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First off, thanks to midwest4life for suggesting that I make a nice, neat collection of DS problems instead of just bitching about them. I hope he and you all enjoy this as much as I did.
DEAD PIXELS
The Nintendo DS has hardly been out for a week and already problem reports are being filed. Some customers are finding that their brand new DS systems have fallen prey to an ailment that affects all forms of products using LCD monitors. The dreaded dead pixels
Nintendo has responded to this issue:
"With a small number of Nintendo DS screens, one or two dots on the screen may appear to be "stuck" on a particular color, such as white or red. This effect is caused when a particular pixel (the dots that make up the screen) is not working properly, even with the high quality standards set by LCD manufacturers. You will find this situation is common in many LCD devices, (PC monitors, televisions, cell phones, etc.).
This is nothing new. It's not very uncommon for LCD screens to suffer from dead pixels. Hell, even the PSP has a few. However it is STILL a problem and belongs here.
-----
BATTERIES SLOWLY DYING?
Taken from Nintendo's Customer Support page:
The Nintendo DS rechargeable battery's capacity will decrease over time and with use. If you have been using and charging your Nintendo DS extensively, you may consider purchasing a replacement battery. (Battery life can be expected to drop after about 500 charges.) To order a replacement battery, please click here.
If you are using a replacement battery, make sure you are using the official rechargeable battery from Nintendo, which is only available through Nintendo. If you received your replacement battery from any other source, it could be an unlicensed product. For information on ordering a replacement battery directly from Nintendo, please click here.
If you have a licensed battery that has not been used extensively, your system will need to be repaired.
This shocked me. The reason I found this particular problem so interesting is that the Nintendo fanboys are always whining about, "Oh, the PSP has horrible battery life! Our DS may have slightly worse graphics but at least they last longer!" -and to that I say, Sorry, try again!
-----
STICKY BUTTONS
I stumbled upon this little problem and laughed. Here's what Nintendo has to say about it:
What you will need:
1 jeweler's philips head screwdriver (for battery removal)
1 clean toothbrush (no toothpaste on it)
1 cup of warm tap water
1 paper towel
Important Note: Do not submerge the Nintendo DS or pour water on it directly. Getting any amount of water inside the Nintendo DS will likely cause permanent damage.
Troubleshooting Steps:
Turn off the Nintendo DS. Remove the AC adapter, and any games.
Remove the battery from the Nintendo DS (for information on how to remove the battery, click here).
Turn the Nintendo DS screens-side down so that the buttons are facing down. This prevents water from getting inside the unit.
Moisten the bristles of the toothbrush--do not get them dripping wet--in the warm water. Keeping the toothbrush below the DS, scrub the area around the buttons from underneath, working the bristles around the sides of the buttons.
After cleaning the buttons, dry off the unit with a paper towel.
Let the system air dry (screen down) for at least a couple of hours.
Re-install the battery and replace the battery cover with the built-in screw. Be sure to insert the battery correctly.
Test your system for proper response.
Repeat the process if necessary.
There is no excuse for this! Why the hell should I have to crack open my $150 system and play Nip/Tuck with it? That's just plain lazy right there.
-----
HANDS-ON PROBLEMS From Geartest.com
Problems
The Nintendo DS is not without its problems, including some difficulty simultaneously seeing both screens clearly due to parallax -- the shifting of the view when seen from different angles -- depending on which screen you are looking at in a given moment. If looking at the top screen, the bottom screen will seem to dim in comparison, and vice versa.
The stylus is far too small, especially for adults with large hands. Stubby pencils that are distributed to fill out forms at government offices are larger, thicker, and therefore much more manageable and easier to use.
The keys on the virtual keyboard are too small and require a high degree of accuracy when typing a message. A longer stylus would mitigate this problem.
The Nintendo DS locked up completely about a minute into the PictoChat session. It gave no indication of the problem. The only method of unfreezing and recovering from the system error was to shut down and reboot the machine.
In the span of an hour, three of the six Nintendo DS units froze in a similar manner while running three different applications, which suggests a firmware or hardware problem. Keep in mind that these were late pre-production models. If it is a firmware issue a software update should be able to fix the problem. If there is something wrong with the hardware, that is much more serious.
Finally, an ergonomic issue arises when playing games in stylus/touchscreen mode. The weight of the unit has to be supported by one hand, which leads to a sore hand after extended use. Nintendo says it will resolve the problem with a stylus that you can strap to your thumb, giving players the ability to use the stylus while holding the Nintendo DS with both hands.
-----
Those are just some of the problems I've run across. I've heard of a few more but I wanna be fair and wait until I can get proof of their existance before I post
DEAD PIXELS
The Nintendo DS has hardly been out for a week and already problem reports are being filed. Some customers are finding that their brand new DS systems have fallen prey to an ailment that affects all forms of products using LCD monitors. The dreaded dead pixels
Nintendo has responded to this issue:
"With a small number of Nintendo DS screens, one or two dots on the screen may appear to be "stuck" on a particular color, such as white or red. This effect is caused when a particular pixel (the dots that make up the screen) is not working properly, even with the high quality standards set by LCD manufacturers. You will find this situation is common in many LCD devices, (PC monitors, televisions, cell phones, etc.).
