Nitnendo DS Lite - worth the money?
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by: JohnDavies
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In 2004, Nintendo produced Nintendo DS, a handheld game console which most prominent feature is the two-tiered screens, the bottom half of which acts as a touch-screen. Other features include a built-in microphone, backward compatibility with the Game Boy Advance games and wifi-support system.
The system is remarkable, but with the emergence of other sleek and handy gadgets such as Apple's iPod and Sony's PSP, the slipup in Nintendo DS has become more prominent: its unappealing bulky design.
When the new model of the DS appeared in 2006, Nintendo has cleared out this fault. The Nintendo DS Lite has a smooth and compact appearance, making it look a whole lot elegant than the original DS. It is 21% lighter at 218 g and has 42% less volume with the dimensions of 133 mm 73.9 mm 21.5 mm. It still retained the clam-shell form, and basically the same features, but there are more positive modifications done for the DS Lite.
The identical 3-inch LCD (liquid crystal display) screens have been outfitted with four brightness-level setting, the lowest setting of which is twice brighter than the original. The colors are much vivid and the images are sharper. Battery life has also been extended. A complete three-hour charged battery packs and brightness set at its lowest level, play time will last fifteen to nineteen hours. Set brightest level, the battery pack will last a fine five to eight hours. The stylus was made larger both in length and diameter, making it easier to hold. The stylus is found next to the power switch for trouble-free access.
The built-in microphone has been relocated in the middle hinge, between the screens while the Start/Select buttons are transferred under A/B/X/Y. The other buttons have been resized as well. The speakers, found at either side of the top screen, produce the same exceptional audio and virtual surround sound (depends on the software) despite its smaller size.
The backwards compatibility allows players to use Game Boy Advance cartridges on the DS Lite. The Game Boy Advance cartridge slot is now located at the bottom of the console, covered to avoid foreign objects from getting in. Because of DS Lite's small design, the game carts stick out of the slot by about 1cm, but this won't affect your game play at all. The backward compatibility also meant you have access to the vast collection of games Nintendo had produced, including the classic Mario games, the Zelda series and even Donkey-Kong.
DS Lite has the same wifi-capabilities as the original DS, allowing the users to connect online either through free wifi-access zones or via a wireless router. The wireless technology also permits users to play and connect with other players within local network.
The wonderful thing is, despite the many improvements made, the price had barely changed from the older model, having the suggested retail price of US $129 and 99.99 in the UK.
With the wonderful success of DS Lite, Nintendo (known for constantly re-designing its products) has definitely done it again and impressively so, at that. From the huge library of game titles available, to the innovative, easy-to-use touch-screen technology, the Nintendo DS Lite is certainly worth your money.
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