod-esque with its glossy white finish and compact design, some of you may say this goes against Nintendo’s innovation ethic, whilst others you like me will say, what the hell if they took a leaf right out of Apple’s page, it looks darn good all the same! The original DS in my opinion was big, clunky and didn’t do the DS’s innovative concepts justice, well I’m glad to say this new Lite version visually does Nintendo justice and then some. The adjective Lite refers to the cosmetic changes only, the functions are exactly the same (plus the brightness configurations) but the unit looks that much sleeker. Think of it like this, the original Nintendo DS has been on a strict diet, shedding a hell of a lot of pounds, finely toning itself and regularly visiting a sun bed which actually makes its appearance lighter and smoother :).
If you wish to get away from the blatant Ipod copy look, simplistic yet effective glossy white finish, Nintendo will soon release Ice Blue and Enamel Navy colour schemes. One wonders why on earth Nintendo will still be producing the out-dated Graphite version; hopefully production will slowly shy down, but seeing as there is currently no release date set for this nitfty new Lite version you may have to look further afar to grab yourself an imported version.
 
Some may argue with me when I say the new look goes as far to surpass the look of the Sony PSP. I personally prefer this new DS Lite look, it’s more professional in its look and of course protects the viewing displays in a more sound fashion. The new look has moved into the professional PDA and mini-notebook realms yet still manages to withheld a toy-like look which I think is a great concept and a challenging task to complete.
Less means more with the Nintendo DS Lite
Here is the bottom line…Nintendo have once again evolved the hardware design of their respective hand-held console which mends current previous design lapses, thus bringing near perfection to your hand-held experience. We all know Nintendo’s innovative concepts are pinnacle to their success with complimentary titles such as Nintendogs storming the charts; it is now the DS’s innovative concepts are matched with an equally innovative hardware design. It definitely is worth paying that little bit extra to get this new, perfected version of the Nintendo DS. Once you eventually have one in your hands, you will understand just why.
Positives
+ It’s a lot smaller, lighter, whiter and brighter
+ Improved LCD screens with brightness adjustments
+ Longer battery life and improved battery re-charge times
+ Minor design improvements, such as the repositioning of the Microphone
Negatives - Yes, there are some. Perhaps.
- Still a bit of clicky feedback on the buttons
- Nintendo have moved towards the norm (Ipod type design), as opposed to re-inventing the wheel once again – some may find this as a negative :). Why didn't they just get it right first time ?
Buy Nintendo DS Lite: Divineo.Cn (First batch of stock, sold out as you would expect)
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