[DS] Nintendo DS/Lite discussion thread

I've just purchased a european Black DS Lite. It is fantastic from an aesthetic point of view, it looks gorgeous and has phenomenal colours if compared to the DS' visual performance. I naturally appreciate the 4 levels of brightness and the overall look/feel of the two screens.

What didn't strike as equally gratifying were some little drawbacks I noticed.
First of all, the volume, at its maximum level, is noticeably lower than how it sounded on the DS. It can be kind of solved with the implementation of good earphones, though it's certainly more of an annoyance than a welcome addition.

Second, we have this ghosting effect, almost unperceivable, yes, but it's there. I think it was produced along with the chromatic enhancement that can be seen on the screens. Not really unnerving, since it's not evident.

Third unfortunate discovery, the D-Pad suffers from a blatant lack of calibration and sensitivity in diagonal movements. I can tell you, it's very bothersome for those games that require fast and precise 360° movements.

I've read of several people noticing this flaw and, actually, I'm considering bringing it back for an exchange. By testing around, I can sense that the directional cross is very stiff, rigid - and you can tell it has an unstable dead zone that affects too intensely the direction of your movements. It's not an overstatement when I say that some GBA titles are nearly unplayable because of that.

So, I'm rather disappointed in regards to these aspects. Otherwise, it's simply a beauty to gaze upon - and it provides a real blast with touch-based games - especially Mario Kart DS, what with all the amazingly brilliant colours it sports.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by Elixir

The dpad is always stiff to begin with. I've noticed this from the one I returned, to this one. It eventually breaks in after you've used it for awhile, so the responsiveness kicks in after a period of time. I don't mind this, since it isn't a big deal.

What you say, Elixir, is very relieving to me. After all, it's not like I can't input diagonal directions at all. It's rather that such movements require a harder pression, so it actually feels tighter and, at the same time, uncomfortable. I hope I'll get used to said configuration, since as I stated I love the visual and aesthetical quality that my DSLite displays.

Originally Posted by Elixir

The main problem with all LCD material is the fucking dead pixels. I'm still not sure how the DS Lite I returned managed to get another vague dead pixel. Originally, it had one. I didn't notice it until about a week after purchase, while playing Phoenix Wright. I did everything to get rid of it--rubbing, pixel fixer programs, wiping--but nothing worked. Then the second dead pixel appears about half a cm to the right of the previous dead pixel. It could have been from rubbing, but I'll never know for sure.

I fully concur with you on that. Dead pixels constitute an unstandable flaw. Had that been the case with my system, I would have got it to be replaced immediately. So far I've been lucky, but who knows, these unfortunate matters are always around the corner with this kind of technology, as you clearly pointed out.

Originally Posted by Infernal Monkey

The Blinx team better not bugger that up or I'll punch a wall and start crawling in my skin.

I'm admittedly ignorant when it comes to these terms, but... who's this Blinx Team exactly?

There's nowhere I can't reach.

I see. Having heard of Universal Gravitation (or Topsy-Turvy, like it's named in U.S. regions) and its abysmal quality, I can only confide in Miyamoto and the other big names' supervision.

How ya doing, buddy?