This is nothing new. It's not very uncommon for LCD screens to suffer from dead pixels. Hell, even the PSP has a few. However it is STILL a problem and belongs here.
-----
BATTERIES SLOWLY DYING?
Taken from Nintendo's Customer Support page:
The Nintendo DS rechargeable battery's capacity will decrease over time and with use. If you have been using and charging your Nintendo DS extensively, you may consider purchasing a replacement battery. (Battery life can be expected to drop after about 500 charges.) To order a replacement battery, please click here.
If you are using a replacement battery, make sure you are using the official rechargeable battery from Nintendo, which is only available through Nintendo. If you received your replacement battery from any other source, it could be an unlicensed product. For information on ordering a replacement battery directly from Nintendo, please click here.
If you have a licensed battery that has not been used extensively, your system will need to be repaired.
This shocked me. The reason I found this particular problem so interesting is that the Nintendo fanboys are always whining about, "Oh, the PSP has horrible battery life! Our DS may have slightly worse graphics but at least they last longer!" -and to that I say, Sorry, try again!
-----
STICKY BUTTONS
I stumbled upon this little problem and laughed. Here's what Nintendo has to say about it:
What you will need:
1 jeweler's philips head screwdriver (for battery removal)
1 clean toothbrush (no toothpaste on it)
1 cup of warm tap water
1 paper towel
Important Note: Do not submerge the Nintendo DS or pour water on it directly. Getting any amount of water inside the Nintendo DS will likely cause permanent damage.
Troubleshooting Steps:
Turn off the Nintendo DS. Remove the AC adapter, and any games.
Remove the battery from the Nintendo DS (for information on how to remove the battery, click here).
Turn the Nintendo DS screens-side down so that the buttons are facing down. This prevents water from getting inside the unit.
Moisten the bristles of the toothbrush--do not get them dripping wet--in the warm water. Keeping the toothbrush below the DS, scrub the area around the buttons from underneath, working the bristles around the sides of the buttons.
After cleaning the buttons, dry off the unit with a paper towel.
Let the system air dry (screen down) for at least a couple of hours.
Re-install the battery and replace the battery cover with the built-in screw. Be sure to insert the battery correctly.
Test your system for proper response.
Repeat the process if necessary.
There is no excuse for this! Why the hell should I have to crack open my $150 system and play Nip/Tuck with it? That's just plain lazy right there.
-----
HANDS-ON PROBLEMS From Geartest.com
Problems
The Nintendo DS is not without its problems, including some difficulty simultaneously seeing both screens clearly due to parallax -- the shifting of the view when seen from different angles -- depending on which screen you are looking at in a given moment. If looking at the top screen, the bottom screen will seem to dim in comparison, and vice versa.
The stylus is far too small, especially for adults with large hands. Stubby pencils that are distributed to fill out forms at government offices are larger, thicker, and therefore much more manageable and easier to use.
The keys on the virtual keyboard are too small and require a high degree of accuracy when typing a message. A longer stylus would mitigate this problem.
The Nintendo DS locked up completely about a minute into the PictoChat session. It gave no indication of the problem. The only method of unfreezing and recovering from the system error was to shut down and reboot the machine.
In the span of an hour, three of the six Nintendo DS units froze in a similar manner while running three different applications, which suggests a firmware or hardware problem. Keep in mind that these were late pre-production models. If it is a firmware issue a software update should be able to fix the problem. If there is something wrong with the hardware, that is much more serious.
Finally, an ergonomic issue arises when playing games in stylus/touchscreen mode. The weight of the unit has to be supported by one hand, which leads to a sore hand after extended use. Nintendo says it will resolve the problem with a stylus that you can strap to your thumb, giving players the ability to use the stylus while holding the Nintendo DS with both hands.
-----
Those are just some of the problems I've run across. I've heard of a few more but I wanna be fair and wait until I can get proof of their existance before I post
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gamesfreak wrote:
> I'd rather enjoy GTA on a nice big television thankyou very much.
>
> Handheld versions of console games just don't work, they don't have
> the depth or the scope to make them playable/exact replicas of their
> console counterparts.
>
> The only game I can think of being good enough for both was Mario
> Kart.
See now their is my point in case the goal posts have moved and it is now possible to get a game like GT4 in your hand and expect no lose of quality or content. Buy a PSP you won't get that quality from the DS.
That is why Sony waited so long to produce the PSP they wanted to make a handheld worthy of the times we live in.
> I'd rather enjoy GTA on a nice big television thankyou very much.
>
> Handheld versions of console games just don't work, they don't have
> the depth or the scope to make them playable/exact replicas of their
> console counterparts.
