[DS] Nintendo DS/Lite discussion thread

And thank god, too. My Castlevania is from the states, half of my library is japanese, and my Sonic Rush was bought here. If they ever did, people would concuct a modchip so fast.

It's stupid to have region blocks on portables, even. The whole point is for them to be portable worldwide. Even though it can't be charged on a different voltage, having region protections would probably ruin DS importing.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

I really don't understand this. Europe doesn't have DS Lites, yet Australia and New Zealand do?

This is a first in gaming history. I mean really. We've never had anything before europe. Perhaps the eye piercing white is too bright for those dull houses and lack of sun in areas like britain. lol eastenders

I'm going to see what different stores will give me for my DS. It's practically brand new and I really haven't touched it in a few weeks, perhaps after some talking I'll get somewhere.

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Elixir is so fucking jealous. ;_;

How are the dpad and buttons in comparison? I haven't spoken to anyone who actually owns one, who doesn't go "lol this thing rox, man i cant explain it". I want one just for my imports, because my current DS has a grid touchscreen and it's pretty annoying.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Hahaha, my local EB is having a deal here, where they'll give you $100 off the DS Lite if you trade in your current DS and two games. Which is, obviously, a rip off.

I think I'll try to sell my DS privately, and get myself a Lite. I hate the clicky buttons on the original DS so and the brightness is a nice addition. It's not something revolutionary like the GBA SP, though.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Originally Posted by NES Oldskooler

It's not that bad! If you can part with them, you can trade in your beloved Asphalt Urban GT, Ping Pals, and Sprung! The EB employee's voice will probably crack as he'll have to call for his manager to confirm whether or not the games exceed the value of the "EB game guarantee" they're always trying to push.

(In all honesty, some of the DS' launch titles weren't that hot. I could see some people trading in their Mario 64s and Yoshi Touch & Gos for a few extra dollars.)

Well, the DS + 2 games deal is for $100 dollars in my currency. You'd get $62 US for your DS and 2 games. The problem is, they don't even care if your DS is brand new or not. I've treated mine with care since I purchased it in january, and places like EB don't care for stuff like that. It's all "the more you have, the more you get" with them.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Question.

Are the DS Lite's screens more sensitive than the original DS? (ie. will I need a screen protector?) And, I'd like to know if the DS Lite's screens have different models. Are they thicker and stronger, or thinner and weaker than the original? The original DS has two models, which are the original and grid pattern.

FELIPE NO

Originally Posted by Merv Burger

Both of which made no difference.

I know, but the grid pattern one was ugly. Up close I could see them. (Especially on Ouendan's title screen, or on Bomberman's grassy level.)

Originally Posted by Kaleb.G

When I used the Lite, the screen was actually much less sensitive than the original DS, in that I had to press a lot harder with the stylus in order for it to register.

Well, I'm going to get a DS Lite very soon. From what I understand, the touchscreen is neither grid nor default, but it's own different style. I checked Nintendo's website on it, and apparently the touchscreen is "stronger."

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

(Taken from journal)



Got mine yesterday morning. I returned it shortly after because it was already opened, and they gave me another one. Yeah, returning it because it's "been opened" is the dumbest thing ever, but if I don't open it myself it isn't my DS. It's just a small detail which is meant to be included in the price. They were very friendly and swapped immediately.

I only really noticed because the back of the box was ripped, and the seal on those tabs that you have to bend in order to open the box was already broken.

I heard about the black DS Lites yesterday, which I commented on in my journal. It's no big deal, I am willing to bet that black will show the dirt quicker (I'm not just saying that because I have a white one now, either) although it's less likely to show fingerprints.

The Brain Training demo is fun. I'm not one for maths, but the whole mic concept and Sudoku is fun. I haven't quite figured out Sudoku though, because there's some parts where there's no specific number in either of the columns yet you're still able to get it wrong. Hmm.

Then came the testing period.

Everything is super bright in colors. Not just the brightness levels, I'm talking about the color itself. Seiken Densetsu is absolutely beautiful on this thing, and it improved the grainyness of the opening video too. I think it was meant for the Lite.

Bomberman is much more playable now because the mic is actually more sensitive. I don't have to yell "bomb" in order for a bomb to be planted like I did with my original DS. The buttons are no longer clicky and this time around they don't suck. The dpad is pretty small but I don't mind. Nor do I mind about the GBA cartridges sticking out a little, because it's not like it makes it unplayable.

The whole thing is awesome. I'd never go back to my original DS simply because the depth of colors in the Lite is so much better. The stylus is also very impressive, although people just treat it as a minor detail since they can import their own. I did import my own, but I must say, I'll be using the DS Lite's stylus now because it's definitely usable. With Ouendan.

