Nintendo DS Lite

Launch Coverage

The original Nintendo DS was released back in November of 2004. However, Nintendo is known for revising the original design of its portable hardware and releasing an all-around spiffier version a year or two later. The original GameBoy and GameBoy advance have both gone through these transformations several times. Now,  it is the Nintendo DS's turn with the June 11, 2006 release of the DS Lite. This new version of the DS has all of the major features of the original DS, but adds brighter screens and a smaller form factor to the mix. Needless to say, I was anxious to get home and get this baby out of it's box!

Left: Here's the box...
Right: ...And what's inside.

The contents of the box include the system, the power adapter, an extra stylus, and the usual array of booklets and advertising leaflets. It was at this point that I realized the Lite's stylus is significantly different than the original DS's The Lite's stylus feels a bit more substantial overall compared to the original, as it is a bit longer and thicker. Another thing I noticed is that the power adapter is unique to the DS Lite and is colored grey. The power adapters for the DS, GBA SP, and GBA Micro have all been black. The socket is smaller in size than the original DS's, but is different in shape than the GBA Micro's. Oddly, there is no lanyard/thumb pad included with the DS Lite, although there is a loop for attaching one on the top of the system.

Above: Here's a comparison between the old stylus (top) and the new one.

The system itself is, in a word, striking. The whole thing is encased in a thick layer of clear plastic, which gives its surface a very glossy appearance. Time will tell, but it is my impression that this clear layer will effectively protect the surface of the system from wear and tear, unlike the easily damaged finish on the original DS. Interestingly, the classic Nintendo oval logo is now gone from the system's lid. In its place is a sleek new logo that mimics the system's screen layout. The Nintendo logo can now only be found on the inconspicuous label on the back of the system.

Left: Old and new, side by side.
Center: The new system is considerably thinner.
Right: Here's that elusive Nintendo logo.

The face button layout (D-pad, ABXY buttons) are in pretty much the same place as on the original DS. In fact, if the two versions of the system are lined up bottom to bottom, the buttons are at about the same height, although this means they are relatively closer to the top of the smaller DS Lite. The microphone has been relocated to the middle, and the power switch has been moved from the face to the right side. The power switch is now a spring-loaded slide switch, as opposed to the push-button of the original. All of the controls feel quite comfortable. In fact, I prefer the d-pad on the DS Lite because it has a little more travel. In fact, it appears to be the same d-pad that was used on the GBA Micro, and which is purportedly going to be used on the Wii remote.

Left: Here are the two systems open. Note the level of the buttons.
Center: Compared with the Micro, the buttons are similar if not identical.
Right: A closer comparison of the d-pads.

Powering up the system for the first time has you entering some basic information such as user nickname, time/date, and favorite color. I was a bit taken aback when I turned the Lite on, because it is so dramatically brighter than the original DS or even the GBA Micro. This will make playing in the daytime a lot easier! The original DS's screens were difficult at best to read in direct sunlight, especially with action games.

Above: The Lite is a LOT brighter.

Finally, the DS Lite's smaller size means that while it is still compatible with GBA games, they now stick out of the system a bit when you are playing them. this doesn't seem to be a big deal to me. The GBA cart does not protrude into any areas that would normally be occupied by my fingers, so I can't complain. The system comes with a plug for the cartridge slot so that when you don't  have a GBA game in the system, dust and dirt won't get into the system. Also, the cover sits flush with the bottom of the system, so it won't get snagged on something.

Left: The dust cover is smaller than a GBA cart, so that it can sit flush when inserted.
Right: The cartridge sticks out a significant amount, but it doesn't impede gameplay.

Overall, I'm very happy with this purchase. It is very well designed, and given Nintendo's track record with hardware I'm sure it will prove to be well nigh indestructible. There is really very little to find fault with on the DS Lite. If you haven't yet bought a DS system, the Lite is definitely the way to go as far as I am concerned.

Andy Rucker