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"DS: Original vs. Lite"

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Tue 08/08/06 at 14:54
Regular
"Peace Respect Punk"
Posts: 8,069
So, I recently picked up a DS Lite, despite having very little intention to spend money upgrading from my original Nintendo DS. The reason was a Nintendo sale GAME had going, where a limited number of Lites were going for only £50, half their usual price. I decided for that price it was definitely worth a look at the Lite, and overall I’m pleased I did.

The most obvious difference between your regular DS and a DS Lite is the size and weight. The Lite is smaller, more compact, and weighs less. Thankfully the screens are exactly the same size though, so you won’t be hindered from playing games. There are a few other cosmetic changes, most obviously the casing. Lites come (at the moment) in White or Black, and have a clear plastic-rubber like ‘casing’ giving it a nice shiny look. This casing also seems to be more resistant to scratches and scuffing than the normal plastic casing of the Original DS. The logo on the Original DS has also been replaced with the simpler two rectangles logo (representing the two screens of the DS).

Now this is all very nice but has little effect on the user or gameplay. Well, you’ll be glad to hear there are some changes that make the DS easier and better to use. First up, the power button is no longer above the D-Pad, so no more worrying about accidentally hitting it while playing. It’s now on the right side of the unit, and is a switch, much like the PSP power switch, that you flick up to turn the unit on or off. The power lights have also moved, no longer on the bottom right corner (and often obscured from view by your right hand), but on the right ‘hinge’ of the unit (between the two ‘halves’ of the unit when it’s opened up). This is a welcome change as it’s more obvious when the unit is running low on juice. The final adjustment is the stylus holder has been relocated by necessity. The DS Lite is too small to fit the stylus vertically down the unit as the Original DS had, so the stylus now pops out of the right side, just below the power switch, and runs horizontally along the back of the unit.

Upon opening up the unit, the buttons are all a little different. For a start, they seem to be raised more, so they’re more visible and prominent. The Start and Select buttons have also been moved to the bottom of the right side, under the main action buttons, and are now small circular buttons, which does make them slightly harder to find and press than on the Original DS.

Switching on the Lite you’ll be greeted with a very bright screen. While the Original DS gave you the option of turning the backlight on or off, off was not recommended because you’d usually spend the next five minutes trying to hit the ‘on’ icon as you couldn’t see a thing. The Lite however, has four settings for brightness. The lowest still makes things visible, but things are less bright than the Original DS with the backlight on. The second setting is about the same as an Original DS with backlight, the third is about as bright as you’ll ever need, and the highest level is liable to burn your eyes after more than a few minutes! The Lites battery supposedly lasts up to 18 hours on the lowest brightness, and up to 8 on the highest, but considering you’ll probably never need to go higher than the third setting (and using a little maths), I’m guessing the Lite should last you at least 11 hours fully charged, whereas the Original DS could apparently last up to 10. So a definite improvement, and if you stick to the second brightness setting, which is roughly the same as the Original DS, you should get a further improvement. Using the brighter setting, games look more vivid and bright, and everything looks clearer. Even your GameBoy Advance games will never have looked so vibrant.

The speakers also seem to be better too. Nothing really sounds ‘better’, but I had noticed my Original DS would crackle slightly on the lower volume settings, something that doesn’t seem to happen with the Lite.

Ergonomically, the Lite suffers many of the problems the Original DS did. Although I find it more comfortable, the shape is still not best suited to long playing, and although the corners aren’t so jagged and don’t ‘bite’ your hands so much, the unit is smaller than the Original DS, which could pose a problem to those with larger hands. However, I do find the Lite more comfortable than the Original DS, but it’s not a vast improvement, and it probably should have been a more significant step forward.

In conclusion though, I do prefer the Lite. The brighter screen really does make a difference, there is some extra comfort, although not enough in my book and there’s the obvious size and weight advantage, which wasn’t really an issue for me as the Original DS was small and light enough for me, but it is an added bonus I suppose. The only problem I have is that there’s no wrist / thumb strap included with the Lite, where the Original DS had one, which was very handy for Metroid Prime: Hunters, although I’ll readily admit I can’t see many other genres aside from shooters needing to use it. Still, a bit of an irritant.

But despite preferring the Lite, I can’t say I think it’s worth the extra cash if you already own a DS. If I’d shelled out full price for the Lite, I wouldn’t be particularly happy with the improvements, as I don’t feel they’re worth paying that much extra for. However, for the price I paid, I’m happy with the improvements and feel it was worthwhile.

If you’re looking at upgrading to a Lite, or even just wondering whether to buy an Original DS or a DS Lite for the first time, I hope this post has proved somewhat useful to you.
Fri 10/08/07 at 00:44
"LOLLERSKATES!"
Posts: 5,659
To follow Edgys lead...

*they're too long winded
Thu 09/08/07 at 23:21
Regular
Posts: 15,681
1. Just to let you know, it is "YOU'RE" not "YOUR".

2. This is a discussion forum...about games and consoles...so an opinion has been expressed. You have your own opinion, and just because it is different, it doesn't mean that on one else would find this interesting.

After all, there are some people who may be in a position where they can aquire one or the other, or may be thinking of upgrading to a DS Lite...

3. You must care as you ressurected this thread :P
Thu 09/08/07 at 15:07
Regular
"wayward"
Posts: 2
If you really feel that this much time should be spent analysing the things instead of playing them then:

YOUR ON YOUR OWN

But to answer your question the original is always the best and i dont really care about your views there too long winded. IF you've managed to get 2 play them stop trying to show off.
Fri 13/07/07 at 11:19
Regular
"Blood on my suit"
Posts: 1,387
I'm thinking this maybe should go in the reviews forum? No?
Fri 13/07/07 at 11:01
Moderator
"possibly impossible"
Posts: 24,985
Why bring this whole old topic up just to ask for help on an un-related game, though?

Answer to the original question: Check out the Walkthroughs on this website. If it's not here, check out gamefaqs.com.
Fri 13/07/07 at 10:45
Regular
"Monochromatic"
Posts: 18,487
Geffdof wrote:
> I've got large hands

Aye aye, me too

* Coughs *

Ahem
Fri 13/07/07 at 10:30
Regular
"lets go back"
Posts: 2,661
Sibs wrote:
> the unit is smaller than the Original DS, which could pose a
> problem to those with larger hands.

I've got large hands and I find the lite quite comfortable.

The biggest bonus of its small size for me is that its easy to fit in your pocket and carry round.
Thu 12/07/07 at 20:42
Regular
"nds the sims 2 help"
Posts: 1
hi if anyone knows and cheats or hints about nintendo ds the sims 2 i would be grateful stuck on one part wen calming a man down in the city hall after putting his fire out in the office really tough help please
Wed 09/08/06 at 00:44
Regular
"Peace Respect Punk"
Posts: 8,069
Yeah, I didn't realise it was that long... When I posted it I was a bit taken aback!

But if anyone wants to know all the nitty gritty details regarding DS/Lite differences, this is the place!
Tue 08/08/06 at 23:29
Regular
Posts: 8,220
Sorry man, it's late (well, I'm up to get ready for work at 6.30, so I have to sleep soon), and I don't care enough to read it all.

But well done on writing all that.

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