For better or worse, Nintendo has a history of releasing bulky handhelds, then revising them over time. These revisions, typically two or more per generation, include technological advancements, of course, but they always seem to come with a better-designed case. This is no truer than with Nintendo's DS Lite.
The overwhelming success of the original DS has led the company to flex its proverbial muscle and create an updated DS that better competes with the PSP in every way, including aesthetics this time. Would the DS Lite exist if the original was a flop? Probably not.
When you boil everything down, the best part of the DS Lite is its design. The bright new screen is the obvious addition, but the design is so radically different from the first DS, released at the end of 2004, that it begs the question -- why was the "Fat DS" design released in the first place?
The DS Lite is not just a small upgrade from the original DS. Many of the controls have moved, and the case is entirely different.
Case Dimensions and Design
One of my biggest gripes about the original DS was how clunky it was, and that it doesn't fit in your pocket well. The design of the DS Lite is lithe in comparison. It is very iPod-like, too. There are many reasons to compare the DS Lite to Apple's iPod, actually.
The DS Lite uses the same type of white plastic as an iPod or iBook lid. This makes for a very beautiful gadget, but also brings with it fingerprints, and possibly scratches.
In every dimension, the DS Lite is smaller than the "Fat DS." Nintendo shaved 2.1 oz. from its weight, and 0.25 in. from its height. These two changes make all the difference in the world. It also fits nicely in your pocket, as it does not have an awkward lid design.
When you compare the DS Lite dimensions to other electronics, such as Sony's PSP and Apple's 60 GB iPod photo, you see just how small it is. The smaller form factor of the DS Lite "fits in" with the PSP and iPod better.
The DS Lite designers should be commended for essentially starting over from scratch with the DS Lite case. It has paid off in every regard. From the smaller size to the materials used, everything has been improved.
My only complaint with the design lies with the GBA port. When a GBA cart is inserted into the DS Lite, it does not fit flush with the case. Your GBA games, or current DS Rumble Pak, will protrude out almost half an inch from the DS Lite.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Victor Plenty
The DS Lite's clunky way of holding Advance cartridges was what finally convinced me to buy a bigger DS while they're still available, oddly enough.
2 - Dynamo of Eternia
"I can't help but imagine what movies and TV shows would look like on these new DS screens."
Funny you should say that.
In this week's Best Buy ad, there is this 3rd party hard drive adapter thing for the DS Lite that allows you to play music and movies on your DS. I also saw it last night at my local Best Buy Store. I forget the exact price off-hand, but I know it was over $100 for this thing.
I'm not exactly sure how it works. I assume you can download video or rip your DVDs onto the HD or something. Check the ad and you should be able to see what I am talking about.
I believe it says that it is for DS Lite as well, so I don't know if it will work with the regular DS.
It sounds interesting, and I wouldn't mind getting when and if I can afford it (I will have to get a DS Lite first anyway, and I don't know if I really want to spend that money right now since I already have the regular DS).
So, if you really are interested in watching movies and stuff on your DS, you may want to check that out. If I have a chance to double check the exact name of the item later on, I will post it here.
3 - Ken Edwards
Yes, oddly enough, it is a big design flaw, and an oversight they should have considered revising. Though I do not play many GBA games, I do still play them.
They would have had to move the placement of the stylus to fit the GBA cart inside flush. Although considering the DS cart is also above the stylus, they have the stylus in the only conceivable spot on the unit.
I am sure it was a conscious design decision on their end, and something had to give.
The fact that I will need to buy ANOTHER Rumble Pak to get one that fits flush is also a little irritating. The DS Lite should have shipped with the new sized Rumble Pak inside the box.
4 - Ken Edwards
Datel 4GB HDD and Media Player for Nintendo DS.
I was unsure about it working on the DS Lite. But it may be something worth checking out, since the screens are so nice.
5 - Victor Plenty
If that manufacturer is smart, they'll send you the hardware to test out on your DS Lite and your original DS so you can write a review here.
6 - Matt Paprocki
No brightness control button = crap. If my batteries low and I'm in a tough boss fight and can't quit, I'd like to get a few extra minutes with the brightness control. Apparently, this was too much for Nintendo to consider.
That alone is enough for me to drop the system down a notch, along with the GBA annoyance.
Everything else though, well, yeah, it's spectacular.
7 - Ken Edwards
A hardware dial for brightness control would have been a nice touch. There is room on the left side of the unit, or to the left side of the stylus port.
