Nintendo DS News and Tips

What was new in the Nintendo DS Lite?

Some newer models of existing products are packaged as new iterations of the same, when in fact, they are mere updates. Surely the iPhone 3g shouldn't be considered as the next generation of the gadget. The so-called Kindle 2 isn't even engineered differently from the first Kindle. And the Asus EEE PC is always being repackaged as a new iteration when all it does is add some internet memory capacity.

The question in many games mind is this: is the Nintendo DS Lite a mere upgrade over the original DS, or does it pack enough innovations that would entitle it as a worthy new entry to the series?

How different is the Nintendo DS Lite over the original, really?

Released barely 2 years after the original, the Nintendo DS Lite was meant to address the problems that plagued the first Nintendo DS.

Many complained that the original DS was too bulky that it barely fits in most pockets. Nintendo addressed this problem by making the Nintendo DS Lite more compact and lighter in weight, hence the other meaning of the "Lite" in its name.

Many complained that the original DS' screen was too dark, that it was difficult to see what's going on in the game especially when the characters and objects therein are designed to be miniscule. The Nintendo DS boats of a brighter screen and adding 4 levels of brightness. With the Nintendo DS Lite, gamers are assured of clear images whether they're playing in dark environments or under the sun.

Many complained that the original DS' battery life was too short. The Nintendo DS Lite solved this issue by extending its battery life to as much as 19 hours on the lowest brightness setting.

When it comes to design, the placement of the microphone on the original DS was heavily criticized as well. It was poor design philosophy to position the microphone of the lowermost part of the system, which forces gamers to leave whatever game they're playing just to speak on the said microphone. The Nintendo DS Lite remedies this by placing the microphone on the hinge that connect the upper and lower part of the portable console, well within reach when the game requires the gamer to speak on the same.

Additionally, the Nintendo DS Lite boasts of faster processing power. Though the processors remain the same, the custom process has become smaller, hence processing has become more speedy and efficient.

Do all of these additions make the Nintendo DS Lite a "must have" for gamers on the go all over the world?

Let's put it this way, if you already own the original DS, there is no compelling reason to spend around $100 for the Nintendo DS Lite. But if you're just planning to buy your fist unit of Nintendo's handheld superstar, then there the Nintendo DS Lite is the perfect choice for you.