Nintendo DS Lite
| File:Nintendo DS Lite logo.png | |
| File:Nintendo DS Lite.png | |
| Manufacturer | Nintendo |
|---|---|
| Type | Handheld game console |
| Generation | Seventh generation era |
| Lifespan |  Japan March 2, 2006
 UK Summer 2006 (Speculated) |
| Units sold | 996,546 [1] |
| Media | Game Paks (GBA Cartridges) DS cards |
| Online services | Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection |
| Predecessor | Nintendo DS |
The Nintendo DS Lite is a redesign of the Nintendo DS. It was announced on January 26, 2006 and went on sale in Japan on March 2, 2006 at a price of 16,800 yen ($140 USD). [2] The package includes an AC adapter, and should arrive sometime following spring or summer for North America, Europe and China. [3] This model is a slimmer and lighter version of the Nintendo DS, which is hoped to make the DS more stylish and appeal to different gaming audiences. It was almost completely sold out on its release in Japan. The May 2006 issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly has speculated on a June 2006 release of the system in the United States. Although unofficial, retail chains such as Electronics Boutique have listed June 1st, 2006 to be the release date[4].
Characteristics
The DS Lite is 42% smaller in volume and 21% lighter than the original DS. The layout of the controls has been adjusted slightly, with the Start/Select buttons being moved to below the A/B/X/Y buttons. The stylus now slides into the system sideways, and the microphone has been relocated to the hinge in the center of the system. Also, the power button has been relocated to the right side of the system as a switch, opposed to a button right above the D-pad on the original DS (This was considered a poor design due to the fact that it was easy to accidentally press while playing a game, losing unsaved progress). The screens have also been updated; the user can choose between four levels of brightness to increase battery efficiency and they are, even on the lowest setting, brighter compared to the original model. The screens touch when the clamshell is closed, therefore preventing an object from slipping between them and scratching or otherwise damaging them. The Nintendo DS Lite maintains all of the former functions the original Nintendo DS provided, including backwards compatibility with Game Boy Advance cartridges.
Features
- Weight: 218g (21% lighter than the DS).
- Dimensions: 133 mm × 73.9 mm × 21.5 mm (vs 148.7 mm × 84.7 mm × 28.9 mm - 42% less volume).
- Stylus Dimensions: Length 87.5 mm × 4.9 mm (vs 75.0 mm × 4.0 mm)
- D-pad reduced to 18.6 mm across (16% smaller), A/B/X/Y buttons retain same dimensions.
- Four levels of brightness, all of which are brighter than the original DS.
- Battery life: 15-19 hours on the lowest brightness setting, 5-8 hours on the highest.
- Retains the Game Boy Advance game connector ("Slot 2"), otherwise known as the Expansion Port. However, due to the reduced size, GBA cartidges stick out 1 cm from the front. To keep a seamless surface, a plastic plug covering the port is included.
- Mimics some Nintendo Wii design features: D-Pad with lines (also shared by the Game Boy micro), Century Gothic font face on buttons, and shiny surface texture.
- The Nintendo DS is region free and can play games from any region. However, some wireless multiplayer games may not play with games from other regions. For example, a copy of Nintendogs from the USA will not connect with a copy of Nintendogs from Japan.
- Three colors: Ice Blue, Enamel Navy, and Crystal White (see colors) A Black color has also been rumored by Famitsu.
- Features a much sturdier hinge than the previous model, which was very fragile.The ds lite is a major breakthrough for nintendo sales in japan have hit the roof
Colors
On February 10, 2006 Nintendo revealed [5] the colour schemes of the system upon launch, at least in Japan: Crystal White, Ice Blue and Enamel Navy. However, due to manufacturing problems only the Crystal White was available at its launch; the other two colors arrived on March 11th. Other colors may eventually be released, as is customary with Nintendo's handheld gaming systems. [6]
-
Enamel Navy
-
Ice Blue
Japanese launch pricing
The DS lite's suggested retail price is 16,800 yen ($130 USD). Due to the lack of supply and excessive demand of Nintendo DS systems in Japan, many Asian electronics distributors have raised the retail price of the redesigned handheld console to 23,300 yen ($200 USD). On some Japanese auction sites[7] it is being offered for prices as high as 40,000 yen ($341 USD).
Even though Nintendo managed to release 550,000 units in March (which was above their initial projections), many excited Japanese gamers have been left empty-handed so far. Nintendo has now estimated that the shortage will be eased by mid April, with Nintendo planning to release 700,000 DS Lites through the month of April. A UK and US release date is unknown but it is speculated that it will come out in May, around the same time as the release of the new platformer New Super Mario Bros. Pricing in the UK may be from £110-£115, depending on the colour.