"Let there be Lite!"

I had an original DS at first, making this review helpful in that it will compare the Lite to the original. I'm posting my opinions on each system. So let's get started on the original DS.

-Original model AKA "Tank" AKA "Brick"-

As soon as I saw the Nintendo DS, I knew I wanted one. I first got my hands on one when my friend bought one. I was impressed, to say the least. With two screens, one being a touch screen, AND a microphone built in, this is cool. Nintendo has struck again with innovation. A nice silver color, it isn't too bright or too dark. It's easy on the eyes, and you can easily concentrate on your games because of this.

-Graphics-

You read this review knowing that the DS doesn't live up to the PSP in terms of graphics. I don't consider it a major issue, but I know that some people will rely on graphics to have a good time while playing games. If all you care about is graphics, you can stop reading this review, because the DS is not for you. Nevertheless, the DS has very nice graphics, sometimes almost living up to the PSP. Metroid Prime: Hunters has VERY good graphics, almost as good as a PSP, if not as good. But most games you'll find have decent graphics, not mind-blowing, and not unimpressive. I find the graphics go well with the system. I couldn't imagine PSP graphics on every DS game. It just wouldn't fit. But for me, it's just fine.

Graphics- 8/10

-Sound-

You've gotta love surround sound. A speaker on each side of the upper screen is incredible. The top screen is also closer to your ears than the PSP speakers, making it easier to hear everything. Most games have great music, and Kirby: Canvas Curse has incredible sound quality. All the sound goes well with whatever game you're playing. The sound really adds a lot to the DS.

Sound- 10/10

-Features-

THIS is where the DS truly shines. Two screens. A touch screen. Stylus included. Microphone. Pictochat. Wi-fi. Downloadable demos. It's all here. With two screens, cut scenes have more detail, allowing you to see things from different angles. On MarioKart DS it has a map on the bottom screen. On Metroid it has all your weapons on the bottom screen. The touch screen is also a great feature. It allows for games that could never be played on the PSP. The touch screen eliminates the need for using more buttons, since there are almost unlimited buttons on the touch screen. The touch screen is just sensitive enough to sense your stylus, but not a speck of dust or a hair. It senses exactly where you touch it, and if it doesn't, feel free to go back to the DS menu to calibrate it. The stylus will never make a scratch on the screen unless you press VERY hard. I've never had any problems with it.

The microphone is a nice feature, allowing some games such as Nintendogs to be played to their full potential. It registers your voice very well, and you don't have to put your face an inch away from it. About five to eight inches works well. On Metroid Prime: Hunters, you can talk to friends over wi-fi, and understand every word they're saying. It sounds just like a telephone. Which brings me to wi-fi. The connection is slightly annoying to set up since it requires a WEP code, which is found on your computer. If you don't know where to find it, it's annoying to find. But after you've set up a connection, it's perfect. If you're lucky you can find a reliable connection in your neighbor's house. It usually won't disconnect you unless you're too far away. You'll be able to find out where you can go and where you can't fairly easily. Wi-fi play is fairly easy to find opponents on, and with the friend code system, you can choose to play only against friends. Pictochat is another nice feature which you use to chat with friends up to about thirty feet away. It's a fun thing to mess around with. If you go to download stations you can download demos of certain games which is a great way to try out a game without having to pay. My only problem with the DS is that you can't play Gameboy or GameBoy Color cartridges. Not a huge problem, but still one that should have been taken care of.

Features- 11/10

-Durability-

On my original DS, my R button broke after about a year of play, mostly because of MarioKart DS. My touch screen was also off center and wouldn't recalibrate for some reason. These are the two main reasons I bought the Lite. The buttons are the only thing that could act up. The actual system won't break easily though. My friend dropped it accidentally from four feet up onto concrete. It got a nick or two. Nothing else broke. A PSP would most likely have a broken screen. The DS's folding design really helps to protect it, another nice feature.

Durability- 7/10 for buttons, 9/10 for system overall

-Game selection-

Almost everything is here. Sports, racing, RPG, puzzle, action, simulation... You name it, we've got it. The only thing it falls short on are sports games without Mario. If all you like is sports, then once again, the DS is most certainly not for you. But if you like any other genre of gaming, it's perfect. It'll have everything you need.

Game selection- 9/10

Overall the original DS is a great system. I would give it an 8.5/10.

-DS Lite-

I took it out of the box and was amazed. Much smaller, and much more compact. A sleek white color, with a drawing a two screens on the top. This design is flat rather than going down on the edges. (You'll know what I mean if you see a picture of the brick) Unfortunately, the GBA cartridge sticks out, a mistake on Nintendo's part. Overall, everything is well-designed and is worth every penny. Especially considering...

-Graphics-

Wow. You play the original DS and then you compare it to this... HUGE difference. On the DS Lite there are four light settings, the lowest being the brightest setting on the original DS. The Lite can be 4 TIMES BRIGHTER than the tank model. Wow. It's seriously worth playing all your old games over again just to see the brighter colors on the DS Lite. I could never go back to the original DS. Pitch black. The graphics themselves aren't better, but everything is shown to it's full potential this time around. The light is a major improvement in things like MarioKart which is full of color, and things like Metroid, which is very dark. It's worth getting a Lite just for this.

Graphics- 9.5/10

-Sound-

When I turned on the Lite, I noticed the sound is definitely different. It's hard to explain. It's not quite as loud, and almost feels as if it's contained where in the original DS all the sound came out. The sound is wonderful, but the original brick did a slightly better job in this category.

Sound- 9/10

-Features-

Nothing really new here, although there have been a few improvements. The stylus on the original DS feels very light and could easily be broken in half. Not this time. This thing is MASSIVE compared to the original. You can hold this one without it slipping out of your fingers on accident, and it's not unnaturally light like the first one. The stylus is also moved. Rather than it being on the top where the DS cartridge is, it's now on the right side of the DS, making it easier to get it out more quickly. The microphone was also moved to the center of the DS. I think this was mostly done for Brain Age, since you have to turn the DS sideways to play. It's awkward at first, and I can't say I like it there. I still need to get used to it, but I'm sure that Nintendo wouldn't have made a mistake so trivial as that. It will more than likely get better with time.

Features- 12/10

-Durability-

I can't comment on the Lite's durability yet since I've only had it about a month. So far it seems durable, but I'm hoping it doesn't get worse. Time will tell.

Durability- N/A

-Game selection-

Of course, this is the same. The only thing that changes is the brightness, making some games easier to see, and increasing the quality of the game. If there was a game that was too hard to see, the Lite has solved that problem easily.

Game selection- 9/10

Overall, I think the Lite improved on an already incredible system. It's worth the ten extra dollars, and if you need a new DS I would highly recommend getting this rather than another new brick.

Overall- 9.5/10

So there you have it, both systems compared. I favor the Lite, and would definitely upgrade if possible. It's worth all the money you spend.

Brick DS- 9/10
DS Lite- 9.5/10

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 10/11/06