That will be on the DS 3.0 release hardware.
What GBA annoyance? I mean other than the going blind part.
8 - Eric
Datel MAX Media Dock is only $40 so if you have spare Compact Flash Drives you can use that. Or buy a 2GB CF card for ~$46.
BUT it's going to be ugly on the DS Lite, it plugs into the GBA Port.
Didn't the GBA SP have a Backlight Button? why couldn't they include that on the DS? Slight Oversight or a planned way of not making a "Perfect" DS revision. So I guess that is going to be released next.
9 - Dynamo of Eternia
Well, I said earlier that I was going to wait before getting one.
But then I was at Best Buy earlier today, and weakness got the better of me, and I bought one.
I had other things I did after going to Best Buy before going home, so I didn't get to try it until a few hours later. During that inbetween time, I kind of regretted buying it (I'm not going to be in the poor house from buying it or anything, but I just like to plan these kinds of things out more).
Then I got it home and tried it. And I must say, it is SO much nicer than the regular DS. The brightness of the screens is a lot nicer. It's like night and day comparing the two. This is as big, if not a bigger difference between these two as there was between the original GBA (the one that didn't light up) and the GBA-SP.
The only thing that I do not like about it is the fact that the GBA games do not fit flush into the DS Lite, as pointed out in this article. It is rather annoying. But still, I'd rather put up with that just in order to have the nicer screens.
The Stylus is in a much better place, too.
With the regular one, it is on in the back, and it can be a pain to pull it out when needed (esspecially in a game where you don't use it a lot, but it is crucial to have when you do need it), and it is even more annoying to put back. Now that it is on the side, it is so much nicer.
So, aside from the GBA game issue, this new unit is a huge step up in every way from the previous version. I highly recommend it.
10 - Ken Edwards
Dynamo - Ha ha! You caved. I'm glad to hear it.
11 - Dynamo of Eternia
Yeah, I'm actually glad that I caved.
I was originally concerned that it wouldn't be enough of a difference from the original DS to make it worth while. But I must say, the screens are much nicer, brighter, and the colors are more vibrant. When I put it side by side with my older DS, it was like night and day! It's really amazing.
I wonder if they made the GBA games stick out a bit intentionally. This feature may cause people to use their GBA games less and less, thus making the demand for compatibility with them decrease. As a result, they may eventually make another DS that no longer features GBA game support, or they may eventually create a new portable with backwards compatibility with the DS games, but not the older games.
The Gameboy Micro (which was the last, and least successful version of the GBA) no longer had support for the original or color Gameboy games like the previous versions did.
This could be what Nintendo is trying to do (though I could be wrong). If I am right about this, it could be because it becomes harder and harder to make each new, portable system combatible with the previous ones, and keep the new system within reasonable, portable size.
12 - Ken Edwards
I don't think it is that at all.
Look at where the stylus is. Now take the DS cart out and place it on the back of the DS. See where the end of it is? Right above the stylus. The GBA cart fits inside the unit the exact same was on the bottom, with the stylus slot in between the GBA and DS slots.
There simply is no other place for the stylus in this design. If it were not where it is, the GBA cart would fit flush. But where would the stylus be?
I think it was an unavoidable design decision.
13 - Dynamo of Eternia
True, you do make a very good point. That could well be the case. Maybe its even somehow a combo of both. Who knows. Either way, its still a better system overall.
14 - Dancinkitten
I lost my ds
15 - Bsquare
what is the screen dimensions of the DS Lite?
16 - Ken Edwards
3" TFT, just like before.
17 - Michael
i just want to know that , is psp game better than nintendo ds lite cause al i am interest is the game not the system
is the 3d graphic good and the game good better than psp?
18 - JSG
Why didn't they add chat (instant messenger) with internet support and an built in web browser!!
I think this is the feaures that is missing in this little tiny box to make it number 1 !!!
Imagine if you could have it in your pocket and your friends could send a message and it would give you a beep tone.. Like an SMS but over internet and when you access public hot spots..
19 - Doggie
Yea,
It would be nice to have public nintendo hotspot at home, i could set one up, but i would like to limit it to only DS'es that needs to have public access... Is there any rule's or ready software/community that has started a public / open Nintendo DS Wifi Network ?!?!??
20 - razr
i really wan't one of those new ds lite and i think i might go buy one tomorrow in the morning