Nintendo DS Lite

Nintendo's first hendheld gaming system since GameBoy  does not disappoint.  The DS, standing for Double Screen, is a clamshell-style device with the lower screen that functions as a PDA-like touchscreen.   The graphics are better than those of the Nintendo 64,  The system has voice recognition capabilities, graphics better than those of Nintendo 64, and the game cartridges are writeable, meaning you can save directly to game cards without having to purchase a memory stick (which you would for a PSP ).  The original DS was deemed too bulky and heavy, so the manufacturers put it on a diet, and thus the DS Lite  was born - 20% ligher, two-thirds smaller, and a great deal of relief for the wrists of heavy users.

Popular Nintendo DS games Animal Crossing: Wild World  Resident Evil: Deadly Silence  Mario Kart DS  Big Brain Academy  Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day  Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time  Super Mario 64 DS  Metroid Prime: Hunters  New Super Mario Bros.  Age of Empires: The Age of Kings  Tetris DS  Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow  Trauma Center: Under the Knife

DS vs. DS Lite

Nintendo released the DS in 2004 and replaced it with the smaller, superior DS Lite in 2006. The systems have the same hardware and play the same games, but the DS Lite includes adjustable screen brightness, a larger stylus, better button design and a lighter weight. As time passes, the DS Lite is increasingly being referred to simply as the DS, because it's more prominent in the marketplace.

Specs

• The clamshell design of the Nintendo DS Lite is like no other system. One drawback is its weight -- 275 grammes
• The DS Lite features two 3-inch (7.6 cm) backlit, LCD displays with adjustable brightness levels, 256 x 192 resolution and 260,000 colours. The lower screen is a touchscreen and can be manipulated via a stylus pen or a fingertip.
• The button layout sticks to Nintendo tradition. You’ll find A, B, X and Y buttons along with a Select, Start and two shoulder buttons. There are jacks for headphones, a microphone and a directional pad.
• The DS allows wireless multiplayer gameplay and communication between players within a 30-foot radius. Depending on the game, you can have multiplayer matches with up to 16 players.
• A few games are WiFi equipped via Nintendo's free service. Visit Nintentdowifi.com for more information.
• With Nintendo's PictoChat communication tool you can draw images and send messages. Using your stylus you can write messages and send them to other DS systems within the range. Great for those who want to challenge other Nintendo DS owners to matches.
• The speakers on both sides of the hardware are loud. They can really bring the funk. There is also a standard sized headphone jack.
• The Nintendo DS Lite is backward compatible to Game Boy Advance games. GameBoy and GameBoy Color games don't work on the system though.
• The graphics are a little better than the Nintendo 64 home console, yet not quite as powerful as the Sony PSP handheld.
• The rechargeable battery lasts for up to 15 hours.

Nintendo DS Accessories 

• Battery 
• Stylus Pen 
• Wriststrap 

Related Products
DS Games	Sony PSP	Game Boy Micro	Game Boy Advance	GameCube

External Links

• Pocket Gamer -- Nintendo DS news and game reviews.
• DS - News -- Reviews, previews, news, cheat codes and more.
• Nintendo WiFi -- Nintendo's site devoted to the DS WiFi connection.
• CNET.co.uk - CNET's review of the DS