>
> The only game I can think of being good enough for both was Mario
> Kart.
See now their is my point in case the goal posts have moved and it is now possible to get a game like GT4 in your hand and expect no lose of quality or content. Buy a PSP you won't get that quality from the DS.
That is why Sony waited so long to produce the PSP they wanted to make a handheld worthy of the times we live in.
Top Score, I really do love you.
Top score wrote:
> I know because I am more in tune with the century we live in now and a
> guarantee you now if you went to a highstreet and ask kids from say
> 10 to 18 what handheld they would like to play on?
That's not an answer. How do you know GT4 and GTA mobile are better than MArio DS when you've never played any of them?
> I know because I am more in tune with the century we live in now and a
> guarantee you now if you went to a highstreet and ask kids from say
> 10 to 18 what handheld they would like to play on?
That's not an answer. How do you know GT4 and GTA mobile are better than MArio DS when you've never played any of them?
Top score wrote:
> I know because I am more in tune with the century we live in now and a
> guarantee you now if you went to a highstreet and ask kids from say
> 10 to 18 what handheld they would like to play on?
>
> Ds with Mario 64
>
> PSP with GT4 mobile
>
> 8 out of 10 would say GT4 and don't say they would not because PS2
> and Gamecube have proved that.
Yes, but how many kids would rather buy a handheld than just buy it on the PS2. The DS offers the style of games that consoles don't/can't offer.
Even Mario 64x4 has it's portable touches, like the minigames and the wireless multiplayer.
Think of it this way:
Get the kids to choose between GTA4 and Snake.
Does Snake win? No.
Would they choose a PSP over a mobile phone? Uh uh.
Probably a bad example as mobile phones do a lot that consoles can't, but that's hardly helped the N-Gage now...
> I know because I am more in tune with the century we live in now and a
> guarantee you now if you went to a highstreet and ask kids from say
> 10 to 18 what handheld they would like to play on?
>
> Ds with Mario 64
>
> PSP with GT4 mobile
>
> 8 out of 10 would say GT4 and don't say they would not because PS2
> and Gamecube have proved that.
Yes, but how many kids would rather buy a handheld than just buy it on the PS2. The DS offers the style of games that consoles don't/can't offer.
Even Mario 64x4 has it's portable touches, like the minigames and the wireless multiplayer.
Think of it this way:
Get the kids to choose between GTA4 and Snake.
Does Snake win? No.
Would they choose a PSP over a mobile phone? Uh uh.
Probably a bad example as mobile phones do a lot that consoles can't, but that's hardly helped the N-Gage now...
Top score wrote:
> Nintendo handhelds have played safe for years, that what happens when
> you have a monopoly. Enter Sony PSP and Nintendo is running scared.
>
> GTA and GT4 mobile or Mario 64 4x4 no contest.
Bwahahaha. Firstly- I don't care for either GTA OR GT, so yes indeed, Mario 64 DS wins with; no contest. Nintendo are not running scared, not at all. The DS is NOT (And I repeat for you, IS NOT) in direct competition with the PSP, and the next GameBoy is already in development. "Running scared" hardly sums this up.
Moron.
> Nintendo handhelds have played safe for years, that what happens when
> you have a monopoly. Enter Sony PSP and Nintendo is running scared.
>
> GTA and GT4 mobile or Mario 64 4x4 no contest.
Bwahahaha. Firstly- I don't care for either GTA OR GT, so yes indeed, Mario 64 DS wins with; no contest. Nintendo are not running scared, not at all. The DS is NOT (And I repeat for you, IS NOT) in direct competition with the PSP, and the next GameBoy is already in development. "Running scared" hardly sums this up.
Moron.
I know because I am more in tune with the century we live in now and a guarantee you now if you went to a highstreet and ask kids from say 10 to 18 what handheld they would like to play on?
Ds with Mario 64
PSP with GT4 mobile
8 out of 10 would say GT4 and don't say they would not because PS2 and Gamecube have proved that.
Ds with Mario 64
PSP with GT4 mobile
8 out of 10 would say GT4 and don't say they would not because PS2 and Gamecube have proved that.
Why does Mario DS look better than the GTA san andreas footage they show on the advert for the game?
I'd rather enjoy GTA on a nice big television thankyou very much.
Handheld versions of console games just don't work, they don't have the depth or the scope to make them playable/exact replicas of their console counterparts.
The only game I can think of being good enough for both was Mario Kart.
Handheld versions of console games just don't work, they don't have the depth or the scope to make them playable/exact replicas of their console counterparts.
The only game I can think of being good enough for both was Mario Kart.
but you've never played any of those games so how do you know?
Nintendo handhelds have played safe for years, that what happens when you have a monopoly. Enter Sony PSP and Nintendo is running scared.
GTA and GT4 mobile or Mario 64 4x4 no contest.
GTA and GT4 mobile or Mario 64 4x4 no contest.
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