Speaking of Ouendan, holy shit. The colors and feeling of Ouendan on the DS Lite is pretty fucking rad. I think, however, that the DS Lite's screen has this spray which coats the screen, because I noticed parts of the touchscreen are a little ruff. Once you use the touchscreen enough, this will disintegrate and return to normal. This happened with previous DS' I've had, so I know it's not a fault.

I'm still in two minds over whether I should get a screen protector for this baby. But yeah, definitely worth the purchase. Getting the demo with it was fun (although I probably wouldn't purchase the game, I'm not really one for those gimmicks) and $20 off sealed the deal.

Question, though. Does the second level of brightness equal the original DS' brightness level? I'm just wondering because the first level of brightness seems quite usable. I was quite amazed when the instruction manual told me that it lasts up to 19 hours on the lowest brightness, or 5-7 on the highest.

Oh one last thing, don't use the highest brightness level. It'll damage your eyes after awhile, ESPECIALLY in a dark room. I don't know this for sure since mine's charging, but it's predictable as hell.

Originally Posted by JazzFlight

I'm trying a stuck pixel fixer using my GBA flash cart, but so far, it's doing nothing.

That shit's just a popularity tool which does nothing. It's like the "leet crew" who put out alternative themes for xbox dashboards, yet essentially they do nothing. I'd just return it, because even my retailer said that if you get just a single dead pixel, you can't take your eyes off it. Unless american gaming stores are really strict about swapping items, you shouldn't have a problem.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by Sar

Can't you rub the pixels back to life? I hear that works.

No, they're dead. Can you resurrect dead things?

I dunno, my retailer mentioned that he's only encountered two DS Lites with dead pixels so far. I guess it's the luck of the draw. But in the world of dead pixels, the PSP is the real culprit. But that's a given, considering it has a much larger screen so there's a higher possibility of them existing.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Neogin

I remember comparing both, and the first level of the Lite is equal to the DS's. So, yeah, that's damn good.

Oh my god. Are you serious? I thought the SECOND level of brightness on the DS Lite was equal to the original. I only assumed that because the level of brightness it's set on by default is the third, which I assumed was one up over the original.

19 hours without charging is amazing. Even though that accuracy is probably off somewhat, it's real nice. I don't have an iPod anymore but I'm pretty sure it's evn longer than what the iPod could last for.

Speaking of the iPod, the earphones are the exact same color. They blend in perfectly. I haven't noticed a difference in sound whatsoever but I do believe it's better. (For example, the volume is now more sensible and easier to control. I found with the original DS, the volume bar I had to use my fingernail to move. Which was kinda annoying, considering you had to be precise otherwise it'd shoot from one end to another.)

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

If you have even a single dead pixel it's all you're going to be looking at the entire time you're playing it.

And there's no pretending that it isn't there, either. It's there. And it's obvious as hell. Not for it's size, but just because it's different from the rest.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Originally Posted by Infernal Monkey

Yeah imagine all the PS3's and Wii's that'll suffer from dead pixels! =o

OH SHIT. I totally didn't see this coming. And just think, the PS3 could be releasing HDTV-only games! Sounds like an awesome plot, folks. Not only does Sony have thier way, but they force people to upgrade to Sony HDTV's at the same time. It's a lol-lol situation, right there.

::throws away outdated 2004 tv::

I was speaking idiomatically.

Originally Posted by JazzFlight

I think the main difference, why Nintendo still has a better reputation than Sony or Microsoft, is the customer support they give AFTER the hardware fails.

Nintendo will pay for shipping and repair if you're still under warranty, and this covers even 1 dead/stuck pixel.

Try doing that with Sony.

Eh, you make it sound like it's impossible. A company must care for it's customers (unless it's like, Apple lol) when it's selling a tool which essentially will lead to further money via the games produced for it. Consoles and handhelds are the key, sort of. The last thing they want is customers to feel deprived of their own experience because their hardware failed somehow.

My original PS2 sounded like a vacuum cleaner. I returned it, within a day it was replaced. Then I returned my PS2 controller after I noticed it had something wrong with the right analog stick (which I never used, actually, and was only a minor issue) and it was "tested." And then replaced without any questions asked.

I do suppose it depends on your location, though. Hell, do you know what the Xbox Technical Support in New Zealand links you to? MEXICO. I was speaking with a fucking mexican which I could barely understand while trying to resolve a dvd-rom issue. I would consider Nintendo and Sony about equal in my area.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Holy SHIT. I have an adrenaline rush right now from playing Bomberman DS on my Lite. Isn't that pathetic.

