Nintendo DS Lite Console

There's always room for improvement and Nintendo has proven that point with its revamped DS Lite. There's something familiar about the sleek, polar white handheld console...hmmm. The original DS felt clunky and not very well put together. Overall construction of the original DS had a very fragile, plastic feel and the weight lent itself to hand cramps. The DS Lite corrects much of that with a smaller footprint which fits nicely in the hands and although compact, actually feels like it can handle button mashing at its best. The brighter screen is great with options for several brightness settings. These settings will also help determine how long you can play before you need to recharge the battery (the brighter it is, the more battery consumption, etc). The speakers are a bit weak but this is no mp3 player and having headphones plugged in surprisingly presents good quality audio. The backwards compatibility with GBA cartridges is nice which means you don't have to chuck the old cartridges just because you've upgraded. Testing GBA games naturally didn't improve the graphics, however, the brightness did make gameplay a bit more enjoyable.

For those not upgrading but simply starting fresh with this console, the dual screens may initially take a little getting used to. The touch screen is located on the lower half and the response is incredible. The resolution is exceptional and becomes apparent in Pictochat (built in chat application where you can "type" or draw/write to a nearby user) or in games such as Animal Crossing where you can edit clothing patterns. Each game handles the dual screens differently. Some will utilize both screens together, others will give instructions or game details on one while the other screen shows the game. Depending upon the game, you may even find yourself looking at the console like a book with screens on the left and right. Could there possibly be something in the future for e-books?

WiFi is a breeze with no additional switches to throw just to hook up with a friend. Many games utilize friend codes which can be frustrating but it keeps folks from just tapping in to your unit. There are also plenty of games that don't require two game cards in order to play together so you just tap on download and the wireless connection handles the duplication. Does this mean you can obtain copies of games willy-nilly? Nope, if the host shuts down, your game does too. Sorry. But, the whole point is to share a game right? One other nice thing about the wireless feature means you can wander in to some game stores and download the latest demo's.

Some of the built-in features are either nice or just amusing. Again, Pictochat allows users to go in to a "chat room" and chat back and forth wirelessly. The response time is quick and gives you roughly 30 feet of space between users. There is a 3-setting brightness control, alarm clock (crank up the volume if you're a heavy sleeper - no snooze), and plenty of customizing options (username, colors, etc.)

The white exterior lends itself to fingerprints and scratches but you can get iPod scratch remover cream if needed (or invest in skins...that way you can actually tell your DS from your friends :)

Overall, the console is a huge improvement over the original and frankly well worth the price. It should not be compared to the PSP because there is a difference in quality, however, this is a great way to experience for Nintendo gameplay.