GBAtemp's Nintendo DS Lite mini-Review

[Opium]

Nintendo DS Lite mini-Review

GBAtemp is happy to bring you a mini-review of the DS Lite. Hopfully it'll be helpful for those of you who are undecided as to whether to buy one. With the US release just a week away here's a look at the Australian DS Lite package.

Click HERE to read the review!

Also coming soon is an official guide full of helpful hints and explainations into installing Flashme on your new DS Lite.

 

[TheRocK]

I've read many reviews, but i really like to read even more of them, until i can get my hands on the DS Lite, which will hopefully be very soon.
Nice review, with many pictures, which is a good thing, since i don't like to read that much and just look at 1 picture.

 

[gbtemp111]

nice review. also, the lite screens are not only brighter than the psp's screen, but they perform much better outdoors. i myself don't like the glossy plastic finish so much, but it is quite comfortable to hold.

 

[DarkLink]

Darn you! I want one more now

 

[meangreenie]

good review

 

[x_comp]

The improved appearance and longer battery life sounds appealing but, I thought the brightness of the original DS was OK. Weight wise, 57g lighter doesn't seem that much of a difference although, I'll have to try an actual DS Lite and see.

Right now, the DS Lite is like using an compact keyboard instead of a full-sized one to me

 

[Deletable_Man]

I thought the original DS had pretty good brightness too until I got a new pocketpc with some proper bitchin' backlighting going on. The lite seems to have that kinda sweet brightness going on as well. I'd totally get one if they were cheaper.

 

[Sc4rFac3d]

Wow, that brightness is AWESOME!

I seriously am buying on now!

 

[kelvinate]

The improved appearance and longer battery life sounds appealing but, I thought the brightness of the original DS was OK. Weight wise, 57g lighter doesn't seem that much of a difference although, I'll have to try an actual DS Lite and see.

Right now, the DS Lite is like using an compact keyboard instead of a full-sized one to me

If you thought the original ds screen brightness is ok, then the ds lite brightness will hurt! I still cant get used to the highest brightness.

hey opium, couldnt you have stole the thumb strap from the original ds and transfer it to the ds lite? Thats what i did.

 

[RueGorE]

I thought the original DS had pretty good brightness too until I got a new pocketpc with some proper bitchin' backlighting going on. The lite seems to have that kinda sweet brightness going on as well. I'd totally get one if they were cheaper.

Cheaper? It's the same price as a regular DS.

 

[Opium]

hey opium, couldnt you have stole the thumb strap from the original ds and transfer it to the ds lite? Thats what i did.

I could have. But I'm selling my regular DS to a friend of mine

Plus the black chord doesn't look that great connected to the DS Lite.

Glad you guys enjoyed the review and even made a few people want to buy one now

I'm very happy with my purchase so I hope you will be too.

*edit* I've added an extra video to the review. But no voice over or anything that exciting, just if you guys want to see the DS Lite at some different angles and see the screens in action with a game.

 

[Newbie1234]

Good review. It makes me feel a little pissed that I just bought my DS before Christmas. Ah well, I love my DS, and I'll probably pick up a Lite if ever I need a replacement.

 

[theOtherGuy]

So sexy...now all we need is a black one.

 

[Daimos]

I bought one as my first DS (on launch), and I agree with most of that review. Dowsides:

-Start/Select Buttons very stiff and hard to push quickly.
-Screen seems to get superficially scratched easily (not sure if that is specific to this model).

Other that that I am very pleased with my purchase, and particualry recommend it to other people who never bought the original.

 

[x_comp]

If you thought the original ds screen brightness is ok, then the ds lite brightness will hurt! I still cant get used to the highest brightness.

Put on some shades. It'll make you look cooler

For people who has an NDS Lite and think the brightness for the original was inadequate then, battery life isn't going to be much difference. Kind of like a laptop running on battery power; the brightness level makes quite a bit of difference.

I'm surprised they didn't do anything with the volume switch, though. Personally I find the slider difficult to make those tiny adjustments. If they changed it to the traditional little wheel it would have been a nice plus.

By the way, I noticed the power switch has been moved to the side... Is it easy to accidentally toggle the NDS Lite on or, does the lid have to be open before the switch will work?

With this new iteration, maybe those that thought the NDS looks like a Mattel toy will change their minds

Anyway, I won't be getting one since I already have an NDS now. I'd rather spend the money to help pay for something else or even a PSP.

Cheaper? It's the same price as a regular DS.

Really? The Lite version sells for £100 (US$188) including delivery cost here. The original only costs £70-80 (US$130-150) or cheaper.

 

[Opium]

By the way, I noticed the power switch has been moved to the side... Is it easy to accidentally toggle the NDS Lite on or, does the lid have to be open before the switch will work?

No it's not easy to accidently hit the power trigger while playing. Don't expect it to happen. It requires a fair bit of force.

If you slide the power trigger up while the screens are still closed the DS will only boot up when you open the screens. So you wont have all your batteries drain away if for some unforseen reason the power trigger is activated while it's in your pocket/bag.

 

[erbsland]

I'm seriously considering buying an additional weekend DSL! playing glossy white over lunch at work, and pitch black stylish on the weekends!

 

[Gute]

Well worth a couple of minutes of reading

With that review in mind i will have no problem on deciding on if i should by an original DS or a DS Lite.
Only waiting for the swedish release on june 22nd now

 

[blurrysarah]

Nice review.
I love my DS lite, after mooching off my boyfriend and using his DS for a few months, there is no way I'd ever play the DS phat again. The screen is approximately two billion times better, if a little oversaturated.

A few negatives:
- Start/Select buttons: Ridonkulously small, too stiff.
- D-pad: I find it too small, even with my little girly thumbs. Mine's also wobbly, and the sensitivity is really.....odd. Much prefer the DS phat D-pad.
- Power switch: Don't like the springy slider. Want to hear a satisfying click.
- Screen brightness: Not really a negative, I just can't use level 4. Retina-searingly bright.

 

[chillyp]

I can confirm what the review said about the thumb strap scratching screens, the one that came with my old DS scratched the hell out of my screen when I tried to use it with Metroid.

I have absolutely no idea how because it seems smooth all over, but I still managed it. There are two deep cuts and visible scratches where I used it.