Anyway, should I get some Hori screen protectors? I feel as if I owe it to my Lite to protect it. Because I know it'll eventually get scratches. Ouendan don't play itself, son.

Spatula: HAHAHAHA, SISTER

FELIPE NO

Jesus christ dude. That is retarded.

Anyway. I only asked because parts of Ouendan are heavily based on the touchscreen, especially the spinners. Since I still play the game (mostly for fun, nothing serious) I'd still like to keep my Lite nice at the same time. I don't mind if it becomes scratched over time, considering the brightness levels won't ever make it a problem, but knowing they're there isn't the greatest feeling in the world.

Hmm, remind me to pick up Advance Wars DS. I've been told it's pretty rad, but Gamespot wasn't much of a confirmation of this.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

How do dots just appear on your screen? You should have taken a picture of it. Sounds interesting.

I like the DS Lite stylus, but I feel as if you need to press harder than the original DS. I still have my weeaboo stylus (which is roughly around the same size, extended) if it comes to that. Though, I heard the touchscreen is coated with layers and layers of foreskin so touching is hard.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

It feels quite loose and springy for me too. I haven't noticed any difference in sound quality though. I don't really bother with checking sound quality.

As for dead pixels, I haven't noticed any on mine. I'll check later tonight but there's probably none, since I probably would have found them already.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Liquid Snack

Biggest problem i had so far, was the whole "Dirty and smudgy" feel, oh and the mic is sometimes has less sensitivity, for some reason i needed to say "Objection" like 4 times.

I think it's because it's tuned for american accents. I had a bit of trouble with the Brain Age demo and identifying colors, because it wouldn't recognize me saying "black" on cue.

I've found the mic is more sensitive though, especially in Bomberman and Electroplankton. Perhaps it's location, but playing Bomberman and yelling "BOMB" into your mic wasn't all that fun with my old DS.

I'm quite surprised the majority of DS Lite owners here won't be putting on (namely Hori) screen protectors. I'm going over my usual anal "I just don't know, oh god, what do I do" phase with a new product here, because I just don't like the idea of rubbing it with my sleeve.

Oh, and I think I've found my next purchase:

Gyakuten Saiban: Mask Vision Murder Case (Best Price)

Holy SHIT. The japanese Phoenix Wright (which was original $80 US, I was talking to Acer about it) with the option for english is now only $30 US. From what I can tell it's a reprint, and since there's a demand for the american version, I suppose the japanese version is the best way to go.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by icarus

For those of you that have a DS Lite, please do me a favor. Check your DS Lite touch screens for the following:
- Bottom right corner of screen clicks-in
- Screen looks slightly off-center inside.

No and no. I don't know what to suggest.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Originally Posted by Infernal Monkey

It didn't really bother me that much, but perhaps your touch screen will have a coloured dot outbreak soon! Or not.

I still don't know how this is even possible. Did you push too hard (lol exploitable)? Mine has been awesome, although I can very vaguely see the touchscreen which distorts the even flow of color on the bottom screen. However it isn't HALF as bad as the grid touchscreen the original DS I owned had.

Is there any way of telling if my DS Lite is a grid or regular touchscreen?

I was speaking idiomatically.

Well I'm in New Zealand and usually by the time I've placed the order, within 3 hours it's shipped. But it takes something like 2-3 weeks to get here.

Why would you need an extended stylus? Though I've noticed that I squeeze my stylus (WHAT AM I SAYING, OH GOD) extra hard when playing Ouendan. I'd probably order a carrying case, since it's depressing how the Lite was released with no accessories, if it weren't $25 for a fucking pouch.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

I would contact Nintendo about that, seriously. Or just get yourself a stepdown transformer since america's voltage is lower than europe's. Unless you want to crisp your DS for the hell of it.

Do american DS Lites even work with overseas power chargers? I didn't think that would be possible. But yeah, for games and stuff the thing is universal.

FELIPE NO

Originally Posted by Luxo

There's no way I could burn the DS since the current is much lower here than in Europe. The worst thing that could happen would be the DS failing to turn on.

And what's the difference between a DS not turning on, and a burned DS? Apart from the fact that a burned DS is much cooler looking.



What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Hey, look what I just found. Too bad I don't have my original DS anymore though. I am usually 100% against skins, but it's Children of Mana material.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

It lost the wrist strap thing which people are meant to use with Mario 64. But that's it.

Everything else is improved one way or another. The only real differences is the lack of wrist strap and cartridge size.

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